Critically evaluate the organisational impact of mergers and Essay

Critically evaluate the organisational impact of mergers and acquisitions on the enlarged tourism firm - Essay Example Mergers and acquisitions need to be carefully considered, well planned and executed with great care because, although a decision to have an enlarged firm can provide an opportunity for growth, a failed execution can be costly, resulting in others attempting to takeover or control a part of the business. A merger or an acquisition is followed by a period of uncertainty in the enlarged organization as change managers try to execute plans and transform a vision into reality. It is necessary to try and pay attention to the human resources in the enlarged organization along with trying to utilize economies of scale and synergies, because those who have been interacting with the previously separate organizations can feel insecure, angry and frustrated with the change. Thus mergers and acquisitions bring about a period of uncertainty and chaos as spectators as well as share markets decide if the business decisions that were made or their executions have been sound. This brief essay presents a discussion of the organizational impact of mergers and acquisitions on the enlarged tourism organization. Mergers and acquisitions have been very popular in nearly all sectors of the economy in the past decade because corporations have felt that there is a need to utilize economies of scale and to take advantage of the strengths which have been developed in specific organizations to provide lower operating costs in order to thrive in competitive times (Andersson, 2000, Pp. 1 – 10). In the tourism sector, mergers and acquisitions have had an impact on hotel chains as well as airlines and an increasingly larger number of firms have tried to join hands in order to survive or thrive. Shocks such as the September 11 terrorist attacks as well as higher aviation fuel costs, have encouraged firms associated with the airline or hotel businesses to combine their strengths in order to become economically competitive. An example of a recent merger in the airline

Parthenogenesis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Parthenogenesis - Essay Example What is parthenogenesis Why is it a form of asexual, rather than a sexual type of reproduction What are the organisms that have the ability to undergo parthenogenesis How can the knowledge of this type of reproduction benefit genetics, biology and science as a whole These are just some of the questions we will try to answer in this paper dedicated to delve deeper into the process of parthenogenesis. The most commonly known type of reproduction is the sexual reproduction. Two parents, one male and one female, are needed to produce an offspring. The Oxford Dictionary of Biology (2004) expounds that sexual reproduction is "a form of reproduction that involves the fusion of two reproductive cells (gametes) in the process of fertilization". In general, the gametes consist of a sperm from one individual and an egg from another. In a process called fertilization, the gametes unite to form a cell called the zygote, which develops into the offspring. The new individual is genetically different from its parents. Gametes are produced through a type of cell division called meiosis. In a cell produced by this kind of division, there are only half as many chromosomes as were in the cell that produced it. Sexual reproduction occurs normally, especially in animals. ... Gametes are formed by meiosis, a special kind of cell division in the parent reproductive organs that both reassorts the genetic material and halves the chromosome number. Meiosis thus ensures genetic variability in the gametes and therefore in the offspring resulting from their subsequent fusion. Sexual reproduction, unlike asexual reproduction, therefore generates variability within a species. However, it depends on there being reliable means of bringing together male and female gametes, and many elaborate mechanisms have evolved to ensure this (Oxford Dictionary of Biology, 2004). On the other hand, asexual reproduction is "a form of organic reproduction in which the parent organism does not exchange genetic material with another organism of the same species" (Ashworth and Little, 2001). In fact, there are four general types of asexual reproduction: 1.) Binary fission - Commonly occurring in protists and other unicellular organisms, binary fission closely resembles the process of mitosis, by which the cells of multicellular animals divide. The organism's chromosomes replicate (duplicate themselves) within the cell nucleus; the nucleus elongates with a group of identical chromosomes in each end; and finally the cell splits down the middle, along the short axis of the elongated nucleus, forming two "daughter cells", which are exact copies of the parent cell. 2.) Fragmentation - This occurs when an organism's body or body part breaks into two or more pieces; each part then develops into a completely new organism. The regrowth of tissue is referred to as regeneration. 3.) Budding - This process produces a small copy of the parent that begins as a growth on the parent's side and then breaks

Ali Farrukh Essay Example for Free

Ali Farrukh Essay 1. A search engine site claims that, on average, one out of five visitors clicks on an ad. (a) If 8 users visit the site, what is the probability that at least three click on an ad? b) If 8 users visit the site, what is the probability that less than two of them click on an ad? c) If 800 users visit the site, would the probability that less than 200 click on an ad be higher or lower than the answer found in part (b)? Write a few sentences explaining your answer- computations are not required (or desired) d) Suppose 90 users visit the site during a particular minute, use the normal approximation to estimate the probability that more than 25 of them click on an ad. e) If 900 users visited the site, would the probability that more than 250 of them click on an ad be higher or lower than the answer found in part (d)? Write a few sentences explaining your answer- computations are not required (or desired) 2. Suppose that, overall, 5% of all tax returns are audited by the IRS. (a) If an accountant has 7 clients for whom she prepared tax returns, what is the probability that less than 3 will be audited? (b) If the accountant has 30 clients, what is the probability that at least one is audited? (c) Suppose the accountant prepares 500 returns, use the normal approximation to estimate the probability that more than 20 of the returns are audited. 3. Suppose the weight of eggs produced by Henly Farms has a mean of 59.7 g. with a standard deviation of 3.4 g. Find the probability that a carton of a dozen eggs will weigh less than 727 g. 4. Magazine Marketers is holding a sweepstakes. They list the following prizes and the probability of winning the prize: To enter the sweepstakes, you must pay $1 for postage. Find the expected profit for someone entering this sweepstakes. 6. Given below are the birth weights of babies born to mothers who took special vitamin supplements while pregnant: 3.13 4.37 3.93 4.33 3.39 3.68 4.68 3.52 3.02 4.29 2.47 4.13 4.47 3.22 3.43 2.54 a. Make a 99% confidence interval for the mean weight of babies whose mothers take vitamin supplements. b. Do a hypothesis test to determine if these babies weight is more than the mean weight for the population of all babies which is 3.39 kg using ÃŽ ± = .005 c. In a short paragraph, describe the relationship between your answer to part (a) and your answer to part (b). 8. In a study of the effectiveness of a new pain killer, 46 out of 821 patients tested reported experiencing side effects. Use ÃŽ ± = 0.01 significance level to determine if the proportion who experience side effects from this drug is lower than the 7.8% rate of side effects for the older version of this medication.

Theories Definition Essay Example for Free

Theories Definition Essay This essay discusses theory in a general perspective and some related concepts underpinning it. Kuhn is also presented as an example of an alternative theorist. Theories, according to Littlejohn (1992) are abstractions or frameworks for speculating, interpreting, guessing, understanding, evaluating, rationalizing, explaining or predicting complexity of phenomena, events, ideas, mathematical or logical discussions, human relations, and communication through observation and critical thinking. The basic elements of theories are (1) concepts, which are usually categorized, and (2) explanation, which identifies patterns in the relationships among variables and can be casual or practical. Theory, in a traditional perspective, is based on the premise of â€Å"knowledge as discovery†. It is modeled on the experimental natural sciences through hypothetico-deductive method that includes four processes: (1) developing questions, (2) forming hypotheses, (3) testing the hypotheses, and (4) formulating theory. This method can be done through variable analysis and it is based on the concepts of hypothesis, operationism, control and manipulation, covering laws, and prediction. Littlejohn cites Robyn Penman in describing alternative paradigm through the following five tenets: (1) Action is voluntary. (2) Knowledge is created socially. (3) Theories are historical. (4) Theories affect the reality they are covering. (5) Theories are value laden. The concept of metatheory is used in discussing the criticisms of the work of Kuhn because it describes and explains the similarities and differences among theories. The critics of Kuhn have also their own set of ideas or theories in explaining why Kuhn’s ideas are not accepted. Metatheory issues are grouped into three Major themes – epistemology (questions of knowledge), ontology (questions of existence), and axiology (questions of value). Thomas Samuel Kuhn (1992-1996), an American natural scientist and contemporary philosopher who contributed in the evolution of science principles, has contributed much in the history of and issues on science, culture, and policy in the academic, political, and business fields. Kuhn’s SSR provides his antithetical views in the philosophy of science in which, like Imre Lakatos and Paul Feyerabend, Kuhn emphasized the role and nature of â€Å"rationality† in the processes of science. Kuhn contends that â€Å"science operates as a social structure rather than as an impersonal entity advancing toward epistemological commitment† (Mackie, 1998, p. 25). He contradicts the concept of logical positivism which states that scientists choose between competing theories in a purely rational fashion (Philosophy of Science, 2004). Like William Whewell, Kuhn denies the overly systematic approach to science or the scientific method as the framework for inquiry (Prosise, Miller, Mills, 1996; Mackie, 1998; Roberts, 2000; Nickles, 2003). In SSR, Kuhn presented issues on the nature of and the role of community in scientific development. Thus, paradigm depends on the community to which a practitioner belongs (Roberts, 2000). He interprets the history of science based on the development of â€Å"paradigms,† which are not just simple theories but also â€Å"accepted examples of actual scientific practice [that] provide models from which spring particular coherent traditions of scientific research† (Kuhn 1970, 4, 10). Paradigms provide new information about the world and people’s behavior (Swirski, 1996; Mackie, 1998; Roberts, 2000). Kuhn argues that scientific thought advances through intellectually violent revolutions (Copulos, 2001). This asserts Kuhn’s statement the evolution of science is characterized by alternating periods of â€Å"normal† and â€Å"revolutionary† scientific activity, with the periods of normal science being far more common (Mackie, 1998, p. 27). For instance, a paradigm shift can be seen in the practice of medicine since alternative medicine has been discovered to be also a promising way of treating diseases but it remains a controversy (Copulos, 2001). It appears that the paradigm cannot be fully developed and evaluated solely in a rational manner based on the verification of facts. This approach impacts on the philosophy of science since it is accepted that a paradigm becomes a prerequisite to â€Å"understanding why revolutionary science occurs and why periods of normal science persist† (Mackie, 1998, p. 28). Kuhn is criticized in his vision of scientific revolution which was seen as maligned for its seemingly inconclusive historical perspective; his description of normal science because it implicitly redefined scientific activity; and his ambiguous usage of the term â€Å"paradigm† in different ways (Mackie, 1998). Specifically, Israel Scheffler (1967) argued that Kuhn is a radical irrationalist, subjectivist, irrealist, and relativist because he denies that science provides the basis for objective truth about reality at the perceptual-phenomenal level. Nickles (2003) adds that: â€Å"†¦Kuhn as a principal source of postmodern relativism and of culture-theoretical treatments of science generally†¦Other critics view Kuhn as intellectually conservative in important ways. ..Kuhn differed rather little from the logical positivists on crucial issues, especially assumptions about language and meaning. †¦Kuhns work is also politically conservative and elitist, so much so that, owing to its great influence, it has destroyed any attempt to develop a more democratic science policy for the foreseeable future† (p. 3). Despite the criticisms he received, Kuhn was able to defend his theories by defining his terms more carefully. His second edition of SSR (1970) made amendments and used â€Å"disciplinary matrix† to substitute for â€Å"paradigm† (Mackie, 1998). In the third edition of SSR, Kuhn denied the accusation of relativism and he further clarified his views to avoid misinterpretation (Dyson, 1999). The changes made by Kuhn in SSR shows development from ambiguity to a clearer explanation. As Littlejohn (1992) notes, theories are constantly evolving and they need to be mastered. As an alternative-paradigm theorist, Kuhn did the process of â€Å"fine-tuning interpretive framework for understanding the flow of events† (p. 25). Although Kuhn was criticized for his theories in his SSR, it is undeniable that his theories played significant role in describing, although not accurately, the development of science principles. Kuhn’s theory focused on rational assessment of ideas and it suits disciplines outside normal science because it is irrelevant to philosophy of science but is significant in the analysis of human behavior. References â€Å"Philosophy of Science.† (2004). The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th edition. New York: Columbia University Press. Dyson, F. (1999). The Sun, the Genome, and the Internet: Tools of Scientific Revolutions. Oxford University Press, Inc.. Kuhn, T. S. (1970). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 2d ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Littlejohn, S. (1992). Chapter 2: Theory in the process of inquiry, Theories of Human Communication. Wadsworth Publishing Co, 25. Mackie, C. D. (1998). Canonizing Economic Theory: How Theories and Ideas Are Selected in Economics. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe. Milton R. Copulos, (November 12, 2001). A Shift in Thinking about Medicine. Insight on the News 17(42), 46. Nickles, T. (ed.) (2003). Thomas Kuhn. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Prosise, T. O., Miller, Greg R., Mills, Jordan P. (1996). Argument Fields as Arenas of Discursive Struggle: Argument Fields and Pierre Bourdieus Theory of Social Practice. Argumentation and Advocacy 32(3), 111+. Roberts, L. J. (2000). Thomas Kuhns the Structure of Scientific Revolutions. ETC.: A Review of General Semantics, 57(1), 59. Swirski, P. (1996). Game Theory in the Third Pentagon: A Study in Strategy and Rationality. Criticism 38(2), 303+.

