In this academic thesis the impact and extent of effect of invasive alien plant species, specifically their pollen byproduct, on human health is examined. As research on the presence and subsequent...Show moreIn this academic thesis the impact and extent of effect of invasive alien plant species, specifically their pollen byproduct, on human health is examined. As research on the presence and subsequent influence of such plants’ pollen on a native ecosystem and the humans therein is widely understudied, this study aims to substantiate the repercussions of the ever-growing pollen count of these plants on human health. The goal is to null or verify the assertions that these species spread with little difficulty, exponentially increase the overall pollen count, and contribute pollen variants of harsher impact on human health. The research conducted does a case study of the Netherlands, and specifically The Hague, using two plant species (common ragweed and mugwort) - widely considered invasive in other ecosystems - that remain scientifically overlooked though recorded. Making use of related and comparative data pooled in desk research, a pollen index was constructed to narrowly approximate the pollen count and allergenicity of common ragweed and mugwort. Medical studies test-prove that these invasive plant species have highly allergenic pollen which in turn cause hay fever symptoms. Additionally, the yearly pollen index spanning from 2012 to 2020 showcases an intensification of the allergenicity of the air due to these species, and the weekly pollen index spanning from 2012 to 2015 illustrates clear prolongation of the flowering (i.e. allergy) season through the years. This research paper has quantified the overlooked looming urban, scientific, environmental and medical risk of such invasive plant species’ pollen. Observations of similarly burdened ecosystems has shown elaborated solutions, the like of introducing insects that eradicate these species’ pollen and its spread. The efficacy of these solutions has yet to be weighed including potentially pending consequences (disservices) linked to introducing the alien animal species in the ecosystem.Show less
Cities have grown rapidly in recent decades. Several studies have related multiple mental and physical health issues with urban density and perceived safety, related to the increasing urbanization....Show moreCities have grown rapidly in recent decades. Several studies have related multiple mental and physical health issues with urban density and perceived safety, related to the increasing urbanization. Studies have established a relationship with urban density and perceived safety with light physical activity as well. However, few researchers to date have specifically focused on the potential association between both factors and regular physical exercise. The current study examined the association of urban density and perceived safety with the quantity and quality of exercise. A population-representative sample (N=124) was surveyed on their quantity of exercise, quality of exercise, experiences regarding urban density, and perceived safety. All four factors were compared to assess relations between the measures. Furthermore, various demographic and density-related subgroups (gender, residency type, and square living space) were selected to assess differences and alternative explanations. Results found associations between all measures, apart from the relation between the quantity of exercise and urban density. Regarding the subgroups, a difference was found between genders and their perceived safety; men felt safer than women. The difference in perceived safety suggested that gender could be a factor related to the quantity and quality of exercise. No differences in urban density, exercise quantity, or quality were found among both residency types and square living spaces; suggesting that both subgroups are not likely to be relevant for the associations of urban density and safety with exercise. More focus should be put on specific measures of the urban environment instead of the home environment. Given the increasing urbanization, more specific research is necessary to better understand the relation between urban density, perceived safety, and regular exercise.Show less
The financial crisis of 2008 was an economic catastrophe that shook the housing market in the United States. Its devastating impact was marked by mass home foreclosures that spread across the...Show moreThe financial crisis of 2008 was an economic catastrophe that shook the housing market in the United States. Its devastating impact was marked by mass home foreclosures that spread across the country. Many homeowners defaulted on their mortgages and were evicted from their homes. For the neighborhoods that became vacant, it became more attractive for criminal activity. However, whether or not empty neighborhoods drew in more crime due to foreclosures remains understudied. This thesis, therefore, sought to advance the research by employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches by examining two neighborhoods in the city of Cleveland. The analysis controlled for demographic and economic factors that have potential influence over foreclosure and crime. Results from elasticity calculations indicated both a positive and negative inelastic response of crime with respect to foreclosures, suggesting mixed conclusions. The results of qualitative data collected from media reports, documentary videos, and photographs on the other hand indicated a more significant impact of crime on the neighborhood environment and its residents.Show less
