title: Sustainability Vs Profitable Dependable Supply: A Case Study of Institutional Constraints on the Adoption of New Sustainable Technology

authors: Given, Tim

subjects: sustainability

abstract: This thesis examines policy tensions arising from the emergence of sustainable technologies and the institutional barriers to their adoption. Its starting point is an analysis of conflict over electricity pricing between Wellington City Council and Wellington Electricity, sparked by Wellington City Council’s proposal to replace all existing street lighting with Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.  The thesis analyses key policy documents informing the position of Wellington City Council and Wellington Electricity, to identify the ideational and related institutional drivers of this conflict.  The idea of holistic sustainability has been a key driver of policy at the local government level, and the idea of profitable dependable supply informs central government legislation that sets the terms of reference for Wellington Electricity.  The idea of profitable dependable supply is expressed in institutions which constrain flexibility and limit policy options for addressing sustainable energy use.  The intention to embrace change, shown in the concern for integration and future focus on the part of the Wellington City Council, stands in contrast to the focus and constraint of profitable dependable supply which restrains the capacity to engage with change to more efficient and effective technology.  The limitations imposed by existing electricity generation and supply institutions create policy rigidity at a time when more responsive approaches to the challenges of sustainability are needed.

text: Sustainability Vs Profitable Dependable Supply: A Case Study of Institutional Constraints on the Adoption of New Sustainable Technology This thesis examines policy tensions arising from the emergence of sustainable technologies and the institutional barriers to their adoption. Its starting point is an analysis of conflict over electricity pricing between Wellington City Council and Wellington Electricity, sparked by Wellington City Council’s proposal to replace all existing street lighting with Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.  The thesis analyses key policy documents informing the position of Wellington City Council and Wellington Electricity, to identify the ideational and related institutional drivers of this conflict.  The idea of holistic sustainability has been a key driver of policy at the local government level, and the idea of profitable dependable supply informs central government legislation that sets the terms of reference for Wellington Electricity.  The idea of profitable dependable supply is expressed in institutions which constrain flexibility and limit policy options for addressing sustainable energy use.  The intention to embrace change, shown in the concern for integration and future focus on the part of the Wellington City Council, stands in contrast to the focus and constraint of profitable dependable supply which restrains the capacity to engage with change to more efficient and effective technology.  The limitations imposed by existing electricity generation and supply institutions create policy rigidity at a time when more responsive approaches to the challenges of sustainability are needed.

year: 2016

title: Prospects of climate resilient infrastructure in the low-income informal settlements of Dhaka - A community approach

authors: Rahman, Sowmen

abstract: This thesis focuses on the prospects of climate resilient infrastructure in the low-income settlements of Dhaka city. Numerous research findings show that low-income communities of Dhaka are living in the hazard prone areas with poor housing, sanitation and drainage facilities. These communities are at high risk of predicted climate change impacts and may be unable to avoid the direct and indirect impacts of climatic disasters. Most of the houses are below the ground level of Dhaka city and remain inundated after heavy rainfall or flood. In this context, this research undertook a community approach to explore the required measures for building climate resilience in the infrastructures of low-income settlements. Special attention was given on the impacts of heavy rainfall and storms and how they affect the infrastructure system.

This study selected Beguntila slum and New Purba Kurmitola Camp as a sample after carefully evaluating the selection criteria for this research.  To derive information from the field, this study applied qualitative data collection techniques. Reconnaissance surveys were conducted on both slums to get a primary idea about the vulnerabilities of these slums. In this study, separate male and female focus group discussions were conducted in both slums. Ten key community experts were also selected for the key informant interviews. Drawing on qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, this study examines the infrastructural vulnerabilities of these slums due to climate change impacts. It then identifies the root causes for these vulnerabilities. Finally, it outlines the required measures for establishing climate resilient infrastructure in these settlements. 

The findings demonstrate that the key reason for these vulnerabilities on infrastructure due to heavy rainfall is inefficiency of current drainage system in the slum areas. This situation becomes even worse in absence of a functioning sewerage system. The tin-shed houses were found to be very weak and unable to withstand strong winds during storms. It was also found that electric poles could collapse on tin-shed houses and roads causing injuries to slum dwellers. The analysis finds that poverty is the most impeding factor for the advancement of the slum infrastructure. To conclude, the study urges the need for collective effort by government and NGOs to address the issues and take a range of structural and non-structural measures to build climate resilience in the low-income settlements of Dhaka city.

text: Prospects of climate resilient infrastructure in the low-income informal settlements of Dhaka - A community approach This thesis focuses on the prospects of climate resilient infrastructure in the low-income settlements of Dhaka city. Numerous research findings show that low-income communities of Dhaka are living in the hazard prone areas with poor housing, sanitation and drainage facilities. These communities are at high risk of predicted climate change impacts and may be unable to avoid the direct and indirect impacts of climatic disasters. Most of the houses are below the ground level of Dhaka city and remain inundated after heavy rainfall or flood. In this context, this research undertook a community approach to explore the required measures for building climate resilience in the infrastructures of low-income settlements. Special attention was given on the impacts of heavy rainfall and storms and how they affect the infrastructure system.

