O presente estudo trata da questão da sustentabilidade dos municípios dando um enfoque através das áreas de preservação permanentes. Traz à tona, por meio do método analítico e da revisão bibliográfica, as dinâmicas dos ambientes naturais, as interferências causadas pelo homem ao longo dos anos e algumas conseqüências decorrentes das suas práticas predatórias, com relação a implantação das cidades, ou seja, dos ambientes artificiais. Procura também verificar os mecanismos legais que possibilitem a garantia de um meio ambiente equilibrado através do papel dos municípios para tal implementação, além de apresentar algumas contradições em relação à falsa dicotomia entre os temas desenvolvimento e preservação ambiental. Analisa por fim a legislação referente às áreas de preservação permanente inferindo sobre a importância do uso adequado das mesmas. / The present study referes upon the cities supportability pointing out through permanent preventions areas. Which brings out by analytic method and bibliographic revision the dinamic of environments. The interferences caused by men through years, and some consequences taking of their spoiled practice in relation of the placing cities or else artificial environments. It searches also verify legal systems which would make possible the warranty of a balanced environment taken by cities. Besides it presents some contradictions related to the false division between the subjects development and environmental preservation. It analyses the current Law refering to permanent prevention areas infering upon the importance of the proper use of them.

Availability of internet to a wide audiences has revolutionized how business is performed. Businesses now use e-commerce to trade products and services. The growth of e-commerce has been dramatically rapid among developed countries. Therefore, the adoption of e-commerce platforms is studied in these countries. Meanwhile less attentions has been given to developing countries. Developing countries can take advantage of lessons learned in the developed countries. One of the major success factors of e-commerce platforms in developed countries is improving the usability of e-commerce platform by considering user’s preferences. User preferences can be defined as feelings and attitudes of users for the interface and functional design of the ecommerce platform. This influences user’s decision and behavior. Considering the users preferences within an e-commerce platform enhances user’s satisfaction and increases user’s loyalty to the platform. To evaluate the user preferences a selection of usability factors are usually studied. Avicenna Research Institute (ARI) is currently considering the development of an e-commerce platform. For this ARI is investigating ways to consider users preferences in the design. This study aims to satisfy this goal. In this study previous research are analyzed, user’s preferences are identified, common used e-commerce platforms are investigated, and ARI’s perspective is included in the analysis. Using these information a set of recommendations on how to improve the usability of an e-commerce platform is given. For this task based approaches are used in form of participatory heuristic evaluation and observations. Interview is used to obtain ARI’s perspective on usability. The study has identified ten usability factors affecting the usability of the e-commerce platform based on user’s preferences. These include consistency, learnability, navigability, simplicity, readability, content relevance, supportability, interactivity, credibility, and telepresence. In addition a set of eighty evaluation criteria are presented to evaluate these factors. Using a qualitative approach, the study has analyzed all these factors in a multiple-case study. The analysis includes input from the users in form of observations, comments and questionnaire. This is combined with input from ARI in form of interviews. Finally the study concludes by providing a path for future research.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis represents a cross Systems Command (NAVSEA/NAVAIR) developed product. The product - the Sunset Supply Base (SSB) system - provides a complete system for addressing the risks and supportability issues involved with Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) products in Navy combat and support systems. The SSB system was implemented on three Navy combat weapon systems at various phases of the product development life cycle. The main body provides to the Program Management Offices (PMO) and other decision makers, a high level summary of performance expectations. Appendix A - The Sunset Supply Base Architecture - identifies at a high level of abstraction a collaborative architecture providing a roadmap for design and development of the SSB system. Appendix B - The Systems Engineering Development and Implementation (SEDI) plan - is a prescriptive or "How to" manual describing activities that have been used to successfully implement the SSB system. Appendix C - Business Case Analysis (BCA) - presents the data collected as a result of SEDI plan implementation then addresses the business/programmatic attributes showing the viability and value proposition possible through the SSB system. Appendix D - The Marketing Plan for the SSB system - defines methods and practices necessary to establish the SSB system as the alternative of choice. / Chemical Engineer, United States Navy / Systems Engineer, United States Navy