L’époque romantique a vu se développer un vaste mouvement d’intérêt pour l’Espagne, donnant lieu à de nombreux voyages dans la Péninsule, mais aussi à une intense activité de traductions, d’imitations, d’adaptations, qui ont contribué à familiariser les lecteurs français avec le patrimoine intellectuel et artistique de l’Espagne. L’espagnolisme romantique a exploré pratiquement tous les secteurs et toutes les manifestations de la vie espagnole. Certains l’ont fait avec un bonheur d’écriture indéniable, soit qu’ils décrivent les provinces du pays, soit qu’ils se penchent sur les figures typiques de la mythologie littéraire, soit qu’ils s’éblouissent de la beauté de ses monuments et de l’exceptionnelle richesse de ces trésors d’art. Les travaux d’érudition n’ont pas manqué, notamment avec Mérimée et Damas-Hinard. Dans l’ensemble, toutefois, l’approche romantique de l’Espagne a suscité des réserves, de la part surtout d’écrivains espagnols, qui lui ont reproché sa recherche du clinquant, masquant ainsi les réalités profondes du pays. À travers l’analyse des œuvres dont certaines n’avaient guère sollicité l’attention de la critique, le présent travail s’efforce de dresser un bilan de l’espagnolisme romantique français, de façon à en faire ressortir les réels mérites mais a en montrer également les insuffisances et les faiblesses. L’image romantique de l’Espagne apparaît, au total, comme une image datée, tant en raison d’une propension immodérée à la couleur locale et au pittoresque superficiel que parce qu’une véritable conscience historique a fait trop souvent défaut à la plupart de ces écrivains, qui ont projeté leurs passions, leurs préjugés, leurs positions idéologiques sur leur perception de l’Espagne. / The romantic era witnessed a wide increase of interest in Spain, leading to many trips to the Peninsula, and even an intense activity of translation, imitations and adaptations, which contributed to familiarizing the French readers with the intellectual and artistic heritage of Spain.The romantic “spanishism” practically explored all the sectors and manifestations of the Spanish way of living. Some showed an undeniable happiness in writing either by describing the country’s provinces, by relating the typical figures of the literary mythology or by being astonished by the beauty of its monuments and the exceptional wealth of its artistic treasures. Erudite works also bloomed, such as with Merimée and Damas-Hinard. In general, the romantic approach of Spain caused some reservations, especially from the part of Spanish writers, who criticized its research of the showiness, which hides the deep realities of the country. Through the analysis of some works that were never criticized before, the present research tries to set a summary of the French romantic “spanishism” in a way showing both the real merits and the insufficiencies and weaknesses. The romantic image of Spain appears, in general, as an outdated image, somehow due to the immoderate tendency for the local aspect and the superficial picturesque and because the majority of the writers had lacked having a real historical sense and instead they projected their passions, prejudices and ideological stands regarding their perception of Spain

The relation between industrial enclosures and their environments change in the post-industrial state, which causes a loss of orientation and identification of place. While the inherent character of such a place does not become thinned, it does however become encased in the remnants of industrial activity. The re-assessment, activation and interpretations of the transitions between industrial enclosures and their environments intend to bring the character of a place forward, and therefore emerges its seemingly vague placeness. The project proposal is situated on the periphery between the industrial and altered natural environment of Era Bricks, a dilapidated quarry which borders on industrial Silverton and Eersterust. The architectural intervention grapples with the transitions between the site’s dynamic environmental transformations and the static physicality of its structures. This exploration is manifested as an apiary and beekeeping facility, a formalised industry which cannot be fully contained. Translated into architecture, the dissertation suggests that beekeeping brings forward and reflects the ungraspable and imposing essence of the post-industrial terrain. Through the layered transitions of this programme, the terrain is aimed at becoming activated in its inherent sense of place. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

