Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Economic pillar of the sustainable development'

Creating the concept of buildings is the primary task of architects, designers in the field of architecture and engineering. Although the basic requirements remain the same across time , possibilities of their solution are constantly evolving and changing. In addition, with the increasing globalization, in context of the housing and the architecture is expected new requirements go beyond the horizons of the interests of bouth investor and designer. Global view of each project and the evaluation of its traces left in our environment and society, although is much discussed but rarely taken into account or even just considered. In this context, we are witnessing the development of new trends of the concepts of buildings, consisting in the use of natural materials, in reducing the environmental burden of a surroundings, in reducing energy demands, or even in an effort to achieve energy independence thus trends, whose common denominator is sustainable construction, hence sustainable development in general. Feasibility of the creation of the concept of energy self-sufficient building doesn´t consist only in the precise solution of the assigned task from the perspective of the designer or investor, but also in finding such a solution which, even with using new trends and principles, will not go against the initial idea itself. The present instrument processed and presented in this dissertation has the ambition to move global view of the project into the perspective of a particular individual design process and in small way contribute to the creation of better projects from the perspective of sustainable development The term of energy self-sufficient buildings are not clearly defined. To work with them it was necessary to determine their basic definition that describes their diverse conceptual variations and allows precisely define the solution area. To correctly select the optimal solution in terms of sustainable development is necessary the assessment and mutual comparison since the beginning. As a basic tool for this assessment was used and partially modified SBTool, which is built on three basic pillars of sustainable development - SOCIAL - ENVIRONMENTAL - ECONOMIC. SBTool tries to determine the degree of left traces of the approach from the perspectives of these three aspects and evaluate the effectiveness of the selected solution. This tool allow to compare the different concepts for the same project among themselves, their parts but also various projects among each other. All of course with regard to the development of various aspects in the time.

The aim of the thesis is to analyse how to measure an economic pillar of sustainable urban development when it is understood in terms of qualitative city development. This principly means achieving economic prosperity which does not lead to damage of the city areas and decrease the quality of life for its residents. This approach requires the creation of an appropriate set of indicators that will cover qualitative aspects of sustainable economic development. The first section summarizes existing approaches to the definition of sustainable development and ways of measuring both on the Czech and the international level. There are also defined basic characteristics of the urban development which are appropriate to express a qualitative development of the city. The second part is focused on existing ways in which sustainable development is measured, i.e. especially in the context of indicator sets. These are under detailed assessment which aim is to show how useful is to measure the economic sustainability from the qualitative point of view. In this part, the limits of using economic macro aggregates (especially Gross Domestic Product) is emphasized because there are still regarded as one of the key economic indicators of sustainable development. In the next part the thesis deals with the definition of economic prosperity and focuses on the characteristics typical for short, medium and long term perspective. Measurement of sustainable urban development in the short term is based on assessment of financial situation. From the medium-term point of view, it is crucial to assess how the city handles its property, i.e. mainly buildings and land. These property components are substantial for a further direction of city development. In the next section are designed indicators aimed at measuring the ability of the city to maintain a skilled workforce which is one of the most important conditions of long-term economic prosperity. The final theoretical part of the thesis is focused on how the long-term sustainable urban development is to be expressed in an economic way through the assessment of investments in urban infrastructure and its operational efficiency. The designed set of indicators is verified on case studies of three medium-sized Czech cities.

Doutoramento em Estudos de Desenvolvimento
This research is an innovative approach to assess the application of sustainable development principles into the socio-technical domain of maritime surveillance by investigating potential governance models for expanding the Nation-state sectorial Maritime Domain Awareness arrangement towards regional and global integrated cooperative data sharing approach based on the need-to-know and responsibility-to-share principle. The investigation was performed using a variety of complementary qualitative methodologies centered on Action Research. The resulting data was analyzed and structured with the use of the “Framework for Sustainable Strategic Development” tool-kit. The methodology was first applied at regional (European Union) level and then expanded to develop a model for the Global Maritime Domain Awareness governance arrangement. The outcome suggests that the existing model of nation-state maritime surveillance is not able to cope with the new maritime challenges of international dimensions, such as high-sea piracy or massive illegal immigration, and a change towards regional and global cooperative models is more suitable to support the sustainable development of maritime transportation. Potential solutions for moving towards the proposed governance arrangements are provided in the form of model-diagrams and supported by a set of guidelines, which map the recommended actions against the principles of sustainable development. The European Union regional model is complemented by a draft Directive as potential implementation tool.
Esta pesquisa é uma abordagem inovadora para avaliar a aplicação dos princípios do desenvolvimento sustentável para o domínio sociotécnico da vigilância marítima, investigando potenciais modelos para a expansão do modelo existente de governação baseado na abordagem sectorial do estado-nação, para modelos regionais ou globais com base na partilha de dados e de cooperação responsável das partes interessadas. A investigação foi realizada utilizando uma variedade de metodologias qualitativas complementares centradas na pesquisa-ação. Os dados resultantes foram analisados e estruturados com o uso da "Estrutura para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável Estratégico". A metodologia foi aplicada pela primeira vez a nível regional (União Europeia) e, em seguida, expandiu-se para desenvolver um modelo para o arranjo de governança global da vigilância marítima. O resultado da pesquisa sugere que o modelo existente de vigilância marítima do Estado-nação não é capaz de lidar com os novos desafios marítimos de dimensões internacionais, tais como a pirataria em alto mar ou a imigração ilegal maciça, e uma mudança para modelos de cooperação regional e global é mais adequada para apoiar o desenvolvimento sustentável do transporte marítimo. Soluções potenciais para avançar para as disposições de governação propostos são fornecidos sob a forma de modelos-diagramas e apoiada por um conjunto de indicações que mapeiam as ações recomendadas contra os princípios do desenvolvimento sustentável. O modelo regional União Europeia é complementado por um projeto de diretiva como um potencial instrumento de implementação

In this thesis the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011 has been critically assessed in order to establish how well sustainability aspects have been considered. For this purpose, policy documents of sustainable development at international, national, regional, and local levels have been studied in order to compare their objectives with the objectives set out in the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011. It was found that the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011 contains serious, highly positive intentions regarding sustainable development. The Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011 has shown that it understands the importance of sustainability and it is in agreement with the policy objectives set out by the policy documents at international, national, regional, and local level. However, it was concluded that the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011 is not delving into the subject deep enough. Specificplans, strategies and targets for how to reach sustainable development are for the most part missing. In conclusion, the thesis has provided recommendations for the next version of the Dublin City Development Plan.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2001.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-117).
Industrial ecology (IE) is an emerging paradigm for environmental control. IE offers a framework for altering industrial activities so that they more closely reflect a closed loop cycle, rather than a linear flow of extraction and disposal. Implementation of IE is occurring through the eco-industrial park (EIP) model. An EIP is a group of businesses that are implementing IE principles, through cooperation between one another and/or other organizations. This Thesis examines the current practice of implementing IE through the EIP model. The research methodology includes assessing the Kalundborg, Denmark EIP example, surveying North American EIPs, and studying a case of implementing an EIP in Londonderry, NH. Findings from the research indicate that there is currently a taxonomy of IE practices being implemented through the EIP model. The taxonomy includes practice in land stewardship, green building design, individual firm environmental practices, and byproduct exchange. Each of the four areas of practice have characteristics with implications for how implementation should occur through an EIP. EIP planners and developers should craft implementation strategies in accordance with their IE objectives. Additionally, the management entity of an EIP should have the capacity to implement all IE objects. Finally, a community education process on IE is necessary during the implementation of an EIP.
by Shanna E. Wasserman.
M.C.P.

