Digital Commons Network^™

Balancing Authenticity And Adaptive Reuse : Resident-Centric Conservation Strategies For Huizhou Traditional Dwellings, Weiyi Zhang, Nooriati Taib, Mariati Taib

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Amid rapid urbanization and modernization, traditional Huizhou dwellings face significant challenges in balancing the preservation of architectural authenticity with the practical needs of adaptive reuse. This study investigates the tensions between maintaining cultural and structural integrity and meeting evolving lifestyle and functional demands. Adopting a resident-centered perspective, the research employs a quantitative survey method, collecting 390 valid responses from two UNESCO-listed villages. A structural equation model (SEM) is used to examine the influence of conservation status, government policy, value recognition, and authenticity on residents’ perceptions of adaptive reuse. While findings indicate strong resident support for preserving traditional architectural styles and …

A Comparative Analysis Of 21st Century Housing Development Planning In Asian Metropolises, Montouch Maglumtong, Kundoldibya Panitchpakdi, Querida Khotcharee

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Housing development planning in the 21st century involves addressing diverse challenges and opportunities across different regions of the world. Asia is the fastest-growing economic region, with many metropolises containing vast housing and urban development, including high-density living, aging populations, economic disparities, and natural disasters. This article aims to analyze and compare the housing development in the 21st century in major Asian metropolises, including Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore, and Bangkok, specifically in terms of housing policies, housing organizations, and laws and regulations. The study used secondary data from documents, research, theses, and related articles, along with interviews of experts to synthesize the …

Dwelling With The Fault : Cultural Landscape And Spatial Formation In Kampung Batu Lonceng, Indonesia, Widjaja Martokusumo, Rr. Diah Asih Purwaningrum, Medria Shekar Rani, M. Zaini Dahlan, Budi Faisal, Izazaya Binta, Irwan Meilano, Hirohide Kobayashi

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Since UNESCO formalized the concept of cultural landscapes in 1992, heritage discourse has shifted from monument-centric approaches toward values-based perspectives that foreground the dynamic interplay among people, place, and ecology. Within this framework, cultural landscapes offer a critical lens for understanding rural settlements not only as spatial configurations but also as embodiments of intangible knowledge and ecological adaptation.  This study investigates Kampung Batu Lonceng, a vernacular settlement situated along the active Lembang Fault in West Java, Indonesia. With historical traces dating back to the Neolithic period, the kampung exemplifies how spatial formation is shaped simultaneously by geomorphological vulnerabilities and long-standing …

An Educational Framework For The Disruptive Technologies And Their Integration In The Un Sdgs Curriculum, Tulsi Pawan Fowdur, Aishani Radhakeesoon

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Disruptive technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT, cloud computing, and blockchain are revolutionizing life on our planet and at the same time contributing immensely towards sustainable development and the achievement of the UN SDGs. Nowadays, optimizing the management of resources in various fields such as manufacturing, education, health, transportation etc. in a much more efficient way is possible. This can be achieved by capturing a wealth of real-time data via IoT sensors with the ultra-reliable and low latency connections provided by 5G. Additionally, with cloud computing, blockchain, and AI, these real-time systems can securely transmit, store, and analyze a massive …

The Impacts Of Technology-Led Event Sustainability Consumption Values On Personal Social Responsibility And Collective Psychological Outcomes, Man Fung, Stephanie Lee

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

This study investigates how technology-led event sustainability consumption values (TESCVs) influence attendees’ attitudes toward sustainable music events, personal social responsibility, and collective psychological outcomes. Surveying 450 participants at technologically advanced music events in South Korea, it identifies technology-led accessibility, emotional, epistemic, and social values significantly influencing attitudes toward sustainable events. These positive attitudes correlate with increased social well-being, global identity, and civic engagement through personal social responsibility. Environmental activism partially moderated effects, but collectivism orientation did not significantly affect the outcomes. Findings highlight TESCVs’ role in promoting a sustainable event culture, offering insights for researchers, event organizers, and destination marketers.

From Choice To Justice: Examining The Intertwined Oppression Of Abortion Restriction And Family Policing, Casey Callahan

Public Interest Law Reporter

No abstract provided.

