Life satisfaction amongst police officers working in the area of child abuse investigation

Child abuse investigation is an area of work reported to be associated with high levels of work stress. This potentially places professionals at risk of psychological harm and may lead to lower life satisfaction than in the general population. The current study examined this issue within a large sample of Australian police officers. Specifically, 214 officers working in the area of child abuse investigation responded to a single global measure of life satisfaction (LS) known to be highly related to other measures of subjective wellbeing as well as clinical depression. The results revealed that, irrespective of the officers’ gender or degree of exposure to child abuse cases, the mean score from LS score was within the expected adult normative range. Further, the overall incidence of low LS in this sample (1.9 per cent) was not significantly different from the general population (4.3 per cent). The implications of these findings for police organisations are discussed.

The value of sustainability in real estate : a review from a valuation perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to synthesise the plethora of research that has been conducted into the relationship between sustainability and market value in real estate, by critically analysing the research and the applicability of sustainability and value research in valuation practice.

Design/methodology/approach – The research on the relationship between sustainability and market value in real estate is examined from the perspective of its usefulness to the valuation profession in providing guidance, information and evidence to be used in valuation practice.

Findings – Existing research conducted into the relationship between sustainability and market value has not provided the valuation profession with evidence which would allow the incorporation of normative theories on the value of sustainability in valuation practice. This review highlights the lack of evidence, and the applicability of current research into sustainability and value to the valuation profession in providing guidance and information in valuing real estate incorporating sustainability.

Practical implications – This paper highlights the limited applicability of research to date in regard to the relationship between sustainability and market value for the valuation profession. The lack of historical evidence, data or information on the quantifiable effects on market value of this new trend (sustainability), leaves the valuation profession uncertain as to the relationship between sustainability and market value. There is a probable risk of valuers interpreting strategic research incorrectly, and making inappropriate adjustments or comparisons because of their lack of knowledge and limited sustainability assessment skills. Although there is an evolving body of knowledge, there is a need for extensive analysis of unbiased, evidence-based research in individual and broader markets to provide guidance, evidence and knowledge of the implications of sustainability in the valuation of real estate.

Originality/value – The examination of research investigating the relationship between sustainability and value from a valuation perspective provides an alternative insight into the applicability of current research in valuation practice. The increasing profile and role of sustainability in the real estate sector needs to be addressed in valuation practice; however, the variety of research to date needs to be interpreted by valuers in the correct context. This paper brings to light the applicability of sustainability and value research for the broader valuation profession, and the potential implications of misuse or misunderstanding of that research.

Does parkland influence walking? The relationship between area of parkland and walking trips in Melbourne, Australia

Background : Using two different measures of park area, at three buffer distances, we sought to investigate the ways in which park area and proximity to parks, are related to the frequency of walking (for all purposes) in Australian adults. Little previous research has been conducted in this area, and results of existing research have been mixed.

Methods : Residents of 50 urban areas in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia completed a physical activity survey (n = 2305). Respondents reported how often they walked for >=10 minutes in the previous month. Walking frequency was dichotomised to 'less than weekly' (less than 1/week) and 'at least weekly' (1/week or more). Using Geographic Information Systems, Euclidean buffers were created around each respondent's home at three distances: 400metres (m), 800 m and 1200 m. Total area of parkland in each person's buffer was calculated for the three buffers. Additionally, total area of 'larger parks', (park space >= park with Australian Rules Football oval (17,862 m2)), was calculated for each set of buffers. Area of park was categorised into tertiles for area of all parks, and area of larger parks (the lowest tertile was used as the reference category). Multilevel logistic regression, with individuals nested within areas, was used to estimate the effect of area of parkland on walking frequency.

Results : No statistically significant associations were found between walking frequency and park area (total and large parks) within 400 m of respondent's homes. For total park area within 800 m, the odds of walking at least weekly were lower for those in the mid (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.91) and highest (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44-0.95) tertile of park area compared to those living in areas with the least amount of park area. Similar results were observed for total park area in the 1200 m buffers. When only larger parks were investigated, again more frequent walking was less likely when respondents had access to a greater amount of park area.