Ballard Fuel Cell :: essays research papers

THE BALLARD FUEL CELL The Ballard fuel cell is a power generating device which combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas, petroleum) and oxygen without the use of combustion in order to generate electricity. Since fuel cells operate very quietly and efficiently and their only emissions are pure water and heat they are expected to be the future of power generating machines. The PEM fuel cell is made of two plates with a plastic membrane coated with a catalyst in the middle. Hydrogen is then fed through the channels on one side of the plates and oxygen is fed through the other side. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms are drawn toward each other. Only one part of the hydrogen atom – the proton – can pass through the membrane. The electron has to take the long way around through an external circuit. This creates electricity. The oxygen side attracts protons and electrons that have traveled through the external circuit. This is where the byproducts water and heat are formed. Each fuel cell operates continuously as long as hydrogen is supplied. Single cells are combined to produce the required amount of power. PEM fuel cells operate at around 90 degrees Celsius and give off 90 degrees Celsius of heat, which is a fairly low temperature. This is much better than high temperature combustion engines, which operate at about 2500 degrees Celsius and give off 125 degrees Celsius of heat. This means the Ballard fuel cell can react quickly to load changes and makes it ideal for motor vehicles. Which is why Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen Yamaha, Daimler Chrysler and Ford have commercialized the use of these cells. The cities of Vancouver and Chicago are currently testing Ballard’s fuel cell transit buses. They are seeing the maintenance requirements of the pollution free buses as well as the public reaction to the program.

Edgar Allan Poe: Life and Works Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Edgar Allan Poe was a literary genius of his time. His works may seem eccentric but beneath the words and stories lies a solemn, alone boy whose only way of comfort and relief was through his pen. Of the critical reviews I have studied pertaining to Poe, never has such a varied difference of opinions been presented or suggested towards a writer. It is thought that his life had a major influence on his writing and by reading many of his pieces I agree with that statement. Edgar Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809 to actors Elisabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe Junior. Edgar had a brother Henry, who was a year older than him, and a younger sister, Rosalie. His mother and father separated a couple months after Rosalie’s birth. When Edgar was two his mother passed away and a few weeks later his father died as well. As a result, Edgar and his siblings became separated. John Allan took in Edgar where he was christened as Edgar Allan Poe. Three years later the Allan’s moved to England where he attended Manor House School for three years. Even though Edgar performed very well in school, he only seemed to remember his school days in London as lonely and unhappy. After three years, they returned to Virginia but Poe felt abandoned constantly. Mr. Allan was always busy with work and his wife was in a constant state of illness. The Allans never legally adopted Poe; resulting in many cards and greetings sent to the family that would fail to mention Edgar.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Edgar was a teenager the Allans moved around frequently. In 1822, the family finally settled in Richmond, in a house rented from William Galt. Edgar continued with his education, and by the age of fourteen, he was attending the Academy of Joseph H. Clarke. He did very well academically and the academy not only encouraged his studies but nourished his gift for language. Poe excelled in Latin and French, and at age sixteen he wrote the poem â€Å"Oh Tempora! Oh Mores!† While at school Poe excelled at writing by authoring countless numbers of poems. My research indicates that Poe had the potential to publish a book of poetry. For reasons unknown the Academy of Joseph H. Clark was not receptive to this venture and persuaded Poe’s stepfather not to entertain such notions. The school also brought out the athlete in Poe. He was a good runner, leaper, boxer, and sw... ...urity and anger towards John Allan often kept him from succeeding and doing well in life. He was in a constant uphill and downhill race. He didn’t want success enough for himself and let John Allan ruin his chances of becoming wealthy and happy with himself. One would think though, is it better he was treated that way? For this treatment created one of the world’s most renowned, controversial and heavily debated writers ever. In my opinion, Poe’s purpose was to let everyone know how he felt and what he felt, and with his intelligence and proper English and grammatical skills he was allowed to do so with writing. It is often said writing is a form of calming relief, whether the content be brutal or serene, those who write seem to explore and take in more from life then those who sit by and not use their imaginations. Poe may have gone deep into his and composed papers of mystery and confusion but he also reminded us about the side many people shut off in fear of harming others or being harmed themselves. Death is not a fun topic to discuss and with the way Poe would word his writings he made death itself become a light musical of phrases and poems that will be forever in our minds.

