Digital Commons Network^™

The Rainbow Nation Goes Dark: Unjust Energy Production And Load Shedding In South Africa, Grace E. Yearwood

Student Theses 2015-Present

Numerous inequalities experienced by South Africans right now are a result of the country’s previous apartheid government. One example is South Africa’s current energy distribution, which is extremely inequitable across communities due to the structurally failing energy grid and corruption within the government. Energy distribution in South Africa encapsulates the practice of load shedding, which is essentially controlled rolling electrical blackouts. Chapter One examines quantitative data regarding energy production and distribution in South Africa, including the details of load shedding. Moreover, this chapter explores the negative relationship between energy production, load shedding, and ecosystem services. The quantitative data lays the …

Dust To Dream, Brenda Meloto De Oliveira

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis explores the design and implementation of a holistic housing initiative to address the needs of economically disadvantaged populations in Sertão do Moxotó, Pernambuco. Situated in an arid region with limited resources, the project provides not only shelter but also community spaces, educational opportunities, and essential services to improve local living standards.

The region’s history of resilience is reflected in its vernacular architecture, which uses materials like adobe, rammed earth, and thatch—offering sustainable, climate-adapted solutions. Yet, basic amenities remain out of reach for many. Community-led initiatives, non-monetary systems, and vocational training help bridge these gaps and empower individuals to …

Contesting The City Through Sustainability Discourse: A Joint Archival And Interview Analysis Of City Planning In Louisville, Kentucky., Calvin Grant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability is a part of a global discourse cast as a universal, technocratic solution to the climate crisis in need of a receptive public and active local adaptation. In many cases, language espousing sustainable development ideals and policy implementation promotes a perspective of scientific neutrality that overlooks socio-politically grounded discourses. This joint archival and interview-centered discourse analysis demonstrates that official sustainability discourse in Louisville’s Comprehensive Plan 2040 was produced through a carefully moderated consensus among planners and select stakeholders. Such consensus prioritizes the perspectives and agency of policy experts, business leaders, and others who have “recognized speech” of authority, while …

Expanding Incoming First-Year Students’ Knowledge With Campus Sustainability Education And Efforts At Higher Education Institutions, Katie Gorman

Masters Projects

The purpose of this project is to address the lack of guidance, support, and opportunities incoming first year students have in learning about campus sustainability and environmental efforts and education despite increasing student interest regarding these topics. Providing more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming opportunities that are available to all students before their arrival on campus can support an easier transition for incoming first year students to their respective institutions. This project creates a plan for institutions to implement a set of interventions and initiatives that allow students the ability and opportunity to further their learning in these topics.

The Living Campus: Landscaping With Purpose At St. Mary's, Karelen Bastida, Alyana Estes, Erick Jarquin, Elijah Perez

Presentations - 2025

This project focuses on evaluating and improving current landscaping and waste management practices at the Casa Maria community to create a sustainable model that can be scaled across the broader campus.

Future Cities: Exploring Circularity For Sustainable Urban Cities, Benjamin Moral

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

In an era marked by rapid urbanization, the imperative of sustainability looms large for future cities. The growing global urban population portends increased resource demand, environmental stress, and socio-economic challenges, compelling a shift towards circularity. Circular principles, aimed at minimizing waste and optimizing resource use, embody a regenerative vision for urban spaces. While this concept gains traction worldwide, comprehensive studies simplifying its application are scarce. This research examines and diagnoses how Circularity can revolutionize urban sustainability, with objectives to evaluate circular economy models and analyses case studies and benefits. Employing an exploratory research design, this study drew data from secondary …

Dynamics Of Nodes: Adaptation Of Interior Places In A Historic Waterfront Community For Sustainability, Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Narongpon Laiprakobsup

Interiority

This study aims to investigate environmental interiority and urban conditions which promote adaptations of nodes as foci of place in the historic, suburban waterfront community. Nodes, existing as strategic places as public activity settings, on the other hand, have been barely examined in terms of the dynamic transition of interior places among urbanisation. The study argues that nodal adaptations taking up dynamic development play crucial functional roles in sustaining a waterfront community in connection with the implementation of place resources and accessible opportunities of new transportation networks. Nodal adaptations lead to the emergence of new functions and place identity in …

Demonstrating The Potential Of Biophilic Design, Sustainable Site Initiatives, And Regenerative Landscape Design To Transform Neglected And Underutilized Spaces Into Vibrant, Eco-Friendly Hubs In Mckeesport Pennsylvania., Chinweuba Stephen Kikanme

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

McKeesport is a city located along Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, about 13 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It is part of the River metropolitan area. McKeesport, once a thriving center of steel production, is now facing significant challenges associated with industrial decline, urban blight, flood hazard, population decline, brownfield sites and environmental degradation. However, the transformation of neglected spaces within the city into sustainable and vibrant urban hubs offers a powerful opportunity for revitalization. By incorporating natural elements such as green roofs, urban agriculture, and native plant restoration, this project seeks to create spaces that not only …