Conclusions : In this study we found that more park area in residential environments reduced the odds of walking more frequently. Other area characteristics such as street connectivity and destinations may underlay these associations by negatively correlating with park area.

Another opportunity lost? Victorian Labor's enactment of sustainability, 1999-2010

‘Sustainability’ provides the dominant frame for environmental policy debate, even though there is considerable debate to as to what sustainability is, why is it needed, and how can it be progressed. From 1999 through to 2010, Victoria was governed by Australian Labor Party (ALP) led governments that, at times, actively pursued the goal of sustainable development. This culminated in the stated ambition for Victoria to be ‘world leaders in environmental sustainability debate and practice’. This paper explores the way in which sustainability was enacted by Victorian Labor while in government. The evidence indicates that the potential of Victorian Labor's vision was never realized, and that it failed to significantly reform the neoliberal policy settings it inherited.

Is the valuer the barrier to identifying the value of sustainability?

Purpose - Broad-scale investment in sustainability is limited due to the lack of evidence of the relationship between sustainability and the property’s market value. Although evidence is amassing and being analyzed through advanced modeling, this evidence is not being reflected in the valuation process. Valuers have a pivotal role in financial markets, in the reporting of asset values. Consequently, they are the current barrier in large-scale investment in sustainability, due to their lack of reporting or consideration of sustainability in the valuation process.

Design/methodology/approach - This research investigates, in the Australian context, whether valuers’ are incorporating sustainability as a consideration in the valuation process and their depth of reporting on it. Further, the research investigates whether valuers’ have the knowledge and skills to accurately report on sustainability in the valuation process. This research used an online survey to gather responses from valuers around Australia, using a combination of structured and semi-structured questions.

Findings - This paper has identified that valuers are identifying a value relationship between sustainability and market value, and clearly emphasizing that they are not the barrier to this relationship from a lack of inclusion in valuation practice. However, what this research has identified is that although valuers are acknowledging sustainability in their practice, they maybe inhibiting further investment in sustainability due to inaccurate or misjudged assessments of sustainability in valuations.

Practical implications - The research highlights the implications for the broader market and the valuation profession, as a result of the valuers’ current lack of knowledge, skills and ability to incorporate or consider sustainability in the valuation process. The potential for inaccurate knowledge regarding sustainability being incorporated in the valuation process is very high, and could potentially have litigious issues in the future.

Originality/value - The research has highlighted that although valuers are beginning to consider sustainability at some level in the valuation process, their current knowledge of sustainability and its implications to long term viability is limited and in some cases grossly inaccurate. Consequently, this research has identified there is an imperative requirement for investigation into appropriate, accurate knowledge development in the field of sustainability for the valuation profession.

An empirical study of the world price of sustainability

The core goal of this study is to empirically investigate whether there is a “world price” of corporate sustainability. This is assessed in the context of standard asset pricing models—in particular, by asking whether a risk premium attaches to a sustainability factor after controlling for the Fama–French factors. Both time-series and cross-sectional tests are formulated and applied. The results show that (1) global Fama–French factors have strong power to explain global equity returns and (2) sustainability investments have no significant impact on global equity returns. The absence of a significant relationship between sustainability and returns implies that large institutional investors are free to implement sustainability mandates without fear of breaching their fiduciary duties from realising negative returns due to incorporating a sustainability investment process.

Increasing the level of sustainability via off-site production : a study of the residential construction sector in China

Even though the use of off-site production in the construction process for residential buildings is seen as a viable means of increasing the level of sustainability with respects to its significant economic, environmental and social contributions, there have been very few studies to-date into off-site construction within the context of developing countries where the places have crucial demands for accommodations. Accordingly this research involves the rapidly growing developing nation, China, as a representative developing country with the objective to investigate the current status of off-site practices in the urban residential construction sector. This paper also examines the factors affecting demand for and potential barriers against a wider uptake of off-site technologies in China. The findings provide a rare insight into off-site construction in China’s housing industry and this information will be transferable to other developing countries. This study also contributes to a broader understanding about the off-site construction in developing from an international perspective.

