Digital Commons Network^™

Tourism And Life Quality Perceptions Of Local People: A Comparative Research In Thermal Tourism Destinations, Ahmet Cetin, Esra Katircioglu, Mehmet Boyraz, Hülya Mutlu, Hasan Huseyin Soybali

Journal of Mediterranean Tourism Research

The purpose of the research is to reveal locals’ perceptions and attitudes toward tourism development in thermal tourism destinations, as well as to determine whether these perceptions and attitudes differ depending on the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Accordingly, seven hypotheses were constructed. The population of the research is formed by residents living in thermal tourism cities in the North Aegean Region. The study was designed as quantitative, and the survey method was used as the data collection tool. Using the convenience sampling method, 827 questionnaires in total were collected from locals living in Afyonkarahisar, Denizli, and Kütahya between the …

A Systems Approach For Improving The Performance Of Rural Community-Managed Water Systems Using Siasar: Case Studies In Bolivia And Colombia, Rachel A. Cannon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Globally, the focus of environmental engineers and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) professionals in the rural water sector has shifted from building new technology to ensuring long-term functionality of water systems and closing the access gap between urban and rural residents. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the main challenges to ensuring clean water for all rural residents is poor service delivery quality and limited sustainability over time. A common management strategy in the region, and globally, is community-management, where community members manage, operate, and maintain the water system through cost sharing and financial management. The failure of community-managed water …

Stakeholder Experiences With Arts-Based University-Community Partnerships In General Education, Veronica Leone Matthews

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

University-community partnerships (UCPs) have significant potential as a way for universities to connect with communities and provide students with High Impact Practices (HIPs). Despite over 20 years of literature calling for increased community engagement, institutions of higher education have been slow to integrate UCPs into the General Education curriculum. Certain components have been identified as necessary for the effectiveness and sustainability of UCPs. However, little is known about the experiences and perceptions of key stakeholders including students, faculty, and community partners who participate in arts-based UCPs. This study investigated these stakeholders’ perceptions regarding participating in arts-based UCPs as part of …

Ethical Product Havens In The Global Diamond Trade: Using The Wayback Machine To Evaluate Ethical Market Outcomes, Trina Hamilton, Seth Cavello

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Who benefits from ethical product markets? While most ethical products (e.g. fair trade and eco-certified products) are intended to benefit marginalized communities and vulnerable ecosystems, the reality is that the geographic preferences exhibited by so-called ethical markets may, in fact, reinforce global inequities rather than remedy them. It can be difficult to evaluate the outcomes of ethical product markets, however, because we are often limited to data from a small number of industries with widely used standards and certifications. This research pilots a new methodology, using an online archive—the Wayback Machine, to evaluate shifts in countries' ethical market share, focusing …

Networks In The Norm Life Cycle And The Diffusion Of Environmental Norms, James E. Fry

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this research, I analyze how Transnational Municipal Networks (TMNs) and cities affect the diffusion and transmission of a decarbonization norm. Urban policy and political science scholars assert that cities and their networks are influential in implementing internationally coordinated environmental policy. However, few projects have analyzed how local actors may diffuse environmental norms that have been developed in the international system. Using the norm life cycle, this research explores the transmission of a decarbonization norm by means of GHG measurement and mitigation. I identify two critical objectives associated with a decarbonization norm: establishing a system for monitoring GHG emissions and …

The Future Of Urbanization And Climate Change, April 2020, Makeyla Hayes

Monteverde Institute: Culture, Community, and Health

Urbanization is an inevitable process that affects all countries and major cities. As societies continue to adapt to urban development, the environment is left defenseless to these changes. Through environmental, economical, and social analysis, this case study of Boston – the capital city of Massachusetts – examines the impact of urban growth and development on climate change. Urban areas are densely populated and constantly experience population growth and overpopulation, making them more vulnerable to climate change. Unsustainable practices and living increases the impact that communities and residents have on the environment. Environmental gentrification has been implemented to resolve the consequences …

Does Environment Really Matter? The Impact Of Corporate Social Responsibility Perspective On Istanbul Chain Hotels, Aysin Pasamehmetoglu, Mustafa Mehmet Gokoglu

