Vår studie belyser hur hotellverksamheter arbetar med social hållbarhet kopplat till sextrafficking. Studien undersöker hur hotellen arbetar förebyggande mot sextrafficking, vilka utmaningar personalen upplever i verksamheten sett till förebyggandet av sextrafficking samt hur Corporate social responsibility (CSR) används i verksamheten kopplat till sextrafficking. Vårt syfte är att undersöka hur svenska hotellföretag arbetar med ärenden kring sextrafficking i sin verksamhet. För att möjliggöra detta genomförde vi intervjuer med åtta informanter anställda på tre olika hotell. Kriterierna för hotellen var följande: medelstora hotell (100–250 rum), belägna i en stad i mellansverige och att en ansvarig chef kunde ställa upp på expertintervju. Expertinformanten valde en eller flera i personalen från receptionen, restaurangen eller housekeeping som informanter till kvalitativa intervjuer. Huvudbegreppen som lyfts fram är sextrafficking och CSR. Det finns mycket forskning kring sextrafficking och CSR, men dessa fenomen satt i samma kontext alltså hur förebyggande av sextrafficking är en del av CSR visar att en teoretisk lucka finns. Utöver att använda sig av CSR finns olika certifieringar och checklistor som kan underlätta ett förebyggande arbete. Dock är det upp till ledningen eller chefer att implementera dessa arbetssätt för att arbeta mot sextrafficking. Studien visar att hotellen vidtar åtgärder för att förebygga sextrafficking, men det sker på olika nivåer och olika aktivt. Resultatet av studien visar att hotellen letar efter spår i bokningar från externa kanaler när de får en misstanke. Informanterna konstaterar även att personalen agerar på misstänkta fall utifrån den svenska lagen mot sexköp som är en skyddsaspekt för att vidta åtgärder mot sextrafficking. Utmaningar för personalen är olika typer av profilering av gäster, bristen på utbildning, tyst kunskap, och digitalisering som tar bort mötet med gäster. Informanterna belyser att polisen är en viktig resurs samt andra hotellaktörer på platsen. Resultatet visar att hotellen arbetar med CSR och har lokala samarbeten för att förebygga sextrafficking. / Our study highlights how hotels work with social sustainability linked to sex-trafficking. The study examines how the hotels work preventatively against sex-trafficking, what challenges they experience in the business and how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is used in the businesses linked to sextrafficking. The aim of the study is to investigate how Swedish companies in the hotel industry take measures to prevent sex-trafficking of people. To enable this, we conducted interviews with eight respondents employed at three different hotels. The criteria for the selected hotels were as follows: Medium size hotels (100 – 250 rooms), located in a city in central Sweden and that a responsible manager could provide an expert interview. The managers from the expert interviews chose one or more staff from reception, restaurant or housekeeping as respondents to the qualitative interviews. The main concepts highlighted are sex-trafficking and CSR. There is a lot of research on sex-trafficking and CSR as two separate terms, but these phenomena set in the same context show that there is a theoretical gap on how sex trafficking can be prevented as part of CSR. In addition to using CSR, there are different certifications and checklists that can facilitate preventative work. However, it is up to the management or managers to implement these working methods to work against sex trafficking. The study shows that the hotels take measures to prevent sex-trafficking, but it is done at different levels and the work is done differently. The results of the study show that the hotels look for different traces in the bookings coming from external channels. These traces help staff identify suspicions even before the guest arrives. The respondents also note that the Swedish law against sex purchases is a protection aspect to act on suspicious cases. Challenges identified by the companies are different types of profiling of guests, lack of education, tacit knowledge, and digitization that takes away the meeting with guests. The hotels highlight that the police and other hotels on the site are an important resource. The results also show that the hotels work with CSR and have local collaborations to prevent sextrafficking.

