A DSS DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The characteristics of sustainable development problems in the developing countries is discussed.In order to develop and use decision support system (DSS) for supporting sustainable development problem decision making in the developing countries,this paper presents a strategy of constructing the DSS for sustainable development.A methodology of representing the model of sustainable development problems and developing a nonprocedural modeling language that is used to define sustainable development problems,a methodology of numeric and non numeric operation based theorem proving is given in this paper.

Sustainable Application of a Novel Water Cycle Using Seawater for Toilet Flushing

Global water security is a severe issue that threatens human health and well-being. Finding sustainable alternative water resources has become a matter of great urgency. For coastal urban areas, desalinated seawater could serve as a freshwater supply. However, since 20%-30% of the water supply is used for flushing waste from the city, seawater with simple treatment could also partly replace the use of freshwater. In this work, the freshwater saving potential and environmental impacts of the urban water system （water-wastewater closed loop） adopting seawater desalination, seawater for toilet flushing （SWTF）, or reclaimed water for toilet flushing （RWTF） are compared with those of a conventional freshwater system, through a life-cycle assessment and sensitivity analysis. The potential applications of these processes are also assessed. The results support the environmental sustainability of the SWTF approach, but its potential application depends on the coastal distance and effective population density of a city. Developed coastal cities with an effective population density exceeding 3000 persons.km-2 and located less than 30 km from the seashore （for the main pipe supplying seawater to the city） would benefit from applying SWTF, regardless of other impact parameters. By further applying the sulfate reduction, autotrophic denitrification, and nitrification integrated （SANI） process for wastewater treatment, the maximum distance from the seashore can be extended to 60 km. Considering that most modern urbanized cities fulfill these criteria, the next generation of water supply systems could consist of a freshwater supply coupled with a seawater supply for sustainable urban development.

Absorptive Capacities for Sustainability Technologies:Perspectives from the BRICS and China

For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive capacity of sustainability technologies and for the ability to export them. These issues are analyzed empirically for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). Sustainability related research in BRICS is mostly carried out within broader, more sector oriented programmes. Specialization patterns of international patents and in foreign trade indicate various strengths and weaknesses of the BRICS countries. The differences within the countries imply that the analysis must proceed at a technology specific level. China has considerable capabilities in technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal or buildings. There is a strong need for strategic positioning of the countries and for coordination of the various policy fields involved.

Coping with Pressures of Modernization by Traditional Farmers: a Strategy for Sustainable Rural Development in Yunnan, China

Traditional farming practices conform to sustainable rural livelihoods, while agricultural modernisation tends to undermine these practices through various perturbations. A case study in Tengchong County (western Yunnan, China) shows that transformation of traditional alder (Alnus nepalensis) and dry rice (upland rice) rotational farming to introduced Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantations leads to localised water scarcity and soil fertility decline. While farmers are aware of ecological sustainability of traditional farming, they prefer Chinese fir forestry because it is less labour-intensive, has a high market value, and releases time for profitable off-farm work. Farmers adapt to economic liberalization by planting high value crops and trees. However, alternatives to make local agricultural production more profitable through competitive business strategies, cooperative approaches, innovations in integrating high value crops and 'downstream' processingfor sustainable rural livelihoods have been overlooked largely due to poor information availability and lack of organisational framework.

Coastal Sea Water Quality of Nha Trang Bay, Khanh Hoa, Viet Nam

Nha Trang Bay is famous not only because of its beauty, but also of the biodiversity values, especially coral reefs. Thus, the sea water quality monitoring systems are necessary for effective and available managements to protect the ecosystems and for sustainable development. There have been several monitoring systems here but they have been done separately and unconnectedly. This research was done to take an overview and access the status and changes of water quality from 2007-2014. The data obtained rainy seasons over the years showed a quite good environment here. The environment changes were also monitored and there were some changes between seasons and over years, decreasing, increasing, or unobvious trends. However, the difference was not so much; and there was not the sign of environmental degradation in the bay from 2007 to 2014. Besides, the stoichiometric nutrients limitations were initially assessed. Since Si ratios here were always higher compared to N and P, there was not increased potential for non-diatom algal blooms. Together with the recorded nutrients concentration data, it can be said that there was no evidence of eutrophication in the bay. Although there was partial contamination of some parameters at few moments, the sea water quality of Nha Trang bay was still in a good condition （according to Vietnamese and ASEAN criteria）.