After the Great Depression of 1929--1933, the relative isolation of Mexico's economy led to the adoption of Import Substitution Industrialization. The use of this model as a development strategy meant specializing in manufactured goods under a regime of state interventionism and a closed economy. However, after many years of inward-looking policies, ISI collapsed. Moreover, with excessive public expenditures and fiscal mismanagements, Mexico's economic stability started to erode. The result was Mexico's first economic crisis, the effects of which could only be alleviated through loans from International Financial Institutions that were contingent on the implementation of defined policies. Thus, Mexico adopted the neoliberal development model as its strategy for economic growth and recovery. Under this model, trade liberalization, outward-looking policies, and state non-interventionism promised economic growth as a necessary precondition for social justice and development. Mexico's implementation of neoliberal policies, on one hand, has aided its integration into a market-oriented economy in which competitiveness, foreign investment, and technology transfers are considered as paths to economic growth and, on the other hand, has widened the gap between the rich and the poor, and has impeded sustainable development.

Costs and benefits associated with erosion reduction and adoption of soil conservation practices for a representative farm in a watershed in Honduras are examined in a linear programming framework. Special attention is paid to income-soil loss tradeoffs, income-risk tradeoffs, and on the effect of different farmers' planning horizons on net farm income. A representative farm model for the area was constructed to achieve the objectives of the study. Twelve farmers in the region were surveyed, crop budgets were prepared, and soil loss values were calculated to provide the information required to construct this representative farm. A linear programming model that maximizes net farm income is used to examine the effect of different soil loss levels on farm income. A MOTAD model that minimizes deviation in income (risk) is used to determine risk levels while income and/or soil loss levels restrictions are imposed. Results indicate that considerable reductions in the amount of soil loss can be achieved in the study area. Erosion is reduced from 328.24 ton./mn./year to 6.56 ton./mn./year1 when constraints are imposed on the model. The reduced erosion lowers income from L.5929.24/year for high erosion rates to L.2825.8l/year for low erosion rates. Low levels of soil erosion are achieved at the expense of higher levels of risk. High levels of income are associated with high levels of risk regardless of whether soil loss constraints exist or not. Small differences in income exist among the four planning horizons analyzed. The best soil conservation practices for this region turned out to be the cultivation of coffee on the highest slopes, the use of live barriers and terraces, and the use of conventional and minimum tillage.
Master of Science

La recherche est centrée sur une étude de cas du développement historique de la ville d’Ashkelon pendant le mandat de l’auteur en tant que maire suppléant et maire de la ville. Axée sur l'analyse du développement durable, elle montre les effets du développement d'une vision stratégique du maire sur tous les domaines d'activité de la ville. Cette analyse montre clairement que le leadership du maire, accompagné de l’autodétermination et de la persévérance, est essentiel pour atteindre les objectifs de sa vision. L'analyse des résultats obtenus montre le succès des strategies mises en oeuvre pour soutenir la croissance urbaine, de 63 000 habitants en 1991 à 138 000 en 2017 et promouvoir son développement économique. En particulier la vision du développement économique urbain en tant que partie intégrante des fonctions de la municipalité, était essentielle pour son développement durable, ainsi que les strategies d'excellence et les normes élevées dans les domaines de l'éducation, de la culture, de la protection de l'environnement, de l’intégration sociale, le développement économique et les services municipaux. Cette recherche propose un modèle de développement durable pour des villes à forte croissance dans des conditions difficiles face aux défis du changement climatique et aux enjeux géo-politiques
This research is focused on the case study of the historical development of the City of Ashkelonduring the tenure of the author as its Deputy Mayor and subsequently as the Mayor of the City.This case study illustrates the impact of the author’s mayoral vision, as well as his leadership,self-determination and perseverance on the local governance capacity to accomplish the mayoralstrategic sustainable urban development goals, including: upgrading the performance of the widediversity of the urban service sectors, stimulating environmentally sustainable economicdevelopment, alleviating unemployment, improving the educational systems at all levels,ensuring integrated urbanization that effectively meets the societal needs of fast expandingmulti-cultural population, and promoting quality of life. Performance measures and national andlocal data statistics illustrate the significant societal, economic and environmental impacts of theprograms implemented to support the population expansion from 63,000 residents in 1991 to138,000 in 2017 and promote economic growth as a core target goal of local governance forsustainable urban development. This case study demonstrates that the mayoral leadership is amain factor in building local governance commitment to achieving excellence and promoting highperformance urbanization standards of municipal services, educational systems, socio-culturalintegration, environmental quality preservation, and other critical aspects of sustainable urbandevelopment. It proposes and illustrates the implementation of a sustainable development modelfor cities, which experience a fast population growth under extreme environmental conditionsfacing climate change impacts and geo-political stress

Includes bibliographical references.
Mozambique has a vast potential of energy resources which are little exploited, particularly in the power sector. Mozambique’s diverse energy resource includes hydropower, natural gas, coal, biomass, solar and wind. Despite this, the country still faces constraints in increasing the level of access to energy. Therefore, the sustainable use of energy resources and the expansion and provision of reliable energy services for all districts is central to addressing many issues related with the development of the country. According to the Mozambican power utility, “Electricidade de Moçambique” (EDM), practically 97 of Mozambique’s electricity is generated from hydropower, with total installed capacity of 2179 Megawatts but due the existence of large reserves of coal and gas, the country is also intending to generate 1100 Megawatt from coal, 1790 Megawatt from gas and to increase the generation from hydro. However, before choosing those options regarding energy resources usage, it is important to assess the sustainability of the options from both socio-economic and environmental perspectives. Policies must wisely track reliable and affordable modern energy supplies and reduce the negative environmental impacts related to energy production and use and capital investments in equipment and energy infrastructure are crucial for developing the energy system. This study aims to examine socio-economic and environmental aspects of energy resource usage in Mozambique and the evaluation of Mozambique’s power supply alternatives into the future.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 280-293).
Energy is a very important resource for national development. Uganda's energy mix comprises mainly biomass, petroleum products and electricity. Biomass is the main source of energy, contributing 92.3%. Petroleum contributes 6.3% and electricity 1.3% of the total energy consumption. The contribution of other forms of energy; wind, solar energy and biogas is negligible. Biomass is mostly used in households and small-scale industries. Petroleum and electricity are used in large-scale industries and in the commercial sector. It was envisaged that this study will be an important input into the National Vision, developed by the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, for the national development to the year 2025.

