Abstract: Walking as a type of non-motorized transportation has
various social, economical and environmental privileges. Also, today
different aspects of sustainable development have been emphasized
and promotion of sustainable transportation modes has been
considered according to this approach. Therefore, the objective of
this research is exploring the circumstance of relationship between
walking and sustainable urban transportation.For writing this article,
the most important resources related to the traits of walking have
been surveyed via a documentary method and after explaining the
concept of sustainable transportation and its indicators, benefiting
from the viewpoints of transportation experts of Tehran, as the capital
and greatest city of Iran, different modes of urban transportation have
been compared in proportion to each criterion and to each other and
have been analyzed according to AHP method. The results of this
study indicate that walking is the most sustainable mode of inner city
transportation.
Abstract: A passive system "Qanat" is collection of some
underground wells. A mother-well was dug in a place far from the
city where they could reach to the water table maybe 100 meters
underground, they dug other wells to direct water toward the city,
with minimum possible gradient. Using the slope of the earth they
could bring water close to the surface in the city. The source of water
or the appearance of Qanat, land slope and the ownership lines are
the important and effective factors in the formation of routes and the
segment division of lands to the extent that making use of Qanat as
the techniques of extracting underground waters creates a channel of
routes with an organic order and hierarchy coinciding the slope of
land and it also guides the Qanat waters in the tradition texture of salt
desert and border provinces of it. Qanats are excavated in a specified
distinction from each other. The quantity of water provided by
Qanats depends on the kind of land, distance from mountain,
geographical situation of them and the rate of water supply from the
underground land. The rate of underground waters, possibility of
Qanat excavation, number of Qanats and rate of their water supply
from one hand and the quantity of cultivable fertile lands from the
other hand are the important natural factors making the size of cities.
In the same manner the cities with several Qanats have multi central
textures. The location of cities is in direct relation with land quality,
soil fertility and possibility of using underground water by excavating
Qanats. Observing the allowable distance for Qanat watering is a
determining factor for distance between villages and cities.
Topography, land slope, soil quality, watering system, ownership,
kind of cultivation, etc. are the effective factors in directing Qanats
for excavation and guiding water toward the cultivable lands and it
also causes the formation of different textures in land division of
farming provinces. Several divisions such as orderly and wide, inorderly,
thin and long, comb like, etc. are the introduction to organic
order. And at the same time they are complete coincidence with
environmental conditions in the typical development of ecological
architecture and planning in the traditional cities and settlements
order.
Abstract: This paper examines the link between gender equality
and climate change policies in Australia. It critically analyses the
extent to which gender mainstreaming and gender dimensions have
been taken into account in the national policy processes for climate
change in Australia. The paper argues that climate change adaptation
and mitigation policies in Australia neglect gender dimensions. This
endangers the advances made in gender equality and works against
socially equitable and effective climate change strategies.
Abstract: Modern times call organizations to have an active role
in the social arena, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that there is a
positive relation between social performance and economic
performance, and if there is a positive correlation between social
performance and financial-economic performance. To test these
theories a measure of social performance, based on the Green Book
of Commission of the European Community, was used in a group of
nineteen Portuguese top companies, listed on the PSI 20 index,
through a period of five years, since 2005 to 2009. A clusters
analysis was applied to group companies by their social performance
and to compare and correlate their economic performance. Results
indicate that companies that had a better social performance are not
the ones who had a better economic performance, and suggest that
the middle path might provide a good relation CSR-Economic
performance, as a basis to a sustainable development.
Abstract: This paper examines the role of telecommunications in sustainable development of urban, rural and remote communities in the Northern Territory of Australia through the theoretical lens of Social Capital. Social Capital is a relatively new construct and is rapidly gaining interest among policy makers, politicians and researchers as a means to both describe and understand social and economic development. Increasingly, the concept of Social Capital, as opposed to the traditional economic indicators, is seen as a more accurate measure of well-being. Whilst the essence of Social Capital is quality social relations, the concept intersects with telecommunications and Information Communications Technology (ICT) in a number of ways. The potential of ICT to disseminate information quickly, to reach vast numbers of people simultaneously and to include the previously excluded, is immense. However, the exact nature of the relationship is not clearly defined. This paper examines the nexus between social relations of mutual benefit, telecommunications access and sustainable development. A mixed methodological approach was used to test the hypothesis that No relationship exists between Social Capital and access to telecommunications services and facilities. Four communities, which included two urban, a rural and a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory of Australia are the focus of this research paper.