This study selected Beguntila slum and New Purba Kurmitola Camp as a sample after carefully evaluating the selection criteria for this research.  To derive information from the field, this study applied qualitative data collection techniques. Reconnaissance surveys were conducted on both slums to get a primary idea about the vulnerabilities of these slums. In this study, separate male and female focus group discussions were conducted in both slums. Ten key community experts were also selected for the key informant interviews. Drawing on qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, this study examines the infrastructural vulnerabilities of these slums due to climate change impacts. It then identifies the root causes for these vulnerabilities. Finally, it outlines the required measures for establishing climate resilient infrastructure in these settlements. 

The findings demonstrate that the key reason for these vulnerabilities on infrastructure due to heavy rainfall is inefficiency of current drainage system in the slum areas. This situation becomes even worse in absence of a functioning sewerage system. The tin-shed houses were found to be very weak and unable to withstand strong winds during storms. It was also found that electric poles could collapse on tin-shed houses and roads causing injuries to slum dwellers. The analysis finds that poverty is the most impeding factor for the advancement of the slum infrastructure. To conclude, the study urges the need for collective effort by government and NGOs to address the issues and take a range of structural and non-structural measures to build climate resilience in the low-income settlements of Dhaka city.

year: 2018

title: Ngati Rahiri versus Ngati Tamatera

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: Conflict between Ngati Tamatera, of Ohinemuri, and Ngati Rahiri, of Te Aroha, was provoked by the latter believing that members of other hapu had received money for the Aroha Block to which they were not entitled. In addition, the two hapu disagreed over the block’s northern boundary. In early 1877 Ngati Rahiri threatened violence and even fired over the heads of several rangatira passing through their land, thereby challenging their right to intrude on it. In response, Ngati Tamatera, with the assistance of Ngati Koi, blocked the road to Te Aroha and also the Waihou River against Ngati Rahiri, although they permitted Pakeha to pass. Pakeha took a relaxed attitude to the conflict, not expecting any real battles occurring during a squabble they understood to have been caused by members of an inferior hapu having their names wrongly included in Crown grants.
After Ngati Tamatera erected two small and unimpressive pa to block both road and river, Ngati Rahiri retaliated by constructing a similarly unimpressive pa at Omahu, their settlement at Te Aroha. Apart from much posturing, the only actions taken were Ngati Tamatera sending back to Omahu an aged woman who had come down the river in a canoe and Ngati Rahiri stealing pigs and peaches and firing shots near a settlement. The Native Minister and various officials, notably James Mackay, intervened to resolve the conflict, which was ended with a reconciliation initiated by Ngati Tamatera and formalized by a large meeting of both hapu at Omahu.
Once this quarrel was settled, negotiations to enable the Crown to purchase the Aroha Block were resumed.

text: Ngati Rahiri versus Ngati Tamatera Conflict between Ngati Tamatera, of Ohinemuri, and Ngati Rahiri, of Te Aroha, was provoked by the latter believing that members of other hapu had received money for the Aroha Block to which they were not entitled. In addition, the two hapu disagreed over the block’s northern boundary. In early 1877 Ngati Rahiri threatened violence and even fired over the heads of several rangatira passing through their land, thereby challenging their right to intrude on it. In response, Ngati Tamatera, with the assistance of Ngati Koi, blocked the road to Te Aroha and also the Waihou River against Ngati Rahiri, although they permitted Pakeha to pass. Pakeha took a relaxed attitude to the conflict, not expecting any real battles occurring during a squabble they understood to have been caused by members of an inferior hapu having their names wrongly included in Crown grants.
After Ngati Tamatera erected two small and unimpressive pa to block both road and river, Ngati Rahiri retaliated by constructing a similarly unimpressive pa at Omahu, their settlement at Te Aroha. Apart from much posturing, the only actions taken were Ngati Tamatera sending back to Omahu an aged woman who had come down the river in a canoe and Ngati Rahiri stealing pigs and peaches and firing shots near a settlement. The Native Minister and various officials, notably James Mackay, intervened to resolve the conflict, which was ended with a reconciliation initiated by Ngati Tamatera and formalized by a large meeting of both hapu at Omahu.
Once this quarrel was settled, negotiations to enable the Crown to purchase the Aroha Block were resumed.

year: 2016