This master’s report is an assessment of a theoretical process by which the
concepts of sustainability can enter into the conventional system of development,
primarily focusing on the physical development and growth of the urban environment. A
context-specific definition of sustainability is first derived and then inserted within the
classic theory of Diffusion of Innovations in an attempt to articulate the concept of
sustainable innovation diffusion. The redevelopment of the Seaholm Power Plant in
Austin, Texas is then used as a case study. Specifically, carrying forward previous
research on a conceptual plan for adapting the power plant’s dormant condenser
infrastructure into a commercial-scale rainwater harvesting system is presented as a
demonstration project for promoting sustainable innovations. Applying a systemsthinking
approach to resolving the challenges of implementing alternative technologies
and practices into the Seaholm case study reveals both the mechanisms for encouraging
and the barriers limiting the adoption of sustainable development strategies. / text
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UTEXAS/oai:repositories.lib.utexas.edu:2152/22557 |
| Date | 05 December 2013 |
| Creators | Roy, Adam C. |
| Source Sets | University of Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | electronic |
| Rights | Copyright is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works., Restricted |
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