This research assesses the impacts of developing shale gas in the UK, with the focus of determining whether or not it is possible to develop it sustainably and how it could affect the electricity and gas mix. There is much uncertainty on the impacts of developing shale gas in the UK, as the country is currently in the early stages of exploration drilling and the majority of studies which have been carried out to analyse the effects of shale gas development have been US specific. To address these questions, the environmental, economic and social sustainability have been assessed and the results integrated to evaluate the overall sustainability. The impacts of shale gas electricity have been assessed so that it can be compared with other electricity generation technologies (coal, nuclear, renewables etc.), to ascertain its impacts on the UK electricity mix. Life cycle assessment is used to evaluate the environmental sustainability of shale gas electricity (and other options), while life cycle costing and social sustainability assessment have been used to evaluate the economic and social sustainability. Multi-criteria decision analysis has been used to combine the results of three to evaluate the overall sustainability. The incorporation of shale gas into the UK electricity mix is modelled in two future scenarios for the year 2030. The scenarios compare different levels of shale gas penetration: low and high. The results show that shale gas will have little effect on improving the environmental sustainability and energy security of the UK’s electricity mix, but could help ease energy prices. In comparison with other options, shale gas is not a sustainable option, as it has higher environmental impacts than the non-fossil fuels and conventional gas and liquefied natural gas: 460 g CO2-Eq. is emitted from the shale gas electricity life cycle, while conventional gas emits 420 g CO2-Eq. and wind 12 g CO2-Eq. The power plant and drilling fluid are the main impact hot spots in the life cycle, while hydraulic fracturing contributes a small amount (5%). In addition to this, there are a number of social barriers which need to be addressed, notably: traffic volume and congestion could increase by up to 31%, public support is low and wastewater produced from hydraulic fracturing could put strain on wastewater treatment facilities. However, the results indicate that shale gas is economically viable, as the cost of electricity is cheaper than solar photovoltaic, biomass and hydroelectricity (9.59 p/kWh vs 16.90, 11.90 and 14.40 p/kWh, respectively). The results of this thesis show that there is a trade-off in the impacts, but because of its poor environmental and social ratings shale gas is not the best option for UK electricity. The results also identify areas for improvement which should be targeted, as well as policy recommendations for best practice and regulation if shale gas were to be developed in the UK.

The main aim of this report is to identify customer needs of outdoor products (jackets, pants, shoes etc.) directly through customer interviews and their consciousness about environmental and social sustainability. And my report can be used as a base for „product design‟ of Outdoor clothing. Also from my report both the suppliers and customers can get a good idea of „Environmental and social aspect of clothing technology‟.

Motivation: Reverse Logistics is part of the concept of Sustainable Supply Chain Management, which is the supply chain consideration of the economic, environmental and social goals of all the stakeholders. These considerations should be balanced in a so-called Triple Bottom Line approach. However, literature approaching the social aspects is almost inexistent and the Triple Bottom Line approach is not common when examining the supply chain problems. The study focuses on companies operating in the Swedish market, since the country is an example in many TBL aspects. Moreover, the study is limited to the fashion apparel industry due to its high amount of returns.  Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explain how Reverse Logistics in the fashion industry can contribute to the social dimension of Triple Bottom Line, as well as to identify the tools and strategies used by the fashion companies to balance the trade-offs between the Triple Bottom Line dimensions in the context of Reverse Logistics and explain the reasons behind the decisions.  Approach: This is a multiple case study of six companies. Both primary (semi-structured interviews) and secondary (corporate reports and websites) sources were used to collect data. The empirical data was analyzed using pattern matching, first each case individually and thereafter cross-case analyses were performed.  Conclusions: The social contribution of Reverse Logistics in the fashion industry is mainly limited to donations to charity. In addition, it is not focused on the workforce, as suggested by the literature. Regarding the trade-offs in Triple Bottom Line, most of the fashion firms do not recognize them in the context of Reverse Logistics. Therefore, companies do not need to prioritize the Triple Bottom Line dimensions or use tools to balance them.

This thesis challenges the argument that farms must grow larger and more specialized in order to survive. The root of this thesis stems from my disdain towards current mainstream industrial methods of farming, attempting to compete in the world market. In theory, current government farm policies are meant to assist and protect farmers on the global market but typically result in protecting the large companies responsible for manifesting the problems in the first place. These key factors have changed the face of the agricultural landscape of North America and have lead to a lost connection between society and their food. These factors have lead me to build upon more sustainable and value-added farm philosophies. Such practices highlight the benefits of small farm enterprises for the farmer, the animals, the environment and society as a whole. The design is in combination a response to the landscape and the local economic niche it functions within. Through physical connection, the architecture highlights the cycles of individual farm elements working together to strengthen the whole farm as system.