La thèse examine les relations entre l'activitéagricole et le milieu qu'elle transforme : l'intérêt estici porté aux vallées. Dans ces espaces spécifiquesen matière de sols, de topographie et de modesd'écoulement, l'activité agricole doit s'adapter,valoriser ou surmonter les spécificités naturelles,tout en répondant à des attentes sociales fortes(qualité de l'eau et des paysages, aménagementdes cours d'eau, biodiversité...). L'espaced’analyse est constitué des trois principales valléesdu bassin de la Maine (Loir, Mayenne et Sarthe).Ces vallées de l'Ouest concentrent des fonctions etusages variés, dont l'agriculture représente l'un desprincipaux éléments structurants.Il est d'abord montré en quoi l'agriculture desvallées considérées est spécifique des points devue environnemental et socio-économique, àl'échelle du bassin versant jusqu'à celle de zonesd'études de quelques communes en vallée, et defaçon diachronique (du XIXe siècle à l'époqueactuelle). Puis, des entretiens auprès d'agriculteursà l'échelle des exploitations agricoles permettentd'accéder à la diversité des prises en compte d'unmême milieu, caractérisé par des contraintesd'hydromorphie dans le fond de vallée et de pentesur les versants. Les usages spécifiques à la valléesont mis en évidence : types de cultures,accessibilité des parcelles, type d'usage dufourrage herbager, etc. Enfin, grâce à huit critèresd'ordres quantitatifs et qualitatifs, tels que ladispersion des parcellaires, les dynamiquesd'usages des terres de vallée ou la relation à l'eau,une typologie d'exploitations est construite sur troisniveaux d'appréciation de la vallée portée par lesagriculteurs. / This PhD thesis analyzes relationships betweenfarming activity and its local environment,precisely in the valleys. In these valleyenvironments that have specific features in termsof soils, topography and water flows modes,farming activities have to adapt, take advantage orcope with the natural features, as well as satisfyresource management requirements (such aswater and landscapes quality, riverbankmanagement, biodiversity...). The case study fieldis made of the three main valleys of a basin inwestern France, Maine river basin (Loir, Mayenneand Sarthe rivers). In these valleys areconcentrated several functions and social uses, inwhich agriculture represents one of the mostdominant elements. First, it is shown thatagriculture is specific in these valleys in terms ofenvironmental conditions and socio-economicalcontext, at different scales (from basin level tostudy areas level composed of a few municipalitiesin valleys), and throughout time (from 19th centuryuntil today). Then, interviews with farmers at thefarming system level give access to the variety ofassessments of a same local environment, namelythe bottom of the valley characterized by wet soilsand sloped sides. Specific land uses in the valleysare revealed from these investigations: kinds ofcrops, plots accessibility, grass forage types, etc.Finally, the selection of eight qualitative andquantitative criteria, such as distribution of plots,land use dynamics or nature of the relationship towater resources in the valley, has allowed us tobuild a typology of three types of farms, based onthe level of appreciation of the valley environmentby farmers.

Magister Artium - MA / This study investigates the use of language and signage in and around Parliament of Botswana by drawing from Linguistic Landscapes (LL) found in the area. The main aim of this study is to explore the symbolic and functional values of signs and languages found in and around Parliament of Botswana. Its main objective is to analyse the visual language in display in and around Parliament looking at the visibility and clarity of language and information/ messages on the signage and to interpret the distribution and frequency of each one of the languages in signage. Secondly, considering that embassies, international companies, organizations and one of the oldest and busiest malls are within the vicinity of Parliament, the study explored whether their presence is captured in the LL.Following Gorter (2006), Shohamy and Gorter (2009) and Shohamy, Ben Rafael and Barni(2010), the data used was drawn from the different types of signs in and around parliament and its neighborhood and included signs with municipal and infrastructural discourses as well as commercial discourses. Using descriptive qualitative research and a thematic approach for data analysis, the study captures the distribution, function, composition and size, clarity of intended information or messages of language on multilingual and monophonic signs.The study gives an insight on the dominance of English against other Botswana languages in LL.In terms of language vitality, the linguistic landscape gives the incorrect picture as if English and Setswana are the only languages spoken in Botswana. Interestingly, Chinese is occasionally found in the linguistic landscape. The presence of Chinese in the shops near Parliament, I argue, is a ploy to attract people to ostensibly “cheap” products. The linguistic landscape shows the apparent contradiction in which even monuments of heroes and pictures of past “Dikgosi”(Chiefs) are constructed in English. The study further reveals even where Setswana is used it is always on bilingual signs and the quality of translation is sometimes poor. The study also suggests that most of the signage was constructed in English and then translated to Setswana. It is not surprising then that the information on the Setswana LL is not always as complete as one on English. In some cases, it says something quite unrelated to the intended message. The different signs and discourses analysed clearly show that people are aware of the signs that surround them and the marketing strategies employed. The signage revealed multiplicity and fusion of discourses with types ranging from low budget to the modern visual signs by individuals to established companies. Both the consumers and the authors are aware of the link between the LL and economics. For this reason, signage is placed where it is expected to achieve maximum visibility and for maximum consumer impact. It is not uncommon to find someone placing their LL on someone else’s, and “ambush” marketing is common place. The diversity of signs used in the study have illustrated and given an insight into the contrasting marketing strategies adopted not only by Batswana, but also by foreign investors, all vying for a piece of space in the Botswana landscape.

