scholarly journals Eco-Social Agriculture for Social Transformation and Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study of the UPAS-Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5510
Author(s):  
Sara Nicli ◽  
Susanne Ursula Elsen ◽  
Armin Bernhard

Rural areas are facing vulnerabilities and changes caused by negative social, economic and ecological externalities resulting from industrial agriculture systems. Locally embedded farms and bottom-linked approaches such as social cooperatives that act in the field of social agriculture are small, but valuable models to counteract these trends. This article is based on a case study conducted within the transdisciplinary research and development project Unlocking the Potential of Social Agriculture (UPAS), 2017–2020—financed by the Free University of Bolzano. The main focus of the case study is to determine the impact of social agriculture initiatives on social and healthcare systems, the natural environment and the communities in which they act. Data collection includes a literature review, observations and interviews carried out on 35 case studies of social agriculture initiatives, mainly located in Italy. The field research points out that actors in the sector of social agriculture predominantly aim to integrate disadvantaged people socially and in terms of their labor, base their production on organic methods, and that social agriculture has the potential to foster eco-social transformation and development of rural areas by the combination of social and ecological concerns. Thus, we use the term “eco-social” agriculture to describe these approaches. Furthermore, five components of eco-social agriculture have been defined, which, together, offer an ideal set of acting principles, namely: (1) the empowerment and integration of disadvantaged people, (2) the promotion of environmentally friendly agricultural practices, (3) the protection of nature, resources and cultural landscape, (4) support to the local community, and (5) education for sustainable development.

Author(s):  
N. Qwynne Lackey ◽  
Kelly Bricker

Concessioners play an important role in park and protected area management by providing visitor services. Historically, concessioners were criticized for their negative impacts on environmental sustainability. However, due to policy changes, technological advances, and shifting market demands, there is a need to reevaluate the role of concessioners in sustainable destination management in and around parks and protected areas. The purpose of this qualitative case study situated in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), which was guided by social exchange theory, was to explore U.S. national park concessioners’ influence on sustainable development at the destination level from the perspective of National Park Service (NPS) staff, concessioners, and local community members. Sustainability was examined holistically as a multifaceted construct with integrated socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental dimensions. Twenty-three participants completed semistructured interviews. Researchers identified four thematic categories describing concessioners’ influence on sustainability; motivations and barriers to pursuing sustainability initiatives; and situational factors that facilitated concessioners’ sustainability actions. While participants commented on the negative environmental impacts of concessioners and their operations, these data suggest that concessioners were working individually and collaboratively to promote environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural sustainability in and around GTNP. Some concessioners were even described as leaders, testing and driving the development of innovative sustainability policies and practices. These actions were motivated, in part, by contractual obligations and profit generation. However, concessioners also had strong intangible motivators, such as intrinsic values and a strong sense of community, that drove their positive contributions to sustainability. Based on these data, we recommend that those involved in future theoretical and practical work with concessioners acknowledge the importance of both tangible and intangible motivators when attempting to promote higher levels of sustainability achievement and collaboration. This will become increasingly important as land management agencies continue to embrace strategies beyond the traditional “parks as islands” approach to management. Additionally, future work should explore more specifically the role of policy, conceptualizations of sustainability, and private industry sponsorship in promoting concessioners’ contributions to sustainability, especially in collaborative settings. This work is needed to understand if and how these observations generalize to other contexts.


Author(s):  
Mustafa Doğan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the ecomuseum and solidarity tourism and to measure their impact on community development. Design/methodology/approach The study presented here adopts two methods for collecting qualitative data: in-depth interviews and observations. The total number of village households was 42 and the number of households that hosted tourists in their home was 20. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, qualitative methods were employed in the form of lengthy interviews with 13 residents. Findings The findings indicate that tourism for the Bogatepe Village ecomuseum has focused on a solidarity perspective which has provided significant benefits to the community ensuring local sustainable development. The ecomuseum as a concept and a destination has helped to control tourism and strengthened the impact of solidarity tourism on the local community. Research limitations/implications The research presented here must be seen as exploratory. More generally, further research is needed to look at the possibility of developing this type of tourism in other rural areas and similar regions of Turkey (covering both small and large areas) with an important cultural heritage. Originality/value The combination of the ecomuseum and solidarity tourism can provide a sustainable solution for tourism in rural areas and provide a model in the development of tourism to other villages in Turkey. The question is whether it could also be used in larger rural areas. The study underlines that Bogatepe is certainly worthy of future study.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
Alicia Ramírez-Orellana ◽  
Daniel Ruiz-Palomo ◽  
Alfonso Rojo-Ramírez ◽  
John E. Burgos-Burgos