Journal of Global Business Insights

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective has been embraced by various countries. This perspective directly affects the behavior of organizations in different countries. Environmental, cultural and employee related issues create a suitable platform for those countries which lack certain aspects of dealing with the related problems. This also creates a general perspective where managerial practices of organizations are redesigned in light of universal standards of CSR. From this standpoint, organizational response to CSR problems is driven by the universal standards. Nevertheless, specific dimensions of CSR may dominate managerial practices paving the way for different kinds of practices to be forefront in …

Perceptions Of Infrastructure, Flood Management, And Environmental Redevelopment In The University Area, Hillsborough County, Florida, Kris-An K. Hinds

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The University Area (UA), a low-income, unincorporated neighborhood in Hillsborough County, Florida, is a site of sustainable redevelopment by the local government and nonprofit organizations. Throughout the past decade, the transitions in local and state political climates have significantly impacted the residents’ ability to advocate for infrastructural and environmental improvement to the site. This thesis discusses the findings of a research project dedicated to exploring resident perspectives of stormwater management, infrastructure, and the redevelopment currently occurring the University Area. Drawing from theoretical concepts in political ecology, environmental justice, and the interplay of agency and structure, this research investigates the impacts …

Ongoing Efforts In Implementing An Educational Intelligent Robotic Garden System, Elise Araiza, Ryan Integlia

Florida Conference on Recent Advances in Robotics

This project will focus on bringing together interactive education, recreation, and gardening to promote education in gardening through robotic and interactive gaming systems. The system would be beneficial in a community environment and will be used as a community resource. By using recycled materials including robotic vacuums and computers as well as new materials, including microcomputers and game interfaces. This system will combine the complexity of machines and the simplicity of nature’s plants. To gain educational human-machine interaction, an open sourced game involving machines and horticulture will be included that is related to the environment. Learning can also be included …

Increasing The Supply Of The Missing Middle Housing Types In Walkable Urban Core Neighborhoods: Risk, Risk Reduction And Capital, Shrimatee Ojah Maharaj

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There is a low supply of the missing middle housing types (MMH) in walkable urban core neighborhoods. That is, a variety of compact low- to mid-rise housing in walkable areas that are accessible to entertainment, recreational and other amenities. The largest demographic, the millennials, followed by the baby boomers, prefer the MMH types. The MMH types is a new name for a variety of compact housing types that existed in traditional neighborhoods in urban areas pre-World War II. However, due to changes in housing preferences after World War II, the requisite land use and zoning changes facilitated larger single-family homes …

Development And Application Of Decision-Making Tool For Rural Spring-Sourced Gravity-Fed Community Managed Water Systems, Oswaldo Galicia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

People all over the world still lack access to safe drinking water service. Those with access experience several issues during the first few years of installation that impede on their overall access. In order to improve water services, not only is a proper decision-making tool necessary, taking into account key factors that impact sustainable water service, but proper monitoring and evaluation is also important in ensuring service for the long term. There are several developed assessment tools used for monitoring and evaluation of water systems post-construction, applicable in various scenarios. However, there are only few tools available to facilitate the …

The Hiv Seers Project: A Qualitative Analysis Of Program Facilitators’ Experience, Tiffany Chenneville, Kemesha Gabbidon, Hunter Drake

Psychology Faculty Publications

HIV-related stigma creates barriers to HIV testing, medication adherence, and retention in care. Guided by the principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and in collaboration with community health workers (CHWs), the Stigma-reduction through Education, Empowerment, and Research (SEERs) project was developed with and for youth living in Nakuru, Kenya to reduce HIV-related stigma. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of the CHWs serving as SEERs facilitators. To evaluate SEERs, 37 facilitators completed open-ended survey questions to gather their experiences and recommendations for future program implementation and sustainability. Participants’ mean age was 30.58 (standard deviation = …

Pursuing Resilience Of Coastal Communities Through Sustainable And Integrated Urban Water Management, Pacia Díaz

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reliability of water supply in the urban setting has become essential for communities to function and thrive. It is needed for more than mere human consumption and well-being. Although modern cities have water treatment and distribution systems, pressures from urbanization, population growth and the anticipated pressures of climate change are affecting the quality of water supply and the reliability of treatment and distribution systems. There is therefore an urgent need to take appropriate measures to improve the resilience of water supply systems before the impacts are irreversible.