Published Article
Sustainable development has an economic, ecological and a social component. Innovation and entrepreneurship play an important role in the sustainable development of an economy, a region or a country. We consider the ways in which universities can support innovation and entrepreneurship, and we outline some of the supporting structures and methods. The corresponding community aspects are covered by the author's paper on Civic Engagement and Project Learning. The following results are based on the author's experiences mainly in Germany as a researcher, lecturer, engineer, manager and consultant. There are different ways for a university to support and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. Although the aims and effects of innovation and entrepreneurship are quite different, universities have to support both in order to achieve a sustainable development of industry and society. Important aspects comprise motivation, modelling and management. The most important ways of support are given by the triad of education, research and direct support. Nevertheless, we must never forget, that people are the most important issue in innovation and entrepreneurship. Hence, motivation, information and networking play an important role.

Sustainable development is concerned with acknowledging economic, social and environmental development aspects, catering for the current needs of society without damaging the well-being of future generations. Ecotourism is a niche market that emerged because of increased market demands for sustainable tourism practices. It serves to provide tourism products and services while accommodating for the economic, social and environmental aspects of society. However, earlier research suggests that it is difficult to handle the three dimensions of sustainable development, indicating that trade-offs may occur. Furthermore, as tour operators are able to affect local development prospects, it is of interest to examine how they handle sustainable development, and more specifically, contribute to trade-offs between the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development. This thesis was aimed at answering the following research question; “How do ecotourism tour operators contribute to trade-offs between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development?”, with the objective of examining how ecotourism tour operators handle the dimensions of sustainable development, and what trade-offs that may occur between economic, social and environmental concerns. This qualitative research was carried out in the context of ecotourism tour operators in Costa Rica through semi-structured interviews. Nine respondents participated in this research, representing seven local ecotourism tour operators. The data collected on the trade-offs of ecotourism and sustainable development has in turn been analysed with reference to a pre-established theoretical framework. This study has revealed that ecotourism tour operators are actively engaging in initiatives supporting the idea of sustainable development. The tour operators handle the economic, social and environmental concerns through different initiatives. One conclusion that can be derived from this research is that all pillars of sustainable development are important to acknowledge. However, this is difficult as the three dimensions are somewhat contradicting. Therefore, depending on how ecotourism tour operators prioritise different initiatives, trade-offs are inevitable as both inter- and intragenerational needs are difficult to align.

Research into the divergent results achieved by developing countries has traditionally been separated into two distinct approaches. While some scholars have attributed failures to weak governance at the national level, many others have criticised the pursuit of a narrow set of pre-defined liberal market reforms. Using the experiences of China and Botswana as case examples this research moves beyond the limitations of existing explanations to examine the necessity for both national accountability and contextualised policy making. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the connection between good governance and substantive human development indicates that while national accountability is vital, the individual circumstances of a state are equally important to consider.

Towards the end of the 1990s, and in response to increasing global condemnation, the mining industry adopted sustainable development (SD) principles and standards through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This approach not only proposed a dramatic change in the operating practices of large mining houses, but also suggested a grand vision for the industry as a long term catalyser of local economic growth. This research now investigates the effect that mining enterprises which operate under these principles have on sub-national economic development. In doing so, it undertakes multiple case-study analysis, focussing on a single firm, Rio Tinto, and covers three of its subsidiary companies at various stages of development. Consistent with claims by mining advocates, this work confirms the frequently striking importance that large mines have for sub-national economies. However, this investigation disagrees with the emphasis typically attributed to each stream of benefits and brings attention back to the use that mining cash flows are put to. More generally, the study argues that the potential for large mining firms to trigger endogenous growth has been underestimated. On the one hand, these enterprises can contribute distinctly to local capital accumulation; on the other, under certain circumstances, they can also help sustain increases in local productivity endogenously. Indeed; while local preconditions will determine socioeconomic outcomes to a significant degree, mining companies can play a critical part in economic planning and the building of innovative institutions, which could, in turn, help increase the underlying local rate of technological absorption, human capital and overall capacity for economic governance. This entails a drastic (and controversial) change from the role previously assumed by companies. Yet, this study also concludes that, in some other cases, SD has promoted unattainable economic expectations. In these cases, minimising the local impact of mining would be a more advisable economic strategy.

The purpose of the study was to investigate how the co-operatives can be used to uplift the standard of living in the rural, with specific reference to Dutywa villages of Ngcingwane, Mangati and Mbewuleni. In other words is ‘how do we make co-operatives work’. The overall purpose of the study was to investigate whether co-operatives have contributed to positive change in the socio-economic conditions in the three villages of Dutywa. The research further analyzes the performance of the co-operatives in terms of their leadership and management structures. The research was also to find out what the challenges are and what are the gaps associated with the performance of the co-operatives. The research was also to look at how the support from different government departments and other government agencies are used to enhance the co-operatives governance. Lastly, the research was to find the best model for co-operative development and what needs to be done to enhance the capacity of the co-operatives. In the study that was carried out, four different approaches were used. The research was based on action research which involved a range of instruments like questionnaires, focus group interviews, conversation and observation. Both comparative and qualitative research frameworks were used for different purposes and at different times. Comparative approach is used when the three co-operatives are compared to each other. Differences on governance and administrative issues on governance such as capital, market and the impact thereafter is reported on. The research assumption was that co-operative development is a viable tool for economic development of the rural areas. This can help many South Africans and many communities come out of poverty. However, there are 6 limitations that are caused by the inability of government to co-ordinate co-operative development. Despite the role that co-operatives play in South Africa, co-operatives still experience a number of challenges. These challenges are, amongst others, lack of access to finance, lack of access to market, lack of business skills, lack of infrastructural facilities and lack of knowledge about the co-operative. In view of the challenges facing the co-operatives, the government instituted a number of state departments and parastatals for funding and other necessary support. These are DTI, DEDEA (in the Eastern Cape), ECDC, SEDA, Department of Labour and municipalities. The objectives of these support institutions are to provide necessary support needed by co-operatives and to ensure that co-operative development is sustainable. The findings of this study suggest that co-operatives play a vital role in the socio-economic development of the rural villages. Co-operatives create self-employment and sometimes employment through temporary employment offered; provide space and time for socialization and lastly co-operative members are sometimes through their produce able to provide basic foodstuffs to the family. In view of the socio-economic benefits of the co-operatives in rural villages of Dutywa, it is highly recommended that various support programmes that are already there within the departments should be enhanced. Assistance to co-operatives should not only be limited to government funding for co-operatives but more concentration should be on finding market for their products.

