Category: Published

SUSTAINABILITY DIAGNOSIS OF AN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM

Alexandra Marta-Costa

Associate Professor; Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD); Department of Economy, Sociology and Management (DESG); University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro; Quinta de Prados, 5000-911 Vila Real, Portugal, Tel: (+351) 259302201; Fax: (+351) 259302249; amarta@utad.pt.

Filipa Torres-Manso

Mountain Research Centre (CIMO); Department of Forest Science and Landscape Architecture; University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro; Quinta de Prados, 5000-911 Vila Real, Portugal, ftorres@utad.pt.

Luís Tibério

Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD); Department of Economy, Sociology and Management (DESG); University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro; Quinta de Prados, 5000-911 Vila Real, Portugal, mtiberio@utad.pt.

Abstract

Serra de Montemuro Site is a Natura 2000 classified area in northern Portugal, especially for its role in preserving both the landscape, environmental and cultural heritage. Based on the main features of the territory in question, as well as on the agroforestry activities developed therein, this article aims at depicting the main aspects which characterize the (un)sustainability of the afore mentioned activities, namely some of the challenges that a sustainable agroforestry development must be able to meet. The methodological procedures included several complementary processes of information gathering such as: bibliographical research, field research, interviews, participatory meetings and sectoral meetings. Two implications arise from this sustainability diagnosis: 1) the revenue isn’t sufficient to maintain the agroforestry systems; 2) the conservation of this territory is imperative and the agroforestry systems are essential for this purpose.

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OF TOYOHASHI CITY: AN ANALYSIS BY ENVIRONMENTAL KUZNETS CURVE

Nahid Hossain

Graduate School of Environmental and Life Engineering

Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan

Department of Socio-Economic Planning, Toyohashi University of Technology, Hibarigaoka 1-1, Tempaku Cho, Toyohashi City, Aichi, Japan 441-8580, Tel. +81-532-47-0111.

e mail: nahid453@gmail.com

and

Yuzuru Miyata

Graduate School of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan

Department of Socio-Economic Planning, Toyohashi University of Technology, Hibarigaoka 1-1, Tempaku Cho, Toyohashi City, Aichi, Japan 441-8580.

Tel. +81-532-47-0111. e mail: miyata@hse.tut.ac.jp

Abstract:

Agglomeration of economic activities and decline in rural population are expanding city size in Japan. Chubu region is developing as a center for manufacturing and seaport related economic activities and Toyohashi, a mid-sized city in the region, is becoming a successful area for manufacturing and trading. As a result, alike other cities of Japan, the city is growing vertically and substantial daily output of waste by city dwellers is creating difficult situation to endorse proper processing technology and space for landfill. Mid-sized cities are facing difficult situation to combat such waste as the trend of generation, composition, and relevant management remain complicated. This paper provides an overview of municipal solid waste situation in Toyohashi city and estimates effectiveness of central and local level initiatives to manage the dilemma. The results of the study show that from 1980 to 2005, increase in municipal solid wastes generation can be explained by the growth in per capita EL. Evidences from Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) analysis reflect the effectiveness of governmental initiatives. The study also finds that technology of waste to power is effective even in a mid-sized city. The shortcoming of the study can be described as the limitation in research sample and data influence on the results coming out from market orientation. Technology mix and variety in direction toward the waste generation, disposal and economic benefit analysis was not taken care of by the study.

NETWORKED SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION INEQUALITIES IN BORDER AREAS

Vassileios Vescoukis

School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, National Technical University Athens,

Heroon Polytechniou str. 9, Zographou Campus, 15780 Athens

v.vescoukis@cs.ntua.gr

and

Anastasia Stratigea

School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, National Technical University Athens,

Heroon Polytechniou str. 9, Zographou Campus, 15780 Athens

stratige@central.ntua.gr

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on network integration issues and their potential to support the development of ICTs applications in education in border and peripheral areas. The paper elaborates on the concept of ‘networked school’ as the core of educational applications in such areas, considered as a ‘gate’, through which they can get access to knowledge stock and information outside their frontiers. Such developments can complement traditional educational processes at the primary and secondary school level, but also enhance vocational training prospects in less privileged regions.