Shipping noise in a dynamic sea: a case study of grey seals in the Celtic Sea

Shipping noise is a threat to marine wildlife. Grey seals are benthic foragers, and thus experience acoustic noise throughout the water column, which makes them a good model species for a case study of the potential impacts of shipping noise. We used ship track data from the Celtic Sea, seal track data and a coupled ocean-acoustic modelling system to assess the noise exposure of grey seals along their tracks. It was found that the animals experience step changes in sound levels up to ~20dB at a frequency of 125Hz, and ~10dB on average over 10-1000Hz when they dive through the thermocline, particularly during summer. Our results showed large seasonal differences in the noise level experienced by the seals. These results reveal the actual noise exposure by the animals and could help in marine spatial planning.

Green Infrastructure and climate change adaptation

One of the main challenges urban areas, and more particularly the compact ones, are facing is their adaptation to climate change. In recent years, is had been recognized that a more ecosystem approach to spatial planning can play a critical role in meeting these challenges. Green Infrastructure (GI) and its integration in spatial planning emerges as one of the most appropriate and effective ways to improve microclimate and tackle the impacts of climate change and mainly the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This paper initially attempts to clarify the term GI and portrays its benefits and its role as an important spatial planning tool to fulfill different environmental, social and economic needs of urban areas. Then, the paper proceeds to an empirical evaluation of the role of GI in reducing the vulnerability to UHI effect in a compact urban area of the city of Thessaloniki. For this reason, a simple methodology is developed with a twofold purpose: to recognize the risks posed by climate change and especially UHI and to assess the potential offered by available in a compact area GI assets as well as by their redesign in order to maximize their contribution to climate change adaptation.

Opłata planistyczna. Studium finansowoprawne

Wydział Prawa i Administracji: Katedra Prawa Finansowego

"Last-Mile" preparation for a potential disaster - Interdisciplinary approach towards tsunami early warning and an evacuation information system for the coastal city of Padang, Indonesia

Extreme natural events, like e.g. tsunamis or earthquakes, regularly lead to catastrophes with dramatic consequences. In recent years natural disasters caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, destruction of infrastructure, disruption of economic activity and loss of billions of dollars worth of property and thus revealed considerable deficits hindering their effective management: Needs for stakeholders, decision-makers as well as for persons concerned include systematic risk identification and evaluation, a way to assess countermeasures, awareness raising and decision support systems to be employed before, during and after crisis situations. The overall goal of this study focuses on interdisciplinary integration of various scientific disciplines to contribute to a tsunami early warning information system. In comparison to most studies our focus is on high-end geometric and thematic analysis to meet the requirements of smallscale, heterogeneous and complex coastal urban systems. Data, methods and results from engineering, remote sensing and social sciences are interlinked and provide comprehensive information for disaster risk assessment, management and reduction. In detail, we combine inundation modeling, urban morphology analysis, population assessment, socioeconomic analysis of the population and evacuation modeling. The interdisciplinary results eventually lead to recommendations for mitigation strategies in the fields of spatial planning or coping capacity. © Author(s) 2009.

Kwantyfikacja wybranych świadczeń ekosystemów na poziomie lokalnym. Przykład gminy Krajenka

Wydział Nauk Geograficznych i Geologicznych

Bancos de pesca de cerco e da pequena pesca costeira do sotavento Algarvio

A exploração sustentável dos recursos marinhos da costa portuguesa tem sido de forma crescente colocada em causa devido a diversos factores, designadamente pelo aumento do esforço da pesca, conduzindo a uma grande preocupação na sua gestão. A prespectiva relacionada com o surgimento e crescimento de outras actividades de exploração dos recursos do mar na região vem aumentar ainda mais essa preocupação. Nesse contexto, novos desafios surgiram, particularmente no âmbito da gestão e planeamento espacial (Planeamento Espacial Marítimo / Marine Spatial Planning). De facto, com o aumento de diversas actividades no mar, designadamente das aquaculturas em mar aberto (offshore) e das armações de atum, a gestão espacial encontra-se cada vez mais na ordem do dia, articularmente na costa algarvia. Estes factos, associados com a real competição por espaço entre as diferentes frotas, foram os principais motivadores e impulsionadores para a execução do presente projecto. Este estudo encontra-se integrado no projecto “Mapeamento de bancos de pesca do Sotavento algarvio (Pescamap Sotavento) do Programa Operacional Pesca 2007-2013 (Promar) e vem no seguimento de outro projecto similar realizado para a zona costeira do Barlavento algarvio (Bancos de pesca do Cerco e da Pequena Pesca Costeira do Barlavento Algarvio). Ambos foram co-financiados pelo Fundo Europeu das Pescas (FEP) e contaram com os apoios institucionais, no Sotavento, da Associação de Armadores do Porto da Fuzeta (APPF) e da Organização de Produtores de Pescado Algarve (OLHÃOPESCAS).

