Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ecology an sustainability of bamboo'

Tese de Mestrado em Arquitectura
Objectivos deste trabalho são questões do âmbito da ecologia e sustentabilidade para a arquitectura descomprometida face a dogmas e paradigmas, não inocentes face aos interesses e conspirações financeiras. Estudei as potencialidades e viabilidade de um material emergente _ o bambu. Numa experiência que pretendeu unir a teoria académica com a prática, o trabalho manual muitas vezes esquecido na nossa formação e de vital importância para o correcto intendimento de um material e formas de projectar mais adquadas à realidade, fora da redoma intelectual das grandes metrópoles. Com estes princípios dediquei as primeiras páginas desta dissertação ao estudo de propriedades fisícas, mecânicas, ao entendimento dos processos de tratamentos do bambu e à busca de técnicas e solucões construtivas. Numa segunda parte incido sobre uma experiência prática; demonstrando pela evidência a verdade de momentos e aprendizagens locais com comunidades de Oaxaca, na construção de protótipos e estruturas de bambu. Sendo adquirido que a população mundial cresce abruptamente, dediquei parte do estudo à capacitação para a auto-construção, pugnando por uma mais valia para minimizar o panorama de 2 biliões de pessoas sem casa nos próximos 30 anos. A colheita anual, os baixos custos de produção e os métodos e técnicas constructivas ambientais do bambu, conferem-lhe uma posição de topo na resolução de soluções, seja para a desflorestação, a construção, os equipamentos, a habitação e situações pós-calamidades. Permite-nos criar engenharias sociais que abarcam todos os estratos sociais da economia mundial. O bambu, creio, está ao dispor dos arquitectos para a técnica e para a arte.
The goal of this Project is related to questions concerning ecology and sustainability for architecture unattatched to dogmas and paradigms, not innocent towards financial interests and conspiracies. This study follows the potencials and viabilities of en emerging material - bamboo. In an experience that intends to unit both academic theory and practice, manual labour, many times forgotten during our training, is of vital importance for the correct understanding of any material and way of designing more adequately according to our reality, outside the intelectual boundary of the large metropolis. With these principles, the first pages of this essay are dedicated to the study of physical and mechanical properties as well as an understanding of the processes for the treatment of bamboo and research for technical and constructive solutions. The second part focuses on the practical experience by evidently demonstrating true moments and teaching experiences in local communities in Oaxaca, Mexico by building prototypes and bamboo structures.Knowing that the world population is growing abruptly, part of this study is devoted to training self-construction methods, striving to diminuish the current panorama of 2 billion people living without a home in the next 30 years. Yearly harvesting, low production costs and sustainable construction methods make bamboo a high priority as a solution for deflorestation, general construction, public buildings, housing and post-disaster situations. It allows us to create social engeneering that covers all social strata of the world economy. Bamboo, I believe, is available to architects both for technical and artistic reasons.

The objective of this dissertation is to determine whether bamboo culms or stems are suitable for use as a construction material for permanent structures, from an engineering as well as a sustainability perspective. A secondary objective is to establish whether this would be a suitable building technology for South Africa. The research is desk-top in nature and involves reviewing articles in online journals and publications and collating the information into a coherent form. Eleven species of bamboo commonly used in construction worldwide are selected for investigation of their material and engineering properties. Based on the variations found in the various species of bamboo, approaches to engineering modelling and design of bamboo structures are detailed and discussed. Furthermore, four case studies are presented that illustrate the various areas where bamboo construction is currently used. Finally, research is done regarding the level of the South African bamboo industry, including whether a bamboo species currently exists in South Africa that would be suitable for construction purposes. The preliminary literature review indicated that there is a lack of scientific or structural information regarding bamboo as a building material from an engineering or materials perspective, both globally as well as in South Africa. Although a substantial amount of information was subsequently found on the various aspects of bamboo as a structural material, the information varies widely between sources, which is ascribed to variations in test methods as well as to the location of the species being tested. The design codes and standards from various countries for bamboo design and construction are briefly reviewed. For countries where there is currently no bamboo design code or standard, such as South Africa, it is recommended that the International Standard, ISO 22156, be used as a design basis, using specific material properties relevant to the local species. Many publications state that bamboo is a sustainable building material, comparing favourably with other building materials. However, quantitative proof was found to be either lacking or unclear. Different methods were used in the publications to evaluate bamboo from an environmental perspective, making it difficult to compare and evaluate the different reports and results. However, despite the different methods, it appears that bamboo can be regarded as an environmentally favourable material, provided that local species are used in construction. The four case studies presented demonstrate that bamboo culms are suitable for use in large structures, such as bridges or trusses, as well as for smaller structures such as buildings or houses. They also illustrate the issues that can occur if the design intent is not understood or correctly carried out during construction. South Africa has one bamboo species considered suitable for construction, namely Bambusa balcooa, which is grown in various parts of the country. The properties of the South African plants have not been established as yet. However, theoretical engineering and material properties as determined elsewhere in the world indicate that this is a viable construction material. Further areas of research are the establishment of the material and engineering properties of the local South African bamboo species Bambusa balcooa, as well as further research into the behaviour of bamboo in fire conditions.

In the extreme climate and isolation of Antarctica, much of the built environment exists only as an assemblage of sterile boxes placed in the landscape without consideration of the needs of their occupants or their impact on the environment. In an area of limited resources, an abundance of solar and wind resources is seldom utilized to its full potential. Scientists and support crews spend months at a time living in isolation within the confines of small outposts and stations. Confinement in cramped and impersonal surroundings in this hostile environment can have devastating effects on the health and well-being of research teams and crews. The designs of many facilities rarely venture beyond the minimum programmatic requirements, failing to explore the possibility to become something more. The purely functional engineer's design approach, focusing heavily on initial cost, has been the mainstay of Antarctic architecture until recently. This attitude is beginning to be challenged by designs that focus on sustainability and the psychological impact on their inhabitants. Isolation and climactic conditions should not serve as an excuse for an incohesive atomistic design, but as motivation for a responsible, holistic solution. The technology exists to drastically reduce our negative environmental and carbon footprint in Antarctica by creating more responsible research facilities that fully utilize available renewable energy resources, while providing a superior working and living environment that meets the physical and psychological needs of its occupants. During the austral summer of 2008-2009, the world's first zero emissions polar research station is set to open. The innovative design of the Belgian Princess Elisabeth station can be used as a model for studying the potentials of sustainable and climactically adapted architectural design in Antarctica. I propose to further explore the possibilities of renewable energy, waste management, and prefabrication to design a zero emissions research facility with minimal impact that is responsive to its environment, while adequately providing for the needs of its occupants within the unique and extreme conditions of the Antarctic.

