Spatial and temporal variations of trace element distribution in soils and street dust of an industrial town in NW Spain: 15 years of study

Extensive spatial and temporal surveys, over 15 years, have been conducted in soil in urban parks and street dusts in one of the most polluted cities in western Europe, Avilés (NW Spain). The first survey was carried out in 1996, and since then monitoring has been undertaken every five years. Whilst the sampling site is a relatively small town, industrial activities (mainly the steel industry and Zn and Al metallurgy) and other less significant urban sources, such as traffic, strongly affect the load of heavy metals in the urban aerosol. Elemental tracers have been used to characterise the influence of these sources on the composition of soil and dust. Although PM10 has decreased over these years as a result of environmental measures undertaken in the city, some of the “industrial” elements still remain in concentrations of concern for example, up to 4.6% and 0.5% of Zn in dust and soil, respectively. Spatial trends in metals such as Zn and Cd clearly reflect sources from the processing industries. The concentrations of these elements across Europe have reduced over time, however the most recent results from Avilés revealed an upward trend in concentration for Zn, Cd, Hg and As. A risk assessment of the soil highlighted As as an element of concern since its cancer risk in adults was more than double the value above which regulatory agencies deem it to be unacceptable. If children were considered to be the receptors, then the risk nearly doubles from this element.

Plan of quarter section with two neighborhood centers

Ink on linen. Street plan with parks and centers, pools, footpaths, tennis courts, gardens. Signed. 97 cm. 84 cm. Scale: 1' = 120' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Greater West Park system. West Chicago Park Commission; [Chicago, Illinois]

Green, red and black ink on linen. Map of Chicago with parks, boulevards, municipal kitchen gardens. Signed. 132 cm. x 95 cm. Scale: 1"=1500' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Planting plan; Columbus Park; Chicago, Illinois

Ink on linen. Type of plantings; notes. At lower left is key to orientation of sections A-D. Unsigned. 91 cm. x 87 cm. Scale: 1"=40' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Planting plan for Columbus Park; Chicago, Illinois

Ink on linen. Type of plantings; notes. At upper left is key to orientation sections A-D. Unsigned. 87 cm. x 87 cm. Scale 1"=40' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Section C. Planting plan for Columbus Park; Chicago, Illinois

Ink on linen. Type of plantings. Unsigned. 95 cm. x 85 cm. Scale: 1"=40' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Preliminary planting plan; Columbus Park; Section D; Chicago, Illinois

Ink on linen. Location, type of plantings; notes. Key to orientation of sections A-D at upper right. Signed. 98 cm. x 75 cm. Scale: 1"=40' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Survey showing actual location of trees on Columbus Park site; [Chicago]

Unsigned. 140 cm. x 105 cm. Scale: 1"=50' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Planting plan for the playground area. Columbus Park; Chicago, Illinois

Ink on linen. Location, type of plantings, pools, footpaths, football field; notes. Signed. 172 cm. x 58 cm. Scale: 1"=20' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Plans and sections for two springs. Columbus Park; Chicago, Illinois

Ink on linen. Elevations, sections of springs. Signed. 88 cm. x 60 cm. Vertical sale: 1"=5'; Horizontal scale: 1"=10' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Rock work for the wading pool at Columbus Park; Chicago, Illinois

Orange, green, red, black pencil on tracing papter. Location, type of plantings; notes. Unsigned. 58 cm. x 84 cm. Scale: 1"=20' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Requiescat in park: o Central Park de Nova Iorque sob a ótica do cinema Norte - americano

Taking into account the Environmental Restorative Theory (ERT) , created by Fre derick Law Olmsted in mid XIX ce ntury , according which, urban parks can contribute to solve problems arisen from crowding , particularly urban stress, we analize how the ERT arrived at XXI century, having as approach the evaluation of New York Central Park (CP). Considering that the CP and the cinema were born around at the same, we question if the North American cinema produced between 1960 and 2013 show the ideals, which engendered the CP. By answering this question we defend the hypothesis that, even though has existed adjusts and modificati ons in the CP plan through time, it kept reasonably faithful to the ERT premises, propitiating to the XX and XXI centuries cinema identify and bring forth the presence of the Olmsted’s Ideals in the present days. The thesis main objective was nonetheless u nderstand similarities and/or differences between the XIX century ideals (that gave birth to CP) and the way the cinema represents the present uses of the place, taking into account that the Olmstedian ERT proposal have survived to the context changes (soc ial, economic, political and cultural). Methodologically , we drew upon bibliographical and documental analysis to build the first chapters and to the cinema as analytical lenses to investigate the ERT. The results point that although the CP plan has kept r elatively intact and faithful to the ERT – with the presence of natural elements in the films (notably vegetation and water) – many of contemporary behaviors were not foreseen previously, especially in relation to sports practice, the massive feminine pres ence, as well as criminality.

Wildlife as a Priority in Park Development: A Study of Illinois Park Professionals

The purpose of this thesis is to consider the factors that impact decision making in city park settings, with specific emphasis given to wildlife. Additionally, professional bias was considered as a possible response determinant. Studies connecting perceptions of wildlife and Illinois park managers have been rare or nonexistent, but offer the potential for the improvement of management strategies and recreational opportunities. Data was collected using mixed methods. City recreation practitioners statewide were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire considering wildlife as a decision-making factor in land acquisition or restoration decisions. A small follow-up sample of park managers was interviewed via telephone for further explanation of their response. Analysis of responses from questionnaires and interviews suggested that wildlife habitat is a factor in land use decision making, but is not considered one of the highest importance. Respondents identified that nuisance wildlife, access to wildlife, and public value of wildlife were also factors in decision making. Factors associated with a high-ranking of the importance of wildlife were agencies with a high number of natural area acres, a high number of overall park acreage, personnel devoted to natural area management, the presence of hiking trails, and cities with a large population. Professional bias of recreation managers was suggested via anecdotal interview data, but could not be empirically connected with wildlife-related decision-making processes, as no managers identified themselves as having completed formal wildlife-related training. As a result, management implications include separate training for both practitioners and public. This study broadens the understanding of wildlife management in city park settings, and reaffirms that further understanding of public and pracitioner values of wildlife will lead to improved land use decisions and recreationally valuable experiences.

Crime e (In)Segurança Pública nos Espaços Verdes da Cidade do Porto

Estudos de inquérito sugerem que os espaços verdes são locais perigosos e inseguros, aonde perdura o crime, levando as pessoas frequentemente a evitá-los. Publicamente desejados, mas simultaneamente receados, pela insegurança que por vezes invocam, os espaços verdes são mal compreendidos na óptica da segurança e na perspetiva criminológica. Este estudo exploratório de auto-relato visa assim contribuir para o conhecimento dos vários aspetos relacionados com a segurança dos espaços verdes, com base na perspetiva dos vigilantes, nomeadamente, a extensão e características da criminalidade existente, a identificação dos fatores internos e externos que se relacionam com a segurança e a relevância de várias dimensões situacionais dos espaços verdes na óptica da segurança e prevenção do crime. Para dar resposta a estas questões, realizaram-se entrevistas diretivas e estruturadas junto de uma amostra de vigilantes dos espaços verdes da cidade do Porto, que concordaram em participar no estudo. Os dados recolhidos, de teor quantitativo e qualitativo, foram analisados e interpretados, procurando-se identificar padrões nos relatos dos vigilantes e estabelecer um conhecimento que oriente práticas de bom planeamento e gestão dos espaços verdes municipais.