M.Tech. / The landscape of South Africa has changed dramatically since early colonisation. Even so, it appears that the conventions employed in portraying landscapes have not; colonial landscape imagery that helped promote European immigration to this country during the Nineteenth Century remains remarkably similar to conventions employed in contemporary landscape representation used to market game reserves. In this dissertation, it is argued that colonial landscape imagery facilitates and supports a view of nature as an „authentic‟ wilderness available for expropriation. It is proposed that wildlife reserves, both in their intent and realisation, present a simulacrum of wilderness, also available for the consumer and promoted by advertising imagery. It is further argued that it remains the imperative commodification of nature which informs the pictorial conventions adopted in both cases. Thus, the myths inherent in both colonial representations of landscape and the utopian vision proffered in game reserve marketing are challenged. This research project employs discourse analysis that is framed in a qualitative, interpretative paradigm. Colonial imagery is examined in terms of post-colonialist critique of imperial landscape representation, while a post-modern approach is used to investigate contemporary imagery. This research project demonstrates that landscape imagery used to promote a „natural‟ wildlife site, is persistently presented according to prescribed canon as a functioning system regardless of its actual condition. Futhermore, the research project leads to an alternative view of nature, presented in my practical work, that is cognisant of the problems experienced in reality.

Increased DOC and Fe concentrations from terrestrial landscapes has led to the browning of boreal surface waters. The negative societal and ecological impacts of brownification are increased cost of water purification, increased presences of algae and cyanobacteria, loss of ecosystem services and reduced recreational value. Impacts of climate change, changes in land use and reduced sulfur deposition have been identified as drivers of brownification. While it has been recognized that DOC and Fe from terrestrial landscapes is increasing, little has been done to understand the impact of different land use practices on brownification. This research aims at evaluating the DOC and Fe runoff from spruce plantations, clear-cuts and wetland landscapes and determining the export of DOC from these landscapes into humic lakes. To do that, streams running through these three different land use types were sampled for water colour, pH, temperature, conductivity, DOC and Fe both at upstream and downstream of each land use type. Further, water discharge was calculated with the help of flow speed measurements and stream profiling (width, depth and channel shape). DOC (but not Fe) concentrations changed significantly depending on land use type. Wetlands lead to reduced DOC concentrations, whereas especially spruce plantations lead to increased stream water DOC concentrations.