A preocupação mundial em relação aos impactos ambientais e seus reflexos positivos ou negativos na natureza têm mobilizado diversos setores da indústria. O processo de fabricação da viscose quando não controlado é altamente poluidor, causando impactos ao meio ambiente. Portanto, a escolha da sua matéria-prima pode amenizar esses problemas. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar comparativamente os tecidos de malha fabricados com fibras de viscose convencional eucalipto e outras - com fibras de viscose obtidas a partir do bambu. Para a análise foram escolhidas as seguintes matérias-primas: fios 100% viscose convencional (fiação de anéis e jato de ar) e fios 100% viscose de bambu (fiação de anéis) e fabricadas malhas com gramaturas médias estatisticamente iguais. Os tecidos foram beneficiados e realizados os ensaios de gramatura, tendência à formação de pilling e resistência à solidez à água. Os resultados experimentais mostraram que não existem diferenças significativas entre as características estudadas.
The global concern regarding the environmental impacts has assembled several industry sectors. This study has as a goal to analyze relatively two types of mesh fabrics: viscose, which can be produced through cellulose regeneration obtained by bamboo or from other trees or plants, and thus, it can be chosen one or the other within a sustainable development context. This manufacturing process of viscose is highly pollutant, provoking negative impacts to the environment. Therefore, the choice of raw material might reduce these issues relating to sustainability. This comparison also has an objective to open a space for discussions regarding to sustainability concept in textile sector, which many studies are limited to analyze the results comparing materials only, not considering the process as a whole, from the choice of raw material, obtention, cultivation, transformation, to the final product, including the lifecycle, the durability and disposal of a fashion product. The experimental results showed that no significant differences between the characteristics studied.

Japan has experienced population decline since 2010 and the situation is expected to become more severe after 2030 with forecasts indicating an expected 30% decline from 2005 to 2055. Many other developed countries such as Germany and Korea are also experiencing depopulation. These demographic changes are expected to affect society at many levels such as labour markets decline, increased tax burden to sustain pension systems, and economic stagnation. Little is known however about the impacts of population decline on man-made physical infrastructure, such as possible deterioration of current infrastructure or increased financial burden of sustaining it. Infrastructure can be classified into 3 categories: point-type (e.g. buildings), point-network type (e.g. water supply) and network type (e.g. road). The impact of depopulation may vary according to the type of infrastructure. Previous research in this area has been limited in scope (e.g. case studies conducted in a single city focusing on a single type of infrastructure) and method (e.g. most research in the topic has been qualitative). This thesis presents a new comprehensive study on the impacts of population decline on infrastructure in Japan, taking into account all types of infrastructure and using a quantitative approach. Data collection methods include interviews and two large scale questionnaire surveys, the first conducted with municipalities and the second, a stated preference survey, conducted with members of the public. The goal of sustainable development is relevant even in a depopulated society, and hence a sustainable development framework is applied to the analysis where social, economic, environmental and engineering impacts are investigated. The main findings indicate that some infrastructure impacts observed and reported in depopulated areas do not seem to be related to any population decline; moreover, the preferences of citizens for infrastructure development is very similar between depopulated areas and non-depopulated areas. The results also suggest that the premises of Barro’s overlapping generations model, very relevant to a discussion of intergenerational decision making and related sustainability, appear to be rejected in this context.

Economic benefits obtained from Flagellaria guineensis, a climbing bamboo, by local people received attention in previous studies but little is known about its regeneration ecology in three different forest stand conditions, i.e. forest edges, forest gaps and mature closed-canopy stands. In the Eastern Cape of South Africa the species grows in the Transkei Coastal Forests. The main aim of this study was to assess the regeneration ecology of F. guineensis in those forests. The specific objectives were to describe the phenological state that would influence the flowering, fruiting and growth of the species, and to compare the culm (stem) development from the rhizome between the different forest stand conditions. Phenological comparison was done in forest edge and forest interior conditions two forests. Rating scales were applied to determine the phenological states of the presence and amount of flower buds, open flowers, fruits, shoots and seedlings. Development of F. guineensis was assessed by sampling clusters in the three different forest stand conditions in three forests. The observation made in two Transkei Coastal Forests indicate that F. guineensis regenerates by producing seed, new vegetative shoots from rootstocks and also shoots at the growing tips. The flowering and fruiting period occurred only in the rainy season in Mtambalala forest but both rainy and dry seasons in Bulolo forest. More flowers and fruits of F. guineensis were found in Bulolo forest and in the forest edge (where F. guineensis is able to form tangles on the canopy of its host tree) respectively. This climbing bamboo clings on any plant around it for support and forms tangles on the canopy of its host in forest edges with no direct damage caused to host trees. The production of seedlings, shoots from the rhizome and shoots at the growing tips was constant during the study period in both study sites. The growth pattern of F. guineensis was different when comparing the three Transkei Coastal Forests studied. Manubi forest was found to have clusters and culms with the highest diameters and length compared to Mtambalala and Mnenga forests. There was a significant difference in culm diameter and length of F. guineensis between all three forests, whereas cluster diameter and number of culms per cluster were not influenced by forest stand conditions. F. guineensis clusters were common in the forest edges or gaps, and formed tangles in the canopy of their host trees. The described pattern of growth of F. guineensis contributes to recovery of the forest edges or gaps by restricting easy movement in and out of the forests. Several recommendations were made for harvesting of culms for basketmaking, such as: it should be done with care to reduce tangles in the forest and tree canopies; it must take place during the dry season, when the culms in a cluster are not flowering or fruiting; and studies are needed on the growth rate of seedlings and their growth into the forest canopy and how the bamboo can be cultivated outside the forest for better production of culms.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
SAFCOL
Microbiology and Plant Pathology
MSc
Unrestricted

In a globalizing world, trade has become essential to supporting the needs and wants of billions of people. Virtually everyone now consumes resource commodities and manufactured products traded all over the world; the ecological footprints of nations are now scattered across the globe. The spatial separation of material production (resource exploitation) from consumption eliminates negative feedbacks from supporting eco-systems. Most consumers remain unaware of the impacts that their trade dependence imposes on distant ecosystems (out of sight out of mind). I take the first steps in developing a conceptual and practical framework for an ‘interregional ecology’ approach to exploring and analyzing sustainability in an increasingly interconnected world. Such an approach accounts for some of the ‘externalities’ of globalization and international trade. It underscores the increasing dependence and impact of almost any country on resources originating from others and recognizes that the sustainability of any specified region may be increasingly linked to the ecological sustainability of distant supporting regions. I empirically describe and quantify some of the interregional material linkages between selected countries. I document the flows of renewable resources into the U.S. and quantify the U.S. external material footprint (EF) on specific countries. I then document the physical inputs involved in production of most agricultural export products from Costa Rica and Canada. Finally, I focus on major export products such as bananas, coffee and beef in Costa Rica and agricultural activities in the Canadian Prairies and document some of the ecological consequences (loss of habitat, soil degradation, water contamination and biodiversity loss) of that production. My research findings show increasing U.S. imports, increasing reliance on external sources and growing external ecological footprints. They also show how production activities mostly for overseas consumption led to changes in ecological structure and function in the studied export countries. This dissertation adds a missing trans-national dimension to the sustainability debate effectively integrating the policy and planning domain for sustainability in one region with that in others. While my research focuses mainly on documenting the nature and magnitude of interregional connections I also consider some of the implications of the interregional approach for sustainability planning.