Cities, as complex social systems within society, are the most complex of all human systems. An increase in this complexity is anticipated since projections estimate that two-thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised by 2030. Cities are “melting pots” of cultures and systems that share the same spatial environment. In South Africa this challenge is exacerbated by one of the highest urbanisation rates in the world. Urban growth implies tremendous change. City centres are especially at risk to structural changes of urban growth and consequent urban decay. Governments commonly adopt urban renewal to cope with changing urban environments. However, the long term sustainability of current urban renewal practices is questioned as they tend to over-emphasise economic revival and physical intervention. The focus on people is often missed and misunderstood, even though social dynamics are the driving forces in cities. Urban renewal is complex and multi-dimensional. In theory it moved away from the linear top-down approach that focused on the physical environment towards a more inclusive, integrated and socially oriented process. This is reflected in paradigm shifts in planning thought from a physical planning and design based product orientated discipline (as reflected in historical and modernist planning approaches), to a socio-political process in which the communicative planning paradigm is the most recent post-modern theory. Understanding cities as social systems and exploring their role in central business areas to include them in urban renewal are important starting points when urban planners work with urban renewal initiatives. As research about social systems and their role in urban renewal is limited in South Africa, this study provides a step towards acknowledging and including urban social systems proactively in urban renewal initiatives. This is especially relevant in central business districts of medium sized cities such as Potchefstroom (Tlokwe Municipality) that experience urban decay and where urban renewal initiatives have not yet been implemented. The Mission Statement of the Tlokwe Municipality emphasises the need for social understanding in the economic sphere, as this enjoys a high priority in the development choices made. A qualitative ethnographic research approach was followed to explore the role of social systems in this context. This allowed the research to capture social dynamics in its natural setting where no extraneous influences occur. This resulted in rich textual descriptions of how people experience social interactions and the physical environment. Unstructured and non-participant field observations and face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were used as methods to identify social systems within the research context and to understand interactions and behaviour patterns that emerge from this context. Findings from the observations expose a dynamic and cyclical network of inter- and intrarelationships that culminate in continuous intense interaction amongst three social systems, namely the private sector, community groups and the general public. Pro-social behaviour patterns (behaviour that promotes good social relations) were observed, including cultural relativism and social awareness. Findings from the interviews provided insight into how social systems interact with one another and with the physical environment. Themes that emerged for the data to describe interactions among social systems include material support, friendliness, cooperativeness, comfortableness, accommodativeness, fixed and established relations and respect for one another. This creates a vibrant, synergetic environment conducive to sustainability and describes an environment of hope. The counter-experience includes forced flexibility and adaptiveness (due to unmet physical needs), feelings of being unsafe, limited choices and a general dissatisfaction with the physical environment in terms of its support. This describes an urban environment of fear. The role of social systems in terms of urban renewal is inclusive, participating and socially sensitive. They should be catalysts for socio-economic functions, contribute to maintenance and act as stakeholders. Based on the above, the study offers recommendations to include social systems in urban renewal in terms of the research process and method to be followed, how and where to include social systems in urban renewal projects and suggestions for physical change to make the area more supportive to the social dynamics. Practical guidelines are offered related to the practice of observations and interviews for the identification and exploration of social systems. The following suggestions are made regarding the urban renewal process: pro-active inclusion of social systems throughout the process in the pre-project stage, during the urban renewal project and post-project stage. Interventions to enhance the physical environment include provision of special requests, access to open space, application of green construction and local distinctiveness. As planners play a proactive role in urban renewal they may contribute to enhancing the sustainability of urban renewal initiatives by understanding urban social systems and their role in city centres in order to acknowledge and include them as important partners. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Cities, as complex social systems within society, are the most complex of all human systems. An increase in this complexity is anticipated since projections estimate that two-thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised by 2030. Cities are “melting pots” of cultures and systems that share the same spatial environment. In South Africa this challenge is exacerbated by one of the highest urbanisation rates in the world. Urban growth implies tremendous change. City centres are especially at risk to structural changes of urban growth and consequent urban decay. Governments commonly adopt urban renewal to cope with changing urban environments. However, the long term sustainability of current urban renewal practices is questioned as they tend to over-emphasise economic revival and physical intervention. The focus on people is often missed and misunderstood, even though social dynamics are the driving forces in cities. Urban renewal is complex and multi-dimensional. In theory it moved away from the linear top-down approach that focused on the physical environment towards a more inclusive, integrated and socially oriented process. This is reflected in paradigm shifts in planning thought from a physical planning and design based product orientated discipline (as reflected in historical and modernist planning approaches), to a socio-political process in which the communicative planning paradigm is the most recent post-modern theory. Understanding cities as social systems and exploring their role in central business areas to include them in urban renewal are important starting points when urban planners work with urban renewal initiatives. As research about social systems and their role in urban renewal is limited in South Africa, this study provides a step towards acknowledging and including urban social systems proactively in urban renewal initiatives. This is especially relevant in central business districts of medium sized cities such as Potchefstroom (Tlokwe Municipality) that experience urban decay and where urban renewal initiatives have not yet been implemented. The Mission Statement of the Tlokwe Municipality emphasises the need for social understanding in the economic sphere, as this enjoys a high priority in the development choices made. A qualitative ethnographic research approach was followed to explore the role of social systems in this context. This allowed the research to capture social dynamics in its natural setting where no extraneous influences occur. This resulted in rich textual descriptions of how people experience social interactions and the physical environment. Unstructured and non-participant field observations and face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were used as methods to identify social systems within the research context and to understand interactions and behaviour patterns that emerge from this context. Findings from the observations expose a dynamic and cyclical network of inter- and intrarelationships that culminate in continuous intense interaction amongst three social systems, namely the private sector, community groups and the general public. Pro-social behaviour patterns (behaviour that promotes good social relations) were observed, including cultural relativism and social awareness. Findings from the interviews provided insight into how social systems interact with one another and with the physical environment. Themes that emerged for the data to describe interactions among social systems include material support, friendliness, cooperativeness, comfortableness, accommodativeness, fixed and established relations and respect for one another. This creates a vibrant, synergetic environment conducive to sustainability and describes an environment of hope. The counter-experience includes forced flexibility and adaptiveness (due to unmet physical needs), feelings of being unsafe, limited choices and a general dissatisfaction with the physical environment in terms of its support. This describes an urban environment of fear. The role of social systems in terms of urban renewal is inclusive, participating and socially sensitive. They should be catalysts for socio-economic functions, contribute to maintenance and act as stakeholders. Based on the above, the study offers recommendations to include social systems in urban renewal in terms of the research process and method to be followed, how and where to include social systems in urban renewal projects and suggestions for physical change to make the area more supportive to the social dynamics. Practical guidelines are offered related to the practice of observations and interviews for the identification and exploration of social systems. The following suggestions are made regarding the urban renewal process: pro-active inclusion of social systems throughout the process in the pre-project stage, during the urban renewal project and post-project stage. Interventions to enhance the physical environment include provision of special requests, access to open space, application of green construction and local distinctiveness. As planners play a proactive role in urban renewal they may contribute to enhancing the sustainability of urban renewal initiatives by understanding urban social systems and their role in city centres in order to acknowledge and include them as important partners. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Uppsatsen syftar till att undersöka vad som motiverar människor att engagera sig i den lokala utvecklingen av platsen där man bor och hur det engagemanget praktiskt tar sig uttryck. Vidare ämnar uppsatsen undersöka hur kommuner – i rollen som den politiska nivån av offentlig sektor närmast medborgarna – tänker kring och agerar för att främja engagemang för lokal utveckling.  Syftet är aktuellt i och med pågående polarisering kopplad till ekonomi, geografi och demokrati samt jämlikhet. Konstruktivistisk grundad teori används som metodinspiration, med två fallstudier där medborgare, politiker och tjänstepersoner intervjuas i två lokalsamhällen på landsbygd, nämligen Svågadalen i Hudiksvalls respektive Röstånga i Svalövs kommun. Resultatet visar att kommunerna till viss del präglas av traditionella och hämmande strukturer kopplade till såväl urban norm som tillväxtnorm, samtidigt som politiker och tjänstemän ser behov av förändring. Lokalsamhällena präglas till stor del av sammanhållning och social innovation med god potential för omställning till ett hållbart samhälle. En slutsats är att organisering på lokala samhällsnivåer kan ses som en sorts subpolitik, som visar på självorganisering som ett sätt att bemöta upplevelsen av att det gamla systemet inte förmår hantera förändringar i tillräckligt hög takt och i tillräckligt demokratiska former. Att främja hållbar utveckling implicerar att ta tillvara på det lokala engagemanget på olika sätt.