Mitigating People-Park Conflicts on Resource Use through Ecotourism:A Case of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve,Indian Himalaya

Eeotourism aims to deliver the philosophy of sustainable development through environmental conservation as well as socio-economic development. Areas with rich biodiversity and scenic beauty, like the Indian Himalayan region, have been one of the major destination centers for nature lovers from historical time. In view of conserving the rich biodiversity and natural heritage of the Himalayan region 92 protected areas have been set aside, of these Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve （NDBR） is a well known world heritage site. Over a period of time establishing NDBR has invited conficts between the local people and reserve authorities on the management approaches and utilization criteria of the natural resources, especially banning the traditional bio-resource collection rights of local community, expeditions, trekking, and other anthropogenic activities in the core zones. The present study aims to understand and analyze the various people - park conflicts, and also to suggest ways to mitigate such conflicts in view of biodiversity conservation and improvement of economic status of local people by promoting eeotourism. With this view the study further discusses the various aspects of eeotourism, its pros and cons, and the avenues of developing appropriate strategies for promotion of ecotourism in buffer zone areas of NDBR.

Questioning the Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage and Its Interventions in the Context of Sustainability

Industrial buildings are valuable heritage structures that should be sustained as well as historic buildings since the preservation of the traditional values in the context of conservation is important in terms of a sense of the continuity of the culture. Kadir Has University building has been selected as the case study of the research. Success of the conversion and interventions in terms of sustainability will be discussed. The aim of the study is to question adaptive reuse project of the Cibali Tobacco Factory as university within the framework of urban regeneration of Cibali district. The relation between adaptive reuse projects and its relationship among socio-cultural, economic, and physical dimensions of the sustainability, also its effects on the environment and region has been discussed. Adaptive reuse examples should not be accepted as single projects. Its contribution to the environment and the region is also crucial. Preservation of an individual building can be a catalyst to renewal of others. It can help the transformation of the whole area. There is always an interaction between the conversion projects and the environment. In order to achieve a successful conversion, appropriate functions should be given to the industrial heritage buildings according to the needs of the region.

Historic Environment and Cultural Sensitivity： Ottoman Neighborhood in Macedonia

The territory of the Republic of Macedonia is divided to geographical regions, in which different types of monuments and houses from Ottoman character can be found. The monuments and regions presented through this paper do not cover all the regions of Macedonia but only the territories of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia and Ohrid. This paper involves a research of Ottoman housing and settlements in Macedonia according to the architectural characteristics and settlement textures using old-new photographs, related literature, internet sources and site investigation. The rich vernacular traditions we inherited from Ottoman ancestors would be a source for inspiring the architects in establishing the guiding principles for new buildings in Macedonia. Finally, this study concludes with some ways forward on how to attain cultural continuity for achieving sustainable development in the long run.

The Enigmatic Impact of Corporate Social Responsibilities on the Economic Performance of Brazilian Companies

The financial implication of the adoption of corporate social responsibility （CSR） practices is still an obscure field of study, because studies suggest controversial results. Thus, this research aimed to examine the relationship CSR and economic performance of the companies of corporate sustainability index （ISE） of mercantile and futures exchange of Silo Paulo stock exchange （BM＆FBOVESPA）. The amount of companies allowing online access to their responses of the ISE questionnaire determined the sample of this research. Thus, for the study period from 2011 to 2012, it has been possible to access the responses of 12 companies, composing the overall sample of this research. The results of the regression analysis allow to statistically assert that for the sample used, environmental performance （EP） contributes to improving economic performance, measured by all financial metrics used： return on equity （ROE）, return on assets （ROA）, and net profit （NP）. Statistically, it is only possible to say that social performance （SP） contributes to improving NP. In terms of market metrics, none of the null hypothesis was rejected, i.e., in any cases, it has been possible to affirm, on a statistical base, that SP and EP contribute to improving the market value （MV） and systematic risk. Thus, it is understood that the stakeholder theory has potential to explain the Brazilian situation regarding the aspects of CSR and financial ones under the accounting and the shareholder theory explains this relation, when viewed with the aid of market measurements.

