<p> This study utilized geographic information systems (GIS) software to identify and map vacant parcels of land where the establishment of urban market gardens and small-scale farms would most likely be viable, and then estimated potential crop yields and gross sales based on available land resources. Of the 100,618 parcels (62,098 acres) within the study area, 14 percent (4,603 parcels, 8,612 acres) were water-metered, vacant, and met the study's minimum suitability requirements. Based on average yields for fourteen regionally appropriate crops and local produce prices for organic goods in 2012, gross yields and sales were calculated. The findings suggest that urban growers in the Reno-Sparks-Washoe County study area could generate between $88,000 and $272,000 per acre, a range based on conventional and biointensive crop management methods, respectively. If 10 percent (861 acres) of all suitable vacant lands were cultivated, an estimated $76 million to $234 million could be generated through sales of an estimated yield of 29 to 86 million pounds of produce. </p><p> These figures were based on the assumptions that land would be at least 60 percent cultivated; that season extension infrastructure such as row covers, polyethylene-film covered hoop-house structures, or traditional greenhouses would be utilized to ensure three full growing seasons if necessary; and that 60 percent of all produce would be sold directly to consumers at organic retail prices. Costs of labor, establishment, and production were not considered due to extreme variability of site requirements and growing methods. The results highlight the importance of urban agriculture to our community's economy and food security, and its needs for greater public awareness and political and programmatic support.</p>

Growing development pressure in Ontario’s Far North has prompted northern First Nation communities, who have recognized these potential outcomes, to initiate community-based land-use planning. In 2009 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) announced Bill 191, An Act with Respect to Land-Use Planning and Protection in the Far North, to guide the planning process and promote a balance between conservation and development. The way the legislation develops and advances will be a determining factor in the degree of benefit to local communities. This manuscript thesis explores the issues related to land-use planning in Ontario’s Far North, specifically the James Bay lowland region, through two articles. Information collected through participant observation, an extensive multi-disciplinary literature review, interviews with key policy actors and review of transcripts from Standing Committee hearings was combined to inform the development of both articles. The first article explores the landscape to highlight the abiotic, biotic and cultural features of the region. This article provides a scoping exercise to begin to describe features that should contribute to the creation of the community-based land-use plans. The second article critically examines the development of Bill 191 to guide land-use planning through policy, organizational and operational institutional levels from a First Nations perspective. Themes of power, social justice and participation in the planning process are central to the consideration of the emerging planning process. This review reveals a process that, instead of initiating a new relationship between the government of Ontario and First Nations, has contributed to increasingly acrimonious relations between the two. / Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-10-25 12:37:47.676

Many rural communities suffer from the poor management of natural resources they depend on. Natural resources such as land, water and forests are the source of their daily needs. It is well known that the sustainable use of natural resources is important, however, in the process of natural resource management some people are excluded from the decision-making process, especially rural women. This study examines the efficiency and equity consequences of natural resources and land management institutional practices in land reform projects in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in relation to gender issues. Case studies of two land reform projects in KZN, Platt Estate (restitution) and Ekuthuleni (redistribution) are used. Both quantitative (questionnaire surveys) and qualitative (focus group discussions, venn diagrams, mental mapping and ranking exercises) methods were used. The study examines the main links between women's needs and concerns as well as their participation in decision-making over land use and management of resources. Another noteworthy aspect that is examined is the way in which changing and differentiated patterns of control, access and use of land resources at household and community levels affect the ways in which resources are exploited and managed, especially in relation to women. Generally, the research findings illustrate that sustainable land use and natural resource management at the community and household levels in rural areas cannot be neglected or ignored in areas where high levels of poverty persist and where the re-invention and re-assertion of tradition is prevalent, especially traditional governance structures and patriarchy. In all two communities, structures pertaining to land management exist but the functionality, sustainability and viability of these structures and their ability to address development and environmental needs that impact on the social, economic, political and environmental quality of life are major concerns. Furthermore, women's participation in these structures is limited and several problems are experienced. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