Biodiversidade marinha do sublitoral da Arrifana

A sustentabilidade dos recursos marinhos da costa portuguesa tem sido posta em causa de forma crescente devido a variados factores, nomeadamente pelo aumento do esforço da pesca, com consequência na redução de alguns mananciais (por ex. a sardinha ou a pescada), conduzindo a uma grande apreensão na sua gestão. Por outro lado, novos desafios têm surgido na última década, sobretudo no contexto da gestão espacial maritima (Marine Spatial Planning), com particular evidência na costa algarvia. Efectivamente, nesta zona, devido ao aumento das actividades das aquaculturas de mar aberto ou “offshores” e das armações de atum, mas também devido às disputas habituais entre as diferentes frotas, a gestão espacial tem estado cada vez mais na ordem do dia. Estes factos foram em grande medida os principais motivadores e impulsionadores para a execução do presente trabalho. O presente estudo encontra-se integrado no projecto “Mapeamento de bancos de pesca algarvios (PescaMap) do Programa Operacional Pesca 2007-2013 (Promar), co-financiado pelo Fundo Europeu das Pescas (FEP). O projecto conta com os apoios institucionais das câmaras dos oito concelhos do Barlavento algarvio (Vila do Bispo, Aljezur, Lagos, Monchique, Portimão, Lagoa, Silves e Albufeira) e da Cooperativa dos Armadores de Pesca do Barlavento CRL (BarlaPescas). O projecto teve em primeiro lugar como principal propósito, produzir mapas dos principais bancos de pesca da frota do cerco e da frota artesanal. Em segundo lugar, o grupo de investigação do CCMAR comprometeu-se a inventariar a biodiversidade marinha de duas importantes zonas subtidais da costa Algarvia, ambas localizadas no Parque Marinho do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina: uma na costa ocidental que incluiu as Pedras da Agulha e da Carraça e a costa norte adjacente à Praia da Arrifana (concelho de Aljezur) e outra na costa sul, entre a ponta da Piedade e a praia do Barranco (concelhos de Lagos e de Vila do Bispo).

Irish state infrastructural investment: an analysis of past patterns, and an outline of a future integrated systems of systems evaluation methodology

The literature clearly links the quality and capacity of a country’s infrastructure to its economic growth and competitiveness. This thesis analyses the historic national and spatial distribution of investment by the Irish state in its physical networks (water, wastewater and roads) across the 34 local authorities and examines how Ireland is perceived internationally relative to its economic counterparts. An appraisal of the current status and shortcomings of Ireland’s infrastructure is undertaken using key stakeholders from foreign direct investment companies and national policymakers to identify Ireland's infrastructural gaps, along with current challenges in how the country is delivering infrastructure. The output of these interviews identified many issues with how infrastructure decision-making is currently undertaken. This led to an evaluation of how other countries are informing decision-making, and thus this thesis presents a framework of how and why Ireland should embrace a Systems of Systems (SoS) methodology approach to infrastructure decision-making going forward. In undertaking this study a number of other infrastructure challenges were identified: significant political interference in infrastructure decision-making and delivery the need for a national agency to remove the existing ‘silo’ type of mentality to infrastructure delivery how tax incentives can interfere with the market; and their significance. The two key infrastructure gaps identified during the interview process were: the need for government intervention in the rollout of sufficient communication capacity and at a competitive cost outside of Dublin; and the urgent need to address water quality and capacity with approximately 25% of the population currently being served by water of unacceptable quality. Despite considerable investment in its national infrastructure, Ireland’s infrastructure performance continues to trail behind its economic partners in the Eurozone and OECD. Ireland is projected to have the highest growth rate in the euro zone region in 2015 and 2016, albeit that it required a bailout in 2010, and, at the time of writing, is beginning to invest in its infrastructure networks again. This thesis proposes the development and implementation of a SoS approach for infrastructure decision-making which would be based on: existing spatial and capacity data of each of the constituent infrastructure networks; and scenario computation and analysis of alternative drivers eg. Demographic change, economic variability and demand/capacity constraints. The output from such an analysis would provide valuable evidence upon which policy makers and decision makers alike could rely, which has been lacking in historic investment decisions.