The concern for the environment and social aspects have been emphasizing in the concept of ecotourism. Tourism is the world's largest industry. "It accounts for more than 10% of total employment, 11% of global GDP, and total tourist trips are predicted to increase to 1.6 billion by 2020". As such, it has a major and increasing impact on both people and nature. The increase of travels and tourists in the world, has led to the acknowledgement of tourism as part of the emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the framework of sustainable development in tourism has been developed as well as ecotourism. Eco-tourism can be both an effective conservation tool and a successful community development model. Sustainable architecture can be well integrated in a community that will base their knowledge on role model site for the sustainability of a park and village. This thesis is aiming to study and develop a sustainable model for the conflict that exists between architecture and eco-tourism because of current practices and their impact on natural habitat. Inappropriate tourism development and practice can degrade habitats and landscapes, deplete natural resources, and generate waste and pollution. The local community is also in need of a better and healthy living. This has become a social, cultural, and economical issue prevalent for decades since there hasn't been an established relationship between the local community and the tourist. The main investigation into determining factors is on how and why we need the bond between eco-village and eco-tourism. Does it consist of culture and society integration? Or is it nature preservation? What is the new relationship between tourist-community or tourist development design and development of this relationship? Some of the options for research and study is an eco-cabin that will serve as a prototype for ecotourism sustainable technologies and architecture, integrating an eco-village as a model for the local community. A way to approach this issue is through the education of the local people and tourism through sustainable architecture and development. Community knowledge can be increased through environmental sustainable building techniques. Perhaps the community gets involve in the construction process, so they learn how to take care of their surroundings and its stewardship.. In this way the sustainability of well-being of human cultures that inhibit those environments are sustained, and tourists can get engaged through community learning and interaction. Responsible tourism can also promote awareness of and support for the conservation of local culture, creating economic opportunities for countries and communities.

The widespread and increasing forest degradation in the Amazon contrasts with a range of individual or collective practices developed by local agents, which have the potential to reconcile conservation and local understanding of the quality of life and economic development. The role of women among these initiatives has been overlooked or not well understood.  Therefore, methods are needed that allow their voices and understandings to be centralized. In this thesis, I make use of decolonial and process-relational approaches to do justice to women, as an invitation to a folk science, when addressing questions about their role in landscape stewardship practices in the Amazon. How can these practices contribute in an innovative way to food diversity and biodiversity conservation in the region? What are the processes that can facilitate or restrict women's individual or collective agency?    Women play a crucial role in landscape stewardship. Still, their agency is severely restricted by the ongoing neo-colonial processes, which affects socioecological spaces. However, they have been organizing themselves to overcome obstacles through their local networks. By understanding womenature and their stewardship practices of caring for the land as an indissoluble part of the forest means to understand in depth the tipping points of the Amazon, which are interconnected to the tipping points of its populations. This is a key factor to broaden our understanding of togetherness that can lead to a more equitable and fairer path towards sustainability in and for the Amazon. / A degradação florestal generalizada e crescente na Amazônia contrasta com uma gama de práticas individuais ou coletivas desenvolvidas por agentes locais, que têm o potencial de conciliar a conservação e a compreensão local sobre qualidade de vida e desenvolvimento econômico. O papel das mulheres nessas iniciativas tem sido esquecido ou não é bem compreendido. Portanto, são necessários métodos que permitam que suas vozes e entendimentos sejam centralizados. Nesta tese utilizo abordagens descoloniais e processuais-relacionais para fazer jus às mulheres, como um convite à ciência popular, ao abordar questões sobre seu papel nas práticas de manejo da paisagem na Amazônia; ou como essas práticas podem contribuir de forma inovadora para a diversidade alimentar e conservação da biodiversidade na região?; e quais são os processos que podem facilitar ou restringir a agência individual ou coletiva das mulheres? As mulheres desempenham um papel crucial na gestão da paisagem. Ainda assim, sua agência é severamente restringida pelos processos (neo)coloniais em andamento, nos quais afetam espaços socioecológicos. Porém, eles vêm se organizando para superar obstáculos por meio de suas redes locais. Entender as mulheresnatureza e suas práticas de manejo do cuidado com a terra como parte indissolúvel da floresta significa entender em profundidade os pontos de inflexão da Amazônia, que estão interligados aos pontos de inflexão de suas populações. Este é um fator chave para ampliar nosso entendimento de união que pode levar a um caminho mais equitativo e justo em direção à sustentabilidade na e para a Amazônia.

