Suchergebnisse

THIS ARTICLE ARGUES THAT THE WESTERN CONCEPT OF PLURALISM, WITH SOME QUALIFICATIONS, CAN BE APPLIED TO CHINESE CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT; IT ANALYZES THE DILEMMAS OF THE REFORM PROCESS SO FAR; AND IT EVALUATES FUTURE POSSIBILITIES. THE ARTICLE ALSO EXAMINES THE FORMATION AND LIMITATIONS OF CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC PLURALISM, AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE FOR PARTY PLURALISM IN CHINA. THE NEW "ARTS OF RULE" THAT HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO RECONCILE DIVERSITY AND PLURALITY WITH UNITY AND STABILITY ARE ALSO OUTLINED.

This report is a product of the research project 'Assessing the Impact of Solar PV and A/C Waste Heat on Urban Heat Island Effects' along with an extension of the Microclimate and Urban Heat Island Mitigation Decision-Support Tool (UHI-DS Tool) (http://uhimitigationindex.be.unsw.edu.au/uhitool/login.html). Initiated by the Energy Efficiency Decision-Making Mode (EEDMN), this project addresses the urban policy and development assessment need for understanding the interrelationship of solar PV applications, A/C waste heat, urban and building typologies, and urban overheating effects. This report outlines the key findings of the project by highlighting a set of interrelated attributes and their impacts on the outdoor and indoor thermal environments, based on a literature review of existing research and a case study of Macarthur Heights greenfield development in Western Sydney. Project outcomes provide evidence to inform government policy and a holistic approach to assessing urban planning and development.Findings from this project show that solar PV (with current energy conversion efficiencies) and A/C waste heat can contribute to outdoor air temperature increases while UHI mitigation strategies such as cool roofs and a combination of these mitigation options contribute to the outdoor air temperature reductions at the city and precinct scale. The impacts are influenced by not only the solar PV energy conversion efficiency, but also urban and building typologies, and local microclimate characteristics. Solar PV helps reduce peak electricity demand, however, the solar PV electricity generation potential decreases during extreme heat events compared to typical summer days.Existing literature suggests that the future improvement of solar PV energy conversion efficiency could potentially lead to air temperature deceases due to the significant reduction of excess heat release to the surrounding environment. The improved solar PV electricity generation potential could also significantly reduce carbon emissions, thereby mitigating larger scale climate change challenges.Hence, recommendations for government intervention options need to carefully consider the specific local development context and microclimatic conditions when developing solar PV strategies and UHI mitigation options.

This study proposes a measurement and evaluation approach for community resilience to flood disasters using a set of biophysical and socioeconomic indices. It identifies geographic and thematic areas where policy interventions are most critical. The study applies this approach in selected barangays (the smallest administrative units) in the Santa Rosa-Silang subwatershed in the Laguna Lake region of the Philippines. Results suggest that in order to enhance resilience, it is necessary to strengthen the institutional capacity of barangays to formulate and implement disaster risk reduction initiatives as a legitimate part of their overall land-use-based development plans. Disaster risk reduction initiatives should place equal attention on both ex ante and ex post measures. Ex ante measures include putting in place regular community disaster awareness and preparedness programs that would emphasize the cost of a disaster, the value of participation and volunteerism, as well as livelihood and savings formation. Ex post measures include enhancing the capabilities of emergency facilities and services by providing permanent and volunteer personnel with regular training and equipment. Resource constraints could be addressed by maximizing strong linkages between local government units, academics and non-governmental organizations to enable financial, material, and knowledge transfer. Bridging institutional relationships with nearby barangays and strengthening their bonds with local networks of residents, leaders, and organizations may also help to spread the cost of reducing disaster risk and to promote resilience.