Through an exploration of both the sculptural and socially-engaged art practices undertaken in creating my Master of Fine Art exhibition, 53 Stitches, I unpack some of the possibilities pertaining to the practice of sustainability, ecology and social engagement in contemporary art. This thesis explores the history and concepts of sustainable development and what the implications are of the far-reaching global consideration of sustainability for contemporary art production. Looking at the writings of Felix Guattari’s (2000 [1989]) and Suzi Gablik’s (1992) on the effects of the economic model of capitalism on our environmental, social and mental ecologies, I discuss the necessary paradigm shift of the artists’ identity from the ‘individual self’ towards the ‘relational self’, affirming our interdependence upon our social and natural environments. With reference to the writings of Maja and Reuben Fowkes (2008), I explore the principles of sustainability in contemporary art and discuss the notion of ‘sustainability of form’ through insight into dematerialisation, recycling and the prospect of artists now becoming knowledge producers/facilitators. This is supportive of my personal exploration and experimentation with recyclable materials as a creative medium, used as a means of knowledge and skills facilitation in socially-engaged arts practice and the process of art-making as research. I refer to the sculptural and ‘painterly’ constructions of Sofi Zezmer and Mbongeni Buthelezi, respectively, as a means to elucidate a practical contextualisation of my practical work, particularly with regard to the use of plastic as a constructive medium. Looking at the works of Linda Weintraub (2006), Marnie Badham (2010) and Miwon Kwon (2002), I expand on the theoretical discourse pertaining to sociallyengaged art practices, and elucidate the reconfiguration of the role of the artist towards now becoming a cultural service administrator, organiser and knowledge facilitator. With reference to Arjen Wals and Johnson et al., I further discuss the role of education in sustainability and explore the necessary reconciliation between university institutions and the social and environmental context in which they are located, in the form of place-based capacity building and service learning. I explore within this thesis the concepts and processbased research of my own sculptures

This is a study of Luo ecology through a Christian missional-theological lens. It explores how sustainability is a moral and ecosocial problem, and confronts Christians with contemporary challenges of sustainability (including ecology) and identity politics. The backdrop is colonial, western missionary civilization: its disconnection between mission, identity and ecology; and its separation of us from each other, the biosphere and the cultural universe. It argue for a radical return to a pre-colonial indigenous narrative of interbeing and, urge the emerging religio-cultural discourses to build upon such indigenous cosmic wisdom to create new integrating sustainability ethics and practices. This thesis evaluates the ecological consequences of exclusionary theology that characterized African sociology over the last 200 years. It examines social change through colonial missionary conversion, education and medicine; and explores the dynamics of pre-colonial, Luo cultural cosmology and ecological wisdom embedded in the Bible. It pursues an alternative missional theology of social morality and inclusive sustainability. It critically engages with literature on Luo eco-social history and on ecological control and economic development in East African history; and considers its neglect in the past by the Christian academic establishment in the region. It argues that engaging moral, social and ecological challenges of sustainability requires a culturally-driven values that cannot be fully justified by forms of modern rationality, yet confronts modernity, one that lies beyond them, indeed transcends them with important implications for integrating ecosocialization. Drawing on the dynamics of Christian faith and ecological consciousness set in motion by Paul Tillich and on recent ideas from ecotheology, social ecology, human geography and sustainability; this thesis presents a fresh approach to missional theology: highlighting the possible interconnection between mission, identity and ecology. The central argument of this thesis is that everything is always connected: we must learn from our long intergenerational Luo history of ecosocial interdependence and reconsider ‘ecological salvation’ as redemptive imagination – grounded on the reality of cultural mandate, ecological reality, and transcendence.

Cette thèse porte sur le développement d'une approche de modélisation destinée à quantifier la durabilité de systèmes industriels à partir de biomasse (considérés comme des systèmes complexes), et à fournir un outil d’aide à la décision qui permette, en modifiant certaines de leurs caractéristiques, de diminuer leurs impacts environnementaux.Elle s’appuie sur deux études de cas régionales : la première permet de tester l’hypothèse théorique pour évaluer les facteurs qui contribuent à l’adoption par les agriculteurs du « panic érigé » (switchgrass) dans l’Etat du Michigan (USA), et les effets associés en termes d’impacts environnementaux, en utilisant un modèle multi-agents couplé à l’analyse du cycle de vie ; la seconde combine modélisation multi-agents et système d'information géographique par le biais d’une analyse de flux de matières et d’énergie pour révéler les opportunités symbiotiques d’un écosystème agro-industriel en Champagne-Ardenne (France).On montre que ces deux modèles fonctionnels ont une valeur ajoutée significative pour l’analyse de systèmes sociotechniques durables et la simulation de scénarios futurs
This research is about developing a modeling framework in order to quantify the sustainability of industrial systems for biomass energy (conceived of as complex systems), and to provide decisionmakers with an aiding-tool for reducing their environmental impacts by modifying some of their features.It draws upon two regional case-studies. In the first one, an hybrid agent-based/life cycle assessment approach is used to test the theoretical background, understand the main decision-making factors influencing farmers’ adoption of switchgrass ethanol in Michigan (USA) and assess how such patterns affect environmental impacts. In the second case-study, agent-based modeling and geographical information system are used together via material and energy flow analysis to reveal the potential for industrial symbiosis in the bio-economy cluster of Champagne-Ardenne (France). We show that both models have a significant added value for the analysis of sustainable complex systems and the simulation of future scenarios

In recent times sustainability is a leading characteristic of textile fashion products. Textile fashion companies are focusing more on sustainable products these days, so that they can meet the environmental and social aspects. For getting competitive advantage in fashion business the companies have to take care of social, political and economical issues, and they must be aware of current trends of the market. Sustainable fibres provide solution for the companies facing issues regarding environmental problems; these fibres are also favorable to meet the market demands of quality products these days. The main objective of this report is to use the sustainable materials in fashion garments; the report contains rich information about two natural sustainable fibres (organic cotton and Bamboo), that describes the brief history, biography, development, processing, application and uses of these fibres. This report briefly describes the advantages and disadvantages of these fibres and underlines the usage of these fibres by famous designers, and by many top brands and fashion companies for their competitive advantage and brand image. The report highlights the potentials of using these materials in textile fashion products and describes that high fashion and quality products can be made by these products to guarantee the environmental and social standards
Program: Magisterutbildning i Applied Textile Management

Applied Ecobricolage: Mountain Being(s)/ Mountain Becoming(s) is about a research process designed to bring living systems and visual arts-based inquiry to the forefront of building human connections with the more-than-human world. Utilizing an applied ecobricolage structure, the focus of this research was twofold. The project explored applied ecobricolage as a platform for interdisciplinary and multi-methodological research on how to build connections with high-altitude mountain places and their place-beings. The project was also interested in discovering to what extent, if any, the sentient wisdom of high-altitude mountain places and their place-beings could contribute towards human processes and practices for resilient planetary living. Literature grounded the possibility for more-than-human mountain connection in its recognition of Gaian sentience and mountain places as distinct time-location events. Gaia-as-teacher and mountains as forms of hallowed Earth places, gave rise to what was possible when place, place-beings, and co-researchers collaborated to see, hear, and feel the wisdom of mountains. Guidance from Earth-based methodologies and the Earth informing lenses found in ecobricolage, Gaian methodology, and terrapsychology were utilized to amplify Earth connection and communication. Materialistic approaches to contemplative photography and elicitation practices such as glance and poetic inquiry methods, catalyzed collaborative dialogue resulting in 10, 387 digital images. The steps to building mountain connection and conducting an arts-based ecobricolage were found in the imagery, musings, and meditations arising from alpine conversations. What became apparent as a result of the ecobricolage was that mountain wisdom does exist and there is much that is communicated. What became secondary to discovering the ways of connection were the sentient mountain contributions towards living processes and practices. I found the contributions lay in the direct encounter between the place, event and myself. This paper gives some insight into who I became when, I connected to mountains as it acknowledged my distinct state of mountain being. More instances of ecobricolage research design could assist Earth-based scholarship in transforming perspectives in sustainability and research methodology. Building connections with the more-than-human mountain world exemplified the ways conscious connection bestows planetary wisdom. Exploring other places as time-location events presents more avenues for future researchers. Keywords: ecobricolage, mountain, place, contemplative photography, connection