<p> This dissertation traces the history of cattle grazing at Saguaro NP, Organ Pipe Cactus NM and Fort Bowie NHS in southern Arizona. This collection of studies examines the factors affecting that use, the ranchers who made their living from the landscape, and the federal land managers responsible for sustaining the natural and cultural resources. </p><p> A dominant industry on arid public lands since the Civil War, grazing was altered by a variety of influences: environmental and human-derived. Ranching communities developed from homesteading settlements. Success was determined by climate, topography, and natural resources; social and cultural pressures; economic events and political legislation; and later federal regulations and decisions. </p><p> The first agency to oversee grazing, USFS was under constant pressure to maximize short-term human benefits. The NPS Organic Act of 1916 mandated conservation of natural resources "by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations" and yet approved cattle grazing, an extractive use, under USFS management. Park managers were frustrated by grazing practices not under their control. Parks were at a cultural and social disadvantage. Residents and politicians often expressed displeasure at park reservations; communities feared that parks would interfere with local industries. </p><p> Park employees supervised visitors and developed recreation infrastructure; they came with little experience to manage livestock. Lack of funding for research, limited manpower, and political and administrative interference allowed cattle grazing to continue unregulated for decades altering vegetation and enhancing erosion. In the 1960s, changing values from the environmental movement, the waning power of the livestock industry, and the rise of activist scientists impelled NPS to act. Without monitoring data, NPS turned to legal opinions to terminate grazing. </p><p> Now grazing is regulated and carefully monitored. NPS is mandated to incorporate research results into management decisions. Older grazing permits are being retired, but land acquisitions for park additions add new management challenges. Purchasing permits offers a new but financially limited opportunity to protect sensitive lands. Grazing has ended at all three parks, yet ecological changes and historic structures remain. As cultural and administrative legacies, those remnants offer opportunities to interpret a significant regional tradition and an untold controversy.</p>

<p> Comprehensive planning can help communities engage in purposeful and sustainable land use development. Previous research has indicated that Indian reservations in the United States often face unique roadblocks to these planning efforts: checkerboard patterns of tribal and nontribal ownership, and the presence of both tribal and local governments exercising land use authority within the same shared space. These roadblocks can lead to uncooperative, uncoordinated, or unsustainable development. Despite these noted problems, there remains an important gap in the current literature regarding solutions to overcome these roadblocks. The purpose of this study was to address that gap. Guided by Forester's critical planning theory to critically examine the social and historical roots of planning within a particular community, this qualitative case study examined government records and conducted 18 interviews of tribal and local government officials. Data analysis consisted of coding data to reveal emergent themes relating to cooperative land use planning in the future. These themes included: (a) approaching planning with a regional philosophy in mind, (b) strengthening interpersonal relationships, (c) finding ways to fairly compensate each other for government services, (d) continuing to acknowledge each government's ability to govern within this shared space, and (e) refraining from asserting authority over a neighboring government. This research is an important contribution to the existing literature and enhances social change initiatives by providing guidance for tribal and local government officials to increase cooperative land use planning.</p>

<p> This study characterizes the experience of five states that have chosen to pursue third party sustainable forest certification of publicly owned lands using the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Studying the impact of FSC certification on Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania may provide the Colorado State Forest Service and other forest stakeholders with an improved understanding of the potential impact of FSC certification of Colorado's public forests. This issue is especially pertinent to Colorado green builders who are attempting to acquire structural lumber from sustainably managed forests within a 500 mile (805 km) area of the construction site, as prescribed by US Green Build Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) standards. As there are no FSC certified forests in Colorado or neighboring states, sustainable builders cannot comply with some pertinent green building standards. Additionally, It is intended that this study will support sustainable forest policy studies and facilitate continuing research on the impact of FSC certification of Colorado public forests.</p>