Clusters, Governance and Sustainability

One of the most important aspects of current economical and social reality of each local and regional territory, and very much determinative for its economic development potential, is the nature of its territorial organization of the productive processes, as well as, the characteristics, and sophistication level, of the enterprise strategies that are functioning in it. This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the role of clusters as engines of economic and social development and sustainability of local and regional territories. Based on a study research methodology, we intend to answer to the following research questions： （1） What is the importance of clusters in the increment process of the local and regional conditions of governance and sustainability？ （2） How specific models of clusters＇ governance can contribute to greater territorial setting of enterprises and to increasing the sustainability of its development strategies？ （3） To what extent industrial public policies can increase the sustainability of development solutions for local and regional economies？

Lighting Design in Europe： Aligning the Demands for Lower Energy Usage with Better Quality

Lighting design is one of the fastest changing areas in building engineering. It has evolved significantly in recent years due to changing technology and demands for improved quality, better control, reduced energy and sustainability. This paper is an overview of what is happening in Europe and elsewhere and examines the literature to find that latest recommendations in the Code for Lighting issued by the SLL （Society of Light and Lighting） in the UK change previous demands for equal illuminance across a working plane to more specific and demanding criteria. There are recommendations for qualitative metrics and better distribution of light so as to enhance the visual appearance of interiors. European standards are also examined and the LENI （lighting energy numerical indicator） has been found to be a better way of reducing energy than installed load. New LED （light-emitting diode） lamp technology is examined and daylight is discussed in the context of these changing demands. It is found that lighting standards and design are changing for the better but that standards will need to evolve further if they are to ensure good quality lighting.

Evaluation of Sustainability Reporting Practices in Turkey

The purpose of the present study is to determine the reflection of sustainability reporting （SR）, which gained momentum considerably during the recent years, on the organizations that are active in Turkey. Turkish businesses that carried out SR during January 1, 2005 and June 1, 2015 were included in the study. Altogether, 186 sustainability reports containing 6,240 pages of a total of 80 businesses were examined. Data obtained from these reports were classified into various categories. According to the results, it was determined that 84% of the reporting businesses reported according to Global Reporting Initiative （GRI） principles and preferred G3 framework （40%）; and the maximum number of reporting was published in 2014. The present study is the first research article including all businesses making SR in Turkey with all details.

The Time Horizon in the Evaluation of Sustainable Development

Current methods of evaluating long term Sustainable Development seldom take into account the time period over which an evaluation is made except through simplistic economic models which heavily discount the future. If sustainable development is to be a serious issue then the impact on the future of decisions made today must be properly assessed and evaluated. This requires a new understanding of time as a key feature of the Sustainability debate and new models of how this new understanding can be brought into the evaluation process. This was at the heart of the Torino declaration signed by the University organisations of the G8, G20 and developing nations in April 2009. Time is a critical part of the sustainability debate and is seldom addressed directly. This paper will provide a possible solution based on a strong theoretical and philosophical framework of how this difficult subject can be approached and applied to sustainable urban planning. The work presented is based on a philosophical model of the cosmos which has both internal and external credibility. It forms the basis ofa PhD study and has been applied to small case studies in Italy and elsewhere. These will be presented to encourage further study into this important area within the evaluation and assessment of sustainable development.

A Case Study on Sustainability Analysis of Fisheries in Pangandaran, West Java Province

This research was to assess the sustainability of fisheries in Pangandaran, West Java. This fishery is an important one in the region, but is threatened by increasing over-exploitation which has led to a steady decrease in the production. In addition to over-exploitation problem, a record of tsunami disaster makes this fishery a unique case. This research, based on a set of primary and secondary data was carried out using the Rapfish analytical approach. Primary data were collected using a stratified cluster random sampling technique, where as many as 186 outboard fishing operators were selected. Meanwhile, relevant complementary data were solicited purposively from five employees of Pangandaran Marine and Fisheries Service. Following from the Rapfish approach, it was found through this research that sustainability levels of fisheries in Pangandaran fall into poor category. For all types of fisheries that exist in the region, almost all sustainability dimensions namely ecological, social, technological and ethical dimensions were scored below 50 of the 100 maximum values. This paper concludes with a suggestion, pointing out attributes that should receive government attention in order that the sustainability of the fisheries in the future.