The wave and tidal energy sectors have received much interest in recent years, from policy-makers attentive to the prospect that ocean energy technologies could be capable of contributing towards meeting environmental targets; from utility companies that expressed interest in developing, constructing and operating array projects to export large quantities of clean energy from ocean based resources; and from Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large multi-national Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that were interested in undertaking technological development to commercialise wave and tidal energy converters that could successfully harness the energy contained within the ocean waves and tides. Within the existing research, development and innovation environment that has largely dominated the development of wave and tidal energy to date – rapid development of large MW-scale devices capable of utility scale power generation – technology developers have failed to reach the level of deployed capacity that was initially anticipated, despite the significant level of investment that has taken place. Indeed, the expected contribution of ocean energy in the wider energy mix, which has been written into policy documentation at both national and European level, has so far failed to materialise in the form of prolific multiple device array deployments. The research, development and innovation environment has not delivered on its intended objective of demonstrating commercial technology readiness, and the historic development trajectories for ocean energy technologies may not represent the most cost-effective route to product commercialisation. This research explores the wave and tidal energy research, development, and innovation environment through extensive stakeholder engagement within the ocean energy sector, and through application of suitable techniques from innovation theory. The purpose of this research was three-fold. Firstly, an objective analysis of the development of the wave and tidal energy sectors – building a comprehensive understanding of their development to date through extensive stakeholder engagement, and comparing wave and tidal energy technology development with that of historic energy technologies that have successfully entered into commercial operation – was necessary in order to identify whether the attempt by ocean energy technologies for rapid up-scaling of technology is consistent with the development pathway that was followed by energy technologies which have successfully transitioned from novel invention to full commercial operation. This work identified several dichotomies that are present in the nascent stages of technology development in the wave and tidal energy sectors. Secondly, the uncertainties surrounding existing capital and revenue costs, and the uncertainties within the potential future cost reductions associated with current technology trajectories, could lead to unsustainable investment requirements. Commercialisation of wave and tidal energy technology is predicated upon significant cost reduction – the current technology costs are not feasible for large scale roll out of technology. A research focus on the economic uncertainty through application of learning theory and a learning investment sensitivity analysis was anticipated to demonstrate the economic impact of minor perturbations from idealised reference assumptions. The results from this work suggest that even minor perturbations in input parameters have substantial negative impact on overall investment requirements to bring technology to a level of cost competitiveness. Thirdly, the policy landscape surrounding wave and tidal energy development has not been specifically compared and contrasted, using a number of performance metrics, to a technology which was subject to similar expectations in the form of income streams – wind energy technology. The causes and motivations for the rapid transition to large-scale technologies and ‘accelerated innovation’ within ocean energy technology were considered within this research, which suggested that a mismatch between policy support and technological readiness could misguide and misdirect the innovation pathway, harming the commercialisation prospects of ocean energy technology. In order for the successful emergence of economically sustainable wave and tidal energy technologies, a paradigm shift may be necessary, a change from the current approach that has to date dominated technological development within both the wave and tidal energy sectors. This research draws together industry consultation with academic insight to identify an optimised innovation pathway, culminating in a policy appraisal to guide and inform economically sustainable development of wave and tidal energy technologies.

This paper compares the effect of political institutions on economic development in Brazil and Mexico. Between the 1950s and 1970s, both countries experienced unprecedented growth rates of between five and seven percent annually. By the 1980s, however, their economies slowed dramatically, and their development futures, which had previously looked prosperous, appeared grim. The sudden transition from success to failure indicates that certain underlying problems existed during the nations’ miracle growth years. This paper seeks to determine and examine these problems, and analyze how both Mexico and Brazil have worked to remedy these underlying inefficiencies. The analysis begins with an overview of the Solow model, which is the fundamental economic standard used in this paper. According to this model, economic growth occurs through certain exogenous variables, such as total factor productivity, the quality of the labor force, and the investment rate. The paper considers the details of the relationship between economic growth and political systems, particularly focusing on the structure of political institutions and the decisions of policymakers. Both Mexico and Brazil are then analyzed separately through the lens of the Solow model, concentrating especially on how each respective government failed to maximize efficiency, the quality and quantity of the workforce, as well as investment rates. While both Mexico and Brazil mirrored each other in terms of their economic growth throughout the twentieth century, Brazil is now poised to enjoy greater future development success than Mexico due to the decisions and commitment level of its government.

Sustainable development is a utopian aspiration for most modern urban areas. Sustainable development, as defined in literature, always includes three dimensions: social aspects, the economy and the environment. Sustainable development is the fine balancing act of these three dimensions. However, ten years since the introduction of the sustainable development concept, it is still not fully realised in practice and implemented in the urban environment, and reasons are being sought to clarify this reality. This study evaluates sustainable development from a spatial planning and economics perspective, arguing that the unequal prioritisation between pro–development approaches and pro–environmental approaches is the greatest reason for unsustainable urban areas. The economy (along with development pressures) and the environment (along with green space protection initiatives) should be planned holistically in order to reach a state of urban sustainability. Reality reveals however, that the environment is often neglected, and sometimes sacrificed to benefit and enhance urban development. This is mainly a result of land–use planning decision–making and the perceptions of local authorities with regard to the function and value of environmental areas (green spaces), in comparison to urban areas. Urban areas are valued higher than green spaces; mainly because urban areas can be measured (valued) in terms of monetary value (property prices or revenue drawn from development) and green spaces mainly have indirect, unmeasurable value (social, environmental). This study aimed to link green spaces and economic benefit in an attempt to quantify the intrinsic value of the green spaces, as a way to enhance green space planning. The increasing rate of worldwide urbanisation is compounding this problem as green spaces are sacrificed for residential and commercial developments. This widespread trend of green space loss is of international concern. From the objectives of urban economics and environmental (green) economics, it is believed that authorities will value green spaces better when a monetary value can be connected to it. The ability to influence land–use decisions is an essential economic development instrument, as land–use is an important factor in urban economic growth and development due to its contribution to desirability and productivity of a city. In this way economic theories and models can significantly enhance and guide future spatial planning decision–making processes. In the attempt to valuate green spaces in South Africa, Potchefstroom where used as a case study, identifying the linkages between local green spaces and residential property prices. Preliminary results were contrary to the general tendency in developed countries that property value increases with proximity to green areas, but it highlighted the city–scale and neighbourhood–scale benefit of green spaces. A tool was proposed for local authorities to evaluate green spaces in order to be able to compare revenue gained from developmental projects versus environmental projects on an equal platform, resulting in a balanced sustainable development vision and guide for future decision–making within the spatial planning process.
Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This research project aims to assess development projects in the energy sector with its focus on the shale gas exploration in the Karoo. The assessment is based on a critical analysis of the concepts and principles of sustainability, complexity and the National Environmental Management Act, using a critical hermeneutics methodology to develop an assessment criterion. Critical hermeneutics is the science and art of interpreting texts, challenging the status quo, its influences and assumptions. Hermeneutics is the reaction to enlightenment fundamentalism, which is an over-reliance on rationality and the scientific method as a primary means of obtaining truth. Hence this research has adopted a triangulation of ideas and concepts derived from sustainability and complexity to find the truth about the sustainability of development projects (Cilliers, 1998; Deleuze & Guattari, 1994; Byrne, 1998). The Central Karoo is situated in the North Eastern part of the Western Province. It is characterised by dry, arid conditions with highly environmentally sensitive land. Central Karoo has the smallest concentration of people in the Western Cape (Van Vuuren, 2008). This research project offers an assessment that will help governments determine the feasibility of energy sector projects since it discusses the impact of exploration for shale gas in the Karoo and explains the process, recommendations and the environmental legislature required for any project to take place in South Africa. Further, it highlights the environmental damage caused by the shale gas exploration as well as the positive economic impact that it could have on the country. For this research, hermeneutics has offered a framework rather than a system; it is a research philosophy that places human experience at the forefront as it honours a variety of interpretations.