Butler’s Tourism Lifecycle Model Essay

Butler developed a model which shows how any tourist resort may grow. A resort may start off from being a small, low key, destination. He suggests that all resorts go through the same sort of process. The seven stages of tourist development A graph of Butler’s resort life cycle model 1. Exploration – a small number of tourists visit the area. The area is unspoilt and few tourist facilities exist. 2. Involvement – local people start to provide some facilities for tourists. There starts to become a recognised tourist season. 3. Development – the host country starts to develop and advertise the area. The area becomes recognised as a tourist destination. 4. Consolidation – the area continues to attract tourists. The growth in tourist numbers may not be a fast as before. Some tensions develop between the host and the tourists. 5. Stagnation – the facilities for the tourists may decline as they become old and run down. The numbers of tourists may decline too. 6. Rejuvenation – investment and modernisation may occur which leads to improvements and visitor numbers may increase again. 7. Decline – if the resort is not rejuvenated (stage 6) then it will go into decline. People lose their jobs related to tourism. The image of the area suffers. The Butler model is a generalisation, and so not all resorts will follow this process. Application of Butler’s Tourism Lifecycle Model to Calafell & Sitges, Spain (MEDC) Sitges and Calafell are approximately equal-sized settlements lying to the south west of Barcelona. Both rely on tourism as a major source of income and employment and the study aims to compare the relative success of tourism, in its various forms, by employing the Butler Model. 1. SITGES Sitges – a brief history Sitges is a town of approximately 25,000 people and is located about 30 km south of Barcelona. Originally occupied by the Romans on a defensive headland looking out to sea, Sitges’ port was used to trade products from the Penedà ¨s region and other places from the Roman Mediterranean. Despite its direct contact with the sea, the town had more peasant farmers than fishermen, with vineyards being the main economic activity. In the 18th century Catalonia obtained permission to trade directly with the West Indian Spanish colonies and by 1833 more than 27% of the Catalans trading with Cuba were Sitgetans. The fortunes made were invested in the purchase or repair of the town’s old houses. Sitges, although located close to Barcelona, was still hard to access at the time, but began to develop as a summer resort for taking the waters. As early as 1879, there are records showing that baths were already being used as medicinal therapy and spa enthusiasts directly became beach ent husiasts. However, it was not until 1881, with the arrival of the railway line from Barcelona, that tourism in Sitges really began to develop. With the arrival of Santiago Rusià ±ol in 1891 – one of the architects of Modernism – Sitges became the cultural centre of the modernists. In 1909, Sitges was visited by Charles Deering, a North American millionaire who converted a street in the historic core into a palace, the Palau Maricel. This palace and Rusià ±ol’s residence helped launch Sitges to tourist fame. In 1918, the Terramar garden city and the Passeig Maritim or Esplanade were constructed. Atraccià ³n de Forasteros (Tourist Attraction Company) was created in 1928 and the Tourist Information Office in 1934. From then on, Sitges would become a European tourism standard setter. Aerial view of Sitges’ historic core The Butler Model applied to Sitges 1. Sitges Discovery Sitges was discovered early by people from the city of Barcelona. It later began to attract many artists and intellectuals such as Rusià ±ol. Many wealthy Catalans also built second homes in Sitges to escape a much polluted Barcelona. Much of the early wealth of Sitges was based on trade with the West Indies and Cuba in particular. The houses on the southern part of the Esplanade reflect this Cuban influence. 2. Sitges Growth and Development The local tourist industry remained in place until the developments of the 1960’s when tourism from overseas first began to filter into the town. The development of the package holiday whereby passengers booked flights, transfers and accommodation all in one booking made places such as Sitges accessible to people from Northern Europe. Furthermore, the use of jet aircraft made such perceived epic journeys now possible in under half of a day. Sitges responded to these developments with the construction of large hotels such as the Terramar and Calipolis on the sea front. Other smaller hotels were also built, often in converted Cubanesque houses. Restaurants, shops and bars also opened to cater for the needs of the increased number of tourists who visited in the main season extending from mid-May until the end of September. 3. Sitges Success Sitges is now a major tourist resort, perceived as high status and catering for more affluent visitors. It has a wide range of 36 hotels and 12 pensions, totaling 2,540 rooms. It is popular with the gay community, many of whom holiday in Sitges during the summer season. This has added to the success of the town and is further reflected in the range of high status shops and restaurants found there. There are over 150 clothes shops and 175 bars and restaurants, four times more than expected in a town the size of Sitges. Sitges has also attracted many migrants not just to work in the tourist industry but also others to live in the town. These include wealthy people from elsewhere in Spain, as well as others from around the world. The migrants comprise of 63% from Europe and 30% from Latin America. Many of the Europeans are living permanently in Sitges while others own second homes in the town. Proximity to Barcelona airport and the advent of low-cost airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair have been an added boost to Sitges in attracting people on short breaks. Today large numbers of the tourists are independent travellers, making all of their own holiday arrangements via the internet rather than using a High Street travel agency. This has been especially important since the economic downturn as the majority of visitors are here for short breaks only. 4 Sitges Stagnation Tourism trends change. Many of the early tourists to Sitges now looked for cheaper alternatives to places they may have visited before or become tired of. New resorts opened as the Mediterranean countries of Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and others developed their tourist potential and more established resorts such as Sitges saw a fall in their traditional client base. This phase saw holiday companies such as Thompson remove Sitges from their holiday brochures. 5 Sitges Decline or Rejuvenation The fall in the traditional tourist base has led Sitges to try to develop more sustainable strategies. Many environmental improvements are in progress and the resort has been rebranded as an all-year destination. To this end the calendar of events that Sitges offers extends well beyond the traditional holiday season. The extension of the season has been promoted with the production of a DVD with the theme ‘Sitges the art of living’. This appeals to high income professional groups to make Sitges a permanent base for multiple short breaks in the Mediterranean sun. Sitges has capitalised on its proximity to Barcelona to become one of the main destinations for Business and Conference tourism in Catalonia. Its specialised hotels in this sector include the Dolce Sitges, with over 30 meeting rooms and the Melià ¡ Sitges, with a conference hall seating more than 1,300 delegates and 16 meeting rooms. Furthermore, the Sitges Council is embarking on a project called ‘QUALIA Sitges’ to enhance tourism by exploiting what is called the ‘creative economy’. This refers to the development of activities relating to creativity, art and culture which will compliment Sitges’ tourist based economy. It aims to build upon the earlier role of Sitges as a centre of art and cu lture based upon the works of the artist Rusià ±ol in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It aims to encourage and promote cultural and artistic tradition with new technology. The project is a long term plan covering the next ten years and will see the development of a state of the art campus with a school of music and dance, a University of the Performing Arts and a Design Centre. These facilities will bring in to Sitges up to 2,000 students a year as well as a further 2000 jobs including academic staff and other professionals working in the QUALIA facility. It has been estimated that each student will spend approximately 750â‚ ¬ per month in Sitges of which 150â‚ ¬ will be on tourist and leisure facilities. Added to this are the family and friends of the students coming to see them who are expected to add a further 25,000 guest nights in Sitges and the use of the town’s tourist facilities. Therefore, Sitges can be seen as moving forward in its plans to remain a major leisure destination by diversifying to ensure long term sustainability. 2. CALAFELL Calafell – a brief history Calafell has a population of approximately 25,000 people and lies 50 km south of Barcelona. It owes its origins to a castle and occupied a defensive site on an inland hill. The name Calafell means ‘small castle’ and the earliest reference to it dates from 999AD. For years the economy of Calafell was devoted to agriculture and fishing. Like Sitges, the arrival in the late 1880’s of the railway from Barcelona led to a change in its economic fortunes. Calafell became more accessible and the development of second homes around the railway stations flourished with the 1947 Garden City project known as the Quadra de Segur. At first people lived there only during holiday periods, but now the majority of the population are permanent residents. It was not until the 1960’s that tourism began to develop strongly in Calafell, especially along the 5km of uninterrupted beach where numerous apartment buildings and hotels were constructed. With the blessing of successive city councils, a huge speculative boom in the 1970’s led to an endless row of 6-storey apartments facing the sea. Later regulations prevented excessive vertical growth whilst inland the prohibition of building over two and a half floors led to more green space and a lower population density. Today, the town of Calafell is delimited into three very distinct areas. To the north, narrow streets surround the castle and the old church. To the south, and disconnected from the historic core, the former seafront fishing village has been converted into tourist area. And to the east is Segur de Calafell, a former Garden City of second homes developed on farmland surrounding the railway station. | Calafell castle: the historic core of Calafell is disconnected from the seafront beach resort| | Calafell seafront: 6-storey apartments facing the sea| The Butler Model applied to Calafell 1. Discovery Calafell, like Sitges, benefited from the opening of the railway line but because of its greater distance from Barcelona, there was very slow development until a huge speculative boom in the 1970’s. Developers constructed hotels and apartments to take advantage of the resort’s greatest asset – its long and wide beach. 2. Growth and Development The construction of the promenade and the completion of the sea front apartments and hotels attracted families from Madrid and northern Spain, particularly in the summer months. New businesses opened to cater for the needs of these people. 3. Success The 5 km stretch of coastline comprising the beach resort of Calafell became fully occupied during the high seasons of the 1970’s and 1980’s. However, Calafell never attracted the package tour operators in the way that Sitges has done and the range of hotels is very limited. 4. Problem – Stagnation The speculative boom of the 1970’s and 1980’s resulted in the destruction of nearly all of Calafell’s original seafront. The fishing cottages were replaced by an endless row of 6-storey apartments facing the sea. As a result, the seafront lacks character and charm and with the economic crisis and competition from other resorts in Spain and overseas, the number of hotel rooms has decreased by 17% in the last decade (from 1,690 in 1996 to 1402 in 2006). The immigrant population now represents 20% of the total population of Calafell, having grown rapidly in recent years. However, Calafell has not attracted large numbers of wealthy people from elsewhere in Spain and Europe in the way Sitges has. Instead, approximately 50% of the immigrants are from North Africa, settling in the area of Segur de Calafell. Calafell thus seems to be in stagnation or decline mode. Calafell: only one cottage from the original seafront remains today 5. Decline or Rejuvenation Like Sitges, the fall in the traditional tourist base has led Calafell to try to develop more sustainable strategies. Many environmental improvements are in progress and the resort has been rebranded as an all-year destination. However, tourism in Calafell has taken a rather different path to Sitges. The family-orientated nature of the resort has been promoted, with Calafell earning the ‘Family Holiday Destination certificate’ from the Catalan government in 2007. This recognised the family-oriented accommodation, restaurants and a range of leisure activities provided. Calafell has a Children’s Club in the summer months and, like Sitges, has a tourist train running along the sea front and a second linking the beach area with the historic core inland. Calafell has helped pioneer the trend for more active holiday pursuits and in 2008 became the first resort in Spain to offer Nordic walking. This, together with trekking and mountain biking are provided free of charge, with certified guides. However, despite adopting the slogan ‘Calafell tot l’any’ (‘Calafell, all year’), the resort has struggled to extend the tourist season as effectively as Sitges. Calafell’s 2009 Municipal Urban Plan (POUM) seeks to stop the uncontrolled urban growth of the town, protect the natural and historical heritage and maintain and enhance the tourism that forms its economic base. Calafell needs to widen its tourism offer and new economic activities need to be attracted to diversify its economy if it is to avoid becoming a dormitory town for Barcelona. It can therefore be seen that both Sitges and Calafell cater for tourists but are two very different towns. The proximity of Barcelona has enabled Sitges to grow much more rapidly and diversify its tourism more effectively than Calafell with the result that the two towns have developed and evolved in different ways.