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2008.
Thesis research directed by: Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

The marine ornamental fishery (MOF), in which fish and invertebrates are harvested for the live aquarium trade, has been growing in the last years. It is a worldwide market where species are mainly harvested directly from coral reefs in tropical countries. In the island of Puerto Rico, in the US Caribbean, resource managers have little information about the impact of this harvest on the stock populations of the species in the trade. Due to concern about the potential for over-exploitation of the fishery, a regulation was passed in 2004 limiting the permitted species to be harvested and exported. This action caused significant conflict with ornamental fishers and exporters. In order to better manage the resource, more precise ecological and market information was needed, as well as a regulation that more accurately reflected the status of the resource. This study analyzed the marine ornamental trade in Puerto Rico, in order to provide baseline information and public policy recommendations. It evaluated management needs, enforcement, fishers' perspectives and practices, market forces, ecological assessment of the species, as well as explored a management tool for the commercial (edible species) fishery involving the ornamental trade. The findings of the study are split into two broad topics, a) socio-economics and b) ecology. a) The number of dedicated ornamental fishers on the island is quite small, possibly allowing for the trade to become a seasonal alternative to commercial fishers during closed seasons for edible species. Certifications that promote correct harvesting and handling of the species were found to be of interest to fishermen and managers. b) Reef surveys of fish and invertebrates around Puerto Rico found associations of fish species with habitat characteristics including depth and rugosity. Fish and invertebrate richness and abundance did not vary markedly between different sites and regions around the island, and no evidence could be detected of ornamental fishing impacts. It is suggested that more species of fish could be added to the permitted species list, without damaging their population densities. From both ecological and market perspectives, MOF in Puerto Rico is a viable and sustainable small industry that could be expanded to benefit local people and international traders alike.

Despite widespread conservation efforts, global heathland area has substantially decreased in recent decades. Heathland habitats require low nitrogen availability in order to persist. Over the past 150 years, however, nitrogen deposition has increased markedly. Early observational studies and research using artificial N applications have identified N deposition as the primary driver of heathland succession into grassland or woodland, and N enrichment is considered a threat to heathland sustainability. This study investigated soil fertility and vegetation composition at 25 lowland heathland sites in low rainfall regions of mainland Britain within a modelled wet N deposition range of 1.85 to 10.90 kg N ha-1 y-1. A bioassay approach was used to quantify relationships between soil fertility and N deposition, heathland patch size and the management regimes. This study discovered significant positive relationships between N enrichment and C. vulgaris shoot mass, N and P concentrations. No relationship between N enrichment and N : P mass ratio was found suggesting no N induced shift to P limitation. It was determined that soil phosphomonoesterase activity was not up-regulated in response to N enrichment. This suggests that the soil P reserves are sufficient to satisfy demand under current N deposition loads. Heathland patch size was negatively related to C .vulgaris shoot dry-mass which was used as a proxy for soil fertility. Measured atmospheric ammonia concentrations were not related to C. vulgaris growth and shoot chemistry. No relationships were found between any variable tested and heathland vegetation composition suggesting that local factors, such as management intervention, may be substantial determinants of vegetation composition. This study presents relationships between temperature at origin and C. vulgaris growth from populations located along a latitudinal gradient in Western Europe. The findings of this thesis have implications for current heathland management, and for future management under a climate change scenario.

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)
The aim of this thesis is to support the evaluation of sustainable development strategies for industrial networks in the context of industrial ecology (IE). Industrial networks are a group of units which carry out, or contribute to, industrial activity, and are connected by material and energy flows, but also capital and information exchanges. The components of an industrial network encompass resource extraction, processing and refining, forming and assembly, use, disposal, as well as recycling and reprocessing. The motivation behind this research is the realisation that much of the current environmental system analysis focus within IE lacks a structured approach to considering: • system environment • dynamic nature of the system and its environment • economic and social impacts • the effect of uncertainty on analysis outcomes. It is argued in this thesis that current environmental analysis approaches used in IE can be improved in their capacity to capture the complexity of industrial systems, with the objective of promoting sustainable development. While IE emphasises the benefit of a systems approach to identifying environmental strategies in industry, analysis tools have to date not engaged extensively with important aspects such as the influence of system environment and dynamics on the viability of an environmental strategy, or with the economic or social impacts of industrial system development, which are equally important for sustainable development. Nor is the assessment of the effect of uncertainty on analysis outcomes an integral part of environmental analysis tools in IE. This is particularly significant when, in fact, the degree of uncertainty in assumptions and data used increases with the scope, and therefore the abstraction, of the system under consideration. IE will have to engage with the network and contextual complexities to a greater degree if it is to evolve from a concept to the application of its principles in practice. The main contribution of this thesis is therefore the development of a structured approach to analysing industrial networks for the purpose of identifying strategies to encourage sustainable development, while accounting for the complexity of the underlying system as well as the problem context. This analysis is intended to allow the identification of preferred network development pathways and to test the effectiveness of sustainable development strategies. A top-down, prescriptive approach is adopted for this purpose. This approach is chosen as the industrial network analysis is intended to identify how a network should develop, rather than focusing on how it could develop. Industrial networks are systems which are complex in both their structure and behaviour. This thesis also delivers a characterisation of these networks, which serves two purposes – quantifying key elements of structure and behaviour; and using this information to build a foundation for subsequent industrial network analysis. The value of such an approach can be seen in the following example. With a detailed understanding of individual network characteristics, both separately and collectively, it is possible to determine the source of issues, the means available to address them, any barriers that might exist, and the consequences of implementing any strategic interventions. The analysis approach proposed in this thesis is based on multi-criteria decisions analysis (MCDA), which, as a process, combines initial problem structuring and subsequent quantitative analysis stages. The tools employed within MCDA have been employed variously around considerations of sustainable development. Their value in this thesis is their integration within a rigorous analytical framework. Rigorous problem structuring is attractive as it helps elucidate the complexities of the system and its environment and is, by definition, designed to deal with multiple environmental social and economic criteria that would have to be considered to promote sustainable development. For the quantitative analysis, the industrial network analysis draws from existing analysis tools in IE, but predominately from other systems research disciplines, such as process systems engineering (PSE) and supply chain management (SCM). These fields, due to their maturity and practical focus, have invested a lot of research into system design and strategic planning, capturing system dynamics and uncertainty to ensure, within selected system constraints, that a proposed system or changes to a system are viable, and that the system is capable of achieving the stated objectives. Both PSE and SCM rely heavily on optimisation for system design and planning, and achieve good results with it as an analytical tool. The similarity between industrial networks and process systems / supply chains, suggests that an optimisation platform, specifically multi-objective dynamic optimisation, could be employed fruitfully for the analysis of industrial networks. This is the approach taken in this thesis. It is consistent with the “top down” approach advocated previously, which is deemed preferable for the identification and implementation analysis of strategic interventions. This enables the determination of a structure (design) that is “best” able to operate under future conditions (planning) with respect to the chosen sustainable development objectives. However, an analysis is only ever as good as its underlying data and assumptions. The complexity and scope of the industrial network and the challenge of articulating sustainable development target(s) give rise to significant uncertainties. For this reason a framework is developed within this thesis that integrates uncertainty analysis into the overall approach, to obtain insight into the robustness of the analysis results. Quantifying all the uncertainties in an industrial network model can be a daunting task for a modeller, and a decision-maker can be confused by modelling results. Means are therefore suggested to reduce the set of uncertainties that have to be engaged with, by identifying those which impact critically on model outcomes. However, even if uncertainty cannot be reduced, and the implementation of any strategy retains a degree of risk, the uncertainty analysis has the benefit that it forces an analyst to engage in more detail with the network in question, and to be more critical of the underlying assumptions. The analysis approach is applied to two case studies in this thesis: one deals with waste avoidance in an existing wood-products network in a large urban metropolis; the other with the potential for renewable energy generation in a developing economy. Together, these case studies provide a rich tableau within which to demonstrate the full features of the industrial network analysis. These case studies highlight how the context within which the relevant industrial network functions influences greatly the evolution of the network over time; how uncertainty is managed; and what strategies are preferred in each case in order to enhance the contribution of each network to sustainable development. This thesis makes an intellectual contribution in the following areas: • the characterisation of industrial networks to highlight sources of environmental issues, role the characteristics (could) play in the identification of (preferred) sustainable development strategies, and the need to explicitly consider these in a systems analysis. • the synthesis, adaptation and application of existing tools to fulfil the need for analysis tools in IE that can handle both contextual and system complexity, and address the above mentioned issues of lacking consideration of o system environment o dynamic nature of the system and its environment o economic and social impacts o the effect of uncertainty on analysis outcomes. • the development and demonstration of an industrial network analysis approach that o is flexible enough to model any industrial network at the inter-firm level, regardless of form and configuration of materials and products circulated, and depending on the existing network and the proposed strategies. o is able to encompass a wide range of environmental strategies, either individually or in combination depending on what best suits the situation, rather than focusing on any strategy in particular. o ensures long term viability of strategies, rather than short term solutions delivering incremental improvement. • the development of a comprehensive approach to capturing and assessing the effect of uncertainty on solution robustness for industrial network analysis, including the screening to determine the most important parameters, considering valuation and technical uncertainties, including future uncertainty. The industrial network analysis approach presented in this thesis looks more to how a network should develop (according to a set of sustainable development objectives), rather than how it may in actual fact develop. Consequently, the influence of agent interests and behaviour is not considered explicitly. This may be construed as a limitation of the industrial analysis approach. However, it is argued that the “top down” modelling approach favoured here is useful at a policy-making level. Here, for example, government instrumentalities, trade organisations and industry groupings, non-government organisations and community-based organisations are likely to be interested more in the performance of the network as a whole, rather than (necessarily) following the behaviour of individual agents within the network. Future work could well entertain the prospect of a mixed approach, in which the top-down approach of this thesis is complemented by a “bottom-up”, agent-based analysis. In this manner, it would be possible to give an indication of how attainable the identified industrial network development pathways are. Furthermore, the use of government incentives can be explored to assess if network development could approach the preferred development pathway which is identified using the methodology and results articulated in this thesis.