With cities having an increasing number of inhabitants, the need for an equally increasing amount of food has grown. Meanwhile, fertile land scarcity is becoming a larger problem as well. The...Show moreWith cities having an increasing number of inhabitants, the need for an equally increasing amount of food has grown. Meanwhile, fertile land scarcity is becoming a larger problem as well. The Floating Farm initiative attempts to show how urban environments themselves can contribute to the production of dairy, combining it with educating urban dwellers. They had a circular design in mind which uses urban waste flows as much as possible, as well as processing the dairy themselves and sell the products in their own store and as locally as they can. This thesis analyses the practicalities that come into play when floating dairy farms become reality. The initiative is compared to traditional rural dairy farms with different sizes. With the help of estimations for the frequency and distance needed to provide the farms with feed and distribute the manure and dairy product, the total distance required was calculated for each farm. The farm in Scharendijke had the lowest distance to liter milk ratio, and the Floating Farm in Rotterdam the highest. This is due to the estimations for the many different parties involved in the feed and dairy products distributions. The high ratio for the Floating Farm makes the initiative not a great alternative, but a nice addition to urban life. Additionally, the farm can have a positive influence on the respiratory health of visitors.Show less
Luxury for some, is a limitation for others – this is the inspiration of this paper which studies the role of luxury real estate and gated communities on the less fortunate within the urban...Show moreLuxury for some, is a limitation for others – this is the inspiration of this paper which studies the role of luxury real estate and gated communities on the less fortunate within the urban population of Accra, Ghana. This thesis attempts to understand the historical past of Ghana and the post-colonial roots of current urban development that has led to an intense contest for urban space, inciting disparity and displacement within the city of Accra. An evaluation of policy and investment strategy is studied to understand the vision of the state and its steps towards realising it. Methods to do this include using theories and articles focussing on urban dynamics within and outside Accra that can be used to understand the complex web of issues that Accra’s urban poor is within the housing crisis. Case studies in neighbourhoods such as Nima are used to show concrete examples of the theoretical conclusions made. To prevent the progress of urban development from creating more disparity this paper suggests a change in the understanding of current policy and development strategies by focussing on the colonial and cultural heritage of current urban developments. In addition, reforming policy that prioritise the urban poor, avoiding pitfalls of pilot studies and past attempts in providing adequate housing for the less fortunate. In conclusion, to change the future of this current crisis in urban development there is a need to take two steps back to set one better step forward.Show less
This thesis investigates the degree to which the linguistic landscape of the Hague in the Netherlands contributes to its levels of imageability. The theoretical background connects Kevin Lynch’s...Show moreThis thesis investigates the degree to which the linguistic landscape of the Hague in the Netherlands contributes to its levels of imageability. The theoretical background connects Kevin Lynch’s study on imageability with ethnographic sociolinguistic studies of the linguistic landscape. The research comprises a qualitative evaluation of the imageability of The Hague and whether language plays a part in how the city’s physical space is mentally organised and depicted. The research was done by investigating the linguistic landscape of the two districts Laak and Centrum and collecting survey responses by current and former inhabitants of the city. The main findings were that language does play a part in their mental organisation of The Hague for some of the respondents. Moreover, the composition of the linguistic landscape of Laak and Centrum corresponds to the languages that respondents mentally attach to these neighbourhoods.Show less
In the year 2050 two-thirds of the world’s population will reside in cities. This part of the population will by then experience extreme rainfall, flooding, high temperatures and some will have...Show moreIn the year 2050 two-thirds of the world’s population will reside in cities. This part of the population will by then experience extreme rainfall, flooding, high temperatures and some will have trouble accessing drinking water. These unsafe living conditions are the effect of global warming. To prevent these environmental conditions action to tackle climate change has to be taken, cities throughout the world have to make adjustments by changing their use of the city. In many cities, policies are made to stimulate the use of sustainable energy with the final goal of becoming climate neutral. The energy transition is however also worrying a part of the population as there are doubts about the affordability of the transition, who is going to pay the price? This thesis will use literary research and policy analysis to examine the current energy-related situation in the Netherlands and give an overview of the current policies. Furthermore, the affordability of retrofitting is examined and communal retrofitting options like heat networks will be reviewed. Additionally, a comparison will be made with other countries. This thesis has the final aim to provide researchers and policymakers with a complete overview of the energy transition in the Netherlands.Show less
The Arctic region is often portrayed as consisting of pristine, unspoiled nature, small settlements with indigenous communities detached culturally from the rest of the world. In Greenland, and in...Show moreThe Arctic region is often portrayed as consisting of pristine, unspoiled nature, small settlements with indigenous communities detached culturally from the rest of the world. In Greenland, and in other Arctic regions, the opposite is closer to reality. Greenland has been transformed and is transforming into an urban society, not without problems. Post-WII policies that sought to industrialise and modernise Greenlandic societies employed urbanisation as a key method, but left behind a history of trauma related to the forced relocation out of settlements, into an alienating urban society. This thesis argues, that there is a similar pattern unfolding at the moment and that the rationale behind urbanisation in Greenland did not change: it is the economic promise of affluence cities are considered to hold that drives politics of relocation. More lights need to be shed on urbanisation in Greenland, including its drivers and societal implications, as it can pave the way for full independence and could thus initiate the final state of decolonisation.Show less