Abstract: Sustainable development is a concept which was
originated in Burtland commission in 1978. Although this concept
was born with environmental aspects, it is penetrated in all areas
rapidly, turning into a dominate view of planning. Concentrating on
future generation issue, especially when talking about heritage has a
long story. Each approach with all of its characteristics illustrates
differences in planning, hence planning always reflects the dominate
idea of its age. This paper studies sustainable development in
planning for historical cities with the aim of finding ways to deal
with heritage in planning for historical cities in Iran. Through this, it
will be illustrated how challenges between sustainable concept and
heritage could be concluded in planning.
Consequently, the paper will emphasize on:
Sustainable development in city planning
Trends regarding heritage
Challenges due to planning for historical cities in Iran
For the first two issues, documentary method regarding the
sustainable development and heritage literature is considered. As the
next step focusing on Iranian historical cities require considering the
urban planning and management structure and identifying the main
challenges related to heritage, so analyzing challenges regarding
heritage is considered. As the result it would be illustrated that key
issue in such planning is active conservation to improve and use the
potential of heritage while it's continues conservation is guaranteed.
By emphasizing on the planning system in Iran it will be obvious that
some reforms are needed in this system and its way of relating with
heritage. The main weakness in planning for historical cities in Iran
is the lack of independent city management. Without this factor
achieving active conservation as the main factor of sustainable
development would not be possible.
Abstract: Growing world population has fundamental impacts
and often catastrophic on natural habitat. The immethodical
consumption of energy, destruction of the forests and extinction of
plant and animal species are the consequence of this experience.
Urban sustainability and sustainable urban development, that is so
spoken these days, should be considered as a strategy, goal and
policy, beyond just considering environmental issues and protection.
The desert-s climate has made a bunch of problems for its residents.
Very hot and dry climate in summers of the Iranian desert areas,
when there was no access to modern energy source and mechanical
cooling systems in the past, made Iranian architects to design a
natural ventilation system in their buildings. The structure, like a
tower going upward the roof, besides its ornamental application and
giving a beautiful view to the building, was used as a spontaneous
ventilation system. In this paper, it has been tried to name the
problems of the area and it-s inconvenience, then some answers has
pointed out in order to solve the problems and as an alternative
solution BADGIR (wind-catcher) has been introduced as a solution
knowing that it has been playing a major role in dealing with the
problems.
Abstract: Creating shared value (CSV) is a newly introduced
concept whose essence and expressions, relationship to Corporate
social responsibility (CSR) and implications for the business and
society is now at the core of management and social responsibility
debates of the scientific world. The aim of the paper is to gain clearer
understanding of the CSR and CSV concepts, their implementation
and role in sustainable development of organizations in Latvia. In this
paper the authors discuss and compare the two conceptsand, based on
the results of Sustainability Index (SI) initiative and analysis of
publically available company information, evaluate their
implementation in Latvia and draw conclusions on the development
trends and potential of these approaches in Latvian market.
Abstract: The benefits of rooftop greenery systems (such as
energy savings, reduction of greenhouse gas emission for mitigating
climate change and maintaining sustainable development, indoor
temperature control etc.) in buildings are well recognized, however
there remains very little research conducted for quantifying the
benefits in subtropical climates such as in Australia. This study
mainly focuses on measuring/determining temperature profile and air
conditioning energy savings by implementing rooftop greenery
systems in subtropical Central Queensland in Australia. An
experimental set-up was installed at Rockhampton campus of Central
Queensland University, where two standard shipping containers (6m
x 2.4m x 2.4m) were converted into small offices, one with green
roof and one without. These were used for temperature, humidity and
energy consumption data collection. The study found that an energy
savings of up to 11.70% and temperature difference of up to 4°C can
be achieved in March in subtropical Central Queensland climate in
Australia. It is expected that more energy can be saved in peak
summer days (December/February) as temperature difference
between green roof and non-green roof is higher in December-
February.
Abstract: There are three distinct stages in the evolution of
economic thought, namely:
1. in the first stage, the major concern was to accelerate
economic growth with increased availability of material
goods, especially in developing economies with very low
living standards, because poverty eradication meant faster
economic growth.
2. in the second stage, economists made distinction between
growth and development. Development was seen as going
beyond economic growth, and bringing certain changes in
the structure of the economy with more equitable
distribution of the benefits of growth, with the growth
coming automatic and sustained.
3. the third stage is now reached. Our concern is now with
“sustainable development", that is, development not only
for the present but also of the future.
Thus the focus changed from “sustained growth" to “sustained
development". Sustained development brings to the fore the long
term relationship between the ecology and economic development.