While some societies face problems of crime and gang violence and are looking into different solutions, very little research exists on what community and architectural design and building can contribute to the reconstruction of the social fabric. This text explores how various elements and factors of architecture can be applied to reduce crime and gang violence activity in a city. By studying several manifestos and classic writings, this study will inquire the moral factor within architecture, the use of local materials and vernacular techniques, the definition of an architectural program that heals and the use of the members of the community hands for the construction of a building, the feel belonging and the ownership of a piece of architecture. La Libertad, El Salvador has been used as the place to put this into practice, being in the top most violent cities in the nation. The initiative of the architect to use the cities resources, such as bamboo as material to boost the economy through the architecture is explored to measure the impact in numbers by reducing rates of crime and gang activity in the city.
Master of Architecture
El Puerto de La Libertad in El Salvador is one of the best destinations in Central America for surfing with its great swells of waves and beautiful beaches. But there is a consistent tone within the visitors and residents’ comments about the city: they don’t feel as safe as they want to. The issue of insecurity and gang violence steadily increased after the Civil War in El Salvador ended in 1992. So, there have been different nation and city plans to mitigate the problem since then, but none has really aimed to inclusivity, most of them have been focused on fighting it with violence. My thesis seeks answers within architecture to help alleviate gang violence in the city of Puerto, through the design and development of a city master plan that connects different facilities centered in the farming, harvesting and use of bamboo for construction, furniture making and crafting. This will allow a boost in the town’s economy and the reconstruction of the social fabric. Finally joining the beauty of the blue of the ocean and the sky, with local materials and the hands of the members of the community for the design — and potentially building— of the Surfing Youth Center.

Mexico was formerly an important breeding ground for six marine turtle species. Over the last several decades, overexploitation of turtles for their meat, eggs, and hides, as well as habitat destruction, has led to alarming rates of decline in all species. The problem of sea turtle conservation is a promising area for questions of anthropology and sustainable human systems because decline of these species is related to unsustainable development and subsistence practices that have disenfranchised small coastal fishing cooperatives. Common property resource theory aids the analysis of the context in which overexploitation takes place. Conserving sea turtles will depend on the development of localized institutions for managing natural resources in perpetuity and for negotiating the array of regional, national, and global factors relevant to sea turtle endangerment and preservation. Anthropology can play a vital role in this process of developing sustainable interactions between human subsistence needs and natural resource conservation.

The research intention is to identify the characteristics of an ecologically sustainable contemporary Catholic primary school and the conditions that support the development of such a school community. The literature review showed there is a clear mandate from the Catholic Church to consider ecological conversion as integral to its evangelising mission, a mission that is at the heart of Catholic education, including the school. An extensive body of educational literature, including philosophy of education and curriculum frameworks, identified environmental awareness and responsibility as mandatory outcomes for all students. The literature study defined and described ecological conversion, sustainable education, environmental education and related conceptual understandings. The literature study also provided examples of strategies to guide the strategic implementation of these understandings within the total learning program of a school. From examples found in the literature, a framework, Steps in Becoming an Environmentally Active Catholic Primary School, incorporating the specifically Catholic religious dimension, was developed by the researcher to provide benchmarks and indicators against which a school’s progress in journeying towards ecological sustainability could be evaluated. This qualitative, constructionist study incorporated some elements of Grounded Theory in gathering and analysing data from within two Australian Catholic primary case study schools recognised for their commitment and good practice in sustainable education. From the analysis of the data gathered through interviews, focus groups and participant observation, the distinctive characteristics of the two schools were identified and their stage of development evaluated against the framework Steps in Becoming an Environmentally Active Catholic Primary School. In addition, the factors that had supported school development and the factors that were barriers to that development were named. From the study, conclusions about the nature of an ecologically sustainable Catholic primary school were drawn and recommendations made about how best to support the development of such a school.

The fashion system has increasingly been imbued by ecology and sustainability. While in the recent years a lot on approaches to more sustainable consumption behaviour from the con- sumers’ side have been suggested, this study focuses on the very practice of how sustainabil- ity - in an applied matter - is realised within a fashion company. In this dissertation, two Swe- dish fashion brands, Nudie Jeans co and Filippa K, are being investigated and analysed due to their brand philosophies and concepts dealing with sustainability. If Nudie Jeans co’s first all- organic denim collection launched in Autumn 2012 or Filippa K’s emphasis to the longevity of clothing by classic shapes and plain colours; both ideas foster a slow fashion movement. One of this thesis’ implications is the fact, that the term sustainability is much more far- reaching and expansive as commonly defined. Also timelessness and tradition could be sus- tainable, if still taking care of environment and society. Finally, concepts of sustainability which are commonly not highlighted shall be identified and fill the yet existing gap.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Oregon, 2001.
Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-94). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to UO users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p1405201.