A relação entre Escola e Família na perspectiva de futuros Educadores de Infância e de Professores do 1º ciclo do Ensino Básico: influências da formação inicial e supervisão pedagógica na promoção desta relação

Este estudo procura caracterizar a relação entre Escola e Família na perspectiva de alunos futuros Educadores de Infância e Professores do Ensino Básico do 1º ciclo, no contexto do seu estágio final de quarto ano. Partindo do pressuposto que as concepções dos alunos não se formulam num vazio, procura-se compreender as concepções teóricas e práticas acerca da relação entre Escola e Família destes alunos, no contexto da formação que os enquadra e igualmente no contexto das escolas onde realizam o seu estágio final. Realizámos um estudo de caso em duas Instituições de Ensino Superior, a Escola Superior de Educação de Beja e a Universidade de Évora, nomeadamente a quatro turmas de quarto ano das duas licenciaturas já referidas. Como instrumentos de recolha de dados fizemos uma análise das disciplinas do plano de estudos de cada licenciatura, assim como fizemos também uma análise dos instrumentos de planificação e avaliação que estes estabelecimentos de ensino utilizam, e ainda aplicámos aos alunos um inquérito por questionário. Os resultados que obtivemos mostram que os alunos dão importância à relação de complementaridade e de relação entre Escola e Família, não considerando assim a separação entre estes dois agentes educativos. Como tal, estes alunos consideraram que os professores e educadores devem ter em consideração o envolvimento das Famílias nas suas planificações de actividades e assumir os pais como agentes educativos activos. Estes dados só fazem sentido, uma vez que quer a Escola Superior de Educação de Beja, quer a Universidade de Évora, parecem fornecer aos seus alunos, formação para que estes estejam sensibilizados para a promoção da relação entre Escola e Família, através de vários propósitos que exigem aos seus alunos. Contudo salientamos uma formação inicial mais abrangente e exigente na Universidade de Évora. Ainda assim, é um facto que estes alunos encontraram factores que dificultaram o estabelecimento da relação entre Escola e Família ao longo dos seus estágios finais, no entanto, conseguiram estabelecer estratégias de modo a ultrapassá-las, estratégias estas, na sua maioria inseridas nos tipo 2 e 3 da tipologia de Joyce Epstein, assim como estratégias ligadas à comunicação e promoção da participação conjunta em actividades realizadas tanto dentro como fora da sala e/ou Instituição. ABSTRACT: This study characterizes the school-family relationships from the point of view of pre­school and primary student-teachers in their final year of initial training. Assuming that the student’s conceptions are not build in an empty context, we seek to understand the theoretical and practical concepts about the school-family relationships of these students, in the context of their experience at the University and at the schools where they undergo their final practicum. This is a case-study of two higher education institutions: Escola Superior de Educação de Beja and Universidade de Évora, and two courses in each institution: Pre-school Education and Primary School Teaching; the students belong to the four final years of these courses. Data included documentary analysis of the courses plans and the planning and evaluation instruments used within each course and a questionnaire to all students of each course. Results point out to an understanding of school-family relationships characterized by complementarity and reciprocity, rejecting a view of separation between school and family. These students considered important that teachers include in their plans opportunities to involve families and that they consider families as active educational agents. These results seem to be associated with the higher education institutions programs which encourage and require students to adopt such approach. The results seem to suggest that the teachers' training at the Universidade de Évora is slightly broader and more demanding. Despite these students having found some resistances and difficulties during their practicum in relation to implementing school and family links, they were also able to implement some strategies to overcome these difficulties. The strategies students used were mainly within Joyce Epstein's type tow and tree; strategies were mainly directed to promote communication and joint participation in activities inside as well as outside the classroom and the school.

Analyzing urban green adaptation opportunities: concepts, approaches, & strategies for existing neighborhoods

