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.     

基于三维GIS的油罐区应急管理平台研究与实现

分析油罐区危险特性和事故模式,将三维GIS系统、日常管理、监控预警、应急指挥与辅助决策等功能进行集成,建立基于三维GIS的油罐区一体化应急管理平台。该平台利用数据融合技术,将液位、可燃气体、温度等多参数进行了融合,提高了报警可靠性。同时构建了DEA-BP应急资源配置模型,结合罐区事故类型,实现了罐区重大事故应急资源的优化配置。平台还提供数字化预案和三维应急演练,为油罐区员工提高应急安全技能提供了培训环境。     

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。     

内蒙古农业灌区夏、秋浇的氮磷流失变化

通过对内蒙古农业灌区引黄灌溉的2次主要大规模灌溉（夏浇、秋浇）的跟踪监测,研究了农业灌区的氮磷流失情况.分析了2次灌溉期的各引水渠和排水渠中总氮（TN）、氨氮（NH4＋-N）、硝氮（NO3--N）、总磷（TP）、溶解性无机磷（DIP）、溶解性有机磷（DOP）、颗粒磷（PP）的变化情况.研究表明：夏浇时,由于植物吸收、灌水量小等因素,基本不产生污染.而秋浇期间,由于灌水量大、土地裸露成为非点源污染产生的主要时期.在对第8排域的TN、TP的连续监测中发现,排干沟中的总氮总磷含量基本维持在4.16mg.L^-1和0.1725mg.L^-1,且氮为主要的污染控制因子;排干沟中的N/P为24,排入乌梁素海中极易引起水华发生.结合河套农业灌区的自然条件、耕作方式等因素,综合分析了河套灌区在夏浇及秋浇时期的非点源污染产生过程及污染特点.为该地区非点源污染管理和控制提供科学依据.     

镇江城市降雨径流营养盐污染特征研究

城市降雨径流污染是城市水体水质恶化的主要原因之一,为了分析降雨径流的污染特征,从2006-05开始,选择镇江具有代表性的土地使用功能对其降雨径流水质进行监测,分析了径流中固体悬浮物和营养盐的变化特征.结果表明,镇江不同功能区中5～40 μm粒径的固体悬浮物体积分数最大;商业区径流污染物浓度很高,其中SS浓度高达978 mg/L,是城市面源污染的主要来源;降雨初期的30 min径流污染物浓度很高,随降雨历时的延长污染物浓度逐渐下降并趋于稳定;溶解态氮、颗粒态磷和固体悬浮物是径流中污染物输出的主要形态;通过分析固体悬浮物与其他污染物的相关性,发现固体悬浮物是径流中营养盐吸附的载体,去除固体悬浮物是治理镇江降雨径流污染的有效途径.     

合流制排水系统降雨径流污染物的特性及来源

在昆明市典型合流制排水小区对降雨径流进出水水量、水质进行了研究,旨在揭示城市区域合流制排水系统中降雨径漉不同来源的污染物特性及各个污染源的比倒.分别监测了合流制排水系统日常污水以及4场降雨期间小区出口断面、街道、屋顶、庭院降雨径流的水量、水质.结果表明,人为干扰是影响城市径流污染物输出强度的主要因素,城市下垫面降雨径流污染物输出浓度顺序为:道路>庭院>屋顶,道路是城市面源污染的关键源区;道路次降雨径流量约25%,却产出了40%～80%的污染物,而屋顶次降雨径流量约50%,却仅有4%～30%的污染物负荷.合流制排水系统中管道沉积物在降雨期间的迁移是重要的污染源,4场降雨中管道沉积物的TN、TP、SS、COD和BOD5的污染贡献率在30%以上.降雨强度是影响管道沉积物输出的重要因素,在高强度降雨下,管道沉积物污染贡献率高50%以上.在不同的降雨特性条件下,合流制排水系统主导污染源有所不同.