Dismantling Disaster, Death, And Survival In Ecopoetry, Rina Garcia Chua

Kritika Kultura

The Philippines, a country situated close to the equator and in the Pacific Ring of Fire, has been constantly hit by natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, and more. With a good number of local poetry dealing with these natural disasters as themes, is it possible for ecopoetry to provide readers with clear ideas on how to survive these catastrophic events? The major objective of this study is to explore the role of literature in promoting survival through the exploration of death and disaster in poetry. To do this, the different versions of disaster in the poetry of Merlie …

A Novel Approach To Sustainable Behavior Enhancement Through Ai-Driven Carbon Footprint Assessment And Real-Time Analytics, Ahmad Jasim Jasmy, Heba Ismail, Noof Aljneibi

All Works

This research introduces an Artificial Intelligence-driven mobile application designed to help users calculate and reduce their Carbon Footprint (CFP). The proposed system employs an Intelligent Sustainable Behavior Tracking and Recommendation System, analyzing users' carbon emissions from daily activities and suggesting eco-friendly alternatives. It facilitates sustainability discussions through its chat community and educates users on sustainable practices via an intelligent chatbot powered by a sustainability knowledge base. To promote social engagement around sustainability, the application incorporates a competition and reward system. Additionally, it aggregates behavioral data to inform government sustainability policies and address challenges. Emphasizing individual responsibility, the proposed system stands …

Harvesting Connections: A Creative Documentary On Sustainable Food Practices & Community In The Byron Shire, Abigail Wadkins-Daub

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

This research explores the intersection of sustainable food practices and community connection in the Byron Shire, New South Wales Australia. This study specifically focuses on how practices such as composting, organic agriculture, farmers markets, and shared meals encourage both environmental well-being and social bonds. This project is presented as a 21 minute documentary titled Harvesting Connections, which included five semi-structured interviews with community members, including local farmers, home gardeners, market managers, and community garden leaders. Interviews were conducted over a five week period in November 2024, with participants including Sharon Gibson, Dave Forrest, Sue Mangan, Allie Godfrey, and Ahbi. These …

Six Connotations Of Sustainability In Civil And Construction Engineering: A Corpus Linguistics Study, Xiaomei Wang, Andrew South, Brett James Hashimoto, Clifton Farnsworth

Faculty Publications

This research explores the historic use of the concept of sustainability in civil engineering academic literature and identifies its conceptual evolution and connotative treatment over the last 40 years. We find that academic research addressing sustainability is exponentially increasing and that the focus on sustainability is enlarging from a primarily environmental perspective to include more social elements. Additionally, we propose a set of six connotations of sustainability: assessment, progress, permanence, abstractness, multidimensional, and intersectional. These connotations provide conceptual clarity for academics and practitioners in better-defining sustainability objectives and measuring outcomes. These connotations also promote more efficient collaboration with other necessary …

Island-Wide Characterization Of Agricultural Production Challenges The Demographic Collapse Hypothesis For Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Dylan S. Davis, Robert Dinapoli, Gina Pakarati, Carl P. Lipo

Anthropology Faculty Scholarship

Communities in resource-poor areas face health, food production, sustainability, and overall survival challenges. Consequently, they are commonly featured in global debates surrounding societal collapse. Rapa Nui (Easter Is- land) is often used as an example of how overexploitation of limited resources resulted in a catastrophic popula- tion collapse. A vital component of this narrative is that the rapid rise and fall of pre-contact Rapanui population growth rates was driven by the construction and overexploitation of once extensive rock gardens. However, the extent of island-wide rock gardening, while key for understanding food systems and demography, must be better understood. Here, we …

Island-Wide Characterization Of Agricultural Production Challenges The Demographic Collapse Hypothesis For Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Dylan Davis, Robert J. Dinapoli, Gina Pakarati, Terry L. Hunt, Carl P. Lipo

Anthropology Faculty Scholarship

Communities in resource-poor areas face health, food production, sustainability, and overall survival challenges. Consequently, they are commonly featured in global debates surrounding societal collapse. Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is often used as an example of how overexploitation of limited resources resulted in a catastrophic population collapse. A vital component of this narrative is that the rapid rise and fall of pre-contact Rapanui population growth rates was driven by the construction and overexploitation of once extensive rock gardens. However, the extent of island-wide rock gardening, while key for understanding food systems and demography, must be better understood. Here, we use shortwave …

Stepping Towards Sustainability: Analyzing Walkability In Urban Environments, Elli Lewis

