Commerce and cruises: a comparative study of Jamaican waterfront transformations

Caribbean urban waterfronts have been extensively modified in recent decades to encourage business (especially through the development of new commercial districts) and tourism (particularly in the form of cruise shipping). This paper draws on three case studies from Jamaica to explore the processes through which waterfronts have been redeveloped and the ways in which these spaces are used. The transformation and ongoing management of these waterfronts involve the negotiation of a complex set of power relationships between stakeholders operating at a variety of scales, including national governments, the private sector, Jamaican citizens and tourists. The position of waterfronts at the junction of the “urban” and the “natural” environments provides a fruitful nexus for examining the intricacies of society–nature relationships, and illustrates the ways in which ideas of modernity, development, identity and exclusion are incorporated into the local environment.     

The importance of the “not-so-cool” sectors: creative solutions to reconcile environmental and economic sustainability within a floodplain

Creative cities are generally considered as “cool” spaces which attract a particular “creative class” whose ability to innovate and transform – particularly in the media and cultural sectors – offers urban economies a competitive edge. This paper argues that, in the face of dangerous climate change, the creativity of the “not-so-cool” sectors needs to be acknowledged and valued. A case study of Salford in the north-west of England shows how political, technological and economic creativity has secured sustainable regeneration within a floodplain. It is argued that the concept of “creativity” in urban economic discourse needs to be widened to acknowledge the importance of the creativity of planners, civil engineers and builders in securing environmentally sustainable cities. Environmental sustainability, it suggests, not only underpins economic sustainability. Faced with dangerous climate change and society's need to respond, the skills and expertise can in themselves contribute to a city's competitiveness.     

The local nonprofit sector and the pursuit of sustainability in American cities: a preliminary exploration

This paper reports on the results of a study of the relationship between the nonprofit sector and the pursuit of sustainability in 13 moderate sized US cities with populations between 400,000 and 600,000. Dividing the cities into two groups – those that have been more serious and less serious about adopting and implementing sustainability policies, analysis of a survey of local public officials examines differences in the nonprofit landscape. Analysis shows that the cities that are more serious about sustainability have local public officials who interact more with nonprofit organisations, and are more likely to report the presence of at least one nonprofit group that supports city sustainability policies. Additionally, these reported groups are more likely to be “local”, or homegrown, and to be explicitly dedicated to the environment or sustainability. While far from definitive, the results provide evidence that the nonprofit sector is different in cities with sustainability policies, and suggest that the role of these nonprofit groups in the governance decisions of city leaders warrants more in-depth study.     

Local or global food markets: A comparison of energy use for transport

Abstract

This study compares energy use for food transport to a farmers' market in Sweden with energy use for transport in the conventional food system. The farmers' market was investigated through data sampling from on-site investigations. The conventional food system was studied with the aid of life cycle assessments reported in the literature. Overall, the study found no significant differences in levels of energy use for transport to the farmers' market compared with the conventional food system. For certain products, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, transport-related energy use was much lower in the local system although the season in Sweden for this kind of product is restricted to two or three months at the end of the summer. However, there is considerable potential to increase energy efficiency in local food systems by organizing the selling in new ways and by using more energy efficient vehicles.     

Using Ecological Footprints as a Policy Driver: The Case of Sustainable Construction Planning Policy in London

Abstract

The forests of Nepal, which in the past were at least nominally under the direct control of the state, are today increasingly entrusted to local people in the name of community forestry (CF). CF is considered a successful endeavour in managing forest resources, conserving biodiversity and supplying people with basic economic needs. In order to assess to what extent the two goals of biodiversity conservation and meeting economic needs of people have been integrated through CF, four community forestry user groups (CFUGs) were studied in the Mid-hills ecological zone. Based on a participatory survey and a critical review of the statutes and operational plans of these CFUGs, it was found that integration of biodiversity conservation was still insufficient, and that improvements in the policy and management regimes of CF are necessary to achieve a balance between biodiversity conservation and economic use of the forest resources.     

基于云模型的城轨信号系统安全保障能力评价方法*

为准确评价城轨信号系统安全保障能力及影响因素,基于云理论对定性与定量因素的良好融合优点,构建城轨信号系统安全保障能力评价云模型及评价指标体系,采用组合赋权法对各指标赋予权重,并基于专家意见,利用正向云发生器生成标准云。结果表明:该云模型具有一定稳定性和可靠性,可对城轨信号系统安全保障能力进行有效测评,同时能够发现安全运营中的缺陷,有助于协助管理方进行针对性改善,以提高城轨信号系统的安全保障能力。     

两种改良型A~2/O工艺处理城市污水的运行实例

以广东省佛山市甲、乙两间污水处理厂为例,从工艺特征、工艺参数、水质特点、存在问题及相应措施几个方面介绍了两种改良型A2/O工艺在不同进水条件下的运行情况。     

惠阳城区降雨径流重金属污染特征研究：Ⅰ.地表堆积物重金属含量分析

以惠阳城区为研究对象,选取4种具有代表性的典型城市功能区类型:工业区、商业区、住宅区、交通区,对其地表堆积物进行样品采集和实验分析.结果表明:地表堆积物细粒部分(粒径<149舯)所占比例为51%,粗粒部分(粒径>2 000um,)所占比例仅4.1%;重金属含量的粒径分级特性和质量分数相似,即粒径越细的部分重金属含量越高;Pb,Zn,Cu.Cr之间的相关系数较高;重金属的浸出浓度在不同的功能区基本遵循同样的规律,即细粒部分重金属浸出浓度最高,随粒径的增大浸出浓度逐减,细粒部分重金属的浸出浓度:w(Pb)为59.1 rag/kg/kg,w(Zn)为93.5 mg/kg,w(Cu)为37.7 ms/ks,w(Cr)为23.9 ms/kg,w(Cd)为0.07 mg,kg.     

大气污染对石灰质文物的风化影响及防护新材料

综述了大气污染对石灰质文物风化影响的研究进展,涉及大气中气体污染物、大气中酸性降水、大气中的气溶胶。文章介绍了目前开发的防护新材料,主要包括有机氟聚合物材料、纳米材料和仿生材料,并指出开发未来新型防护材料的方向是寻找安全生物钙化菌和开发与石灰质文物相匹配的新型保护材料。     

城市生态系统承载机制初步研究

文章分析了城市生态系统组成、结构及功能流,立足于资源承载力、环境承载力的角度,探讨了城市生态系统内部资源、环境对人类社会经济活动的承载约束机制,从城市生态系统客观存在性、弹性与扩展性、递阶性及相对性等方面,总结了城市生态系统承载机制的特点,在建立承载机制评价指标框架的基础上,初步提出了承载机制的定量研究方法。