Poverty alleviation projects are interventions designed to assist the socio-economic conditions of poor communities. This is a case study on a skills development project that has been implemented with the aim of alleviating poverty through equipping people with productive skills. The study was conducted in Lephalale, Limpopo province. It was conducted during July and August 2011. The study focuses on skills development as a poverty alleviation strategy because developing skills is essential for building human capacity. The study evaluates the effectiveness of skills development within a community that is characterised by lack of education and skills. Many rural communities fail to apprehend education and skills as a result of their location and poverty. They are isolated from cities and towns and this has an impact on their surrounding conditions including the level of skills and education. The study found that the skills development project in Lephalale played a vital role of developing skills through training community members with the skills necessary to obtain jobs and be able to create self-employment. Creating self-employment is one way to address the challenges of unemployment and the lack of income. There research found that there are various job opportunities being created in the area, however the local community cannot participate due to lack of skills required in the labour market. The study revealed the majority of the people who joined the skills development project did not complete grade 12 and have never worked.

The concept sustainable development is defined as meeting the needs of the existing global population without compromising the opportunities for future generations to also meet their needs. Therefore, in order to work towards sustainable development, active sustainable choices need to be made in a company’s business activities. This thesis has a qualitative approach that aims to study five different Swedish textile companies and how they work towards sustainable development in their code of conduct for suppliers. Theories are collected from literature, articles and web sources, which include sustainable development, social, environmental and economic sustainability and codes of conduct. The main target is to identify different sustainable approaches towards sustainable development in the code of conduct for suppliers focusing on the social, environmental and economic sustainability. The empirical data is collected from five personal interviews with representatives in charge of sustainable activities from the selected companies. The result of the study confirms that all companies to different extents are working towards sustainable development in their code of conduct for suppliers. Sustainable approaches in these codes are agreements with suppliers including following the country’s laws and regulations of the suppliers. The companies also collaborate with third-party industrial research institutes to reduce water and chemical supply in the production. Moreover, the study shows that the concept sustainable development seems to be less embedded in the code of conduct for suppliers. Companies rather work with sustainable activities in forms of running projects and establishing agreements beyond having a code of conduct.
Program: Master programme in Applied Textile Management