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper examines path walkability in the urban environment and its various impact levels on different neighborhoods. One of the most accessible forms of sustainability is walking, as it produces zero carbon emissions and can harvest a greater sense of care for the human environment. In a growing urbanized world, providing citizens easy access to clean and safe sidewalks, parks, grocery stores, local restaurants, and religious organizations is essential. Accessible walking routes are vital in large, urban cities. The first chapter analyzes the need for walkable cities concerning ecosystem services and their functions. A brief history of New York’s urban …

Revitalizing Sweet Auburn, Georgia: A Foodcentric Biophilic Inspired Solution, Cason Lott

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Revitalizing Sweet Auburn, Georgia: A Foodcentric Biophilic Inspired Solution addresses the critical issue of food deserts and the challenges of maintaining a healthy balance in densely populated urban environments. It underscores the importance of easy access to essential resources like food for community well-being and highlights the strain on individuals. The thesis emphasizes the potential for sustainable solutions to improve urban living conditions, promoting both physical and mental health while ensuring stability and community. Furthermore, the thesis explores the integration of urban farming, community education, and sustainability with biophilic design’s natural elements to create an enriching community center that acts …

Perspective Chapter: Empowering Sustainable Development Through Education – A Perspective On The Educational Landscape And Its Impact On Sustainability, Khalid Aada

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

Over the past decade, there has been a compelling discourse on transitioning from a rational paradigm, steeped in functionalist and utilitarian models, to a paradigm more aligned with the preservation of natural resources and life. This shift is crucial for addressing the urgent need to integrate sustainable principles into the educational sphere, with the aim of instigating a genuine cultural transformation. Recognizing the global impact of social, economic, and environmental challenges, numerous international entities advocate for an ambitious, complex, and transformative approach to sustainability in education. This scholarly work explores the intricate relationship between education, cultural change, and sustainability. It …

Some Nonprofit Leaders Lack Strategies To Support Financial Change Management In An Organization For Sustainability, Ebony Billups

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Management and Human Potential This is to certify that the doctoral study by Ebony S. Billups has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Meridith Wentz, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Peter Anthony, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2024 Some nonprofit leaders lack strategies for financial change management, resulting in long-term organizational health and sustainability challenges. Grounded in general systems theory, …

Solar Panels, Euler’S Method And Community-Based Projects: Connecting Differential Equations With Climate Change, Victor J. Donnay

CODEE Journal

How does mathematics connect with the search for solutions to the climate emergency? One simple connection, which can be explored in an introductory differential equations course, can be found by analyzing the energy generated by solar panels or wind turbines. The power generated by these devices is typically recorded at standard time intervals producing a data set which gives a discrete approximation to the power function $P(t)$. Using numerical techniques such as Euler’s method, one can determine the energy generated. Here we describe how we introduce the topic of solar power, apply Euler’s method to determine the energy generated, and …

The Effects Of An Integrated Curriculum With Embedded Sustainability Themes On Teaching And Learning Experiences At A Primary School, Jeanne Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study is to investigate the effects of an integrated curriculum with embedded sustainability themes on teaching and learning experiences at the primary school level. The researcher examined why and how the district chose to create the integrated curriculum and how the big ideas of sustainability were embedded. Through the perspectives of teachers and administrators, the researcher analyzed how incorporating sustainability themes changed the teaching and learning culture. The transdisciplinary approach moves past the traditional boundaries of a discipline allowing curriculum to address real world problems. Using a transdisciplinary approach by integrating sustainability themes into the …

Growing Up Sustainable? Politics Of Race And Youth In Urbanplan, Copenhagen, Max Ritts, Rebecca Rutt

Geography

This paper considers how racialized youth in Denmark negotiate sustainability amid contexts marked by intersecting forms of economic restructuring, progressive neoliberalism, white ethno-nationalism, and green urban planning. Urbanplan is a low-income, notoriously “troubled” Copenhagen neighborhood where we conducted fieldwork for 7 months (2019-2020) with fifteen male youth, aged 17-21. Using ethnography, policy reviews, and interviews with city social workers, we explore how intimate experiences of nature, group-identity, and place attachment here relate to and depart from the structural forces actively reshaping the neighborhood. Our analysis combines Cindi Katz's intersectional political economy approach with recent work on green gentrification, Critical Utopian …

Two Essays To Encourage Agritourism Cluster Development In The Appalachian Region: An Analysis Of Agritourism Operation Regarding Clustering And Toolkit Curriculum For Cluster Development, Oluwatoyin Adebisi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study focused on encouraging agritourism operators in the study area to engage in clustering. Collaboration within networks and clusters is strongly encouraged as a catalyst for accelerating industrial transformation, developing regional competitive advantages, and boosting company and job creation. All these factors ultimately contribute to economic progress and prosperity. A snowball sampling method was used to survey 192 agritourism operators, with 145 responses meeting the inclusion criteria for analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify factors contributing to agritourism business development in the selected six states. Based on a linear regression model, the findings reveal that net income …

What Do We Mean By Territoire?, Ceri Almrott

Other resources

This diagram explores the concept of territoire, illustrating its multidimensional nature as a dynamic socio-spatial system. It captures the interplay of human interaction, social structures, environmental factors, and cultural connections. The framework demonstrates how communities adapt to and shape their environments, integrating local knowledge, sustainable practices, and resource management. It highlights governance systems, traditions, and collective identity as essential for resilience and sustainability. The diagram also reflects on intangible elements like sense of place, identity, and heritage, which deepen emotional and cultural connections to the territoire. Together, these layers form a holistic approach to understanding sustainable community development.