Industries became a permanent addition to cities in the 18th century, transforming the natural landscape and influencing the people directly dependant on it, this enforces to the consumer culture we experience every day. This industrial development all over the world has disregarded apparent and non-apparent relationships that humans have within nature, resulting in the connection between humans and nature to become estranged, leaving humankind searching for identity and purpose. This study investigates the connection between humans and nature through adapting the post-industrial landscape, to ultimately establish an identity of place for human well-being. The study proposes that apparent and non-apparent relationships between humans and nature can be introduced in the post-industrial landscape through the concepts of ecosystem services and commemorative design. By commemorating the natural landscape, memories and experiences will create an appreciation for the natural landscape, strengthening the connection between humans and nature. Different ecosystem services are generated by the design to establish ecological and human well-being. The sketch plan design intervention proposes that, these apparent and non-apparent relationships between humans and nature are revealed and celebrated. The non-apparent relationships are transformed into apparent design features within the landscape to make visitors aware of their unity with nature and the services it provides them with. The design proposal creates opportunities for interaction, education and appreciation by means of food gardens, utility gardens, biodiversity gardens and experiments of spontaneous succession. The purpose of these interventions is to restore the post-industrial landscape while creating a strong cultural connection to heritage within industries and nature to reconnect humankind with their own identity as part of nature. / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / ML(Prof) / Unrestricted

Magister Artium - MA / The study focuses on the application and use of linguistic landscapes in health institutions. Furthermore, the research is centred on a social semiotic analysis of the healthcare signage at selected public and private hospitals in the Western Cape with comparisons being drawn between Melomed Private Hospital and Tygerberg Academic (Public) Hospital. Access to healthcare facilities in South Africa is a continuing concern in terms of gaining healthcare information and services. Currently, most research in the area of access to healthcare facilities and information focuses on the limitations and challenges of access to the health services and information in rural areas of South Africa. There is limited research that focuses on the influence spatial material in place and linguistic landscapes have on access to hospital facilities within urban areas, in the Western Cape. The research is an explorative and analytic study of the official or formal as well as unofficial or informal signage at a private hospital (Melomed) and a public hospital (Tygerberg academic hospital) in the Western Cape. The research is based on the tenets of social semiotic theory of multimodality and linguistic landscapes and multilingualism theorems. The conceptual framework of the study includes subtopics such as navigation/way-finding, placement of signage, and language diversity and health signage among others. The data for the research project is of a qualitative nature and, is concerned with understanding the process and the social and cultural contexts which underlie the production and consumption of unofficial and informal signage at a private hospital (Melomed) and a public hospital (Tygerberg academic hospital) in the Western Cape Province. Linguistic Landscapes (LL) utilises signs and symbols to communicate messages to the public. Signage are an expected and common feature within both private and public health institutions and are classified in accordance with the message(s) it intends to convey. These signs and symbols are used to communicate messages or directions to the public in the absence of hospital personnel. During the presentation and analysis of the data, the differences and similarities between Melomed private hospital and Tygerberg academic (public) hospital were looked at. The data presented that Tygerberg academic (public) hospital has a vast amount of informal signs constructed in and around its hospital buildings with a mixture of older and new signs displayed, often next to each other. Therefore, it became evident that Tygerberg hospital does not have a uniformed standard when it comes to its LL. In contrast, Melomed private hospital’s signs are constructed from the same grey metallic materials and are displayed with a singular text format. Furthermore, it was discovered that Melomed only utilise one official business language, English, unlike Tygerberg who strives to use the three official languages, English, Afrikaans and IsiXhosa, prevalent in the Western Cape region. Additionally, Tygerberg academic (public) hospital’s irregular placement of signage demonstrated to be another complex facet. This complexity was partially attributed to its complex structural layout and building design. Melomed’s strategically placed signage, as opposed to Tygerberg, led to the conclusion that the placement of signs, symbols and directories at hospitals can impede or aid the navigation and information provision. The impediment of navigation and information provision can cause visitors, patients and staff extra anxiety which can prolong their arrival at their destination. Moreover, the study concludes that no provisions were made at both Tygerberg and Melomed hospitals to adapt to the recent demographical changes in terms of the influx of migrants and foreign nationals and that the geographical locations of health institutions have a major impact on access to its products and services.