Natural capital is a way of conceptualizing the linkages between economics and the environment. The concepts foundations can be traced back to the environmental movement of the 1970s and the works of influential economists at that time. Natural capital has come to have an elevated position in environmental conservation approaches in the United Kingdom. The UK government's advisory body, the Natural Capital Committee, is the first of its kind in the world to be established. The concept of natural capital points to those aspects of the environment that directly or indirectly are of value to people. Such aspects include the functions and services of ecosystems, species, and habitats, as well as atmospheric protection and clean air and rivers. Natural capital is also a central concept in the capital approach to sustainable development and the ecological economics field. However, natural capital has not been accepted into environmental conservation approaches in the UK without criticism. Considering natural capital's history then, and its current popularity in environmental conservation, this thesis is interested in addressing the key question: what is natural capital? To be able to account for natural capital's origins, definitions, development, and issues and debates about it, the method used for this thesis is wholly comprised of a literature-review. Throughout the review, reference is made to key scholarly works where natural capital is defined, developed, and used as a central concept. With regard to literature about natural capital, much of it is comes from scholars strongly associated with ecological economics. In addition, natural capital is analysed from three different perspectives. The first perspective is conceptual-historical, the second is a sustainable-development perspective, and the third a political-ecology perspective. From a conceptual-historical perspective, natural capital can be understood as a concept which has developed out of a body of thought of environmentally-aware economists who argue that economics must better take account of ecological systems and their complexity. From a sustainable development perspective, natural capital is a central concept underpinning a capital-based approach to sustainable development. Natural capital also features centrally in debates about how to give an operational meaning to 'sustainability' based around the traditional economic concept of capital. The key debate in this regard concerns weak versus strong sustainability. From a political-ecology perspective, the natural capital approach to environmental conservation is, in ideological terms, of a neo-liberal nature. Natural capital and economic valuation in environmental conservation arguably facilitate the 'monetization' and 'economization' of the environment. Natural capital is opposed for ideological and ethical reasons. Another view would present natural capital as a key part of the economists pragmatic attempts to improve the way economies are managed through better linking economics and the environment. By conveying the economic value of the environment we may be able to put it in a better standing in the priority policy-lists and economic-development agendas of governments and international development agencies. In the United Kingdom there continues to be an ongoing debate about natural capital's place in environmental conservation. This thesis is intended to be a contribution to that debate.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research report investigates the theoretical foundation of the understanding of decision-makers at local government level of the term "development", with specific reference to local government as development agent and Local Economic Development. The choice of theoretical model by these decision-makers to conceptualise their understanding has historical and analytical antecedents, and secondly, the decision-maker is faced with a basic dualism in developmental thinking, ie. the emphasis on universalism (global competitiveness) on the one hand and the need for specificity (local economic development) on the other. The theoretical principles and assumptions on which the neoliberal and market-orientated approach to development is based are incorporated in the macroeconomic policy approach 'Growth, Employment and Redistribution' in South Africa. This approach has recently overshadowed the social welfarist developmental approach represented by the 'Reconstruction and Development Program' or Sustainable Human Development. The basis for specific policy formulation and intervention strategies are found in the theoretical assumptions, goals and objectives in each of these alternate approaches to development. The research design for the study is primarily qualitative. A semi-structured interview schedule is applied in directing in-depth interviews with identified central decisionmakers in metropolitan and larger "B" municipalities. The research design and process is constructed around three themes based on current and historic analysis of development thinking as a means to address poverty and inequality: theme 1 - theoretical understanding of the term development, Economic Growth in the formal sector versus Sustainable Human Development; theme 2 - the nature and relevance of participation by civil society in the Local Economic Development (LEO) process; and theme 3- Local Economic Development and the role of infrastructure investment, land use planning and zoning as intervention strategy. A benchmark position is developed on local government as development agent and LEO, using various sources, for example, interview with Director-General in the Department of Provincial and Local Government dealing with Local Economic Development, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and legislative acts and policy papers relevant to LED. This position is compared with the position held by local government decision-makers dealing with LED. The analysis of the information collected suggests that the theoretical perspective and policy framework on development, participation and strategies to address inequality and poverty, ie Sustainable Human Development (researchers title) held by the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) is not compatible with the definition and understanding of the majority of the decision-makers at local government level dealing directly with LED. The notion of participative development with anti-poverty strategies focussed on poor urban citizenry at the local level is not seen as the relevant theoretical or applied focus by developmental decision-makers at municipal level. In addition, limited knowledge is available to local government decision-makers on both formal and informal economic activity. In this regard, de facto leadership has already been handed over to formal-economy organisations and institutions. The idea of using land-use planning and zoning regulations to reorientate economic activity to low- and informal housing settlements and the reconstitution of low-and informal housing as sites of manufacture utilising flexible specialisation principles was positively received. However, the respondents were either not knowledgeable about these principles, for example; Globalisation of production and flexible production processes, or had not considered them in relation to their planning, land use or zoning and development functions. In the light of the above, the notion of local government as development agent with specific reference to addressing poverty and inequality utilising the Local Economic Development process as envisaged by the Department of Provincial and Local Government does not have the majority support of decision-makers at city and metro level. The majority of respondents defined the process of consultation as limited to formal economic sectors that were/could be competitive in the new global economy. The majority of decision-makers hold the view that the redefinition and location of sites of economic activity could be delegated to these formal sector organisations and institutions. Their common understanding of development and the related intervention strategies was based on formal sector growth and related job creation strategies, as well as the "trickle-down" of resources and opportunities to the informal sector. If they wish to remain relevant in this context the Department of Provincial and Local Government has to develop intervention strategies to reorientate and redefine the theoretical and applied definition of development held by the decision-makers especially with regard to Local Economic Development. If these issues are not addressed the form and shape of South Africa cities and metros will be based on the entrenchment and escalation of economic dualism and exclusion of the poor from any developmental decision-making and strategies. This has serious implications for the development of local democracies and developmental institutions based on the formulation and understanding of local conditions and circumstances of poverty and inequality and holds serious implications for social stability in the South African metros and municipalities in the future.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsingsverslag ondersoek die teoretiese begronding van die begrip wat besluitnemers op plaaslike regeringsvlak het van die term "ontwikkeling "met spesifieke verwysing na plaaslike regering as ontwikkelingsagent en Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling. Die keuse van teoretiese modelle deur hierdie besluitnemers het historiese en analitiese voorlopers en tweedens, word die besluitnemer in die gesig gestaar deur 'n basiese dualisme in ontwikkelingsdenke, die klem op universalisme (globale kompeterendheid) aan die een kant en die behoefte aan spesifiekheid (plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling) aan die ander kant. Die teoretiese beginsels en aannames waarop die neoliberale en markgeorienteerde benaderings tot ontwikkeling berus, word gei"nkorporeer in die makro-ekonomiese benadering "Groei, Werkverskaffing en Herverdeling" (GEAR) in Suid Afrika. Hierdie benadering het onlangs die sosiale welsynsontwikkelingsbenadering, wat verleenwoordig is deur die "Heropbou en Ontwikkelingsprogram" (HOP) of Volhoubare Menslike Ontwikkeling, in die skadu gestel. Die basis vir spesifieke beleidsvorming en intervensiestrategiee word gevind in die teoretiese aannames, doelwitte en doelstellings in elk van hierdie altematiewe benaderings tot ontwikkeling. Die navorsingsontwerp vir hierdie studie is primer kwalitatief. 'n Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudskedule word toegepas am rigting te gee aan in-diepte onderhoude met geidentifiseerde sentrale besluitnemers in metropolitaanse en groter "B" munisipaliteite. Die navorsingsontwerp en proses is gekonstrueer rondom drie temas wat gebaseer is op huidige en historiese analise van ontwikkelingsdenke as 'n manier waarop armoede en ongelykheid aangespreek kan word: tema 1 - teoretiese begrip van die term ontwikkeling, ekonomiese groei in die formele sektor teenoor Volhoubare Menslike Ontwikkeling; tema 2 - die aard en relevansie van deelname deur die siviele samelewing en die Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkelingsproses (PEO); en tema 3 - Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling en die rol van infrastruktuurbelegging, grondgebruikbeplaning en sonering as 'n intervensie-strategie. 'n Beginpuntposisie word ontwikkel oar plaaslike regering en PEO deur gebruik te maak van verskeie bronne, byvoorbeeld, onderhoude met die Direkteur-Generaal in die Deparlement van Provinsiale en Plaaslike Regering gemoeid met Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling (PEO) , die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid Afrika en wetgewing en beleidskrifte relevant tot PEO. Hierdie posisie word vergelyk met die posisie wat ingeneem word deur plaaslike regeringsbestuurbesluitnemers gemoeid met PEO. Die analise van die inligting wat ingesamel is suggereer dat die teoretiese perspektief en beleidsraamwerk oor ontwikkeling, deelname en strategiee om ongelykheid en armoede aan te spreek, die Volhoubare Menslike Ontwikkeling (navorserstitel) wat gehuldig word deur die Departement van Provinsiale en Plaaslike Regering (DPPR) nie versoenbaar is met die definisie en begrip van die meerderheid van die besluitnemers op plaaslike regeringsvlak wat direk gemoeid is met PEO nie. Die idee van deelnemende ontwikkeling met anti-armoede strategiee wat gefokus is op arm stedelike burgers op plaaslike vlak word nie deur die ontwikkelingsbesluitnemers op munisipale vlak beskou as die relevante oftoegepaste fokus nie. Bykomend is beperkte kennis tot beskikking van plaaslike regeringsbesluitnemers oor beide formele en informele ekonomiese aktiwiteite. In hierdie verband is de facto leierskap alreeds oorhandig aan formele ekonomiese organisasies en instellings. Die idee van die gebruik van grondgebruik- en soneringsregulasies om ekonomiese aktiwiteite tot lae en informele behuisingsnedersetfings te herorienteer en die hersamestelling van lae en informele behuising as plekke vir vervaardiging deur gebruik te maak van buigbare spesialiseringsbeginsels is goed ontvang. Die respondente was egter nie ingelig oor hierdie beginsels, of hulle het weggelaat om hierdie beginsels in berekening te bring by hul beplanning, grondgebruik of sonering en ontwikkelingsfunksies. In die lig van bogenoemde het die idee van plaaslike regering as ontwikkelingsagent met spesifieke verwysing tot die aanspreek van armoede en ongelykheid, deur gebruik te maak van die Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkelingsproses, soos in die vooruitsig gestel deur die Departement van Provinsiale en Plaaslike Regering, nie die meerderheidsteun van besluitnemers op staats- en metrovlak nie. Die meerderheid van die respondente het die proses van beraadslaging gedefinieer as beperk tot die formele ekonomiese sektore wat kompeterend was of kan wees in die nuwe globale ekonomie. Die meerderheid van hierdie besluitnemers is van mening dat die herdefiniering en plasing van plekke van ekonomiese aktiwiteite gedelegeer kan word aan hierdie formele sektororganisasies en instellings. Hierdie gedeelde begrip van ontwikkeling en verbandhoudende intervensie-strategiee was gebaseer op groei in die formele sektor en verbandhoudende werkskeppingstrategiee, asook die "afsyfering" van bronne en geleenthede na die informele sektor. As dit hul wens is om in hierdie konteks relevant te bly, moet die Oepartement van Provinsiale en Plaaslike Regering intervensiestrategiee ontwikkel om die teoretiese en toegepaste definisie van ontwikkeling, wat gehuldig word deur besluitnemers, veral met betrekking tot Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling te herorienteer en te herdefineer. Indien hierdie aangeleenthede nie aangespreek word nie sal die vorm en fatsoen van Suid-Afrikaanse stede en metros gebaseer wees op die verskansing en uitbreiding van ekonomiese dualisme en die uitsluiting van die armes van enige ontwikkelingsbesluitneming en strategie. Oit het ernstige implikasies vir die ontwikkeling van plaaslike demokrasie en ontwikkelingsinstellings gebaseer op die formulering en begrip van plaaslike toestande en omstandighede van armoede en ongelykheid en hou ernstige implikasies in vir die sosiale stabiliteit in die Suid-Afrikaanse metros en munisipaliteite in die toekoms.

