Cost-benefit analysis of an accelerated vehicle-retirement programme

High taxes on new cars in Israel provide an incentive for car owners to defer the purchase of new vehicles. The result is a vehicle fleet of older, more polluting vehicles, with air pollution costs estimated at up to $530 million annually. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a cost benefit analysis (CBA) of an accelerated vehicle-retirement (AVR) programme. The analysis considers the private car fleet as well as trucks and buses. The study develops an economic model to identify the optimal payment level that will maximise the net benefit of the programme, and then apply the model to three different vehicle categories. It finds that an AVR programme for private cars may indeed yield significant net benefits, while a similar programme for trucks and buses fails to meet the cost-benefit test. For private cars, the study finds that even according to a conservative estimate, the programme will result in the voluntary retirement of approximately 98,000 private cars, with a present value net benefit of more than $50 million. This is equal to a 17% reduction in total annual private car air pollution costs for the five-year time span of the proposed programme.     

中华文化软实力及其与文化景区建设研究综述

文化景区作为中华文化的重要载体,是展现中华文化软实力的重要途径.通过相关文献的梳理,对国内外有关中华文化软实力的研究进行综述.从文化景区开发、景区文化资源开发、城市文化与城市风景区建设、提升景区文化内涵四个方面对国内有关文化景区建设的研究进行了综述,结果发现目前国内有关文化景区建设展现中华文化软实力的研究尚为空白,有待学者对此进行深入研究.     

Procedure for assessing visual quality for landscape planning and management

Incorporation of aesthetic considerations in the process of landscape planning and development has frequently met with poor results due to its lack of theoretical basis, public involvement, and failure to deal with spatial implications. This problem has been especially evident when dealing with large areas, for example, the Adirondacks, Scenic Highways, and National Forests and Parks. This study made use of public participation to evaluate scenic quality in a portion of the Niagara Escarpment in Southern Ontario, Canada. The results of this study were analyzed using thevisual management model proposed by Brown and Itami (1982) as a means of assessing and evaluating scenic quality. Themap analysis package formulated by Tomlin (1980) was then applied to this assessment for the purpose of spatial mapping of visual impact. The results of this study illustrate that it is possible to assess visual quality for landscape/management, preservation, and protection using a theoretical basis, public participation, and a systematic spatial mapping process.     

Contingent Valuation and Real Economic Commitments: Evidence from Electric Utility Green Pricing Programmes

This paper presents the findings of two 'green pricing' studies conducted to evaluate public support of utilities' investments in renewable energy technologies. These studies compared hypothetical WTP statements with actual payment commitments. The results of these studies indicate that the CVM can be an accurate indicator of an individual's WTP, but that it is an unreliable predictor of which individuals will actually pay. This has important implications for aggregating mean WTP estimates of the value of environmental benefits. It also suggests that market simulations can be useful for predicting programme participation rates when voluntary donations are used as a payment vehicle.     

"大太白山"旅游整体开发战略研究

立足太白山旅游发展现状,提出当前阻碍太白山旅游发展的四大问题.为了提升太白山整体旅游水平,提供可持续发展的合理途径,将太白山南、北坡相关保护单位与景区联系起来,以"南北统筹,差异开发"为指导思想,探讨在"大太白山"框架之下的旅游整体开发模式.在此基础上将大太白山旅游区划分为"两片四区",提出了相应的产品对策.     

Voluntary urban climate programmes: should city governments be involved and,if so,how?

It has been proposed that voluntary urban climate programmes overcome shortfalls in mandatory, top-down, state-led government interventions to address climate change risks. Such programmes seek commitments from households and firms to improve their environmental sustainability, but do not have the force of law. City governments are actively developing and implementing such programmes, seeking improved and accelerated urban climate action. There is little evidence, however, of whether their involvement positively affects voluntary programme performance. This article presents qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of 26 voluntary programmes from Australia, the Netherlands and the US, seeking to understand whether, and if so how, city governments affect the performance of voluntary urban climate programmes. The results will help to inform city governments about the roles they may play in urban climate governance.     

基于规划视角的低碳景区创建研究

在全球变化形势下,低碳理念应运而生,旅游业走低碳发展的道路势在必行。旅游景区是发展旅游业的重要载体,创建低碳景区是发展低碳旅游的关键和核心。创建低碳景区是一个复杂的系统工程,而合理规划是创建低碳景区的重要前置条件。在旅游规划编制过程中,将低碳理念渗透和贯穿其中,可保证景区从初期就按照低碳景区的要求和标准来建设和发展。分析了景区规划内容体系与低碳景区构建的对应关系,从景区规划的理念、功能分区、景区设施、旅游产品和保障系统等方面提出了景区的低碳化规划要求,从而保证景区从前期开发到后期运营都朝着低碳目标迈进,促进低碳景区的有序创建。     

Characterising the landscape of state environmental review policies and procedures in the United States: a national assessment