Integrated approach of sustainability and climate change adaptation in a metro project

The new Melbourne Metro underground rail project will leave a legacy long into the future, with an estimated design life which will extend beyond 100 years. As such it is extremely important to consider the mitigation of any environmental impacts, providing a sustainable outcome. It is also essential to pre-empt required adaptation of buildings and infrastructure in the future against the impact of changes in the local climate. Designing a metro system in the age of climate change provides the opportunity to go beyond standard specifications and compliance requirements, creating innovative sustainable and climate resilient design outcomes. On the contrary, constructing an underground metro project presents various design challenges fuelled by complex constraints, many uncertainties and risks. This paper will review the methodology used to integrate environmentally sustainable principles and resilient design for climate change adaptation, within the concept development phase of the Melbourne Metro Underground Rail Project.

Integrating the human factor into the holistic understanding of sustainability

Using a number of literary sources with sustainable design and architectural phenomenology as their foundation, this paper uses Integral theory, drawing on the writings of Ken Wilber and Mark DeKay to justify the importance of human architectural experience in the holistic view of sustainable design. The literature critiques modern practices and ideas of sustainability and identifies factors that contribute towards the success of sustainable building. It explores the implications for an Integral approach to sustainable design and then uses it to analyse the relationships that exist between the objective and the subjective value spheres of Integral theory.

Form versus function : a study into interactive learning process affecting the implementation of sustainability in commercial buildings

Owners and tenants of sustainable buildings are now realising the sustainable building that they own or occupy and also how they use the building have a significant impact on their work practices. These stakeholders are demanding sustainability outcomes such as improved occupant health and performance, lower energy and material consumption use as well as encouraging healthy ecosystem in their sustainable building. Clearly the level of user knowledge about a sustainable building and its technologies makes a difference about the actual behaviour towards sustainable buildings (Knott 2007, Stenberg 2007) There remains two major challenge faced by sustainable building occupants: (i) addressing the gap between an occupant's expectations of sustainable building outcomes and what the building actually provides and (ii) overcoming the lack of user knowledge about sustainability design and operation for a particular with regards to performance (Jailani et. al, 2011). This is an innovative study designed to address these challenges. It uses a focus group approach to investigate the gap between (a) user expectations and (b) sustainable building performance, with reference to the relationship between interactive learning process and the level of implementation of sustainability in commercial buildings. The outcome from the study will provide a post-occupancy evaluation of the perception of occupants in sustainable buildings. Most importantly, this information can then assist architects and designers in private and government organisations to successfully develop future sustainable design and policy which can fully capitalise on the original intention when delivering sustainable buildings, as well as providing an innovative feedback mechanism between occupiers and architects.

Thermal evaluation of a greenhouse in a remote high altitude area of Nepal

Remote communities in the high altitude areas of Nepal suffer both chronic and acute malnutrition. This is due to a shortage of arable land and a harsh climate. For seven months of the year, the harvesting of fresh vegetables is almost impossible. Greenhouse technology, if appropriate for the location and its community, can extend the growing season considerably. Experience in the Ladakh region of India indicates that year-round cropping is possible in greenhouses in cold mountainous areas. A simple 50-m2 greenhouse has been constructed in Simikot, the main town of Humla, northwest Nepal. This paper describes the evaluation of the thermal performance of that greenhouse. Both measurement and simulation were used in the evaluation. Measurements during the winter of 2006-7 indicate that the existing design is capable of producing adequate growing conditions for some vegetable crops, but that improvements are required if crops like tomatoes are to be grown successfully. Options to improve the thermal performance of the greenhouse have been investigated by simulation. Improvements to the building envelope such as wall insulation, double-glazing and using a thermal screen were simulated with a validated TRNSYS model. The impact of the addition of nighttime heat from internal passive solar water collectors was also predicted. The simulations indicate that the passive solar water collectors would raise the average greenhouse air temperature by 2.5°C and the overnight air temperature would increase by 4.0°C. When used in combination, overnight temperatures are predicted to by almost 7°C higher.