Paradigm and Ecological Implication of Changing Agricultural Land-use:A Case Study from Govind Wildlife Sanctuary,Central Himalaya,India

The paper scrutinizes that the changes in any sub-system(i.e.agriculture,livestock and forest) have direct impact on biophysical and social processes in village ecosystem of the central Himalayan region.In view of this,we studied the changes in spatial patterns of agricultural land use and dependency of agroecosystem on forest and animal husbandry over a period of two decades.Based on data analysis it was found that the cultivation of some traditional crops has either been abandoned in the area or declined by 25%-85% due to introduction of cash crops viz.,potato,kidney bean and apple farming with acreage increased up to 51%-72% in the last three decades.Livestock population of different categories has declined drastically by 17%-75%,and has resulted shortage of farmyard manure,deterioration of soil quality and fertility which leads to un-sustainability of agriculture system.The changes in agrobiodiversity have led to the dramatic increase in soil loss and runoff from the croplands together with the increase pressure on forests.The economic evaluation of each crop showed higher monetary benefit from cash crops as compared to traditional crops.Among all the evaluated crops,the monetary output/input ratio was found highest(3.04) for kidney bean and lowest(1.26) for paddy.Changes in land use and management have improved household income but at the cost of forest degradation,less productive animal husbandry and loss of agrodiversity in the region.Therefore,there is an urgent need to bring desirable changes in agricultural policy,research,land use and efficient management of the resources for maintaining sustainability in agro and Himalayan forest ecosystem.

Work safety and sustainable development in enterprise

The nature of work safety and the way insisting on sustainable development in enterprise were analyzed. It indicates that problem of work safety in enterprise is closely related to the public’s consciousness, to the development of science and tech- nology, and to the weakening of safety management during the economic transition pe- riod. However, it is the people’s questions concerned in the final analysis for the forming and development of the problem of work safety. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of work safety radically, the most basic way of insisting on the sustainable development in safety administration is to do a good job of every aspect about people. We should im- prove all people quality in science and culture and strengthen their safety and legal consciousness to form correct safety value concept. We should fortify safety legislation and bring close attention to approach and apply new safety technology.

The Discount Rate in Terms of Evaluating Investments in Rangelands： The Case Study of Greece

This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in rangeland management through the use of the discount rate tool. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the lifetime of the investment, which varies depending on the kind of the intervention. An undeniable characteristic of rangelands is their rich biodiversity. However, the fact that not all the flora and fauna has been recorded yet, suggests the need for using the lowest possible discount rate （but not zero）, giving thus a high value on the benefits that will arise for future generations always in the light of sustainable development. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis has to be performed in order to determine the upper and lower limit of return on investment, so that the decision-maker in charge can be more flexible on the evaluation Of an investment proposal.

Research Progress on Evaluation Frameworks of Regional Ecological Sustainability

As natural ecosystems provide the material basis and fundamental support for regional sustainable devel-opment,the sustainability of natural ecosystems is an important prerequisite and a viable approach for the achievement of regional sustainable development.It is also the final criteria to assess whether sustainable development paradigm is successful.Along with the increasing impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems,the evaluation of regional ecological sustainability has become one of the key issues for research on macro ecology and sustainable development.Based on different unit of indicators,this study firstly groups the evaluation frameworks of regional ecological sus-tainability into three major types:comprehensive index evaluation with dimensionless unit,monetary valuation,and biophysical quantity measurement.We then discuss and compare these types in terms of basic principles,scope of ap-plications,advantages and shortcomings.Finally,drawn on the discussion about characteristics of ecological sustain-ability,we outline the current trend and future directions of regional ecological sustainability evaluation,for instance,transition from sustainable development evaluation to sustainability science,integration of goal-oriented and problem-solving approaches,combination of spatial pattern analysis and ecological sustainability evaluation,and en-hancement of ecological sustainability evaluation at landscape scale.

Energy efficiency and economic growth of China:1953-2006

Energy plays an important role in the economic life. With the rapid development of economy, the constraint of energy on the sustainable development of economy is becoming more and more obvious. This paper just Studies the factors influencing energy efficiency of China and the relationship between energy efficiency and China＇s economic： growth. By using time series multivariable linear regression methods with China＇s relevant data from 1953 to 2006, this paper constructs the regression model to analyze the factors that would impact energy, efficiency. After that, a regression model of China＇s real output to capital, labor and energy e lficiency is conducted to estimate the marginal contribution of every factor to the real output to prove the fundamental influence of energy efficiency to the economic growth. In the end, some policies and recommendations are also put forward in order to improve the energy efficiency; of China.