The idea of harmonizing economic growth with the laws of development of society and the environment is expressed in the concept of sustainable development. In the frame of sustainable development an exceptional importance is attached to studying material flows, therefore management of waste flows must not contradict the principles of sustainable development. In agreement with M. Jacobs, it is possible to affirm that waste management in the context of sustainable development means using materials in closed cycles. Investigating socio-economic efficiency of municipal waste management means studying the organizational waste management process and factors disclosing characteristic features of this process, making deep comparative socio-economic analysis of waste management options and studying waste managements acts both on national and local level in order to reveal the ways of increasing socio-economic efficiency in municipal waste management. This study is induced by the necessity of changing the traditional waste management of depositing it in landfills, by recycling using not only national and international funds, but by mobilizing resources of local waste management systems as well. It is natural, that the policy of waste management, in which neither the scale of economic damage nor future waste management expenditure were evaluated, was orientated towards disposal of waste in refuse dumps. This means transferring problems to future generations, and this cardinally... [to full text]
Dėsninga, jog atliekų tvarkymo politika, kurioje nebuvo įvertinas ekonominės žalos aplinkai ir visuomenei dydis bei būsimos atliekų tvarkymo sąnaudos, buvo orientuota į atliekų deponavimą sąvartynuose. Tokia praktika įvardijama kaip problemų (pavojaus) aplinkai perkėlimas ateities kartoms, o tai kardinaliai prieštarauja darnios plėtros koncepcijai. Todėl keliamas klausimas, kokios atliekų tvarkymo sistemos laikytinos efektyviomis socialiniu-ekonominiu požiūriu. Tyrimai, atlikti Europos Sąjungos šalyse, rodo, jog tai sistemos, kurių ištekliai nukreipti antrinėms žaliavoms tvarkyti ir nuolatinei šio tvarkymo plėtrai organizuoti. Diegiant regionines atliekų tvarkymo sistemas, antrinių žaliavų surinkimo, rūšiavimo ir parengimo perdirbti išlaidoms padengti numatyti du šaltiniai – bendrasis tarifas (ar vietinė rinkliava) ir „Gaminių ar pakuotės atliekų tvarkymo programos“ lėšos. Bendrojo tarifo didinimas atsižvelgiant į atskirų atliekų srautų tvarkymo išlaidas arba tarifo neišrūšiuotai ir rūšiuotai atliekų daliai diferencijavimas priskiriamas prie neatidėliotinų priemonių, tačiau pirmiausia būtina identifikuoti lokalinių komunalinių atliekų tvarkymo sistemų vidinius rezervus, kurių dėka galima padidinti socialinį-ekonominį atliekų tvarkymo rezultatyvumą, kartu praktiškai realizuojant darnios plėtros principus.

A new environmental immersion school has opened in Canada. This case study examines early stages of the project's implementation in order to contribute to an understanding of how best to implement environmental education in schools.
Examination of the literature on educational change led to an analytical framework which included: (1) Characteristics of the innovation; (2) Strategies and tactics used; (3) Contextual characteristics; (4) Macro sociopolitical factors. This was used to categorize qualitative data collected through interviews, observation, a questionnaire and documents.
The study uncovered a number of obstacles to implementation in the school, principally: (1) Conceptual problems about environmental education; (2) Poorly defined school philosophy and goals; (3) Difficulties in coordinating the project between individual efforts and departments; (4) A hiatus between administration and teacher perceptions.
The case study provided insight on the process of curriculum implementation as well as specific issues relating to environmental education and the theme of sustainable development.

This study dealt with the impact of foreign direct investments on sustainable development in Africa in relation to poverty alleviation. The study aimed to show the link between these two areas and examine the impact of foreign direct investment on sustainable development, and whether such impact can lead to poverty alleviation and improve people's lives living under the poverty line.

The national framework of local economic development (LED) in South Africa (2006 – 2011) has the goal to support the growth of sustainable local economies through integrated government action. Municipalities as custodians of integrated development programs and local economic development strategies work with different stakeholders such as private industry, other government departments, non-government organizations and relevant community sectors in attaining envisioned developmental goals; thus are avoiding wasteful duplication of effort and resources. LED in the context of this study is defined as development of infrastructure within the BCMM for sustainability of small medium and micro enterprises in alleviating poverty in the area. This report presents an evaluation of the impact of local economic development in terms of basic infrastructure availability on the sustainability of small medium and micro enterprise development in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCMM). This refers to amongst others accessibility of electricity and telecommunication in the operations of a business. The overall approach followed by the researcher throughout this research is the mixed methods or pragmatic approach. The research method followed is that one of a descriptive approach. The results of this study indicate that local economic development is still a new notion which is still unclear. There is evidence that there is a lack of basic services in some areas in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipal, this including access to electricity. The respondents also saw the local municipality as not doing much in support of new and small business and creating job opportunities for them. The study recommends that factors such as skills development, accessibility to basic service, development and promotion of SMMEs, are also major contributors to the effective impact of LED in BCMM.

This research focuses on the use of dynamic optimisation modelling techniques to describe the interactions between the economy and the environment. The environment not only provides us with economical1y valuable resources but also provides us ,with many essential services that support human welfare. Overexploitation of these resources and the destruction of the natural environment not only affects human welfare but may severely limit future production possibilities. For natural resources to continue to be inputs to production and to ensure equal access to environmental services by future generations, all ecological systems must remain in operation. The issue is how we treat our natural resources so that we have a sustainable economy. In this thesis, models are formulated that combine the economic and environmental processes. Current environmental concerns are incorporated into the framework of economic optimisation problems. The issues addressed are: 1. The competition for land of preservation and development. What is the optimal balance between the two? 2. Pollution from production can have negative effects on the environme~t. This in turn can affect the economy through diminished resource supply. What is viii the optimal use of these environmental resources so that we can sustain our productive capabilities? 3. Carbon emissions need to be controlled. A tax on emissions would encourage switching away from carbon intensive fuels. How should this tax behave over time - should it rise or fall? 4. With increasing populations, resources are being used up dramatically. Can we get to a point where the economy can be sustained while maximising human welfare? 5. What happens to a private firm's output decisions when it has to conform to environmental regulations? The models are useful for studying sustainable development in that they provide us with the steady state relations of a sustainable economy and, in some cases, the short run dynamics.

Over the past decade '"Sustainable Development" (SD) has emerged as the latest development catchphrase. A wide range of nongovernmental as well as governmental organizations have embraced it as the new paradigm of development. A review of the literature that has sprung up around the concept of SD indicates, however, a lack of consistency in its interpretation. More important, while the all-encompassing nature of the concept gives it political strength, its current formulation by the mainstream of SD thinking contains significant weaknesses. These include an incomplete perception of the problems of poverty and environmental degradation, and confusion about the role of economic growth and about the concept of sustainability. The purpose of this study was to identify common elements in a political economy of the environment, relating environmental change to the dynamics of ideology and policy, and at different levels of political complexity. The intention was to provide a structural analysis of the environment in which the development process illuminates environmental change at both a philosophical and material level. The problem in achieving SD was related to the overriding structures of the international economic system, which have arisen out of the exploitation of environmental resources, and which frequently operate as constraints on the achievement of long-term sustainable practices. Insufficient accounting of ecological aspects of economic growth and development has resulted from intellectual traditions, where solutions are formulated, point in different directions. Conclusions are drawn that SD involves trade-offs between biological, economic and social systems and is found in the interactive zone between these systems. There are a number of international factors that may be necessary, but insufficient, conditions for SD on a national level, including peace, debt reduction, and more propitious terms of trade. There was seen dilemmas relating to SD, including the role of growth as the unquestioned objective of economic policy.