Fysisk förtätning är en strategi som i Sverige har fått ett stort genomslag. Städer har traditionellt i första hand vuxit utåt och tagit upp onödigt mycket mark och resurser i processen. I nutid har fysisk förtätning i stora drag blivit synonymt med den hållbara utvecklingen men har samtidigt stött på mycket kritik. Denna studie avser att undersöka hur fysisk förtätning kan bidra till att främja och implementera social hållbarhet och jämställdhet.  Syftet med studien är att skapa ett gestaltningsförslag som bidrar till att göra en plats i Sandvikens centrum mer levande och förstärka det stadsmässiga rummet. I kapitel 2.1 beskrivs närmare vad som i denna studie menas med stadsmässig rumslighet och social hållbarhet. Uppsatsen inleds med en djupgående litteraturstudie inom ämnet. Val av plats har skett genom ett platsbesök, en SWOT- analys och en kompletterande platsanalys. Inom ramen för uppsatsen har kvalitativa, semistrukturerade intervjuer med tjänstemän brukats som utgångspunkt och kunskapskälla till gestaltningsförslaget.  Gestaltningsförslaget har utformats med fokus på sociala hållbarhetsfaktorer och element som främjar jämställdhet och följaktligen trygghet. Dessa är: kvarter i rutnät med korta avstånd, naturliga stråk, grönska, god genomströmning, lätt orientering, belysning, sittplatser, faciliteter och goda siktvägar. Faktorerna har använts i studien för att implementera och stärka jämställdhetsintegreringen inom fysisk förtätning. Förslaget framhåller en mångfunktionell markanvändning som möjliggör en mer dynamisk miljö för boende och besökare i området. Vidare föreslår studien nya bostäder och verksamheter tillsammans med ett nytt parkområde som skapar liv och rörelse. Social hållbarhet har i gestaltningsförslaget hanterats genom att främja sociala interaktioner och etableringen av fler mötesplatser. Detta har stärkts genom ny bebyggelse med blandade upplåtelseformer i kombination med nya verksamheter. Studien fortsätter med en diskussion som motiverar gestaltningsförslagets utformning och förfarande. Diskussionen avrundas med en avslutande metodkritik tillsammans med öppningar som behandlar fortsatta studier. Denna studie har därmed medverkat till framtagandet av en utformning i samband med fysisk förtätning som bidrar till aspekter lämpliga för främjandet av social hållbarhet och jämställdhet. Denna studie har därmed medverkat till en flexibel och dynamisk utformning, som syftar till att attrahera människor. / The compact city and urban densification is a popular strategy in Sweden. Since cities mostly have been growing horizontally and occupied unnecessary land and resources in the process, the concept of the compact city reveals a new and improved way to build cities. This new way of building cities has become synonymous with sustainable development. This study is an intention on research in regard to how the compact city and urban densification can conduce to promoting and implementing social sustainability and gender equality.  The aim of the study is to create a proposal on urban densification for an area in Sandviken municipality, in the county of Gävleborg, Sweden. The proposal aims to make an area of choice with apparent shortcomings in social sustainability and equality more vibrant and to contribute to making Sandviken more urbane. Chapter 2.1 describes more precisely what in this study is meant by urbane. An analysis of shortcomings in social sustainability will be described in chapter 2.1. The report begins with a profound literature review of the topics that has been chosen. An assorted selection of location has been carried out, followed by a SWOT analysis and a site analysis. Semi structured interviews with urban planners have also been done. The purpose of the site selection has been to sort out an appropriate place for the study based on social sustainability and gender equality.  New housing with mixed use and a green area that function as a social meeting point is the core of the proposal. The proposal has been designed with a focus on social sustainability factors and elements that promote gender equality at the site of the study. These factors are specified in Chapter 2.2. A final methodological criticism along with ideas regarding further studies summarized the discussion. This study has thus contributed to the development of a design that contributes to factors that are appropriate for promoting gender equality and social sustainability in connection with urban densification.

