title: Non-market valuation of urban ecosystem services in Penang, Malaysia

authors: Koay, Chia Chia

subjects: Urban green space

abstract: This thesis explores the non-market values of ecosystem services in Penang's urban green spaces, addressing threats posed by urbanization. Utilizing non-market valuation techniques, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of urban green spaces to the local economy. The first topic assesses urban residents' preferences using the best-worst scaling method, highlighting air quality as crucial but revealing inconsistencies in preferences. The second topic applies the travel cost method to analyse visit preferences and behaviours, emphasizing the significance of incorporating time-related costs for understanding travel patterns. The third topic employs a discrete choice experiment to reveal trade-offs between green space characteristics and travel distance, emphasizing the high value placed on improved air quality. The fourth topic uses a Seemingly Unrelated Regression model to explore the impact of spatial data on willingness to pay, showing insights into how spatial characteristics influence preferences. The fifth topic employs a simulation framework to assess the economic benefits of attribute changes in Penang's urban green spaces, emphasizing increased consumer surplus with improvements. Overall, these findings contribute valuable insights into resident preferences, spatial influences, and economic implications, offering guidance for sustainable urban development to local policymakers.

text: Non-market valuation of urban ecosystem services in Penang, Malaysia This thesis explores the non-market values of ecosystem services in Penang's urban green spaces, addressing threats posed by urbanization. Utilizing non-market valuation techniques, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of urban green spaces to the local economy. The first topic assesses urban residents' preferences using the best-worst scaling method, highlighting air quality as crucial but revealing inconsistencies in preferences. The second topic applies the travel cost method to analyse visit preferences and behaviours, emphasizing the significance of incorporating time-related costs for understanding travel patterns. The third topic employs a discrete choice experiment to reveal trade-offs between green space characteristics and travel distance, emphasizing the high value placed on improved air quality. The fourth topic uses a Seemingly Unrelated Regression model to explore the impact of spatial data on willingness to pay, showing insights into how spatial characteristics influence preferences. The fifth topic employs a simulation framework to assess the economic benefits of attribute changes in Penang's urban green spaces, emphasizing increased consumer surplus with improvements. Overall, these findings contribute valuable insights into resident preferences, spatial influences, and economic implications, offering guidance for sustainable urban development to local policymakers.

year: 2024

title: The geology of the Te Aroha mining district

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: When gold was discovered on the slopes of Te Aroha mountain, its geology was unknown to geologists and miners alike. After initial hasty examinations, later investigations produced more reliable details, and by late in the twentieth century much more detailed and technical information was available. Originally, prospectors hoped to find alluvial gold, but instead discovered that, through volcanic action, the minerals permeated the quartz.
Despite intensive prospecting, payable ore was rarely found. At Waiorongomai, the large main lode was mostly a buck reef, the best patches of ore being found where it abutted side reefs. Hopes for a prosperous field soon faded because the various battery processes were unable to treat the ore profitably, a failure largely explained by its poverty and complexity. The output from the Te Aroha district proved to be one of the lowest of the Hauraki fields.

text: The geology of the Te Aroha mining district When gold was discovered on the slopes of Te Aroha mountain, its geology was unknown to geologists and miners alike. After initial hasty examinations, later investigations produced more reliable details, and by late in the twentieth century much more detailed and technical information was available. Originally, prospectors hoped to find alluvial gold, but instead discovered that, through volcanic action, the minerals permeated the quartz.
Despite intensive prospecting, payable ore was rarely found. At Waiorongomai, the large main lode was mostly a buck reef, the best patches of ore being found where it abutted side reefs. Hopes for a prosperous field soon faded because the various battery processes were unable to treat the ore profitably, a failure largely explained by its poverty and complexity. The output from the Te Aroha district proved to be one of the lowest of the Hauraki fields.

year: 2016

title: How many deaths were caused by the Tarawera eruption?

authors: Lowe, David J.

abstract: Most texts and brochures describing the Tarawera eruption of 10 June, l 886, record that it resulted in about 150 fatalities (e.g., Scott & Nairn, 1989; Ansell & Taber, 1996). Indeed, a figure of 153 deaths is recorded at the excellent new visitors' centre at the Buried Village, Te Wairoa, and in a number of other contexts. Elsewhere, numbers ranging from as few as about one hundred to possibly 'thousands' of deaths have been suggested (e.g., Houghton & Johnston, 1999).

text: How many deaths were caused by the Tarawera eruption? Most texts and brochures describing the Tarawera eruption of 10 June, l 886, record that it resulted in about 150 fatalities (e.g., Scott & Nairn, 1989; Ansell & Taber, 1996). Indeed, a figure of 153 deaths is recorded at the excellent new visitors' centre at the Buried Village, Te Wairoa, and in a number of other contexts. Elsewhere, numbers ranging from as few as about one hundred to possibly 'thousands' of deaths have been suggested (e.g., Houghton & Johnston, 1999).

year: 2001