Since the creation of UNEP in 1972 it has worked for
development without destruction for environmentally sound and
sustained development. It was realised that the environment cannot
be viewed in a vaccum, it is not separate from development, nor is it
competing. It suggested for the integration of the environment with
development whereby ecological factors enter development planning,
socio-economic policies, cost-benefit analysis, trade, technology
transfer, waste management, educational and other specific areas.
Industrialisation has contributed to the growth of economy of
several countries. It has improved the standards of living of its people
and provided benefits to the society. It has also created in the process
great environmental problems like climate change, forest destruction
and denudation, soil erosion and desertification etc.
On the other hand, industry has provided jobs and improved the
prospects of wealth for the industrialists. The working class
communities had to simply put up with the high levels of pollution in
order to keep up their jobs and also to save their income.
There are many roots of the environmental problem. They may be
political, economic, cultural and technological conditions of the
modern society. The experts concede that industrial growth lies
somewhere close to the heart of the matter. Therefore, the objective
of this paper is not to document all roots of an environmental crisis
but rather to discuss the effects of industrial growth and
development.
We have come to the conclusion that although public intervention
is often unnecessary to ensure that perfectly competitive markets will
function in society-s best interests, such intervention is necessary
when firms or consumers pollute.
Abstract: This article is devoted to the problems of the
disproportional development of regions in the Republic Kazakhstan.
The threats proceeding from problem regions, make strong impact on
the country-s sustainable development, therefore they are necessary
to be considered at the level of national security.
Abstract: The request for a sustainable development challenges
both managers and consumers to rethink habitual practices and
activities. While consumers are challenged to develop sustainable
consumption patterns, companies are asked to establish managerial
systems and structures considering economical, ecological, and social
issues. As this is in particular true for housing associations, this paper
aims first, at providing an understanding of sustainability strategy in
residential trade and industry (RTI) by identifying relevant facets of
this construct and second, at conceptually analyzing the impact of
sustainability strategy in RTI on operational efficiency and
performance of municipal housing companies. The author develops a
model of sustainability strategy in RTI and its effects and further,
sheds light in priorities for future research.
Abstract: The Long-range Energy and Alternatives Planning (LEAP) energy planning system has been developed for South Africa, for the 2005 base year and a limited number of plausible future scenarios that may have significant implications (negative or positive) in terms of environmental impacts. The system quantifies the national energy demand for the domestic, commercial, transport, industry and agriculture sectors, the supply of electricity and liquid fuels, and the resulting emissions. The South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) identified the need to develop an environmental assessment tool, based on the LEAP energy planning system, to provide decision-makers and stakeholders with the necessary understanding of the environmental impacts associated with different energy scenarios. A comprehensive analysis of indicators that are used internationally and in South Africa was done and the available data was accessed to select a reasonable number of indicators that could be utilized in energy planning. A consultative process was followed to determine the needs of different stakeholders on the required indicators and also the most suitable form of reporting. This paper demonstrates the application of Energy Environmental Sustainability Indicators (EESIs) as part of the developed tool, which assists with the identification of the environmental consequences of energy generation and use scenarios and thereby promotes sustainability, since environmental considerations can then be integrated into the preparation and adoption of policies, plans, programs and projects. Recommendations are made to refine the tool further for South Africa.
Abstract: Renewable energy sources have gained ultimate urgency due to the need of the preservation of the environment for a sustainable development. Pyrolysis is an ultimate promising process in the recycling and acquisition of precious chemicals from wastes. Here, the co-pyrolysis of hazelnut shell with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene was carried out catalytically and noncatalytically at 500 and 650 ºC. Potassium dichromate was added in certain amounts to act as a catalyst. The liquid, solid and gas products quantities were determined by gravimetry. As a main result, remarkable increases in gasification were observed by using this catalyst for pure components and their blends especially at 650 ºC. The increase in gas product quantity was compensated mainly with the decreases in the solid products and additionally in some cases liquid products quantities. These observations may stem from mainly the activation of carbon-carbon bonds rather than carbon-hydrogen bonds via potassium dichromate. Also, the catalytic effect of potassium dichromate on HS: PEO and HS: UHMWPE co-pyrolysis was compared.
Abstract: Thisresearch paper is dedicated to an actual issue in Latvia and in the whole European Union – development of the secondary materials management. The goal of this paper is to research the development of the secondary materials management in Latvia as a result to point out its main positive aspects and problems. In this research paper the author regards following issues: significance of the secondary materials management, current situation of the waste generation and utilization in Latvia comparing with other EU Member States, main problems and positive aspects of the secondary materials management in Latvia. The research author concludes that in last ten years a great work is done to develop the secondary materials market. Nevertheless following improvements are necessary: implementation of the packaging deposit system, development of the separate waste collection, increasing of the recycling capacity.