Parker i städer är en viktig del för människors hälsa och livskvalitet. Parker i städer tillgodoser olika människors behov av naturupplevelser, aktiviteter och friluftsliv. För ett socialt hållbart samhälle är det viktigt att alla människor oavsett, ålder kön och etnicitet har möjlighet att forma och leva sitt liv. Många parker erbjuder olika aktiviteter för lek och motion och skapar en viktig mötesplats för människor. Syftet med detta arbete är att skapa en värderingsmodell för att kunna värdera social hållbarhet i parker. En modell har tagits fram med olika kriterier för att kunna värdera social hållbarhet i parker. De olika kriterierna är hämtade från olika källor och egna framtagna kriterium. Målet med studien är att kunna fastställa social hållbarhet i parker utifrån den framtagna modellen. I detta arbete har olika metoder använts. Först gjordes en parkinventering i Gävle och Enköping, där sammanlagt 30 parker inventerades. Efter detta valdes två parker ut i Gävle och två i Enköping för en vidare granskning. I dessa fyra parker gjordes två observationer vardera där det registrerades vad människorna gjorde i parkerna. En slumpmässig enkätstudie genomfördes med åtta enkla frågor, med syftet att få in sammanlagt 40 svar per park. Detta för att få en uppfattning av människorna och deras syfte för att vistas i parken. Värderingsmodellen som tagits fram med detta arbete består av sex huvudrubriker: social interaktion, delaktighet, gemenskap, känsla av parken, säkerhet/trygghet och meningsfulla aktiviteter. Under dessa kriterier finns kategorier som bedömer om parken är socialt hållbar. Utifrån detta arbete kan slutsatsen dras att de större parkerna där människorna kan utföra någon sorts av meningsfull aktivitet är de mest socialt hållbara. I dessa parker skapas flest sociala interaktioner och människor möts här för att bidra till de sociala aktiviteterna. Dessa parker bidrar även till en ökad delaktighet och en gemenskap i samhället. / Parks in cities are an important part of human health and quality of life. Parks in cities cater to different people's needs for nature experiences, activities and outdoor activities. For a socially sustainable society it is important that all people regardless of age gender and ethnicity have the opportunity to shape and live their lives. Many parks offer different activities for play and exercise and create an important meeting place for people. The purpose of this work is to create a valuation model to evaluate social sustainability in parks. A model has been developed with different criteria to evaluate social sustainability in parks. The different criteria are derived from different sources and own developed criteria. The aim of the study is to determine social sustainability in parks based on the model developed. Various methods have been used in this work. First, a study was conducted with an inventory of parks in Gävle and Enköping, where a total of 30 parks were inventerade. After this, two parks were chosen in Gävle and two in Enköping for a further examination. In these four parks, two observations were made too each, where it was recorded what the people did in the parks. A random survey was conducted with eight simple questions, aiming at collecting 40 answers per park. This to get an idea of the people and their purpose of visiting the park. The valuation model developed with this work consists of six main headings: social interaction, participation, community, sense of the park, security / safety and meaningful activities. Under these criteria there are categories that assess whether the park is socially sustainable. Based on this work, it can be concluded that the larger parks where people can perform some sort of meaningful activity are the most socially sustainable. In these parks, most social interactions are created and people meet here to contribute to social activities. These parks also contribute to increased participation and community in society.