When Coalitions Do Not Form: The Disability Movement And The Sustainability Movement In Congressional Hearings, Samantha Lavenhagen

American Studies Honors Papers

This thesis examines why and how the disability issue network has traditionally been excluded from the legislative process. The integration of the disability issue network into congressional hearings demonstrates larger themes of power and respect in politics and society. Whether through quotes, statements for the record, or testifying as a witness, issue networks influence lawmakers and lawmaking, building and maintaining relationships with Congress Members and other issue networks. This integration of the disability issue network into congressional hearings reveals larger themes of power and respect in politics and society. More specifically, this thesis investigates the absence of disability organizations from …

Navigating Acculturation: Opportunities, Challenges, And Community Support For African Immigrants In The U.S., Sharitah Nalule

Theses and Dissertations

African immigrants in the United States encounter complex acculturation challenges that are often shaped by systemic barriers such as language exclusion, financial insecurity, limited employment access, and time-restricted support services. This qualitative study explores how African immigrants experience the acculturation process and how community-based programs support or fall short in supporting their acculturation. Semi-structured individual interviews with Somali immigrants and community practitioners in the Midwest. While most African immigrant narratives reflect the experiences of Somali immigrants, practitioners provide insight into the broader African immigrant population based on their work with diverse African immigrant clients. Findings revealed three central themes: (1) …

Reimagining Public Art In Thailand : Policy, Practice And Sustainability, Pawinee Boonserm, Nantida Chandransu

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This research examines how governments promote public art through funding, mandate spaces and research support using international case studies. However, challenges such as centralized funding and restrictions on artistic expression persist. The study proposes a framework for "public art" within fine arts, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable practices in Thailand. It underscores the importance of collaborative creativity, community engagement, and policy advocacy for a thriving public art landscape. Findings reveal the potential of public art to address societal challenges, foster social healing, and contribute to cultural preservation and economic development. Recommendations include promoting decentralized, community-led initiatives, establishing supportive policies, and …

Bridging Gaps With Occupational Therapy: The Unique Role Of Occupational Therapy In Women’S Day Shelters, Alex Sato

Doctoral Projects

Homelessness is a multifaceted, complex issue that we face as a society. Mainstream services provided to homeless or vulnerable populations tend to focus on housing and basic services. While these are essential and meaningful, literature suggests there is a lack in trauma and self-care support (Marzana et al., 2023; Milaney et al., 2020). Looking through an Occupational Therapy (OT) lens, there are a multitude of ways the profession can provide holistic care. Current OT service provision within this population most commonly focuses on obtaining and maintaining housing and addressing the survival occupations these individuals may be engaging in (Cunningham & …

The Effects Of Calcium Availability On Growth And Calcium Content Of Hydroponic Daikon Radish Microgreens, Cory Michael Reichmuth

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Microgreens are young, edible seedlings harvested upon emergence of the first true leaf. Their popularity is growing as a nutritionally dense food source that can be grown quickly in space-efficient systems. However, little is known about optimal cultivation practices and the effects of fertilization on growth and nutrition of microgreens. This study investigates the role of calcium (Ca) fertilization in optimizing the growth, yield, and nutrient content of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus) microgreens. A hydroponic system was designed to consistently deliver nutrient solution to microgreens grown in a closed-environment chamber. This study tested different Ca fertilization rates of 0, 5, …

Studentification And Off-Campus Housing: A Case Study Of Grand Forks Near-Campus Neighborhoods, Alva Lindstroem

Theses and Dissertations

With national trends in higher education experiencing dwindling enrollments and personal economies increasingly strained, the University of North Dakota (UND) has grown to become the biggest public higher education institution in North Dakota, having effectively bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic drop in enrollment. Grand Forks, North Dakota, is the host of UND and home to a student body of over 14,000 as of 2023 fall semester. This study focuses on; to what extent is studentification taking place in Grand Forks, ND; and how the observed housing- and demographic patterns in Grand Forks align with, or diverge from, the broader …

Digital Transformation: The Need For A Sustainable Green Culture In African Higher Education Institutions, Cheryl Akinyi Genga, Sunday Samson Babalola

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Digital transformation (DT) continuously affects individuals and organisations. African Higher Education Institutions (AHEIs) must prioritise robust IT infrastructure to enhance research, modernise teaching, and improve learning experiences in the digital era. Despite policies and programs promoting digital education, AHEIs face challenges in fully implementing DT because of unimplemented policies and the persistent digital divide. DT, driven by technological progress, is crucial for achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals. This includes integrating sustainability into curricula, assessing institutional leaders' commitment to sustainability, and adopting eco-friendly campus practices. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are strategic concerns affecting institutional culture, research, teaching, and …

Collections As Data: A Data Literacy Tool For Community Engagement, Daria Orlowska, Lynn Houghton