This article aims to explore the perceptions of banana farms managers towards environmental sustainability practices through the impact of innovation, adoption of information systems, and training employees through a case study in the province of El Oro (Ecuador). Furthermore, the paper assesses how farmers’ perceptions could guide public policy incentives. PLS-Structural Equation Modeling are used as the framework by which the constructs is represented within the model. The model explained 59% of the environmental sustainability practices of Ecuadorian banana farms. The results indicate that environmental sustainability practices were positively influenced mainly by training employees, innovation, and adoption of information systems. Additionally, both the adoption of information systems and training employees indirectly influenced sustainable practices through innovation as a mediator. We may conclude that in the Ecuadorian banana farms, changes in environmental practices are derived from innovation strategies as an axis of development of useful information and training employees in public policies.


Author(s):  
Julia Evangelista ◽  
William A. Fulford

AbstractThis chapter shows how carnival has been used to counter the impact of Brazil’s colonial history on its asylums and perceptions of madness. Colonisation of Brazil by Portugal in the nineteenth century led to a process of Europeanisation that was associated with dismissal of non-European customs and values as “mad” and sequestration of the poor from the streets into asylums. Bringing together the work of the two authors, the chapter describes through a case study how a carnival project, Loucura Suburbana (Suburban Madness), in which patients in both long- and short-term asylum care play leading roles, has enabled them to “reclaim the streets,” and re-establish their right to the city as valid producers of culture on their own terms. In the process, entrenched stigmas associated with having a history of mental illness in a local community are challenged, and sense of identity and self-confidence can be rebuilt, thus contributing to long-term improvements in mental well-being. Further illustrative materials are available including photographs and video clips.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
ZM Abid Mohammady

Abstract: In the context of Indonesia, the quality of education seems to be something taboo to talk about, however, according to researchers the quality of education in Indonesia is very apprehensive. It is necessary for the role of headmaster and special efforts in developing a quality education institution through organizational culture as a value system that is understood, imbued, run jointly by members of the organization as a system of meaning or guidance for the organizers. This study aims to describe the three roles and impacts role of the headmaster role in developing the quality of organizational culture, they are: (1) the role of the headmaster as a manager; (2) the role of the headmaster as the educator; (3) the role of the headmaster as the supervisor; 4) The impact of the headmaster's role in developing the quality of organizational culture quality at SDMT Ponorogo. This research is categorized into a field research with qualitative descriptive approach and the research design was case study. The setting of study was at SDMT Ponorogo.  The findings showed that (1). The role of headmaster as manager encompasses conducting internal and external analysis, internalizing the Islamic value that is kemuhamadiyahan value. (2). The role of the headmaster as an educator includes involving educators in upgrading, workshops or training in order to provide opportunities for educators to improve their knowledge and skills by learning to the higher education, conducting cadre to members of organizational culture and creating jargon to motivate members of organizational culture. (3). The role of the headmaster as a supervisor comprises overseeing and Evaluating the performance and achievement of members of organizational culture, conducting weekly, monthly and semester meetings, monitoring achievements of educators and learners. (4) The impact of the school headmaster's role in developing the quality of organizational culture is organizational culture climate becomes harmonious and schools achieve more attainments.Abstrak: Dalam konteks Indonesia, mutu pendidikan seolah-olah menjadi barang yang tabu untuk diperbicangkan, dalam konteks tersebut kualitas pendidikan di Indonesia sangat memperihatinkan. Untuk itu diperlukan peran kepala sekolah dan Upaya khusus dalam mengembangkan sebuah mutu lembaga pendidikan melalui budaya organisasi sebagai sistem nilai yang dipahami, dijiwai, dijalankan secara bersama oleh anggota organisasi sebagai sistem makna atau pedoman bagi pelaku organisasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan dan menjelaskan tiga peran serta dampak peran  kepala sekolah dalam mengembangkan mutu budaya organisasi, yaitu: (1) Peran kepala sekolah sebagai Manajer, (2) Peran kepala sekolah sebagai Educator, (3) Peran kepala sekolah sebagai supervisor, dan (4) Dampak peran kepala sekolah dalam mengembangkan mutu budaya organisasi di SDMT Ponorogo. Dengan menghasilkan temuan: (1).Peran kepala sekolah sebagai manajer diantaranya: melakukan analisis internal dan eksternal, menginternalisasi nilai keislaman yaitu nilai kemuhammadiahan. (2). Peran kepala sekolah sebagai educator diantaranya: mengikut sertakan pendidik dalam penataran, workshop atau pelatihan memberikan kesempatan kepada pendidik untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilannya dengan belajar ke jenjang pendidikan yang lebih tinggi, melakukan pengkaderan kepada anggota budaya organisasi. membuat jargon-jargon untuk memotivasi anggota budaya organisasi. (3). Peran kepala sekolah sebagai supervisor diantarnya: mengawasi dan mengevaluasi kinerja dan pencapaian anggota budaya organisasi, mengadakan rapat setiap, minggu, bulan dan semester, memantau prestasi pendidik dan peserta didik. (4) Dampak peran kepala sekolah dalam mengembangkan mutu budaya organisasi diantaranya: iklim budaya organisasi menjadi harmonis, sekolah menjadi lebih berprestasi.