Historian’s Wizard of Oz Review Essay

the movie `wizard of oz`, the strengths and weaknesses of each document, the major differences between the documents, and feedback on any links to present day political and economic issues. Investigate the authors background. Introduction The Historian’s Wizard Of Oz, first published in 1900, made ripples in the literary world and its writer L. Frank Baum shoot to eminence, and the result was so many of the sequels. When MGM, in 1939, decided to convert this hit into movie version, many of the adaptations of Wizard of Oz had been appeared on stage. Although the film did not cause swell at the box office sales in the beginning, but made waves, as people become conscious to its hidden meaning, years following its initial release. â€Å"Its status as an American classic owes more to television, as The Wizard of Oz became an annual television event in the 1950s and 1960s. The universal quality of the story and the warmth of the film made it appealing to people of all ages. Who would’ve thought that The Wizard of Oz contained hidden meanings†?1 Critics and observers has been interpreted this mega hit in different ways for more than a century now. And it is Henry Littlefield, a high school teacher; presented the most illustrious interpretation of The Wizard of Oz. it is a fact that Baum had been very much involved in active politics in the last decades of 1800s.But, Baum never made claim at any stage that that the story, in its contents, was an allegory for politics. â€Å"Baum’s story corresponded to the issues and figures in American politics at the end of the 19th century. Littlefield found that he could use The Wizard of Oz to teach history to his students, as the story functioned well as an allegory to the Populist movement and the 1896 presidential election†. 2 Populism, the Key Issues of 1896 and Impact on Culture More than 50 translations has been made in various languages of East and West of The Wizard of Oz so far. Even, due to its popularity, different countries adapted in a way to match the corrosponding conditions of the local culture. For instance, â€Å"in some countries where the Hindu religion is practiced, abridged versions of the book were published in which, for religious reasons, the Tin Woodsman was replaced with a snake†. 1 When Henry Littlefield article was published in American Quarterly then people began to realize that The Wizard of Oz was a â€Å"parable on Populism,† a prototype of a rural political awakening in the last decades of 1800. The Populist Party of late 19th century mobilized the Farmers’ Alliances to its advantage. â€Å"Farmers faced considerable economic hardship and they believed that monetary policy was determined by eastern bankers and industrial interests. The Farmers’ Alliances wanted greater government regulation of railroads, tax reform and the free coinage of silver to increase the money supply†. 3 Wizard of the Oz made great impression on American, Russian, and other European countries. â€Å"A mere sampling of the breadth in which it is referenced might include Futurama (which parodied it in an episode), The Cinnamon Bear (a 1938 radio serial), RahXephon (a 2002 Japanese animated television show), Zardoz (a 1974 Sean Connery movie), Wizard and Glass (a 1997 Stephen King fantasy/Western novel), and the science fiction literature of Robert Heinlein†. 4 The Wizard of Oz: the movie: the Ups and Downs Although Baum produced the â€Å"Oz† film series in 1908 and 1914 but the most famous adaptation is the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, featuring Judy Garland as Dorothy. Francis MacDonell argues that the movie is an allegory of New Deal, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s program of social welfare to combat the widespread hardship of the Great Depression in the 1930s. The man primarily responsible for injecting this political message into the film was lyricist E.Y. â€Å"Yip† Harburg, who was a socialist and supporter of Roosevelt’s policies. Harburg had written the lyrics to â€Å"Brother Can You Spare a Dime?† which served as an apt anthem for the Great Depression. 5 The movie is magical and creative, its pluses is as MacDonnell described, The Wizard of Oz, †¦is a brightly-colored, visually bold, rapidly paced extravaganza, full of gaudy sets, outlandish costumes, and way-over-the-top acting.6 But, some of the scenes were insipid (the ridiculous conclusion of the poppy field sequence) or misplaced (the Cowardly Lion’s song, which occurs at perhaps the least appropriate moment). 5 A look into Frank Baum’s Life and His Political Ambitions L Frank Baum was born on 15 May 1856 in Chittennnango, New York. His earlier interest in the newspapers and magazines but when he entered in his 20s he started taking interest in theaters and operas. His mother was one of the leading champions of the Women’s Rights Movements. He shoot to eminence when he teamed up with Maxfield Parrish, the illustrator, and wrote his first book Mother Goose in Prose, afterwards he together with illustrator William Wallace he published Father Goose, His Book. Both books had drawn huge attention from the children. Nobody can say with surety that Frank Baum really preplanned to produce a work that was so much critical of the monetary aspects of the 1896 election. â€Å"Yet it is not too much of a stretch to interpret the imagery of the story in this light. Of all the fantasy characters Baum could have created to accompany Dorothy on her journey, he chose characters that evoked so strongly the occupations of ordinary people in the late-19th century—farmers and industrial workers. Lawrence Swaim suggests that Baum â€Å"may not have been conscious of [the political significance of the Oz imagery], which would explain why the political references in Baum’s books pop up in such a surrealistic way.†1 It is surprising none of the Baum biographers identified that if Baum had any political intention to write The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. â€Å"If Baum had been a Populist supporter, the imagery in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz suggests that Baum had lost his zeal for the Populist movement.† 1 Endnotes 1. Ranjit S. Dighe, The Historian’s Wizard of Oz: Reading L. Frank Baum’s Classic as a Political and Monetary Allegory (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2002) 2. Richard Jensen, The Winning of the Midwest: Social and Political Conflict, 1885-1896 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971) 3. Martin Gardner and Russell B. Nye, eds., The Wizard of Oz and Who He Was (East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 1994) 4. William Leach, Land of Desire: Merchants, Power, and the Rise of a New American Culture, (New York: Vintage Books, 1993) 5. Lynette Carpenter, â€Å"‘There’s No Place Like Home’: The Wizard of Oz and American Isolationism,† Film and History 15 (May, 1985), pp. 37-45 6. Francis MacDonnell, â€Å"‘The Emerald City Was the New Deal’: E.Y. Harburg and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,† Journal of American Culture (13 (Winter 1990), pp. 71-75.

Dear Reader For English Project

One of my favorite genres, that I think you will enjoy as well, is my short story because of it being yet a sarcastic but heart whelming mood put t o it. After writing that final word, it was probably one of the best feelings. The feel Eng of accomplishment quickly just set over but then realized I still had to write this letter for you guys. Oh, darn. My least favorite part about this project would be writing the movie review because of it being the one requiring the most work. So, there must be some wing enjoyed and that would definitely be writing my short story and free verse poem because I as just able to let all my thoughts out.For this project to be better, I mean it's already pretty dark n good, but for me it definitely would need more opportunities where I could let my thoughts out This project is a new experience for me, never had done something like this b cause I never could be as easygoing as I am in this letter. This project was a breeze, y SE there was the stress of me not finishing the project but with a couple of lamplighters I think the e final result of it is something to be proud of. Would I prefer a traditional essay over this prove CT?