As the world population moves toward 10 billion people over the next 50 years environmental decline seems inevitable unless changes are implemented. Issues of ecology, sustainability and the city are now being recognised as critical. The systemic and holistic nature of the problem means that sustainable policies must address a wide range of social issues, political attitudes, economic practices and technological methods. Volume One offers a wide-ranging and comprehensive review of Environmental Problems and Sustainability and seeks to map out both the historical and contemporary basis for a widespread transition towards a more sustainable society. The world's cities now offer the critical context within which sustainable strategies can be developed and tested. Much current academic and policy literature describes a range of sustainable development models representing radically different views of how the processes leading towards the planning and implementation of cities needs to b e realised. Volume Two describes Paolo Soleri's Arcology Model and the Arcosanti Laboratory as a relevant methodology and case study. The arcology model attempts to address issues of sustainability by advocating a balanced relationship between urban morphology and performance within cities designed to conform to the complexity - miniaturization - duration (CMD) paradigm. The methodology recognises the need for the radical reorganisation of urban sprawl into dense, integrated compact urban structures in which material recycling, waste reduction and the use of renewable energy sources are part of a sustainable strategy aimed at reducing the flow of resources and products through the urban system. As governments, eager to deliver major environmental improvements, press on with, as yet, untried and untested 'centrist' urban policies, there is a need to research relevant models of compaction. Over the last ten years, as the criteria of urban sustainability have become more widely accepted and understood the relevance of the Soleri's model has become clearer. Arcosanti in Arizona, begun in 1970, offers a laboratory for testing the validity of the theory. Volume Two concludes by critically reviewing arcology and Arcosanti in the context of the discourse on sustainability offered in Volume One. Since the energy crisis of the mid-1970s efforts at Arcosanti have been directed toward the definition and testing of various architectural effects that, when combined, could offer a response to many of today's environmental problems. But today progress is painstakingly slow. Lacking the level of funding and resources that would enable it to be convincing, it now represents not so much a specific prototypical solution but an activist engaged strategy that advocates the possibility of building our dreams and visions. In a world plagued by so many problems, and so few alternatives, it continues to offer a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
O déficit habitacional atinge milhões de famílias em todo o mundo, inclusive as brasileiras. Este problema, somado ao contexto insustentável do setor produtivo da indústria da construção, evidencia a urgente necessidade de novas propostas para o prosseguimento deste ramo de modo sustentável. Então, as áreas do Design, Arquitetura e Engenharia Civil, cada vez mais, priorizam pelo uso de recursos sustentáveis e por novas abordagens no desenvolvimento de suas atividades. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de desenvolver novos componentes construtivos – painéis modulares para fechamentos na construção de ambientes, feitos em bambu associado com terra e resíduos. Sob uma abordagem metodológica articulada pela realização de um Design Participativo, a concepção dos painéis modulares foi realizada em conjunto com duas comunidades locais, uma de área rural e outra de zona urbana. A elaboração de projeto dos painéis utilizou sketches, ilustrações, modelagens em 3D virtual, renderes, desenhos técnicos e modelos em escala 1:2. Na etapa de confecção dos protótipos físicos, primeiramente foi projetado e construído um gabarito para, posteriormente, efetuar-se a montagem dos painéis modulares. Com a confecção dos protótipos físicos dos painéis e do gabarito foi possível identificar possíveis melhorias em ambos os projetos. Neste momento, fez-se a coleta e análise de dados que, futuramente, poderão auxiliar a caracterizar sua viabilidade econômica. No que diz respeito aos materiais empregados e à abordagem metodológica articulada pela realização de um Design Participativo para a criação dos painéis, os resultados alcançados apresentaram efetividade. Tal fato demonstra a capacidade dos painéis modulares desenvolvidos nesta pesquisa em promover ações sustentáveis junto ao ramo da construção.
Housing shortage affects millions of families around the world, including Brazilian ones. This problem, added to the unsustainable context of the construction production sector, points out the urgent necessity of new proposals for a sustainable prosecution of this matter. Therefore, the fields of Design, Architecture and Civil Engineering are increasingly prioritizing the use of sustainable resources and new approaches to the development of activities. In this sense, this research aims to develop new constructive components – modular panels for the closure of construction, built of bamboo associated with soil and residues. In a participatory methodology approach, the production planning of the modular panels was done together with two local communities, one of rural area and the other from urban zone. The elaboration of the panels project used sketches, 3D virtual modelling, renders, technical drawings and models in 1:2 scale. Firstly, at the confection stage of the physical prototypes, templates were projected and build, then the modular panels were assembled. With the physical prototype of the panels and the templates, it was possible to identify possibles improvements in both projects. At that stage, data was gathered and analyzed that, in the future, could help characterize its economical viability. Concerning the used materials and the methodology articulated through the execution of a participatory design, the results achieved were effective. It demonstrates the modular panel´s capacity of promoting sustainable actions in the construction field.
FAPESP: 2015/00782-4

Resumo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo principal estruturar um modelo para a cadeia produtiva do bambu laminado colado (BLC) e promover o seu fomento, tendo em vista que a sistematização desta cadeia ainda não existe no Brasil. Para tanto, o procedimento metodológico adotado para a pesquisa é de natureza exploratória, por proporcionar maior familiaridade com a atuação do design em contribuição ao desenvolvimento sustentável e com o ciclo da cadeia produtiva do BLC e seus produtos no país. O trabalho delineia-se em pesquisa bibliográfica e estudos de caso, primeiramente para compor a fundamentação teórica da dissertação e para o resgate das informações necessárias para a elaboração do modelo de cadeia produtiva e, posteriormente, com a atuação junto aos agricultores do assentamento rural "Terra Nossa" e aos estudantes do curso de Design de Produtos da Unesp-Bauru. Com a pesquisa pode-se identificar quais são os aspectos positivos e negativos da cadeia produtiva do BLC que se inicia no Brasil, com destaque para o ambiente institucional, o mais evoluído, e o segmento de produção industrial, o mais defasado, havendo algumas iniciativas de comercialização de produtos em BLC e um crescimento no consumo. Com os casos estudados foi possível dar início à apropriação do conhecimento científico e tecnológico em torno da cadeia produtiva do BLC pelos agricultores do assentamento "Terra Nossa" e pelos estudantes de design da Unesp-Bauru, sendo que estes últimos também puderam desenvolver cinco projetos e um protótipo de móveis utilizando o BLC como material componente
Abstract: This study have the main's objective structuring a model for the productive chain of glued laminated bamboo (GLB) and perform its promotion, knowing that the systematization of this chain does not yet exist in Brazil. So, the methodological procedure adopted for the research is exploratory in nature, by providing greater familiarity with the role of design in sustainable development and contributing to the cycle of the productive chain of GLB and its products in the country. The work is delineated in research literature and case studies, firstly to compose the theoretical basis of the dissertation and for the redemption of the information necessary for drawing up the model of the production chain and subsequently with the action with farmers from rural settlement "Terra Nossa" and the action with the students of Product Design of Unesp-Bauru. In this research it can be identified positive and negative aspects of the production chain of GLB, that starts in Brazil, with emphasis on the institutional environment, as the most evolved and the segment of industrial production, as the most involute, in addition of some marketing initiatives of products in GLB and a growth in consumption. In the cases studied it was possible to start the ownership of scientific and technological knowledge on the productive chain of GLB by farmers of the settlement "Terra Nossa" and by students of the design at the Unesp-Bauru. They also developed five projects and one prototype of furnitures using GLB as material component
Orientador: Marco Antônio dos Reis Pereira
Coorientador: Paula da Cruz Landim
Banca: Antônio Ludovico Beraldo
Mestre