Author(s):  
Wilson Alves de Araújo ◽  
Mônica de Moura Pires

O objetivo geral deste artigo é analisar a sustentabilidade ambiental do turismo na Bahia, sob a ótica do desenvolvimento local, tomando como referência o município de Itacaré que tem vivenciado nos anos 2000 uma “explosão” dessa atividade. Insere-se o aspecto ambiental em função de que o turismo desenvolvido no município está fortemente associado ao meio ambiente local. Parte-se assim dos intensos debates acerca das relações entre desenvolvimento e meio ambiente, propondo-se uma abordagem interdisciplinar baseada na problemática ambiental, especificamente a respeito das externalidades derivadas da atividade econômica exercida pelo homem sobre o meio natural, aqui tratada pela ótica da atividade turística. Em termos metodológicos, faz-se uso da pesquisa descritiva e metodológica, a partir da análise bibliográfica e de pesquisa de campo. Foram entrevistados e solicitados a responder ao questionário estruturado 30 empreendedores, diretores e gerentes das empresas que atuam no setor de hospedagem, no período de 13 a 21 de junho 2016, na localidade de Itacaré, Bahia. Esse destino turístico está inserido na Costa do Cacau, onde prevalece a prática do Ecoturismo. Este se diferencia, dos demais segmentos do turismo, por se apoiar em valores que reforçam o compromisso com a preservação ambiental e a interação com a comunidade local. Para tanto, a pesquisa privilegia dois recortes metodológicos: um recorte quantitativo, denominado Quociente Locacional (QL) e, um recorte analítico, utilizado para a caracterização de aglomerações produtivas em regiões de baixo e médio desenvolvimento, denominado Arranjo Produtivo Local (APL). Diante das análises realizadas, concluiu-se que a localidade estudada pode ser identificada como APL de turismo em fase de consolidação. Na dimensão ambiental constatou-se a necessidade de implementação de ações, públicas e privadas, que direcionem e potencializem medidas que elevem a atividade turística de forma sustentável. Especificamente, relacionadas a redução do consumo de água e energia, aproveitamento da água da chuva, gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos e implementação de coleta seletiva. Espera-se como resultado deste trabalho, subsidiar o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas direcionadas ao desenvolvimento sustentável do turismo. Ecotourism and Local Productive Arrangement: an analysis of environmental sustainability in Itacaré (BA, Brazil) ABSTRACT The general objective of this article is to analyze the environmental sustainability of tourism in Bahia under the perspective of local development, taking as reference the municipality of Itacaré, which has experienced in the year 2000 an "explosion" of this activity. The environmental aspect is inserted because tourism developed in the municipality is strongly associated with the local environment. It is based on the intense debates about the relationship between development and the environment, proposing an interdisciplinary approach based on the environmental issue, specifically on the externalities derived from economic activity carried out by the man on the natural environment, here treated by the view of tourist activity. In methodological terms, descriptive and methodological research is used, from bibliographic analysis and field research. Thirty entrepreneurs, directors and managers of companies operating in the lodging sector were interviewed and asked to respond to the structured questionnaire, from June 13 to 21, 2016, in the city of Itacaré, Bahia. This tourist destination is inserted in the Cacao Coast where the practice of Ecotourism prevails. This is different from other tourism segments, because it relies on values that reinforce the commitment to environmental preservation and interaction with the local community. For this, the research privileges two methodological cuts: a quantitative cut, called Locational Quotient (QL) and, an analytical cut, used for the characterization of productive agglomerations in low and medium development regions, denominated Local Productive Arrangement (APL). In view of the analysis carried out, it was concluded that the studied locality can be identified as APL of tourism in consolidation phase. In the environmental dimension, it was verified the need to implement public and private actions that direct and potentiate measures that increase tourism activity in a sustainable manner. Specifically, related to reduction of water and energy consumption, use of rainwater, solid waste management and implementation of selective collection. As a result of this work, it is hoped to support the development of public policies directed to the sustainable development of tourism. KEYWORDS Tourism; Clusters; Local Development; Sustainability Indicators; Environment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 08028
Author(s):  
Feti Fatimatuzzahroh ◽  
Sudharto P. Hadi ◽  
Hartuti Purnaweni