Eia Case Study: a Comparison of Two Eia Reports

EIA Case Study: A comparison of two EIA reports| 1. Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Associated Works, Agreement No. CE 45/2008 (CE). 2. Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Shatin to Central Link– Mong Kok East to Hung Hom Section, Agreement No. NEX/2213| | | | | | | Contents 1. Introduction4 2. How are the Two Projects compared4 3. Description of the Case Studies5 3. 1 EIA Report 1: â€Å"Shatin to Central Link-Mong Kok East to Hung Hom Section†5 3. 1. 1 Project Background5 3. 1. Construction Involved5 3. 1. 3 Projects call for the assessment of EIAO5 3. 1. 4 Scope of the EIA study7 3. 1. 5 Conclusion of the EIA report after mitigation7 3. 2 EIA Report 2: â€Å"Liantang Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Associated Works†7 3. 2. 1 Project Background7 3. 2. 2 Construction Involved7 3. 2. 3 Projects call for the assessment of EIAO8 3. 2. 4 Scope of the EIA study9 3. 2. 5 Conclusion of the E IA report after mitigation9 4. Comparison of the Case studies9 4. 1 Noise Impact Assessment9 4. 1. 1 General Review of the project9 . 1. 2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines10 4. 1. 3 Description of environment, NSRs. 11 4. 1. 4 The Main Parts of Noise Impact Assessment11 4. 2Air Impact Assessment13 4. 2. 1 General Review of the project13 4. 2. 2 Procurement of relevant laws, regulations and pollutant emission standards14 4. 2. 3 Background air pollutants concentrations adopted in Projects15 4. 2. 4 Potential source of Impact and Assessment methodology16 4. 2. 5 Prediction Mitigation and Evaluation of Environmental Impact17 4. 3 Water Impact Assessment18 . 3. 1 General Review of the project18 4. 3. 2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines18 4. 3. 3 Prediction and Evaluation of Impacts18 4. 3. 4 Water Quality Mitigation Measures19 5. What do the Case Studies Highlight from the Two EIA report20 5. 1 Public Participation in the Projects20 5. 2 3-D EIA21 6. Conclusion and future application of the Cases22 References23 1. Introduction The EIA have long-term existing in Hong Kong. After the 1979, the EIA entered into the â€Å"systematic application of an administrative system†.An EIA Bill, which would have allowed EIA to become a statutory requirement, was approved by the Government in 1997. After that, the EIA continuely developed rapidly in the next 15 years and became a fundamental and vital imperative part in every project as long as public and government would concern about. An EIA is a creative process addressing the diverse challenges of very different projects in often very different environments around the world. The objective of all the EIA is to control, contain, minimize, and even remove a development activity’s potential negative impacts on the environment.This report selects two EIA reports which were approved in the recent two years to make a comparison on their different technical approaches, methods, and assessment results so that to review the current development of EIA discipline. How the two projects are compared will be introduced first. The main content with respect of comparison on noise impact assessment, air impact assessment and water impact assessment follows. Subsequently, the report would like to mention some valuable elements discovery during the comparison.These messages will be organized in â€Å"What do the case studies highlight from the two report part†. Finally, the report ends up in a conclusion and some implication for the future EIA. 2. How are the Two Projects compared In this Case Study paper, an introduction to the whole EIA procedures (includes the characteristic of the projects, the traits for EIA focus on and scope of different disciplines of assessment, the relevant mitigation methods, etc) will be first displayed based on a combination review of Executive brief, the introduction part of the two reports and relevant Figures.The comprehensive compa rison of the noise impact assessment, Air impact assessment, water impact assessment and other impact assessment between the two projects follows. All the above mentioned comparisons will be in accordance with the criteria demonstrate in the EIAO-TM. Subsequently, valuable points discovered during the comparison between the EIA procedures in the two projects are presented. These comprise theâ€Å"What do the case studies highlight about the two EIA reports† phase. Finally, the conclusion on the case studies and some recommendations for the envisioned EIA report are provided.Theâ€Å"Comparison of the case studies†is the main part of the case study report. A quick review on the courseware of CSE 508 environmental impact assessment will be prior to the commencement of the comparison. By doing this, a piece of general procedures for EIA studies which include a. Identity b. Description c. Procurement d. Condition of Prediction activities e. Assessment f. Mitigations, etc a re formed to analyze the two reports, all the information provide in the EIA reports will be rearranged into the above categories for a more clear comparison, regardless of the original presentation form of each report.Compare scenarios of construction phase and operation phase separately is also requisite in the report. Public participation is involved in both the two projects, the report also review them and comment on the different achievements public had made. Apart from this, having noticed the excellent contribution of 3-D model in the EIA, the report also introduces the effect of 3D EIA in the Liantang project. These two elements are of application value. 3. Description of the Case Studies 3. 1 EIA Report 1: â€Å"Shatin to Central Link-Mong Kok East to Hung Hom Section† 3. 1. 1 Project BackgroundThe project is known as SCL – Mong Kok East to Hung Hom Section [SCL (MKK-HUH)]. The realignment work for the existing EAL tracks from the tunnel portal near Oi Man Est ate (portal 1A) to the proposed North Ventilation Building, Plant Rooms and Emergency Access (NOV) 1 in Hung Hom. It is approximately 1. 2km long from the tunnel portal near Oi Man Estate (portal 1A) to the proposed NOV in Hung Hom. The project area is land-based only with neither marine works nor use of sea-water cooling system. The primary construction phase elements displayed in Table 1 and 2 below. 3. 1. 2 Construction InvolvedSections| Key Construction Items| Portal 1A (the most northern part of the project boundary) to North of Hung Hom Station (HUH)| †¢ Construction of a branch of track (with a trough and tunnel toward Chatham Road Interchange)†¢ Construction Works Area above ground, e. g. Associated slope works at Oi Sen Path†¢ Construction of Noise Mitigation Measures at Portal 1A†¢ Realignment of Cheong Wan Road| North of HUH to Hung Hom NOV| †¢ Construction of the approach tunnel†¢ Construction of new platforms (at the existing HUH)†¢ Co nstruction of ventilation shafts at north and south of HUH†¢ Construction works areas above ground, eg.Cooling Tower†¢ Operation of one barging point with two loading ramps at Hung Hom Freight Pier (It will be constructed by Kwun Tong Line Extension (KTE) before commencement of the construction of the Project| Table 1 Construction Phase Elements 3. 1. 3 Projects call for the assessment of EIAO The Project together with some associated works would cover three designated project (DP) elements as specified under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499) as identified below: Item DP1: A railway and its associated stations under A. in Schedule 2 Part 1, i. e. Railway from Portal 1A to the new NOV and the HUH; Item DP2: A railway tunnel more than 800m in length between portals under A. 7 in Schedule 2 Part 1, i. e. from Chatham Road Interchange to the new NOV; and Item DP3: A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district dist ributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road under A. 1 in Schedule 2 Part 1, i. e. Realignment of existing Cheong Wan Road which is a district distributor. the shifted alignment is shown in Appendix 1. 3) Apart from the above DP Elements, the following minor modification works would be conducted at the nearby siding and good cards which are currently designated project exempted under Section 9(2) of the EIAO: A railway siding, depot, maintenance workshop, marshalling yard or goods yard under A. 4 in Schedule 2 Part 1; i. e. Ho Man Tin siding. Based on the latest information, there will be neither change in frequency nor function of the sidings.Three existing tracks will be reduced to one track with a spur track approaching the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Phase 8 (HKPU Phase 8) area and the number of crossing will be reduced (see Appendix 1. 4). A railway siding, depot, maintenance workshop, marshalling yard or goods yard under A. 4 in Schedule 2 Part 1; Mong Kok Freight Terminal at MKK. Based on the latest information, there will be no change in function of the terminal. MKK will be slightly modified for additional work area of buildings and facilities of the existing terminal. There will be neither modification nor addition to the existing three rail tracks (see Appendix 1. ). Section| Key Operational Items – Before Yr 2020 (Using existing East Rail Line tracks and station) | Key Operational Items – After Yr 2020 (after the completion of the whole SCL) | Portal 1A to north of HUH | †¢ Using existing MLR/SP 1900 trains †¢ Using existing ballast tracks (above ground) †¢ Freight train operations to cease †¢ Infrequent Intercity and maintenance locomotive movements, same as the prevailing condition †¢ Alignment of Ho Man Tin Siding slightly revised | †¢ Using new 9-car trains of SP 1900, or equivalent †¢ Using slab tracks at tunnel near Carmel Secondary School †¢ Using new HUH latform †¢ Freight train operations to cease †¢ Infrequent Intercity and maintenance locomotive movements, same as the prevailing condition †¢ Alignment of Ho Man Tin Siding slightly revised | North of HUH to Hung Hom NOV | †¢ Using existing MLR/SP 1900 trains †¢ Using existing ballast track (above ground) †¢ Using existing EAL platform †¢ Freight train operations to cease †¢ Infrequent Intercity movement, same as the prevailing condition †¢ Realigned Cheong Wan Road †¢ New Exhaust/Intakes at HUH in operation (since Yr 2018) | †¢ Using new 9-car trains of SP 1900, or equivalent †¢ Using new slab tracks (most are underground) †¢ Using new platform †¢ Freight train operations to cease †¢ Infrequent Intercity movement, same as the prevailing condition †¢ Realigned Cheong Wan Road | Table 2 Operational Phase Elements 3. 1. 4 Scope of the EIA studyIn accordance with the EIA Study Brief and the EIAO-TM guidelines, the EIA has been conducted in the fields include Landscape and Visual Impacts, Air Quality, Airborne Noise Impact, Ground-borne Noise Impact, Water Quality Impact, Waste Management Implications and Land Contamination. 3. 1. 5 Conclusion of the EIA report after mitigation Overall, the EIA Study has concluded that the Project is environmentally acceptable in compliance with environmental legislation and standards and provides substantive societal benefits. With the implementation of environmental control measures during construction and operation of the Project, the individual impacts are minimized and there would be no adverse residual impacts from the project. 3. 2 EIA Report 2: â€Å"Liantang Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Associated Works† 3. 2. 1 Project BackgroundIt is anticipated that the volume of cross-boundary traffic will continue to increase with the closer ties of Hong Kong-Shenzhen and the completion of the planned Eastern Corridor in Shenzhen, Consider to this, the Liantang Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point was designed to meet the future traffic demand and re-distribute cross-boundary traffic amongst the crossings in the east. 3. 2. 2 Construction Involved The Project consists of two main components, construction of a BCP; and construction of a connecting road alignment. The connecting road alignment consists of six main sections: 1. Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area (FCA) Boundary – this section comprises at-grade and viaducts and includes the improvement works at Lin Ma Hang Road; 2.Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan – this section stretches from the Frontier Closed Area Boundary to the tunnel portal at Cheung Shan and comprises at-grade and viaducts including an interchange at Ping Yeung; 3. North Tunnel – this section comprises the tunnel segment at Cheung Shan and includes a ventilation building at the portals on either end of the tunnel; 4. Sha Tau Kok Road – this section stre tches from the tunnel portal at Wo Keng Shan to the tunnel portal south of Loi Tung and comprises at-grade and viaducts including an interchange at Sha Tau Kok and an administration building; 5. South Tunnel – this section comprises a tunnel segment that stretches from Loi Tung to Fanling and includes a ventilation building at the portals on either end of the tunnel as well as a ventilation building in the middle of the tunnel near Lau Shui Heung; 6.Fanling – this section comprises the at-grade, viaducts and interchange connection to the existing Fanling Highway. The construction of the project are concluded in the following Table 3 Table 3 Construction invovled the Liantang project 3. 2. 3 Projects call for the assessment of EIAO (i) Site formation for the construction of a BCP building in the area of Chuk Yuen Village; (ii) Drainage facilities discharging into the Shenzhen River associated with the BCP; (iii) cargo processing facilities including processing kiosks fo r clearance of goods vehicles, vehicle holding areas, customs inspection platforms, cargo examination buildings, X-ray building, weigh stations etc. (iv) Passenger related facilities including processing kiosks and examination facilities for private cars and coaches, passenger clearance building and halls, etc. ; (v) Accommodation for and facilities of the Government departments providing services in connection with the BCP; (vi) Provision of transport related facilities inside the BCP including public transport interchange, and transport drop-off and pick-up areas; (vii) Other peripheral structures and supporting facilities such as bridges across Shenzhen River, border road and fences, water supply system, utilities, culvert, drainage and sewerage etc. ; (viii) Construction of a dual two-lane trunk road with traffic control and surveillance system connecting the BCP with Fanling Highway adjacent to Wo Hop Shek – which comprises approximately 5. km of viaduct and/or at grade sections, and two tunnel sections totalling 5. 7 km in length, tunnel administration building and tunnel ventilation system; (Ix) Associated diversion / modification works at Lin Ma Hang Road to cope with the BCP development; (x) Associated environmental mitigation measures, landscaping works, drainage/ sewerage, waterworks, utilities and traffic engineering works; and (xi) Collection, treatment and disposal of sewage generated from the BCP via provision of an on-site sewage treatment facility to a tertiary level with proposed Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) treatment and effluent reuse. The Project is classified as Designated Projects (DPs) based on items A. 1 and F. in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the EIA Ordinance: A dual two-lane trunk road connecting the BCP with Tolo/Fanling Highway – about 5. 3km on viaduct or at grade and 5. 7km in tunnels (item A. 1); and Reuse of treated sewage effluent from a tertiary treatment plant for irrigation at the BCP (item F. 4. ). 3. 2. 4 Scope of t he EIA study In accordance with the EIA Study Brief and the EIAO-TM guidelines, the EIA has been conducted in the fields include Air Quality, Noise Impact, Water Quality Impact, Water Quality, Waste Management Implications, Land Contamination, Ecology, Fisheries, Landscape, Visual and Glare, Cultural Heritage. The discovered assessment points have been concluded in Appendix 1. The relevant mitigation measures list in Appendix 2. 3. 2. Conclusion of the EIA report after mitigation Based on the results of the assessments, the EIA study concludes that the Project would be environmentally acceptable and in compliance with the environmental legislation and standards. With the implementation of the recommended environmental mitigation measures, no significant adverse residual impacts from the Project are anticipated. A comprehensive environmental monitoring and audit programme should be implemented to check the implementation of mitigation measures and environmental compliance. 4. Compari son of the Case studies 4. 1 Noise Impact Assessment 4. 1. 1 General Review of the projectThe follows Table 4 demonstrates a general condition of two projects in noise impact assessment: Table 4 Noise impact assessment of two projects It is worth mentioned that in the Liantang project, it anticipates the predicted operation noise level in the next 30 years which the SCL project does not include due to their operation noise stem from electric rails but not cars. 4. 1. 2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines The regulations adopt in the SCL and Liantang projects, as shows in Table 5, the NCO and EIAO-TM play dominant role in restrict the standards. IND-TM is also applied into both the Construction phase and operation phase for the airborne and ground borne noise impact assessment in the two projects.For a better control of air quality assessment during the construction phase, both the SCL and Liantang introduce DA-TM and GW-TM as their guideline. The SCL project also int roduced the PP-TM to Construction phase and HKPSG to Operation phase, respectively. Table 5 Standards used in two projects 4. 