This body of work aims to discover opportunities for industrial design to support sustainable ways of living in a materialistic society. At first glance, sustainable living and product design seem incongruent. Perhaps through investigation of the nature of product design and models of sustainability, a plan can be established which actually strengthens the reality of each in light of social, economic and environmental issues.
Master of Science

My thesis explored the idea that inequality is a human-made perspective that has been informed concurrently through social and metaphysical structures. My intent has been to show how inequality as a learned man-made system of consciousness has played a pivotal role in justifying the exploitation of other cultures and the environment in the name of progress, advancement and human destiny. I have explored the idea that anthropocentrism and ethno-centric patriarchy has been woven so deeply into the fabric of modern perception that we are largely unconscious of its existence, even while we reap the results in both environmental and social degradation. My thesis has argued that a metaphysics, which supports equality, would result in a different value system that would prioritize diversity of life above and beyond human advancement, and emphasize cross-species interconnectedness thereby reducing the risk of exploitation inherent in the existing globally driven capitalist system.

Humankind has lived on earth for a geologically brief time. Our species has proven a remarkable ability to adapt to our environment through the development and use of tools and technology. Little evidence suggests when our need to tame nature took hold in our collective cultural consciousness, yet throughout western history, human needs and activities have been perceived as separate from the natural world. We stand at the beginning of a new millennium, aware of the cycles which govern the flows of life on our planet, yet far from understanding the specifics of how they work. This building, an Institute for Urban Agriculture, seeks to challenge that notion of separation. The design expresses architecturally the ways in which the technological systems and organic systems work together to sustain the mission of the Institute. Through every aspect of the building design, the perceived separation of those systems is woven together to express an holistic view of the building as a fully integrated system. Human intervention is a necessary part of a healthy urban ecosystem, and positive relationships with the natural world contribute to the qualities of human health. Inspired by careful observation and experience of the surrounding urban landscape, this design recognizes those interactions and builds upon their social, ecological and economic values. Architecture becomes the medium for communicating transformed ideas about our relationships with the natural world to the building inhabitants and to the public at large.
Master of Architecture

This dissertation introduces the idea of alchemical permaculture: a new field that integrates ecopsychology, permaculture, and Jung's interpretation of alchemy—three areas of study and practice concerned with the transformative relationship(s) between planet Earth and its humans. An interdisciplinary approach to the research suggests that permaculture can become ecopsychological praxis if it is situated within the mythopoeic context of Jung's interpretation of alchemy. In addition to creating a very practical application of ecopsychology the conception of alchemy is dreamt onward, finding contemporary ecopsychological expression through permaculture landscape design.

Through comparative theoretical interpretation and narrative illustration the author emphasizes the interdisciplinary significance these three primary subjects have to offer each other and the present moment. Literature for comparison includes writings from a variety of ecopsychologists and historians of alchemy, scholars of Goethean science and Jungian psychology, and contemporary voices in the field of permaculture. Integrating these disciplines offers multiple perspectives to the science of ecology, provides a unique philosophical praxis to caring for the Earth, and highlights every act of land stewardship as an equal opportunity for both ecological and psycho-spiritual transformation.

Alchemical permaculture addresses the question "How can we dream the alchemical project forward, encouraging humanity as a whole to improve its ecological, psychological, and spiritual relationship with nature?" Alchemical permaculture integrates the practical designs, ethics, and values of permaculture with human psychology and spirituality. Alchemical permaculture illustrates what may be considered a branch of ecotherapy, or a kind of ecopsychological praxis, taking place in a broadened vessel of transformation that includes nature as well as psyche, helping to illuminate the mirroring relationships between inner and outer landscapes, between land and steward.

Thesis advisor: Juliet Schor
There is an emerging pairing between the grassroot hip hop movement and urban sustainability initiatives that I call hip hop ecology. The synergy between hip hop and environmentalism defies stereotypes of the whiteness of the environmental movement and the forms of discourse that are used to raise awareness of the ecological crisis. This dissertation builds from my work in the Boston Public Schools, where for four years, I have taught environmental science using environmentally-themed (green) hip hop. In these classes I have asked students to express their learning in their own creative verse. I present three studies that situate the connection between hip hop and environmentalism in social and educational contexts. The first is a comparative content analysis of environmental science textbooks and green hip hop tracks that will help define the sociotextual scene of the urban environmental classrooms where I worked. The second research site is the community, where I interviewed "hip hop ecologists," activists and emcees who work directly on urban sustainability and environmental justice while producing hip hop with green themes. The second study provides an in-depth look at how these young environmental activists of color navigate the racial dynamics of the movement and try to sustain their careers as leaders and artists. The third study is an ethnography where I synthesize four years of classroom teaching and analyze the various cases where constructs of race and nature intersected, deconstructing both the social interactions in the classroom as well as the green hip hop lyrics written by the students. The implications of a hip hop ecology are that we as environmental practitioners actively rethink what counts as an environmental text and what part of our own creativity we tap as educators who endeavor to promote a more racially diverse and powerful movement for sustainability
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012
Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Discipline: Sociology

My purpose in this work is to argue that the resolution of capitalism’s contradictions, as they are understood by Marx, fits the criteria of an economic movement towards sustainability. The Marxist analysis of capitalism, while accurate in many respects (especially with the explanation of contradictions generated in the capitalist free market), requires more explanation of the manner in which the economic process of valuation is to continue in the stages succeeding late capitalism. This work will provide an explanation of this economic transition that remains faithful to Marx’s understanding of history and the historical development of the productive forces and the relations of production. I will propose the inclusion of ideal capital (the valuation of non-material goods) as an economic component to help explain a sustainable economic arrangement under a Marxian framework. I will additionally address critiques arising from Bohm-Bawerk in my endorsement of a Marxian economic analysis.

Waste generation rates continue to grow around the world, creating a need for more comprehensive waste management strategies to meet sustainability needs. Remote islands are profoundly affected by the growth in waste and have a critical need to develop policy that addresses their unique characteristics, such as limited land space for waste disposal, higher per capita waste generation rates due to tourism, and lack of opportunities for interstate waste transport. This case study investigated one Hawaiian County's collaborative approach to adopting a new solid waste management policy. Ostrom's Institutional Analysis and Development Framework (IAD) was utilized to examine the facilitating and impeding institutional factors that affect the adoption of more sustainable waste management approaches on remote islands. The impeding factors that created barriers to sustainability included blueprint models, lack of financial incentives, financial cost, infrastructure, exclusion from waste services, remoteness, and illegal dumping. Facilitating factors were environmental concerns and exemplary waste examples by other communities. Recommendations are provided for addressing these barriers and using the available opportunities to work toward greater sustainable resource management on remote islands.

Includes sysnopsis.
Includes bibliographical references (p.93-106).
This thesis aims to demonstrate the application of industrial ecology (IE) theory to understand environmental sustainability problems relating to the accumulation of saline wastes and to study the potential for integrated technology interventions which take multi-party engagements and effects into account.