Improving the resilience of water supply systems can be a challenge. In the …

Crow's Nest, October 15, 2018, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The October 15, 2018, issue of the Crow's Nest.

School Leadership And Appreciative Inquiry In Culture Of Care, Anthony Jones

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project was part of a group project completed by five school and district administrators in Hillsborough County, Florida. The project began because of our passion for teachers who are able to establish a culture of care in their classrooms that support students academically but transform their learning through experiences that enable them to be more highly engaged and productive students, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, perceived academic abilities, and backgrounds.

My focus in this group project was an exploration of how Walker Middle Magnet School became more diverse while increasing student achievement during the conversion to a ‘reverse …

Exploring Transit’S Contribution To Livability In Rural Communities: Case Studies Of The North Dakota Cities Of Valley City And Dickinson, Ranjit Godavarthy, Jeremy Mattson

Journal of Public Transportation

This paper investigates the nexus of transit and rural livability as demonstrated by case studies in the North Dakota communities of Valley City and Dickinson. While there are many factors that influence the livability of a rural community, transit is believed to be an important contributor. For each of the two North Dakota communities considered, public/resident surveys, local transit rider surveys, and stakeholder interviews were conducted to understand differing opinions on livability and how transit contributes to livability.

In both Valley City and Dickinson, surveys of residents showed that they believe affordable housing, low crime, quality healthcare, overall cost of …

Policing The Riverfront: Urban Revanchism As Sustainability, Jared J. Austin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An unnoticed shift is underway in the revanchist model of accumulation by dispossession (Harvey, 2005) that is rebranding the neoliberal reorganization of space and economic growth. I call this shift “Urban Revanchism as Sustainability,” following Mike Davis and Daniel Monk (2007). In this study, I describe how Tampa elites, led by Democratic Mayor Bob Buckhorn, use politically popular discourses of ‘sustainability’, ‘walkability’, ‘bike-ability’, among others, to coopt the rhetoric and symbols of social and environmental justice as cover for urban capital accumulation. I describe how in the wake of 2008 which devastated Tampa, and in the context of the subsequent …

Cutr Connections [January 2018], Cutr

CUTR Newsletters

No abstract provided.

2018 Accountability Plan Tampa, Usf

USF Accountability Reports

No abstract provided.

The Spirit Of Friendship: Girlfriends In Contemporary African American Literature, Tangela La'chelle Serls

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Spirit of Friendship: Girlfriends in Contemporary African American Literature examines spiritual subjectivities that inspire girlfriends in three contemporary novels to journey towards actualization. It examines the girlfriend bond as a space where the Divine Spirit can flourish and assist girlfriends as they seek to become actualized. This project raises epistemological questions as it suggests that within the girlfriend dynamic, knowledge that is traditionally subjugated is formed and refined. Finally, girlfriend epistemology is considered in light of Black Girl Magic, a contemporary social and cultural movement among Black women.

The Fate Of Fecal Indicator Bacteria In Passive Nitrogen Reduction Systems, Michelle B. Henderson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The sustainability of water resources is an international and national concern. With increased human activity, water distribution on a global, regional, and local scale has been negatively impacted. Managing water resources also includes managing wastewater. A promising solution to the issues of water scarcity and distribution in the environment is the reuse of wastewater. Wastewater is produced from various sources (domestic, industrial, and commercial); however, if this water is able to be reused closer to the source of generation it could positively impact water distribution. In the United States, approximately 25% of domestic wastewater is treated in onsite wastewater treatment …

Potential Impacts Of Accelerated Sea-Level Rise And Hurricane-Induced Storm Surge In Western Pasco County, Florida, Kittiya Harris

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sea levels have risen approximately 20 cm since the beginning of the 20th century and more than 3 cm in the past 20 years, suggesting that global sea level rise is accelerating. As sea levels continue to rise and storms become more intense, coastal property and populations become more susceptible to damage. Florida is especially vulnerable to hurricane-induced storm surge (HSS) and the onset of accelerated sea-level rise (ASLR) due to its extensive coastline and high population density along the coast. The main purpose of this research is to assess the potential economic impacts of ASLR and HSS for two …