1. 3 Description of environment, NSRs. Background noise In the SCL project, noise measurements have been conducted from January to April 2009 to identify the prevailing noise levels, ss observed during the measurements, existing noise was dominated by traffic noise from major roads. Railway noise from the East Rail Line was also audible at some locations.However, there was no information offered in the report on the assessment methodology for the background noise. The Liantang Project, Noise surveys were carried out from November 2009 to April 2010 to investigate the background noise condition of the surrounding environment and the Project Area. The method to measure the background noise as follows: During each measurement, the sound level meter was checked using an acoustic calibrator generating a sound pressure level of 94dB(A) at 1kHz immediately before an d after the noise measurement. The measurements were accepted as valid only if the calibration levels before and after the noise measurement were agreed to within 1. 0dB(A).Moreover, the sound level meters and acoustic calibrators are calibrated in accredited laboratories yearly to ensure reliable performance. Noise Sensitive Receivers As the SCL project is located at the urban area, while the Liantang project build at the remote places, the different categories of potential NSRs account for the proportion differently in the total discovered. The selected NSRs in SCL were assigned to Residential, Commercial as well as Educational places. Whereas the eligible NSRs in the Liantang project belonged to Residential, agricultural places as well as green belt due to several villages nearby. 4. 1. 4 The Main Parts of Noise Impact AssessmentThe main parts of Noise Impact Assessment include: ?. Potential sources of Impact, ?. Assessment methodology ?. Evaluation of Impact ?. Mitigation measur es ?. Evaluation of Residual Impact ?. Evaluation of Cumulative impact (if possible) The SCL report introduced these procedures one by one, whereas the Liantang report, in accordance with the different nature of various noises, separately interpreted the content of the procedures in construction phase, operation phase and fixed plant noise. 4. 1. 4. 1 Assessment Methodology Both the SCL and Liantang project faced noise during Construction phase, stem from the PME for various construction activities.For the Operation phase, the SCL and Liantang projects suffered from railway noise and traffic noise, respectively. Construction phase Both the two project made use of the GW-TM, and regarded the BS 5228 Part1: 2009 as a complement for sound power level (SWL). The function as follow: SPL = SWL – DC + FC (1) where Sound Pressure Levels, SPL in dB(A) Sound Power Levels, SWL in dB(A) Distance Attenuation, DC in dB(A) = 20 ·log(D)+8 (where D is the distance between NSRs and noise sou rce in meters) Facade Correction, FC in dB(A) = 3dB(A) For assessing the Groundborne Noise, the SCL and Liantang project adopted different function (Table 6) Groundborne Assessment methods| SCL| Liantang|Function| Lp = Lv,rms + Cdist + Cdamping + Cbuilding + Cfloor + Cnoise + Cmulti + Ccum†| LA = Lv,rms + C dist + C damping + BCF + BVR + CTN + C cum| Interpretation| Lv,rms: Reference Vibration Source, Cbuilding: Coupling Loss into Building Structures,Cfloor: Coupling Loss per Floor Cnoise: Conversion from Floor Vibration to Noise Levels, Cmulti: Multiply Source Factor Ccum: Cumulative Effect. | LA: A-weighted Ground-borne noise level at NSR, ref: 20 ? -PascalC dist: Distance attenuationC damping: Soil damping loss across the geological mediaLv,rms :Vibration velocity (in RMS) of a PME at a reference distanceBCF: Vibration coupling loss factor between the soil and the foundation, relative levelBVR: Building vibration reduction or amplification within a structure from the founda tion to the occupied areas, relative levelCTN: Conversion from floor and wall vibration to noise, 10-8 m/s or 10-6 in/s to 20 ? PascalC cum: Cumulative noise impact from concurrent projects| Analyze the different: The principles of two functions are the same, except the Liantang one introduce the Building Vibration Response (BVR) to influence the function due to the consideration that Since ground-borne vibration level will be the highest on the lower level of a building, a conservative building structure attenuation factor of 2dB per octave band. | Table 6 Different methods used in air impact assessment Operation phase The source of noise during the operation phase in the SCL and Liantang projects are railway noise and traffic noise respectively. Because of this, different functions for calculating the airborne and groundborne noise have been separately adopted in the assessment procedure.It is worth to mention that the assessment methodology used in Liantang project, which build u p 4 models (include 1) a comparing the noise level with and without project, 2) a comparing between unmitigated and mitigated, 3) an assessment on effectiveness and adequacy of noise mitigation measure and 4) an assessment on noise level of NSRs to testify the effect of the Noise impact) to decompose and ensure the effect, ensure the noise criteria have been effectively obeyed and the mitigation measures implemented efficiently. 4. 1. 4. 2 Mitigation Measures Construction phase: During the construction phase, both the projects adopted the following methods to reduce noise: good site practice to limit noise emissions at source; selection of quieter plant; use of movable noise barrier; use of noise enclosure/ acoustic shed; and use of noise insulating fabric. Subtle difference when they make use of each of these measures: For the Good sit practice, the SCL project mentioned one more strategy than the Liantang project: Silencers or mufflers on construction equipment should be utilized and should be properly maintained during the construction program.It emphasis the important role of Silencers and mufflers, with this announcement, the practice work will pay attention to the maintenance of the silencers device. In the Use of Movable Noise Barrier part, except demonstrate the effectiveness of this equipment in reducing the noise, the SCL and Liantang projects also regulated the material quality of the noise barrier (14 kg/m2 and 7 kg/m2, respectively. ). This regulation is important, as various materials for noise barriers perform differently in prevent the noise, only a defined material quality can ensure the effect of noise reduction is really achieved. Temporary hoardings was also applied in used in the SCL project, it was 2. 4 meters high. Operation phase | SCL| Liantang|Source of Noise | Railway Noise| Traffic Noise| Mitigation Measures| ? 150m long natural ventilated absorptive noise enclosure| Low noise road surfacing (LNRS);Noise barrier/enclosure| 4. 2. 5 C onclusion What should be highlighted here is the mitigation method of Low noise road surfacing during operation phase for the Liantang project, which is an effective way to reduce the noise caused by traffic. The source of traffic noise mainly stem from the fraction between the tiers and road surface and engine noise. Consider to this, efficient low noise road surfacing can reduce the traffic noise at the born phase. Furthermore, several new materials for low noise road surfacing (rubber road, etc. are available currently, it is reasonable to anticipate the development of effective way to reduce traffic noise will lie on the new materials for pavement. 4. 2Air Impact Assessment 4. 2. 1 General Review of the project SCL Construction: 1. Sources of the air contaminants: mainly be related to construction dust from excavation, spoil removal, wind erosion as well as material handling at the barging point 2. ASR: 14 representatives within 500m from the project alignment. 3. Air quality of unmitigated scenario: the predicted cumulative maximum hourly, daily, and annual average TSP at most ASR would exceed the criteria stipulate in EIAO-TM and AQO. 4.Mitigation measures: 1) watering on active works areas, exposed areas and paved haul roads 2) enclosing the unloading process at barging point, etc 5. Air quality of mitigated scenario: The hourly, daily and annual TSP in all ASRs would comply with the EIAO-TM hourly (500? g/m3)and AQO daily and annual TSP criteria. (260? g/m3 and 80? g/m3m3) Operation: 1. As the train will be electrically operated, air quality impact is therefore not anticipated during operational phase. 2. Exhausts for general ventilation and smoke extraction facilities will also be carefully positioned Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Associated Works Construction: 1.Source s of the air contaminants: The main construction activities that would contribute to construction dust impacts include excavation/earth works, road works, slope works, site formation and construction of superstructures such as the buildings within the BCP and the tunnel ventilation buildings. 2. ASR: A total of 46 air sensitive receivers (ASRs) were identified for the construction phase assessment. 3. Air quality of unmitigated scenario: 20 ASRs that would potentially be subjected to exceedance of hourly TSP criterion. 4 ASRs would potentially be subjected to exceedance of daily TSP criterion. No ASRs will exceed the annual criterion. 4. Mitigation measures: 1) water spraying of up to 8times per day for active construction areas; 2) 80% of stockpiling area with impervious sheeting; 3) Limit the speed of construction of vehicles to 10km/hour; 4) pave all haul road within the site 5.Air quality of mitigated scenario: The hourly, daily and annual TSP in all ASRs would comply with the EIAO-TM hourly (500? g/m3)and AQO daily and annual TSP criteria. (260? g/m3 and 80? g/m3m3) Operation: 1. Source s of the air contaminants: vehicular emissions fr om the open roads, ventilation shafts, mid-ventilation building in Hong Kong, kiosks, loading and unloading areas and public transport interchange (PTI) of the BCPs on both Hong Kong side and Shenzhen side and the on-site sewage treatment works at the BCP Key air pollutants: NO2 and RSP 2. ASRs: 49ASRs were found 3. Air quality of unmitigated scenario: The results of the operational phase ir quality assessment showed that the predicted hourly, daily and annual NO2 levels as well as the daily and annual RSP concentrations at all 49 ASRs were in compliance with the corresponding AQOs (300 ? g/m3, 150 ? g/m3 and 80 ? g/m3 for NO2 and 180? g/m3 and 55 ? g/m3 for RSP, respectively) 4. Mitigation measures: For the on-site sewage treatment works at the BCP, total containment of sewage channels and provision of deodorization facilities will be implemented. 5. Air quality of mitigated scenario: The nearest ASRs are at least 490m away from the sewage treatment works, it is anticipated that th ere would not be significant odors impact on the nearby ASRs. 4. 2. Procurement of relevant laws, regulations and pollutant emission standards Both of the SCL and the Liantang project completed the EIA report based on the guideline and air quality assessment that are stipulated in EIAO-TM, in which the maximum allowable concentrations over specific periods for typical pollutants should be met. Some specific requirements on air quality assessment for SCI Project are stipulated in Clause 3. 4. 2 of the EIA Study Brief. Both the SCI and Liantang Projects adopt â€Å"Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO)†, â€Å"Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation† to regulate their air quality and construction dust density.Meanwhile, the Liantang Project also procure theâ€Å"Practice Note on Control of Air Pollution in Vehicle Tunnels† which published by EPD to control the tunnel air quality. Table 7 the guidelines for Air impact assessment in Liantang Project 4. 2. 3 Background air pollutants concentrations adopted in Projects Background air quality: The level of TSP (total suspended particulates) is the major concern in the SCL project. It make use of the five years (2006 –2010) annual average monitoring data recorded at EPD? s general air quality monitoring stations in urban areas to estimate the background TSP concentration since there is no EPD general air quality monitoring station located in projects areas. Unlike the SCL project, the Liantang project had EPD record in the project area.Therefore, the latest available 5-year average ambient concentrations of pollutants measured at EPD’s Tai Po Air Quality Monitoring Station have been taken as the background concentrations for the air quality assessments. In the Liantang project, it also cared about the density of NO2 and RSP (respirable suspended particulates) which was not the issue in the SCI project. Noteworthily, the report prove its effective in control the air emis sion by taking the future reduction of emission in this area into consideration, with which a lower background concentration would be generated in the coming years. The TSP background concentration in SCI and Liantang were 75. 2 and 66. 6 ? g/m3, respectively.The background concentrations of NO2 and RSP in the Liantang project were 50. 4 and 49. 9? g/m3. ASRs: 1) In the SCL project, the verification of ASRs in this project according to the guidance of EIAO-TM (any domestic premises, hotel, hostel, hospital, clinic, nursery, temporary housing accommodation, school, educational institution, office, factory, shop, shopping centre, place of public worship, library, court of law, sports stadium or performing arts centre are considered as ASRs. ) 500m from the Project alignment and boundaries of all associated areas under the project was the scope for air impact assessment stipulated in the EIA study brief. 14 respectively ASRs were selected eventually. 00m was also the scope for the Lian tang project, however, as the place the project covered were mostly at the broad land of Hong Kong and Shenzhen and remote area of Hong Kong, the ASRs of interest were mainly scattered village houses situated in the vicinity of the BCP or alongside the BCP connecting road. In addition, the air intake point(s) of the buildings in the BCP were also considered in the project. 49 respectively ASRs were selected eventually. Among the ASRs, CY3 was eliminated considered that it would be relocated to resite. 2) In the SCL project, the lowest height for air sensitive use at respective ASRs locations was taken as either at 1. 5m above local ground level (AGL) which is the average height of the human breathing zone or at the lowest height, in view of the construction phase would be or mostly under the ground level using cut-and-cover method and the operation phase had no remarkable contaminants.Then, the assessment heights (in AGL) were arranged at 1, 5, 10, 15&20, respectively. In the Lianta ng project, since all the ASRs except BDG1 are low-rise village houses or playground, three assessment levels have been adopted, which are 1. 5m, 5m and 10m above local ground level (AGL). 4. 2. 4 Potential source of Impact and Assessment methodology The SCL project pay more attention to clarify the potential sources of impact, while the Liantang project emphasis more on the methods for the assessment. Potential source of Impact In the SCL project, major construction works that would contribute to construction dust impacts vehicle emission caused the air impact in the operation phase.In order to clarify the different contribution of various parts of the project on air quality impact, the SCL project analyze the project by dividing it into separated parts include (construction stage) cut and cover works for tunnel and surface works; construction of superstructures including the ventilation shafts; modification work to HUH podium structure; loading/unloading at barging point and (oper ation stage) vehicle operation to the east, west, north, south of the road. While the Liantang project, it only simply concluded that construction dust and vehicle emission would generate in the construction and operation phase without figuring out the different contribution of contaminant factors at different part of the project. Assessment Methodology Both the SCI and Liantang projects calculated the Emission Inventory and utilized Dispersion Modeling & Concentration Calculation to do the assessment. The Liantang project also considered the effect of weather, which adopted the Meteorological data for a full year measured at the vicinity of the project into its Fugitive Dust Model (FDM).The Liantang project also calculated the cumulative impacts of all influence factors for air quality. For the operation stage, only qualitative approach is adopted to address the air quality implications in the SCI project. While the Liantang project carefully analyzed the different emission areas w ith different assessment methods: Emissions from Open Roads> Emissions from Ventilation Shafts and Building of Tunnels> Emission from Tunnel Portals> In-tunnel Air Quality> Emission from kiosks, loading and unloading areas and PTI> Cumulative Impacts> Calculation of Total Concentration 4. 2. 