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

The Collections as Data initiative begun by Thomas Padilla strives to reframe digital objects as data that is community-oriented, contextualized for easy reusability, and empowering reimagination in creative ways. In an effort to increase the accessibility of University Libraries archival collections to researchers and students, we began investigating the feasibility of this initiative on our campus using the digitized South Haven Lighthouse Log Collection as a starting point. The lighthouse logs are a series of digitized journals originally compiled at South Pierhead Light in South Haven, Michigan, recording passing vessels, weather remarks and lighthouse expenditures between 1878-1892. A collection assessment …

Comparative Analysis Of Community Solar Energy Programs For Developing Sustainable Solar Initiatives In Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky, Benjamin Kokkonen, Nelson Stone, Widodo Tri Saputro

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The transition to renewable energy is a critical policy priority for Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky, as the city aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. However, expanding solar energy presents a complex challenge: increasing renewable energy capacity while preserving the county’s prime agricultural land. This capstone examines how community solar programs in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey can inform the development of a sustainable and equitable solar initiative in Lexington.

Using a comparative program analysis of three state-level community solar models, the research evaluates policies on site selection, financial incentives, equity measures, regulatory enforcement, and program implementation. Findings indicate …

The Politics Of Memory: The Memorialization Of Student Protests And The Archive, Jane Orkand Lovett

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis explores the politics of memory and archival power in student activism at Scripps College, arguing that archives are active sites where social power is negotiated and contested. Using frameworks of institutional versus collective memory and John Gaventa’s three dimensions of power, it examines how architectural, digital, and physical archives shape narratives of resistance and institutional authority. Case studies, including the Drop Sodexo campaign, Scripps Graffiti Wall, and the Liberation Through Education movement, demonstrate how students use archives to assert agency, counter institutional narratives, and sustain political momentum. The study highlights the co-optation of activism by institutional actors and …

Minnesota School Boards Association Communications Internship, Anna Houston

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

My internship at Minnesota School Boards Association allowed me to gain more experience within the communications field. This internship allowed me to see how current communications professionals are working within the non-profit sector that isn’t directly related to environmental matters. It was beneficial to learn from these experts while improving on my hard and soft skills within the communications field. This will help show future employers that I didn’t just study communications, but I actively practiced this work within the communications field. The Minnesota School Boards Association is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1920 in St. Peter MN. The …

Ski Resorts And Rural Energy Resiliency: How Colorado’S Ski Industry Could Help Reduce Energy Vulnerability In Rural Mountain Communities, Jonathan Skule

Colorado Environmental Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Valuing Nature-Based Solutions: Caye Caulker, Belize (Report No. 11), J. M.S. Delevaux, C. Dario, N. Batista, J. Olaya-Restrepo, D. Mcdougall, M. Vernon, C. Gibson, M. Lee Hing, M. Requena

Strong Coasts Collection

On October 25th 2025, 89 persons, including 78 residents from 11 communities, 11 representatives from 9 organizations, gathered in Placencia for a collaborative workshop aimed at sharing results on co- benefits and values from priority areas for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) pertaining to mangroves and coral reefs, particularly mapping and valuing mangroves NbS, resident perceptions toward mangroves on private property, and coral reef NbS fisheries supply chains. We also gathered input from the community to identify management options for coral NbS based on criteria previously identified from workshops (such as coral health, tourism and recreational fisheries hotspots, and social-culturally important areas). …

Fiduciary Ecosystems: Benefit Corporation Shareholder And Statutory Duties, Jeff Lingwall, Susan Park, Emily Klick

Campbell Law Review

This Article examines fiduciary duties in benefit corporations and explores how shareholders, corporate boards, and courts might view the potential conflict between traditional shareholder-centric duties and statutory requirements to consider additional interests in corporate decision-making. To clarify conflicting views in the literature on benefit corporations, we distinguish between the depth of ethical analysis required by corporate boards and the breadth of actions boards may take to follow the conclusions of that analysis without risking fiduciary liability. Using a lens of transaction cost limitations on historical agency doctrines, we differentiate between often overlooked general (shallow) delegation of ethical duties in traditional …

Cultivating A Community-Based Food System In Western Montana, Elaina Lamphere

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Climate Planning, Energy Sovereignty, And Electric Vehicle Perceptions Among Michigan’S Tribal Nations, Alexis Belle Tater