Following the intent of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, many states have adopted policies and procedures directing state agencies and local government units to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of development projects prior to their undertaking. In contrast to a rich literature on federal requirements, current understanding of state environmental review is narrowly focused and outdated. This paper seeks to provide information on the landscape of state environmental review policy frameworks. The paper identifies 37 states with formal environmental review requirements through a document review of state statutes, administrative rules and agency-prepared materials, and confirms this finding through a survey of state administrators. A two-tier classification is used to distinguish states based on the approach taken to address environmental review needs and the scope and depth of relevant policies and procedures implemented. This paper also provides a discussion of policy and programme attributes that may contribute to effective practice, and of the potential for adopting relevant legislation in states where environmental review is currently lacking.     

旅游景区的低碳交通模式研究

景区内部交通构成旅游景区碳排放的主体，创建低碳旅游景区必然要走低碳交通之路。旅游景区的低碳交通建设是一个系统工程。从低碳景区创建角度出发，对景区内几种典型交通方式的碳排放情况进行定量分析和初步比较，从交通工具的选择与改进、交通站点的合理设置、景区道路的科学规划、运营管理的技术引入等方面构建旅游景区的低碳交通模式，为相关景区选择低碳化的交通方式提供依据。     

Challenges to the implementation of a sustainable development certification programme for the minerals and metals industry

Private, voluntary eco-labelling and certification programmes are being developed for a number of industries to promote and verify higher environmental, economic and social standards. In some cases, these initiatives have developed regardless of whether there is initial, broad support within industry. This article seeks to identify some of the challenges inherent in the implementation of a sustainable development certification programme for the minerals and metals industry. The article looks for guidance from initiatives that are drawn for the most part from other resource industries, most notably forestry. While the article takes a Canadian perspective, many of the challenges raised in the article are also applicable internationally. The article concludes that stakeholders can learn from other resource industries if a decision is made to develop a certification programme for the minerals and metals industry. Crucial to the long-term success of such a programme will be the establishment of a true partnership among stakeholders throughout the initiative's development. Crown Copyright.     

山西省A级景区空间分布特征及可达性研究

以山西省A级景区作为研究对象,采用最邻近指数、地理集中指数和核密度分析法探究了景区的空间分布特征,利用栅格成本加权距离方法对不同类别景区的可达性进行了测度,并运用空间自相关分析了县域可达性的空间关联特征。研究结果表明:(1)山西省A级景区空间分布总体表现为集聚形态,呈现"南部多而密集、北部少而分散"的格局。(2)山西省A级景区整体可达性表现一般,平均可达时间为52min,可达性分布区域差异较明显,景区在县域单元内的整体可达性分布呈集聚状态。(3)可达性热点区主要分布在太原市城区和晋中市榆次区等省中部地区,冷点区主要分布在偏关县和河曲县等省界边缘地区。     

祁阳浯溪碑林景区的深度开发

碑林资源以其蕴含的历史沉淀和艺术价值为载体,赋予了旅游景区独特的文化内涵.以祁阳浯溪碑林景区为研究对象,通过实地调查,发现景区开发存在产品开发水平低、资源保护力度不够、参与性和体验性产品缺失、联动发展程度低等问题.针对语溪碑林景区旅游资源的基本特征和景区开发中存在的问题,提出了有助于景区深度开发的策略与建议.     

How to “walk the talk”: The perspectives of sector staff on implementation of the rural water supply programme in Uganda

Many countries in sub‐Saharan Africa have adopted similar approaches to tackle the challenges of rural water supply, including community‐based management, community participation and the demand‐responsive approach. These are often combined with nationwide programmes of capacity‐building and decentralization. This paper first shows how Uganda has adopted these approaches in its rural water supply programme. Based on Government documents, we construct an organizational framework that illustrates the overall programme and outlines the roles and responsibilities which actors are expected to fulfil. Second, based on interviews with sector staff and a review of Government documents, the paper examines challenges to successfully “walk the talk”; that is, it provides insight into challenges affecting programme implementation. Among numerous difficulties, two key issues are highlighted: local political interference and the weak capacity of local governments. Concerning local political interference, local planning processes need to be reformed so that local politicians commit more strongly to improving water supply. Regarding local government capacity, the Government department responsible for the programme has established eight regional units that provide support to local governments. This promising strategy, combined with more appropriate engagement and the commitment of local politicians, should help to improve the implementation of the rural water supply programme in Uganda.     

Tracking remediation and redevelopment trends of brownfield clean‐up programmes: the Cook County experience

This study provides evidence on the clean‐up and development of properties in Cook County that have completed the two Illinois brownfield voluntary clean‐up programmes (VCPs) since 1989. Real estate and environmental databases are merged to allow analysis of development trends for a sample of several hundred entering sites, which are followed through the programme and into the marketplace. Results show that over half of the sites entering the programme received a closure letter, and that a quarter used a residential standard when remediating property. One‐third used caps or other engineering controls, and about 20% have received financing since obtaining the closure letter. These promising outcomes demonstrate the return of these properties to productive use.     