5 Prediction Mitigation and Evaluation of Environmental Impact Overall reviewBoth the SCL and Liantang projects achieve the evaluation goal by comparing the unmitigated scenario with the post mitigated ones, so that to demonstrate the effectivity of their implemented mitigation measures. Slightly difference in terms of the organization indicates in this part. The SCL adopt the unmitigated scenario>Specify details on the mitigation methods> mitigated scenario, while the Liantang chiefly introduced the different performance of air impact between the unmitigated and mitigated project and interpreted what the mitigation measures it had adopted, separately. Its analysis also divided the TSP index int o hourly, daily, and annual branches which the SCL never done. The former one showed us a natural procedure: â€Å"Problem-solution—-problem was effectively solved by showing the post—addressed data† model.When it comes to the Liantang project, more concentration would be on fulfilling the requirement of EPD on the organization of EIA report. The benefit of SCL organization is more agreement and approval can be acquired from us, in another words, the report can facilities more populace to understand the report without having relevant knowledge. The advantage of Liantang organization may satisfy the EPD authority much more because it introduced every procedure in detail required in EIAO-TM. Furthermore, the Liantang project, also assess the emission control as well as the Odour from the Proposed Sewage Treatment Works in satisfying of the specify need of this project. These parts were not included in the SCL project. Mitigation measuresExcept the common dust cont rol measures which were adopted in both the two projects, dust suppression measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation as well as good site practices were also included in the SCL and Liantang projects. One other point worth emphasizing is that the Liantang project 4. 3 Water Impact Assessment 4. 3. 1 General Review of the project 4. 3. 1. 1 Water quality background The SCI and Liantang projects made use of the monitoring data in the vicinity areas given by authorities to describe their environment. Due to the absence of water quality information at Kong Yiu Channel in the Liantang project, a water quality survey was conducted at Kong Yiu Channel near the Works Area. With the above mentioned ways, the water qualities of the project environment were confirmed. . 3. 1. 2 Water Sensitive Receivers SCI: There is no remarkable WSR in the project except three cooling water intakes were identified within 300m from the project boundaries. Liantang: Key wa ter sensitive receivers that may potentially be affected include: Shenzhen River (WSR1); Kong Yiu Channel (WSR2); River Ganges (WSR3); River Indus (WSR4); Ma Wat Channel (WSR5); Streams at Kau Lung Hang (WSR6); Upstream of Man Uk Pin Stream (WSR7) 4. 3. 2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines EIAO-TM is the basic legislation for both the SCI and Liantang projects to do the water impact assessment and mitigation. Besides the EIAO-TM, both the wo projects introduced Water Pollution Control Ordinance involve â€Å"Water Quality Objectives† and â€Å"Technical Memorandum on Standards for Effluents Discharged into Drainage and Sewerage Systems, Inland and Coastal Waters† to benefit the assessment. Furthermore, â€Å"Practice Note for Professional Persons on Construction Site Drainage† provided sufficient practice guidelines for handling and disposal of construction site discharges. The Liantang project also adopt the criteria of â€Å"no net increase i n pollution load requirement† as specified in the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 12B. It is believe that this guideline would be useful on protecting important habitats and wildlife of the Deep Bay region. 4. 3. 3 Prediction and Evaluation of ImpactsThe commonly used approaches for Environmental impact predictions are as follow: –Mass Balance Approaches: calculations to determine average concentrations and percentage changes in pollutant loadings –Mathematical Modeling Approaches: the physical system is reduced to one or two dimensions using mathematical expressions to simplify the data requirements and solution techniques –Aquatic-Ecosystem-Modeling Approaches: Instream flow incremental methodology (IFIM); Habitat evaluation procedure (HEP); Habitat evaluation system (HES) In the SCI report, no above mentioned method was introduced in both the construction phase and operation phase. Whereas the Liantang report, the Mass balance approaches were adopted in most of the impacts in operation phase. For example: In the BCP part, it revealed that the estimated additional peak discharge generated from the proposed development is about 6. 5m3/s under a 1 in 50 year return period storm, which is approximately 2. % of the peak flow of the existing Shenzhen River near River Ganges; in the Road part, the net increase in water level and discharge at the Fanling Highway Connection are less than 20 mm and 1 m3/s respectively to showed the impact is considered insignificant; In the Sewage effluents and sewerage impact, approximately 185m3/day and 142. 56m3/day average dry weather flow generated from the proposed BCP at Hong Kong side and Resite of Chuk Yuen Village are estimated. By using this method, vague impact can be clearly understood and measured. 4. 3. 4 Water Quality Mitigation Measures 4. 3. 4. 1 Construction Phase Construction site runoff and drainage The common measurements in both the SCL and Liantang project include something concer n on-site drainage system, sediment basins-sand removal facilities, inspection, temporary cover during wet season excavation, vehicle should be washed, Open stockpiles of construction materials (e. g. ggregates, sand and fill material) on sites should be covered with tarpaulin or similar fabric during rainstorms, etc. The Liantang project also mentioned the build of Ditches to to facilitate the runoff discharge into stormwater drainage system through a sediment/silt trap. While the SCL project did many detail design for its mitigation methods: Minimum distances of 100 m should be maintained between the discharge points of construction site run-off and the existing saltwater intakes; it said it should undergo the removal of settleable solids in a silt removal facility, and pH adjustment as necessary. Both two reports mentioned a discharge licence was also requisite for effluent discharge.In addition to list out the mitigation measures, the Liantang project also stipulated the water m itigated conditions should be achieved: â€Å"Adequate measures should be implemented to ensure no pollution or siltation occurs to the catchwaters and catchments. No earth, building materials, oil or fuel, soil, toxic materials or any materials that may possibly cause contamination to water gathering grounds are allowed to be stockpiled on site. All surplus spoil should be removed from water gathering grounds as soon as possible. Temporary drains with silt traps should be constructed at the site boundary before the commencement of any earthworks. Regular cleaning of silt traps should be carried out to ensure proper operation at all time. All excavated or filled surfaces which have the risk of erosion should always be protected form erosion.Facilities for washing the wheels of vehicles before leaving the site should be provided†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. † These standards were really useful, as the predefine mitigation measures may not practical after the commencement of the project. In order to reduce the water impact at best, guidelines on to what extent the performance of the changed mitigation methods should achieved can guarantee the water mitigation efficient. Other concerns part For the Accidental Spillage, the Liantang project regulated all fuel tanks and storage areas should be provided with locks and be sited on sealed area. Whereas the SCL emphasized the protection of Waste disposal so as to minimize the possibility of accidental spillage.First, it required the contractor to be registered as a chemical waste producer; the Waste Disposal Ordinance is regulated follows. 4. 3. 4. 2 Operation phase In the operation phase, the SCL project emphasis the important role of filtering, it regulated many filter-like processes before the discharge. While the Liantang project adopted a dry weather flow intercepting system in the BCP to minimize the pollutants discharging in the Shenzhen River. 5. What do the Case Studies Highlight f rom the Two EIA report EIA, in essence, is an assessment of the impact of a planned activity on the environment. The ultimate aim of EIA is to control, contain, minimize, and even remove a development activity’s potential negative impacts on the environment.The core concept of â€Å"Environment†, can be defined as the combination of elements of whose complex inter-relationships make up the settings, the surroundings and the conditions of life of individual and of society, as they are or as they are felt. Therefore, the concept of environment should be based on the feeling of every people in the regions. In view of this, a qualified EIA report should to some extent comply with the criterion: the information within the report, regardless of the professional or non-professional parts, will pursue to be understood by the most stakeholders, both the authorities and the public. To achieve this goal, the professional EIA report which used to only be fully understand by the pr ofessional, need more show forms that facilitate the others without relevant background to read.Two of the mentioned show forms, have been successfully utilized in the Liantang Projects—- 1) The public consultation during the projects; and 2) 3D EIA attach to the EIA report. The effect of these two methods satisfies the objective of the EIA at best. Both of the two measures should be advocated to the EIA of future projects. The comparison of the SCL and Liantang projects on â€Å"with and without† as well as â€Å"practice well and practice not well† the two methods revealed their prominent role play in Environmental impact assessment. 5. 1 Public Participation in the Projects Mentioned in the â€Å"Project Description†, both the two projects asserted that they did a great job in encouraging the joint-force of the Public participation for the projects.Nevertheless, the huge differences of performance on the public participation were found after comparing the two projects. The Liantang complied with the expected actions of EPD on accommodating the public at best while the SCL did not. In the Liantang project, there were a lot of project alternatives be adopted in cooperation with the Public. The media of the consultation was Meeting. In order to effectively utilize the public suggestions, the meeting was carried out into two stages: Stage 1, meeting with the public to gather the views and expectation; Stage two communications of findings and possible outcome. This method was proved efficiently by the subsequent outcome of the public participation. (Table 8).With the help of enough interactions with the Public which initially regulate in the EIAO-TM, we can see a more beneficial Liantang project was invented after a lot of reconciliation. Therefore, the Liantang project did very well in public participation. Table 8 However, the SCL did the public consultation quiet perfunctory when it compare in parallel with the same work within Lia ntang project. From the information offered in the EIA report, the SCL project indicates it insufficiency in interacting with the public. The report introduced that their public consultations were mainly achieved by â€Å"roving exhibitions, public and professional forums, and seminars†, and details on how to carry the activities out and the outcome of the public participation were not illustrated in the report.Having found that most of the activities are advertising of the projects and lack of directly interaction and lack of mention on the contribution of public participations, we can interfere that quite a few of the public benefit had been ignored in the project process due to the paucity of listening to the public view. In conclusion, the SCL project is not eligible in according to the criteria on public participation of regulated in EIA study brief. 5. 2 3-D EIA The 3-D EIA technology has been used in the Liantang project, where an addition bottom of [Electronic visuali zation],as shown in Table 9, displays on the website together with other traditional EIA parts. Clicking into the [Electronic visualization], an overview of the project location firstly shows on the screen.With a natural blue background color, the welcome image indicates us that a topic that emphasis environment a lot would demonstrate subsequently. Then, the homepages are supported by several useful icons which are â€Å"Introduction†, â€Å"Baseline†, â€Å"consideration of alternatives†, â€Å"Preferred Option† and â€Å"Impact Assessment†. Each of the branches contains some parts of the simplified content which have already been introduced in the EIA report. In cooperation with 3-D model of BCP, all the information can be understood by amateurs in an active and easy way. Table 9 3D-EIA share on the website The approach of 3-D EIA is very useful in many aspects: ) The 3-D EIA are based on the information provided in the EIA report, and photos w hich were taken in practical sceneries. These ensure the authority and reliability of the information provided on the website. 2) 3-D model was adopted to simulate the comprehensive project. Obviously the project will be more vivid than the traditional two-dimensional maps. 3) As the internet is not necessary to present information in a formal way, the colloquial kind of English along with the attached photos which display different kinds of important features in the assessment benefit more people to understand EIA report more deeply. Apparently, 3-D EIA report is really useful and should be applied to more project assessment. 6. Conclusion and future application of the CasesThis study reviews the Environmental Impact Assessment Report of the Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Associated Works (Agreement No. CE 45/2008) and the Shatin to Central Link– Mong Kok East to Hung Hom Section (Agreement No. NEX/2213). Comparison on Noise impact assessment, Air impac t assessment and Water impact assessment have been conducted during the process. The Assessment approaches and mitigation methods during the construction phase in the two projects are generally same due to their environmental problem in the three branches (air, water, and noise) were assigned to the similar catagories. In the operation phase, the two projects implemented different measures.The study also highlights the vital role of public played in the Liantang Project, where many of the alternatives are adopted for the initial ones. Instead of advertising-like implementation the public participation strategies like those in the SCL project, the Liantang project actively encouraged the mass to be joint-force to influence the decision-making at some of the location of road or channel, etc. From the experience of this project, we know that the original dicision on the project by the contractor would be unavoidable deficient and may ignored some benefits of the stakeholds. With the he lp of public participation, complementary effort was generated to revise the project.The 3D EIA is also one of the lightspots discovered during the comparison. Its application in the Liangtang project demonstrates the unique role it can act in the EIA report. By attaching the 3D maps, dynamic flash-made pictures, and more persuasive computering model on the website, more amuerturs or stakeholders which have been rejecting to participate due to the insufficient professional background is acceptable to the EIA inspectation. The 3D EIA narrow the gap between the authority and the mass further. In view of this, the future trend of EIA is recommended to put more focus on ensuring the public participation and adopt the new 3D techinology to assist the EIA report. References 1.Mott MacDonaId, â€Å"Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Associated Works† (2010) , EIA Website, Agreement No. CE 45/2008 (CE). 2. AECOM, â€Å"Envi ronmental Impact Assessment Report of Shatin to Central Link– Mong Kok East to Hung Hom Section(2011)† , Agreement No. NEX/2213. 3. â€Å"The Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process† (1997), Environment Protection Department. 4. Mott MacDonaId, â€Å"Environmental Impact Assessment – Executive Summary- Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Associated Works†(2010), Civil Engineering and Development Department. 5. AECOM, â€Å"Environmental Impact Assessment –Shatin to Central Link- Mong Kok East to Hung Hom Section† (2011), MTR Corporation Limited. 6. Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief No. ESB-192/2008† (2008), MTR Corporation Limited. 7. â€Å"Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief NO. ESB- 199/2008† (2008), CIVIL ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. 8. Christopher Wood, Linden Coppell â€Å"An evaluation of the Hong Kong environmental impact assessment system† (1999), Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 010021-11 9. â€Å"The surround-sound approach to planning† (2012), South China Morning Post. 10. Tilleman, William A. , â€Å"Public Participation in the Environmental Impact Assessment Process: A Comparative Study of Impact Assessment in Canada, the United States and the European Community† (1995), 33 Colum. J. Transnat'l L. 337.