In recent decades, development thinking has shifted from mainstream development strategies to more alternative development approaches incorporating various aspects of development such as equity, gender, sustainability, and participation. In South Africa, a country emerging from a past of injustice, community participation has become a central theme in social development as a way of addressing past inequalities. However, despite its popularity, there are concerns that its benefits are less visible. The literature on community participation shows that there are a number of factors why community participation in development projects has not been successful in many communities. On the other hand, literature on participatory development also shows that there are benefits of participation in development projects; community participation can be successful when the community has genuine participation in the process. However, there is evidence that even where participatory development has been successful, is not necessarily easy to replicate in other areas. This study sought to evaluate participation and how this affects the sustainability and success of the Ilitha farming project. Using the qualitative and quantitative indicators of participation by Oakley et al. (1991), which were adapted from various sources, I have shown that there was a high level of participation by members of this project who started on a small-scale basis, with minimal contributions in order to address the problem of unemployment, lack of skills and income opportunities, and growing poverty in the Ilitha community. The study has shown that success in participation is linked to the success and sustainability of the Ilitha farming project. This project is a success because it has achieved its initial objectives and has potential for expansion. In addition, the expansion of project activities has increased and sustains the project income throughout the year, benefiting not only project members but other members of the Ilitha community including the old age home, the HIV Aids awareness centre and households with patients needing assistance. Project success can be sustained on a long-term basis with a high level of participation through commitment, hard work, quality leadership, consultation, team work and respect for each project member as an equal partner irrespective of differences in age, gender and length of membership in the project. The level of internal sustainability i.e. the ability for the project to maintain its own developmental momentum is evidently high. The executive has led the project from its inception in 2003 to date with a clear vision and long-term commitment. However, there is a need for a succession plan in order to ensure continuity of the project as the current executive may not be able to continue due to old age. Secondary partnerships in the Ilitha farming project have had a significant impact on the level of success and sustainability of the project through the provision of funds, training and technical assistance.

The construction and demolition (C and D) recycling industry creates economic opportunity through business activity; promotes equity through workforce training and partnerships; and helps to conserve natural resources through the reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling of C and D debris. While C and D recycling satisfies traditional local economic development goals, it also addresses broader goals of progressive, and sustainable local economic development. The general planning literature shows an increasing interest in sustainability; however, there have been fewer studies on sustainable local economic development initiatives. This research examines the current state of local economic development agency support for the C and D recycling industry as an economic development strategy. In doing so, the dissertation assembles the array of activities local economic development agencies used to support the industry; identifies distinguishing policy or contextual characteristics of agencies that actively supported the industry from those that did not; and assesses whether the agencies support for C and D recycling fit within the rational planning model. Using data from a national survey of local economic development agencies, the study categorizes the local economic development tools used to support the industry. Results show that a combination of traditional, progressive, and sustainable local economic development tools are adapted and newly created to satisfy the specific needs of this specialized industry. Multiple discriminant analyses identify key characteristics of the agencies that support C and D recycling. These characteristics include previous support for the general recycling industry, the presence and support of environmental enterprise zones and eco-industrial parks, and knowledge of local landfill capacity issues. Overall, the agencies that actively supported C and D recycling engage in activities associated with sustainable local economic development. The descriptive and statistical analyses are combined with the surveys qualitative responses to determine that local economic development agencies do not operate under a strict interpretation of the comprehensive rational planning model in their support of C and D recycling. Instead, local economic development agencies use modified rational and reactive planning strategies in their support of the industry. The study concludes with policy recommendations to increase local economic development agency support for C and D recycling.

Starting with the idea that unsustainable practices contribute to issues of social justice and poverty as much as to ecological issues. Chapter 1 traces the origins of the terms sustainable and development individually to see how it is that they came together. Chapter 2 traces the major international conferences and documents and their use of the terms sustainable development. Chapter 3 takes a phenomenology approach to get a bit deeper into sustainable development. I examine the most commonly cited definition of sustainable development as well as a broader definition of sustainable development as a process of change. Chapter 4 examines the field of environmental ethics and argues that constant debates over value distract policy makers from the central question of what morally motivates people to support environmental ethics views. Chapter 5 examines the institution and regime building process, and the conclusion offers three questions to measure our progress.

In recent years, sustainable development has emerged as a topic of great interest and part of the agenda of different countries of the world. The different stakeholders have been concerned about this issue, which has brought extensive international debates and different summits since Rio de Janeiro in 1992. A literature review of this concept indicates some general ideas framed in four dimensions, which are accepted at the international level: the economic, social, environmental and institutional. There were problems related to the high levels of poverty in rural areas linked to environmental degradation, as well as the confusion that exists within the concept of economic development, e.g. taking into account sustainability and participation. It is also important to consider if these inconsistencies are affecting public policy decisions not only international, but also local ones. Within this context, the purpose of this study was to develop a practical methodology to evaluate the sustainability of farms through the creation of indicators in South of the Ecuadorian Amazon. For this reason, the Zamora Chinchipe province and Municipality of Yantzaza were chosen. With this methodology, we hope to implement the concept of sustainability as a fundamental element of support for the governance of this area. Our methodology is based on the calculation of twelve indicators with three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental). Twenty -eight sub-indicators were used to determine the general indicators. Our results were able to demonstrate that there is a great heterogeneity of farms. In addition, it shows the serious management problem that exists at the farms by the farmers based on the dimensions studied. Apart from these economic problems, weak social structures and an inadequate management of the agro-ecological reality were observed. All this information can help to improve the existing public policies, with the sole aim of improving the sustainability in the sector. After becoming familiar with the diagnosis of the area, it was important to generate more homogeneous groups of farms. This allowed us to have a better view of the decisions previously made. Three types of farms were determined: self-sufficiency, business and livestock. On the one hand, this paper aims to develop a sustainable proposal for rural development. And on the other hand, it aims to generate livelihood strategies adopted by farm households. There were proposed strategies based on three dimensions, thus solving the theoretical problem of the diagnosis. “Twenty-four strategies have been proposed”. Each of them has the detail of intervention and above all strong consolidated institutional support. All these strategies were transferred to the communities through agricultural extension programs, which were developed in situ. For this, 3 different transfer methods were used according to the reality and dynamics of each parish. Thus, the results of the transfer have permeated community organizations through the establishment of partnerships and through enhancing existing ones. Also, public institutions have createdprojects that were established withinin the proposed themes. The Private Technical University of Loja has implemented a program called SmartLand, which has as its basic premise the generation of information and the development of projects to conserve the natural environment and also to accompany communities in the medium and long term.