A proposta deste estudo é demonstrar a possibilidade de utilização do bambu, como material construtivo, na arquitetura contem porânea. Com intuito de referenciá-las, pauta-se em alguns exemplos, compreendidos entre 1995 e 2014, no Brasil e no exterior, abordando aspectos técnicos específicos inerentes à sua aplicação e traçando um panorama atual do seu emprego. O critério de seleção, das obras apresentadas, deu-se em função da relevância do papel estrutural desempenhado pelo bambu. A pesquisa concentrou-se, principalmente, na produção arquitetônica no Brasil, com enfoque às obras presentes, e visitadas, no Estado de São Paulo. Também foram abordadas obras, no Brasil, não visitadas, mas cujas contribuições são significativas em relação ao emprego do bambu. Os exemplos internacionais selecionados, referenciam a produção contemporânea, demonstrando as diferentes formas de aplicação deste material, intrínsecas às culturas e contextos aos quais estão inseridos, procurando traçar um panorama atual de seu uso e possíveis desdobramentos. Pretende-se, com este estudo, contribuir com a divulgação e disseminação das possibilidades de utilização do bambu, colaborando com a mudança de paradigma em relação ao seu emprego na arquitetura e, com isso, delinear a contribuição do bambu para a construção da arquitetura contemporânea.
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the possibility of using bamboo as a building material, in contemporary architecture. Seeking to reference them, is guided in some instances, between 1995 and 2014, in Brazil and abroad, addressing specific technical aspects of its implementation and drawing a current overview of their employment. The selection criteria, of the buildings presented, took place in function of the relevance of the structural role of bamboo. The research focused mainly on the architectural production in Brazil, with a focus in buildings, that were visited the State of São Paulo. Were also dealt buildings in Brazil, not visited but whose contributions are significant in relations to the bamboo employmen t. The selected international examples, refer to contemporary production, demonstrating the different forms of application of this material, inherent in cultures and contexts to which they belong, looking out a current view of their use and possible developments. The intention of this study is contribute to the disclosure and dissemination of bamboo usage possibilities, collaborating with the paradigm shift in relation to its use in architecture and, therefore, outline the bamboo contribution to the building of contemporary architecture.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Developing an approach that delivers improved environmental performance for metal cycles is the aim of this thesis. Integral to the sustainable use of metals is the need to reduce environmental impacts associated with the mining, refining and recycling activities that supply metal to the economy. Currently, the links between the location and duration of these activities, their resultant impacts and the responsible parties are poorly characterised. Consequently, the changes to technology infrastructure and material flow patterns that are required to achieve sustainable metal cycles remain unclear to both industry and government actors. To address this problem, a holistic two-part methodology is developed. Firstly, a reference schema is developed to address the complexity of structuring analyses of the material chain at different geographical and time scales. The schema identifies actors and system variables at each scale of analysis and guides the level of information detail and performance indicators to be used in material chain characterisation. Material chain characterisation involves modelling material and energy flows for current activities as a series of connected nodes and linking these flows to resultant environmental impacts. The approach identifies the material chain activity responsible for each environmental impact and makes trade-offs between impacts explicit. Sensitivity analysis of the models identifies the key variables that enhance performance. The influence of actors over these variables is assessed to target areas for improvement. This first part of the methodology is illustrated using case studies that assess the current performance of copper material chain configurations at different geographical scales within the reference schema. The analysis of global material and energy flows indicates that the majority of environmental burden in the copper material chain is attributable to primary refining of metal from ore. Modelling of the dominant primary refining technologies using region-specific information for ore grade, technology mix and energy mix reveals that the total environmental impact differs by factors of 2–10 between world regions. The study of refined copper imports to Europe from various regions outside of Europe reveals that lower global warming impacts are achieved at the expense of increased local impacts from the producing regions. Overall, only limited improvements are possible without investing in new technology infrastructure. Evaluation of an innovative copper refining technology finds that collaboration with clean energy suppliers reduces global warming impacts more than changing process design parameters. To better assess the local impacts that are directly controllable by the technology operator, a new indicator incorporating the stability of solid waste is developed. In the second part of the methodology, the link established between actors, their control over key system variables and resultant impacts is used to design preferred future configurations for the material chain. Dynamic models are developed to evaluate transition paths towards preferred futures for individual and collaborative action by industry in the context of externally changing variables (for example, increasing demand for copper and declining available ore grades). Both new copper technology infrastructure and new material flow patterns are assessed in transitions toward preferred futures for a case study of the United States. The improvements resulting from the introduction of new primary refining technology by individual actors are negated by increasing impacts from declining copper ore grades over time. Achieving a combined reduction in local and global environmental impacts requires collaboration between industry actors to immediately increase the recycling of secondary scrap. Significantly, this methodology links actor decisions with their impacts across scales to prompt accountability for current performance and guide useful collaborations between actors. The methodology then delivers a comprehensive assessment of the scale and timing of required interventions to achieve more sustainable metal cycles.

More than a hundred hydropower dams have already been built in the Amazon basin and numerous proposals for further dam constructions are under consideration. The accumulated negative environmental effects of existing dams and proposed dams, if constructed, will trigger massive hydrophysical and biotic disturbances that will affect the Amazon basin's floodplains, estuary and sediment plume. We introduce a Dam Environmental Vulnerability Index to quantify the current and potential impacts of dams in the basin. The scale of foreseeable environmental degradation indicates the need for collective action among nations and states to avoid cumulative, far-reaching impacts. We suggest institutional innovations to assess and avoid the likely impoverishment of Amazon rivers.

Focusing on the relationships between agriculture, industry, and sense of place, this thesis explores the dynamic landscapes and identities of the Verde Valley from the establishment of Anglo settlements in 1864 to the agricultural renaissance in 2014. It argues that agriculture remains an important part of the Verde Valley's physical and cultural landscape that should be better represented in public history exhibits. Using a methodology featuring interviews, archival research, and public history theory, this thesis takes an agri-ecological approach. This perspective internalizes the effects of farming upon the landscape, and situates it within the region's socio-economic-environmental ecosystem. This thesis also analyzes the valley's public history sites and the absence of its agri-ecological narrative. Renarrativization and the incorporation of living history techniques are two methods that can integrate agriculture into an existing site, such as Slide Rock State Park, or a future site, such as the Verde Valley Agricultural Heritage Center.

Sweden has been praised for its achievements, and promoted as a role model, in sustainable urban development. This thesis, comprising five separate articles and a cover essay, is a critical study of the Swedish urban sustainable imaginary. The first article examines how this imaginary is produced. Using an actor-network theory approach, I view the Swedish pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010 as a node in a wider network, arguing that the notion of decoupling GDP growth from CO2 emissions constitutes a central storyline. The second and third papers study the circulation of this imaginary in practice, specifically examining two cases of exporting Swedish sustainable urban planning to Chinese eco-city projects. Few of these plans, I note, were materialised in built form; rather, they contributed to the circulation of a repetitive model of sustainable urbanism, reinforcing a paradoxical idea of urban sustainability as “green islands of privilege”. The storyline of decoupling – and the circulating business of sustainable urbanism into which it feeds – is based on a deficient territorial view of space. In this research, I advocate a political ecology perspective and relational view of space, wherein there are no such things as sustainable or unsustainable cities. Rather, planning should aim for more just socio-environmental relations within and across urban borders. The fourth and fifth papers address the wider question of how planning can foster more socio-environmentally just forms of urban sustainability. Here, I emphasise a consumption perspective on greenhouse gas emissions as an important counter-narrative and analyse two Swedish municipalities’ efforts to lessen citizens’ consumption through policy and planning practice.   This research highlights the need to continuously develop and contest imaginaries and planning practices of sustainability, of who is perceived as “sustainable” and what a socio-environmentally just perspective might mean in practice for policy makers and planners alike.

QC 20170120