Free Essays on Armed Citizen

The Armed Citizen Gun control is the idea that people's ownership of and access to guns should be limited to law-abiding citizens who fall within three distinct groups: those who need guns in the line of duty like police officers, people who are collectors or members of gun clubs, and people who need guns for protection and safety. Gun control advocates believe that restricting access to guns will reduce gun-related criminal behavior and will prevent gun-related accidents. Gun control advocates have proposed various methods of limiting access to guns, primarily by the implementation of thorough background checks at all public and private gun sales. They also advocate intrusive laws, such as requiring child safety locks, storing guns in safes or strong-boxes and some have even advocated the idea of periodic "surprise" searches of gun owner's homes, in direct violation of the 4th amendment to ensure guns are not available to children. By abolishing legally owned firearms; we would see an increase in crimes, not a decrease. This may bring one or two million additional crimes per year. Certainly there would be fewer deaths by firearms, but this might be outweighed by deaths from beatings, stabbings or other violence. We'd also have to weigh the cost of people terrorized in their own homes, afraid to answer a knock at the door. We may see a decrease in Firearm crime, but we would see a rise in other crimes, such as assaults and rapes, car jacking, home invasions, gang robberies on busses or subways and so on. Criminals would be secure in knowing that few citizens would be able to stop them. The criminals are beginning to figure out that guns are locked up and many people having alarms on their homes the best way to do the crime was to wait until their victims were home, then alarms were off and they could force their way in to terrorize the victims in their own homes. And many of these incidents involve several criminals ganging up on... Free Essays on Armed Citizen Free Essays on Armed Citizen The Armed Citizen Gun control is the idea that people's ownership of and access to guns should be limited to law-abiding citizens who fall within three distinct groups: those who need guns in the line of duty like police officers, people who are collectors or members of gun clubs, and people who need guns for protection and safety. Gun control advocates believe that restricting access to guns will reduce gun-related criminal behavior and will prevent gun-related accidents. Gun control advocates have proposed various methods of limiting access to guns, primarily by the implementation of thorough background checks at all public and private gun sales. They also advocate intrusive laws, such as requiring child safety locks, storing guns in safes or strong-boxes and some have even advocated the idea of periodic "surprise" searches of gun owner's homes, in direct violation of the 4th amendment to ensure guns are not available to children. By abolishing legally owned firearms; we would see an increase in crimes, not a decrease. This may bring one or two million additional crimes per year. Certainly there would be fewer deaths by firearms, but this might be outweighed by deaths from beatings, stabbings or other violence. We'd also have to weigh the cost of people terrorized in their own homes, afraid to answer a knock at the door. We may see a decrease in Firearm crime, but we would see a rise in other crimes, such as assaults and rapes, car jacking, home invasions, gang robberies on busses or subways and so on. Criminals would be secure in knowing that few citizens would be able to stop them. The criminals are beginning to figure out that guns are locked up and many people having alarms on their homes the best way to do the crime was to wait until their victims were home, then alarms were off and they could force their way in to terrorize the victims in their own homes. And many of these incidents involve several criminals ganging up on...