A Guide To Navigating Existing And Emerging Sources Of Local Vmt And Travel Data, So-Ra Baek, Dohyung Kim

Mineta Transportation Institute

As the crisis of climate change looms, transportation policy in California continues to emphasize sustainability in land-use and transportation decisions. This report evaluates the implementation of two sustainability-focused policies (Senate Bill 375 and 743) by local governments and the current-state-of-the-practices by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in assisting them in California. The research focuses on local governments’ access and use of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and transportation data for achieving VMT and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction by land-use planning. The research also examines the role of MPOs in providing needed transportation data, training, and technical support to its local members to …

Sustainability Hub Newsletter - October 2023, Jacqueline Jergensen, Neyda Gilman, Jennifer Embree

Library Sustainability Resources

This edition of the newsletter features ways to live more sustainably, including a terracycling alternative, seed resources, and instructions to save squash seeds! There's also information on Climate Anxiety, art submissions, a book club, and tips to have a sustainable Halloween! Don’t forget to check the end for upcoming events and announcements!

The Solidarity Economy: A Way Forward For Our De-Futured World, Julie Matthaei, Matthew Slaats

The Journal of Social Encounters

As society contends with the ongoing economic, environmental and political crises perpetuated by racist patriarchal ecologically-destructive capitalism, there is a need to look beyond forms of inequality to the opportunity of solidarity. While histories of mutuality and reciprocity have long been present in economies around the world, it is in the last thirty years that global movements have begun to coalesce under the framework of the solidarity economy. This framework asserts a path forward towards a just and sustainable post-capitalist future, based in cooperation and care.. We begin by exploring how the solidarity economy framework and movement have been making …

Promoting Sustainable Environments Through Urban Green Spaces: Insights From Kenya, Arnold Mwanzu, Joseph Mwangi, Winnie Nguyu, Jacob Nato

Libraries

Kenya has experienced rapid population growth and urbanization in recent years leading to major changes in its natural environment. Urban infrastructure has a significant influence on carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Urban green spaces are some of the interventions that demonstrate how the impact of increased urbanization can be managed. An exploration of the current state of urban green spaces in Kenya is essential to identify equitable and sustainable development strategies. Kenya has a few green spaces and community gardens for relaxation and recreational activities. These spaces’ continued renovation and preservation strongly indicate Kenya’s commitment to maintaining urban green spaces …

Creators For The Earth: The Academic Library’S Role In Supporting Sustainability Creators And Practitioners Across All Disciplines, Jennifer K. Embree, Neyda V. Gilman

Library Scholarship

The image of a creator often brings to mind individuals that can take an abstract or unique idea and transform it into an impressive, tangible creation. Whether it’s an architect crafting a new building design, an artist painting on canvas, or an interior designer mapping out a new room layout, creators are generally seen as those who can formulate conceptual ideas that are then realized to showcase amazing ingenuity. In the world of higher education, this type of work is often first associated with disciplines like art, design, architecture, and engineering—fields where acts of “making,” “creating,” or “building” are integral …

Integrating Steel Slag Aggregates Into Asphalt Paving By Harmonizing Availability, Quality, Economics, And The Environment, Timothy R. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides guidance on how to balance matters related to the environmental stewardship, market sources, origin and uses, material properties, performance, and economic impact of using slag materials in pavements. The literature on this topic provides numerous references on the use of slag materials for specific applications, and this thesis aims to make use of those references along with other data from the author to describe slag materials from a holistic perspective and provide some suggestions for balancing several factors that impact optimal use of this resource within pavement structures. Discussion is given to the increased importance of recycling …

Empowering Communities Through Food Entrepreneurship And Creative Placemaking, Bailey Kijek

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The City of Clarkston is one of Atlanta’s oldest and most diverse communities. The city is currently in need of tactical placemaking strategies to create quality public spaces that can serve and unite the members of the community. This thesis seeks to identify the needs of the city using a comprehensive site analysis and apply that knowledge to determine a program that is best suited for the community. To create an impactful design, applicable placemaking procedures will be identified through literature review and case study analyses. The data collected will inform a design procedural that will yield an outcome that …