Ngo Organizing For Environmental Sustainability In Brazil: Meaningful Work, Commonality, And Contradiction, Marlene Marchiori, Patrice M. Buzzanell

Communication Faculty Publications

Through our case study of a Brazilian not-for-profit focused on sustainability initiatives, we expand knowledge about communicative labor in different Brazilian organizational environments, especially in the third (nonprofit/nongovernmental) sector. Based on a case study for which thematic analyses of in-depth interviews with the entire nongovernmental organization (NGO), including its board and staff, were conducted, we found three communicative labor processes that displayed how members entered into, thought about, performed, embodied, and sustained interaction in ways that are considered to be a hallmark of the particular Brazilian third-sector organization that we studied. The three processes of communicative labor—depicting NGO work as …

How Lessons From A Past Disaster Can Influence Resilience And Climate Adaptation In Broward County, Florida, Hannah Rose Torres

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the face of future uncertainties, many places are struggling with decisions about how to prepare for and adapt to climate change. The purpose of this research is to shed light on the concept of resilience, and uncover lessons for resilience-building exposed by a past disaster, Hurricane Wilma.

The dissertation begins with an introduction (Chapter 1) detailing the research problem, key terms and overall research design. The study was conducted in three distinct phases. The first phase (Chapter 2), explored the concept of resilience to understand how it was defined in three South Florida communities. Content analyses of city and …

Reducing Caregiver Burden: Fostering Healthy Aging And Social Support, Maria A. Rodriguez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over 43.5 million Americans provide informal care to a fast-growing elderly population in the United States. Informal care allows care-recipients to remain functional members of society. However, research suggests that the demands of informal care can negatively impact the health of caregivers. For example, caregiver burden increases the risk for poor health in caregivers compared to non-caregivers. Caregiving research is on the rise, but the dynamics of informal care in active retirement communities remains widely unexplored. To provide adequate services to lessen caregiver burden and improve the Quality of Life (QoL) of informal caregivers, the various settings in which informal …

What Makes Water Policy Sustainable? An Analysis Of Water Policy In Us Cities, Rebecca Brady David

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation works to create a clearer understanding of sustainability in water policy. Current water policy in four US cities was compared to a matrix of recommended sustainability themes that have been presented in the literature to determine the extent of which these themes have been implemented into water policy. To best analyze policy for sustainability it is necessary to look at the policy of cities that are considered sustainable. This was determined by a city’s inclusion in “Most Sustainable US Cities” lists. The two cities that best represented sustainability were Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA. The research also …

Campus Moves Forward With Green Revolving Fund, Delaney Brown, Crow's Nest Staff

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) Water Refill Stations

An article about the creation of the Green Revolving Fund at USF St. Petersburg to support new green projects on campus. This article was originally published in volume 48, issue 4 of The Crow's Nest on February 6, 2017.

Career Plateauing Among Senior Librarians., Tina M. Neville, Deborah B. Henry

USF St. Petersburg Campus Faculty Publications

Using an online survey and semi-structured interviews, senior academic librarians were asked to reflect on the factors that keep them personally fulfilled and on how they remain motivated to make positive contributions to their organization. Motivations include esteem of colleagues and supervisors, variety in their work, salary, opportunities to learn new skills, increasing responsibility, and working with students and faculty. 59% percent of the survey respondents ranked their job satisfaction at 8 (on a scale of 1—10, with 10 the most satisfied). Using Bardwick’s definitions of plateauing, 60% of the 20 librarians interviewed did not feel that they were content-plateaued.

Local And Diverse Economies As A Driver Of Sustainability: A Perspective From Us Cities, Alita M. Kane

USF St. Petersburg campus Master's Theses (Graduate)

Across the nation cities are currently seeking new methods of economic development that fit into the sustainable development framework. This search is due in part to the recognition that traditional methods of economic development have left many cities vulnerable to economic downturn and environmental deterioration. The question is what types of economies can foster sustainability in a city? This research explores the concept that localized and diverse economies could be a potential driver of sustainability. The ability of localized and diverse economies to increase economic autonomy and viability has been explored by many researchers but their relationship with sustainability has …

2017 Work Plan Usf Tampa, Usf

USF Accountability Reports

No abstract provided.