The French new towns — Les Villes Nouvelle

The new towns programme in France can be said to have run its course and now is an opportune moment to look back at the programme and review the context, content and progress. The paper gives a general context within which the new towns developed from the time of the Third National Plan, and subsequent policies aimed to stem migration to Paris. Progress of the new towns is discussed and some of the problems and successes are highlighted.     

Ohio's Balanced Growth Program: a case study of collaboration for planning and policy design

This paper describes the collaborative planning process for a new landscape planning programme in Ohio that seeks to influence land urbanisation patterns through joint local land use decision making on a watershed basis. The programme was developed through a collaborative process by a state agency-appointed task force that included agency staff and a wide range of stakeholders. The paper describes the process in terms of the collaborative mechanisms, the participants, the programmatic outputs, and the social and organisational outcomes that set the foundation for enhanced watershed quality through better land use decision-making practices. Key collaborations formed during the process were inter-agency collaborations, a non-profit organisation that partnered with the agencies, and that of state agencies with local governments to develop watershed-based land use plans. A most critical outcome was creation of a learning community, through an exploratory research process that used multiple methods of data gathering and consensus-building deliberation. The paper is based on a review of published documents and plans, meeting minutes, participant observation of committee and workgroup meetings and interactive research.     

Title 16 united states code §55 and its implications for management of concession facilities in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the nation's most scenic and ecologically/geologically important parks. Unfortunately, the park is subject to extensive development of concession facilities and associated high levels of visitor use. Those concerned with preservation of the park's resources have attempted to limit the types and extent of such facilities to reduce adverse impacts. Strictly speaking, resolution of the preservation versus use controversy must be based on whether the National Park Service is adhering to its legislative mandate to regulate development and use in the parks. The common interpretation of legislative mandates for national parks, including Yosemite, is that they call for a difficult balancing between the conflicting goals of preservation and use. Accordingly, although concession developments cause significant impacts, they usually have been interpreted to be within the legal discretion allowed the secretary of the interior. However, the usual interpretations of the meanings of legislative mandates for Yosemite National Park have not considered Title 16 United States Code §55, which is a very restrictive statute limiting concession facilities. Many of the limitations imposed on concession facilities by the plain language of the statute have been exceeded. If it can be shown that 16 United States Code §55 is a valid statute, the policy implications for park management in Yosemite National Park would be considerable — namely, that significant reductions in concession facilities could be required. This article examines whether the statute can reasonably be thought to be valid and encourages others to conduct further examination of this question.     

Conservation on private land: a review of global strategies with a proposed classification system

With parks and protected areas insufficient to sustain global biodiversity, the role of private land in biodiversity conservation is becoming increasingly significant. This paper reviews global voluntary and involuntary strategies for private land conservation. Involuntary strategies can achieve effective conservation outcomes, but often lack social acceptability. In contrast, voluntary strategies enjoy greater social acceptance but may not achieve sufficient uptake to have meaningful conservation objectives. Based on the review, we propose a classification system for private land conservation as a complement to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN's) classification of global protected areas. The classification system provides a framework for identifying and describing conservation strategies on private land on the dimension of tenure and security. It also identifies opportunities and vulnerabilities in achieving conservation on private land while emphasising the need for systematic data collection similar to IUCN's efforts for protected areas.     

神农架“红坪画廊”旅游景观及其开发研究

本文在详细踏勘的基础上，分水光山色、奇石异洞、流泉飞瀑等方面分析了“红坪画廊”的旅游景观，并对长达１１ｋｍ的红坪峡谷进行了连续取样分析。在聚类分析的基础上，提出了“红坪画廊”风景资源的开发建议。     

The perceived scenic effects of clearcutting in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USA

The scenic effects of clearcutting have been a volatile issue for the American public for much of the past century. A better understanding of the scenic perceptions associated with the cumulative visible effects of clearcutting should contribute to better decisions about its use. This study evaluates the scenic impacts of simulated alternative clearcutting management systems for the White Mountain National Forest. Alternatives represented an unharvested view, and views with removal of 1–5% of the timber every 12 years using either scattered or concentrated clearcut units of 5, 15 and 30 acres in two viewsheds. A random sample of local citizens, four groups of opinion leaders, and US Forest Service employees evaluated these alternatives. Each factor accounts for significant differences in scenic value. All groups rated the scenic value of unharvested scenes very high. All groups find a large drop in scenic value with the introduction of even the least intense harvesting activity. All groups indicated a statistically significant decrease in visual quality as the intensity of harvesting increases. This effect continues throughout the range of harvesting intensities until the level of sustainable yield is reached. In addition, patches 12–15 acres in size were preferred to larger and smaller ones.