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Climate change will especially impact marginalized communities and communities with less government support for funding climate adaptation actions. The first chapter of this report focuses on climate change responses, specifically Tribal Nations in the state of Michigan. In the current U.S. context, funding for large climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in Tribal Nations can be achieved through federal funding from the CPRG (Climate Pollution Reduction Grant), which requires an established PCAP (Priority Climate Action Plans) to guide decision making in alignment with identified priorities. I discuss the importance of Tribal sovereignty, the potential implications of its inclusion and exclusion …

From Conscientious French Canadian To Enterprising American: Making Memory & Measuring Social Mobility Of French Canadians 1880-1940, Brooke S. Schwaderer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This thesis studies the social mobility of French-Canadian immigrants to the Keweenaw Peninsula 1880-1940 and memory among their descendants to explain how French-Canadian culture in the Keweenaw faded over time. Oral histories were conducted to gain an understanding of the current French-Canadian culture in the Keweenaw, understand how the current generation perceives changes in culture over time, and provide possible explanations for why French-Canadians thrived in the Keweenaw. Tax records from the Michigan Technological University Archives and social mobility scores, mother tongue, and homeownership information from the United States census was analyzed to measure language loss, and the social mobility …

Rural Electrification For Heating And Cooling: Challenges And Opportunities For Equitable Development In The Rural North, Nelly Aghaei

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Abstract

This study examines the opportunities and challenges of electrifying heating and cooling systems in rural northern communities, with a focus on equity and justice. Anchored in three community case studies—Baraga County, Michigan; Ashland and Iron Counties, Wisconsin; and Beltrami and Clearwater Counties, Minnesota—the research investigates socio-economic and infrastructural barriers to electrification in regions historically impacted by extractive industries. These case studies, selected for their shared histories of resource extraction and active participation of Tribal Nations, including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and the Red Lake Reservation, reveal significant disparities in energy access and affordability. Using a mixed-methods approach, …

Addressing Anti-Black Racism In Library And Information Science Curriculum, Amber Matthews

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This paper explores the development of the graduate course Anti-Racism in Library and Information Science that was piloted at Western University in 2022 and 2023. The one-semester (13-week) course was designed with Black-led community organizations and students contributed to anti-racist information and memory work through experiential learning partnerships. The course used critical Library and Information Science (LIS) literature alongside Black Canadian scholarly perspectives that were grounded in anti-oppression and anti-racism frameworks. The course goals were for students to develop an understanding of how race and other structural inequities inform lived experiences and tools to support collaborative community-led projects. The LIS-tailored …

Food Resource Efficiency Decision Support Hub: Workshop 3 - Summary Report, Jennifer Attard, Tracey O'Connor, Simon Patterson, Julia Lessa Feitosa Virgolino, Mina Sadeghzadeh

Publications

FRED is focused on informing policy on food waste prevention using a total food system sustainability approach.

Food Resource Efficiency Decision Support Hub: Workshop 2 - Summary Report, Jennifer Attard, Tracey O'Connor, Simon Patterson, Julia Lessa Feitosa Virgolino, Mina Sadeghzadeh

Publications

FRED is focused on informing policy on food waste prevention using a total food system sustainability approach.

Food Resource Efficiency Decision Support Hub: Workshop 4 - Summary Report, Jennifer Attard, Tracey O'Connor, Simon Patterson, Julia Lessa Feitosa Virgolino, Mina Sadeghzadeh

Publications

FRED is focused on informing policy on food waste prevention using a total food system sustainability approach.

Food Resource Efficiency Decision Support Hub: Food System Stakeholder Needs Identification, Jennifer Attard, Tracey O'Connor, Simon Patterson, Julia Lessa Feitosa Virgolino, Mina Sadeghzadeh

Publications

Understanding the needs of everyone in the food system is vital to solving the food waste problem. If interventions are misaligned with stakeholder needs, the resultant impact will be highly diminished and/or will result in unintended consequences. We there fore conducted significant stakeholder engagement to identify and prioritise stakeholder needs.

Isapa 2025: Program Guide, Catherine Carty, Gerard Masdeu Yelamos

Publications

ISAPA 2025 is a landmark international event that brings together global leaders, researchers, practitioners, and advocates in Adapted Physical Activity to ignite systemic change under the unifying theme “Shifting the Dial: From Awareness to Transformation.” Hosted in Kerry, Ireland, under the patronage of UNESCO, the symposium integrates five major events into one dynamic platform.

The program reflects IFAPA’s mission to advance inclusion, research, professional excellence, and international cooperation, while also contributing meaningfully to the implementation of global frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris 2024 Call …