Cemeteries have both problems and opportunities which have not been considered by land use planners. These problems include the consumption of land that might have a better use, the concealing of below-grade resources, pollution, vandalism and others. The opportunities are that cemeteries have multiple land use potential.A survey of cemeteries in Delaware County, Indiana, brings clearness to policies for American planners. Some of that clearness is that the older abandoned cemeteries have potential for recreation, for open space preservation and for historic preservation. The modern cemeteries which are still receiving burials are living symbols of how society is currently dealing with death. These must be left primarily for this purpose. The future holds the best opportunities. The question for the future is not: "Where shall we put the next cemetery?" But, more clearly, there are two questions--each of which has a separate set of answers. One is: "How do we dispose of the body?" The other is: "How can we improve the memorialization of our loved ones while still respecting the land?" / Department of Urban Planning

Current land use practices in cemetery developments, both abroad and i n the United States, often conflict with the efficient use of land resources. This extended study deals with the changes that need to be made concerning the existing problems, to prevent future problems, and, at the same time, prepare communities for the changes involved in the evolution toward more liberal views regarding cemetery development. Cemetery development is defined to be the changes that have occurred in cemeteries throughout history and the sociocultural factors that have influenced land use. / Department of Landscape Architecture

<p> This dissertation investigates the relationship between community structure and social dynamics and farmers' livelihood and land-use decisions in settlements of land reform in the Brazilian Amazon. Using social capital theory, it addresses the following questions: How can social capital be conceptualized in areas of land reform in the Amazon region and how does it change over time? What is the role of local organizations in community formation and development in colonization areas of the Amazon region? How has settlement design influenced farmers' participation in local organizations? How does social capital within rural communities influence the dynamics of household economy in the Amazon region? How does social capital, in the form of norms of reciprocity and boundaries, affect land-use/land-cover change at farm and community levels? To answer these questions, this dissertation combines ethnographic data, social-network analyses, linear regression analyses, multi-temporal remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems. This is a unique, in-depth study of social capital &mdash;in the form of social networks, participation in local organizations, and norms of reciprocity&mdash; taking into consideration the particularities of areas of land reform organized around a regime of private property. Three communities were chosen for this study: Nova Alian&ccedil;a, Po&ccedil;o Branco, and Serra Grande. The arrival of more capitalized farmers in Nova Alian&ccedil;a and Po&ccedil;o Branco, who tend to invest in a more diversified agriculture, has led to high incidence of land turnover, resulting in higher rates of deforestation. Conversely, Serra Grande has developed a system of boundary norms that has limited land turnover, resulting in lower rates of deforestation. In these communities, networks based on trust provide for the households' immediate needs, furthering their access to community organizations. Although settlement design is not a hindrance to interaction and trust, it results in differential participation in some local organizations, such as the farmers' associations. The latter contribute to the upward mobility of poor farmers by providing access to credit, though benefits are not equally shared among the residents. However, these associations' heavy dependence on governmental assistance jeopardize the positive outcomes they intend, limiting their effectiveness and undermining trust and cooperation among farmers. These findings will help small farmers in the Amazon and elsewhere recognize the intrinsic value of local organization and collective action, and how these intertwine in influencing their quality of life, sociocultural identity, sense of belonging, and perspectives towards the future.</p>

<p> Cleveland has experienced population loss in the past decade because of the economic and foreclosure crisis, which caused many of the residents to move away, creating an increase in vacant homes and lots. Urban community gardens are a form of greenspace that repurposes vacant homes and lots that would otherwise be potential sites for debris, dumping, arson, squatters, and crime. Other forms of greenspace have been shown to positively increase feelings of community, ties to place, and create feelings of safety while offering social space and recreation areas in urban environments. I conducted a survey at three urban community gardens in different Cleveland neighborhoods to determine who was using the gardens, how they were using them and if garden participation increased feelings of community, community strength, and improved how the participants felt about their neighbors and neighborhood. Non-gardeners were also surveyed for comparison. Survey results indicate that the gardens are similar to other forms of urban greenspace in that they serve to increase feelings of community, create ties to place by creating neighborhood satisfaction, and increasing feelings of safety. This research suggests that urban gardens are a positive way to repurpose vacant land in residential neighborhoods by offering greenspace and strengthening the community.</p>