Abstract: The purpose is to study the model and characteristic of
participation of the suitable community to lead to develop permanent
water marketing in Bang Noi Floating Market, Bangkonti District,
Samutsongkhram Province. A total of 342 survey questionnaire was
administered to potential respondents. The researchers interviewed
the leader of the community. Appreciation Influence Control (AIC)
was used to talk with 20 villagers on arena. The findings revealed
that overall, most people had the middle level of the participation in
developing the durable Bang Noi Floating Market, Bangkonti,
Samutsongkhram Province and in aspects of gaining benefits from
developing it with atmosphere and a beautiful view for tourism. For
example, the landscape is beautiful with public utilities. The
participation in preserving and developing Bang Noi Floating Market
remains in the former way of life. The basic factor of person affects
to the participation of people such as age, level of education, career,
and income per month. Most participants are the original hosts that
have houses and shops located in the marketing and neighbor. These
people involve with the benefits and have the power to make a water
marketing strategy, the major role to set the information database. It
also found that the leader and the villagers play the important role in
setting a five-physical database. Data include level of information
such as position of village, territory of village, road, river, and
premises. Information of culture consists of a two-level of
information, interesting point, and Itinerary. The information occurs
from presenting and practicing by the leader and villagers in the
community.All of phases are presented for listening and investigating
database together in both the leader and villagers in the process of
participation.
Abstract: Kish Islands in South of Iran is located in coastal
water near Hormozgan Province. Based on the wind 3-hour statistics
in Kish station, the mean annual windspeed in this Island is 8.6 knot
(4.3 m/s). The maximum windspeed recorded in this stations 47 knot
(23.5 m/s). In 45.7 percent of recorded times, windspeed has been
Zero or less than 8 knot which is not suitable to use the wind energy.
But in 54.3 percent of recorded times, windspeed has been more than
8 knot and suitable to use wind energy to run turbines. In 40.2
percent of recorded times, windspeed has been between 8 to 16 knot,
in 13 percent of times between 16 to 24 knot and in 1 percent of
times it has been higher than 24 knot. In this station, the direction of
winds higher than 8 is west and wind direction in Kish station is
stable in most times of the year.With regard to high – speed and
stable direction winds during the year and also shallow coasts near
this is land, it is possible to build offshore wind farms near Kish
Island and utilize wind energy produce the electricity required in this
Island during most of the year.
Abstract: Sustainable development is highly dependent on the
implementation of environmental education programs, which has as
its ultimate goal to produce environmentally literate citizens that
undertake environmentally friendly actions. Efforts on environmental
education along past years are now perceived on the increase of
citizens awareness on European countries and, particularly, in
Portugal. However, we still have a lack of information on the
prevalence of specific behaviors that contributes to sustainability,
influenced by a new attitude toward the environment. The
determination of pro-environmental behaviors prevalence in higher
education students is an important approach to understand to which
extend the next leading generation is, in practice, committed with the
goals of sustainable development. Therefore, present study evaluates
the prevalence of a specific set of behaviors (water savings, energy
savings, environmental criteria on shopping, and mobility) on the
University of Madeira students and discusses their commitment with
sustainable development.
Abstract: This paper presents the study of parameters affecting
the environment protection in the printing industry. The paper has
also compared LCA studies performed within the printing industry in
order to identify common practices, limitations, areas for
improvement, and opportunities for standardization. This comparison
is focused on the data sources and methodologies used in the printing
pollutants register. The presented concepts, methodology and results
represent the contribution to the sustainable development
management. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the result of the
quantitative identification of hazardous substances emitted in printing
industry of Novi Sad.
Abstract: Although in sustainable development field, innovative
solutions have been sought worldwide by environmental groups,
academia, governments and companies for many years, recently,
citizens and communities have emerged as a new group and taken
more and more active role in this field. Many scholars call for more
research on the role of community and community innovation in
sustainable development. This paper is to respond to the calls. In
this paper, we first summarize a comprehensive set of innovation
principles. Then, we do a qualitative cross case study by comparing
three community innovation cases in three different areas of sustainable
development according to the innovation principles. Finally,
we summarize the case comparison and discuss the implications
to sustainable development. A unified role model and innovation
distribution map of community innovation are developed to better
understand community innovation in sustainable development..