Over the last decades, the growing evidence of human-caused climate change has raised awareness of the consequences of exceeding global temperature by 2˚C. This awareness has led to a contemporary approach to the conceptualization and management of green adaptation policies in spatial planning. This thesis aims to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing the adaptability of existing neighborhoods to green strategies. The reliability of the proposed method is examined in the cities of Bologna and Imola and proved to be applicable in other geoghraphical locations. This thesis integrates three key themes of conceptual and implementation principles for urban green adaptation. This thesis initially defines methods for narrowing uncertainties in urban planning energy forecasting modeling by exploring the roles of integrated energy planning. The second is by exploring green retrofitting strategies in building, this thesis examines the effects of various energy-saving factors in roofing scenarios including a green roof, rooftop greenhouse, and insolated roof. Lastly, this thesis analyzes green strategies in urban spaces to enhance thermal comfort through facing urban heat exposure related to urban heat island effects. The roles of integrated energy policies and green strategic thinking are discussed to highlight various aspects of green adaptation on the neighborhood scale. This thesis develops approaches by which cities can face the challenges of current green urban planning and connect the conceptual and practical aspects of green spatial planning. Another point that this thesis highlight is that due to the interdependency of individuals and places, it is difficult to assure whether all the adaptation policies on a large scale are enhancing the resiliency of the neighborhood or they are simply shuffling the vulnerability through the individuals and places. Besides, it asserts that neglecting to reflect on these reallocations of the effects generates serious complications, and will result in long-term dysfunctional consequences.

Identification, assessment and ordering of concepts for agro-energy planning and possibilities of spatial analysis

ABSTRACT The present study aims to present the main concepts of the sugarcane straw to energy planning. Throughout the study, the subject is contextualized highlighting broader aspects of sustainability, which is considered the main driver towards agro-energy modernization. Concerning sugarcane straw, we first evaluated its availability regarding technical and economic aspects, and then it summarized the straw production chain for energy supply purposes. As a proposal to support agro-energy planning, it is presented some spatial tools that have been barely used in the Brazilian energy planning context so far. Therefore, working on straw to electricity associated with supply chain basis, we developed a conceptual model to spatially assess this bioenergy system. Using the model proposed, it is described the whole supply chain at state level, which accounted the potential of a single mill to explore straw, as well as main costs associated with straw acquisition, investments on the straw recovery routes and electricity transmission. Bearing these concepts in mind, it is fully believed that spatial analysis can bring important information for agro-energy action plans.

What gets plans off the shelf? : a multi-site case study of the factors influencing municipal recreation plan implementation

Municipalities that engage in recreation planning have the potential to use their resources more effectively. However, successful planning means getting the plan off the shelf and implemented. This study investigated the factors that influenced municipal recreation plan implementation in three municipalities. Interviews were conducted with eleven key informants (recreation directors, planning consultants, a city councillor, and members of plan steering committees). The findings of this study suggested that because the implementation of recreation plans occurs in a highly political environment, recreation professionals will need effective strategies to get their plans implemented and that implementation can be facilitated by developing or expanding strategies that: (l) build the power of the recreation department within the municipal government structure; (2) build support for recreation within the local community; and (3) build the political and organizational capacity in the recreation department.

Engineering geological data in support of municipal land use planning-a case study in Analandia, southeast Brazil

This paper presents a method for transforming the information of an engineering geological map into useful information for non-specialists involved in land-use planning. The method consists of classifying the engineering geological units in terms of land use capability and identifying the legal and the geologic restrictions that apply in the study area. Both informations are then superimposed over the land use and a conflict areas map is created. The analysis of these data leads to the identification of existing and forthcoming land use conflicts and enables the proposal of planning measures on a regional and local scale. The map for the regional planning was compiled at a 1:50,000 scale and encompasses the whole municipal land area where uses are mainly rural. The map for the local planning was compiled at a 1:10,000 scale and encompasses the urban area. Most of the classification and operations on maps used spatial analyst tools available in the Geographical Information System. The regional studies showed that the greater part of Analandia's territory presents appropriate land uses. The local-scale studies indicate that the majority of the densely occupied urban areas are in suitable land. Although the situation is in general positive, municipal policies should address the identified and expected land use conflicts, so that it can be further improved.

City residential land development : studies in planning : competitive plans for subdividing a typical quarter section of land in the outskirts of Chicago /

[Arthur C. Comey awarded 2d prize.]

Planning the neighbourhood economy:land-use plans and the economic potential of urban residential neighbourhoods in the Netherlands

This article investigates the relationship between zoning by-laws, as put forward in governmental land-use plans and the viability of urban residential neighbourhood economies. The Dutch planning tradition has long been characterized by strict separation of functions and top-down planning. We argue that profound changes in social and economic structures make land-use planning practices less suitable for the current policy formula of "mixed urban milieus". Although the residential neighbourhood might not be the location of large firms, it definitely attracts small ones, and facilitates starting businesses whose presence (and potential growth) can be beneficial to the city as a whole. We present a typology of spatial patterns of neighbourhood economies based on land-use plans and describe whether these are related to the distinctive economic development of the neighbourhood over the period 1999-2007. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.