An Econometric Planning Model of Urban Forestry as a Measure of Sustainability: A Matrix of Action and Change

Abstract

The urban forest holds several important positions within the built and unbuilt environments. Those positions include economic, health, sustainability, quality of life measures, and overall protection of the environment, including air, water, and soil. The points are highlighted by Wolf (2005;2007); McPherson (2005) and Rowntree and Nowak (1991). This research references the four socio-economic sectors; the public or government sector, for profit or market sector, philanthropic or nonprofit sector, and the household or private sector (Biggs and Helms, 2007). The common purposes and role of each sector with respect to the urban tree cover takes on importance as they interrelate with concerns for public health, economic viability, tree coverage, tree placement, ecological relationships, and public policy. Harris County and its 52 heterogeneous subgovernmental units serve as the study area and the base for the administration of a random internet-based survey. Additionally, the research used urban tree canopy data to relate socio-economics, household preferences, sustainability measures, and overall environmental consciousness to gauge the sectors" connection to the urban forest. The research used multiple correlation analysis and regression modeling with secondary data. The research incorporated the results of the primary data collected, employed hierarchal linear modeling to address the perceived problem of a lack of concern for the urban forest and sustainability in respect to sectoral frame of reference in answering the survey questions. The element of willingness and receptivity serves as independent variables and overall environmental sustainability. The results can help policy makers promote sustainable initiatives that enhance the urban forest and protect the overall natural environment for the benefit of all, now and in the future. Contribution/ Originality:This study is one of very few studies that examined the urban forest resource as a critical element of our overall ecosystem with values and benefits that far outweigh the cost of maintainance and or expansion. The study also demonstrated that awareness and knowledge precipitates action. How we act though, may require clarity of understanding of the various roles of all the sectors and how each sector, may or may not, take, or be willing to take responsibility for our urban tree canopy"s future. There is a need for a balance within the ecosystem in order to enhance as well as retain our natural heritage of our homes, communities, and regions, by protection of the urban forest, both its resources and benefits. The public in general may not perceive the urban forest as an economic good, but often as an abstraction and not accounted as real property.

Research on Sustainable High-Quality Forestry Development in China—From Measurements, Dynamic Evolution, and Regional Differences

“…Initially, the research regarding the connotation definition was closely related to the rationality of the evaluation index and the direction of future development. Based on the previous forestry theory [15][16][17][18][19], new development theory, developmental economics, and government policies [20,21], the connotation of "sustainable high-quality forestry development" is divided into five parts, which are innovation-driven, coordinated development, green ecology, open development, and benefit sharing [22][23][24]. The connotation is shown in Figure 1.…”

Authorities Perspectives Towards the Implementation of Shariah-Compliant Hotel in Malaysia

“…In response to the formation of Shariah-compliant hotel in Malaysia, there exist some hotels which serve basic facilities to fulfil the Muslim tourists' needs and known as 'Muslim friendly hotel' (Samori & Sabtu, 2014;Samori & Rahman, 2013 (Sahida, Rahman, Awang & Man, 2011;Anthony, Osho & Sen 2017). In addition, the influx of Middle East tourists to Malaysia provides immense opportunities for SCH when these hotels are attractive to these tourists for accommodation which in turn will increase the SCH profits (Salleh, Hamid, Hashim & Omain, 2014).…”

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“…Source: Rodriguez (2012) Figure 8, details relative awareness based on perceptions of respondents and their local officials. A telling response is the household frame of reference expectations of their local officials more aware as a whole.…”