Coastal abrasion is consequence from destructive waves and sea current. One of cause is human intervention. The effort to solve of abrasion is by mangrove cultivation. Mangroves are halophyte plant that can restrain the sea wave. Mangrove cultivation required participation community that give awareness the importance of mangrove in coastal sustainability. Mangroves in coastal Karangsong, Indramayu west java, in 2007 was through abrasion approximately 127.30 ha. Mangrove cultivation in Karangsong has been replanting since 1998 to 2003, but there was no maintenance and management. In 2007 until 2015 Karangsong replanting mangroves and has been succeed. Karangsong became the center of mangrove study for west java area in 2015. This achievement is result of cooperation between community, NGO, and local government. In addition, this effort made not only overcome the abrasion problem but also give community awareness about the importance of mangrove cultivation in preventing coastal abrasion throughout community development. This paper reviews abrasion in Karangsong and the impact for local community and empowerment in mangrove cultivation. To achieve the success mangrove cultivation required community development approach from planning process, planting, maintenance and management.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Michele Villa

This extended abstract discusses local content opportunities in economic development for the Aboriginal community. Local content requirements have become a strategic community development consideration during the past few years. This abstract links the topics of local content commitments and indigenous economic development via leveraging relationships with indigenous contractors in Australia. The creation of indigenous businesses that strive to succeed in the market and compete with non-indigenous companies is key in developing sustainable working opportunities for indigenous Australians. Many oil and gas players have publicly committed to contribute to indigenous business participation offering contractual opportunities and designing capacity-building programs and initiatives. The market for indigenous contractors services is, therefore, rapidly growing and presents considerable opportunities for existing and new players providing services to the resources industry in Australia. The specific demand is driven by corporate social responsibility policies and by the limited capacity of suppliers to deliver what is required by large new and expansion projects in the resource (both mining/oil and gas) sectors in Australia to maintain their social licence to operate. We present the results of a survey about policies and practices of some of the leading oil and gas operators in Australia, highlighting best practices in indigenous business engagement. We also analyse (from interviews with indigenous enterprises) barriers and issues encountered so far in indigenous contracting. International examples about the impact that indigenous enterprises can have on local community social and economic development complement the survey. Note: the term indigenous as used in this extended abstract refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.


Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Lawrence Fulton ◽  
Bradley Beauvais ◽  
Matthew Brooks ◽  
Scott Kruse ◽  
Kimberly Lee

Intelligent use of rural residential land and sustainable construction is inexorably linked to cost; however, options exist that are eco-friendly and have a positive return on investment. In 2011, a research residence was built to evaluate various land-use and sustainable components. This Texas house has subsequently been used for both residential and research purposes. The purpose of this case study was to evaluate break-even construction considerations, to assess environmental impacts, and to evaluate qualitatively efficacy of sustainable options incorporated in the research residence. Some of the specific components discussed are home site placement (directional positioning); materiel acquisition (transportation); wood product minimization; rainwater harvesting; wastewater management; grid-tied solar array power; electric car charging via a solar array; geothermal heating and cooling; insulation selection; windows, fixtures, and appliance selection; and on-demand electric water heaters for guest areas. This study seeks to identify the impact of proper land use and sustainable techniques on the environment and return-on-investment in rural areas. Break-even and 15-year Net Present Value (NPV) analysis at 3% and 5% cost of capital were used to evaluate traditional construction, partially sustainable construction, and fully sustainable construction options for the case study house, which was built sustainably. The additional cost of sustainable construction is estimated at $54,329. At 3%, the analysis suggests a 15-year NPV of $334,355 (traditional) versus $250,339 million (sustainable) for a difference of $84K. At 5% cost of capital, that difference falls to $63K. The total estimated annual difference in carbon emissions is 4.326 million g/CO2e for this research residence. The results indicate that good choices for quick return-on-investment in rural construction would be the use of engineered lumber, Icynene foam, and Energy Star windows and doors. Medium-term options include photovoltaic systems (PVS) capable of powering the home and an electric car. Sustainable construction options should positively affect the environment and the pocketbook. Regulations and code should require adoption of short-range, break-even sustainable solutions in residential construction.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document