Control Smoking Essay Example for Free

Control Smoking Essay Everywhere, we see people smoking where most of them are men. It has become a trend and a daily necessity to smokers. Therefore, it is very difficult to control smoking habit. However, benefit of smoking only for certain things such as increasing in economy income and chance of jobs but as for individual, it will only bring harm rather than good. Body A. Topic Sentence Most of smokers which are men have a lack of awareness about disadvantages of smoking. There are several disadvantages that can be seen from smoking, such as smoking is a cause of lung dysfunction. Supporting Point A cigarettes contains almost 600 ingredients, when burned it would produce about 6000 chemicals, where one of it is tar. The tar mostly will sticks to the cilia in our lungs and more things is it will be the cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD a. Specific Detail. Cilia are microscopic, hair-like structures that extend from the surface of every human. This can be found in the lungs, respiratory tract and middle ear. These cilia have a rhythmic waving, in other words, cilia will act as a broom that clean dirt in your respiratory system. b. Specific Detail COPD will affect the function of the lungs and how oxygen being delivers into the body plus it also the cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema and involve the charge in the structure of your lung tissue and airways. Topic Sentence Moreover, cancer is also one of the contributions from smoking cigarettes. There are many statistics and organization that make research about cigarette but none of them have proven that cigarette’s a good thing. Supporting Point There are many kind of cancer from smoking habit and some of them are mouth and throat cancer. a. Supporting Detail Cigarette contains many cancer agents know as carcinogens. These carcinogens can cause mutations in mouth cells and develop a mouth cancer. b. Supporting Detail Since carcinogen is an agent of cancer that contain in cigarettes, it also can affect throat which lead to throat cancer. Moreover, the heat from burned cigarettes, also contribute in having Topic Sentence Another reason why smoking can harms the smokers because it can affect heart and blood vessel ability and yet there are many smokers who did not realise or lack of knowledge about the effect of smoking. Supporting point Smoking can change the structure of blood vessels. This can lead to the build-up of plaque that hardens and narrows the vessels, causing a disease called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a common cause of heart attacks and peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) a.Specific detail Atherosclerosis is a disease which is plaque builds up inside your arteries. Ingredients that contain in the cigarettes will help the build-up of the plaque. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body and also it is one of the factor of heart attacks. b.Specific detail Peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) also a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs P.A.D.  usually affects the arteries in the legs. Smoking is the main risk factor for P.A.D. the smokers will have a risk of P.A.D. increases up to four times. Conclusion This are some of the bad effect by smoking cigarette which will affect your life, family and also people around you either in the past, present and future. Even though, some people may assume smoking is a good thing for them but the fact is that smoking is a bad habit that brings bad life style. Therefore we hope that every smoker in the world realise and start taking action on stopping a smoking habit because there are no benefit can be get from smoking.

Development of Sustainability in Urban Living

Development of Sustainability in Urban Living The Compact City and Sustainable Development Recent research has proved that the form of a town or a city can affect its sustainability (1). This is not only because of the socio cultural factors but also mainly because of the shape, size, density and uses of a city. This is obvious because the nature of business and the environment encompassing the city or town directly affects the sustainability of the city. Alongside, the increase in the urban intensifications anthem urban development in order to increase the use of the urban geography so as to increase the productivity, has further increased the need for a sustainable urban form only when the process of development and urban intensification will be effective in achieving the desired goal of urban development and sustainable urban form. The uncontrolled development and the increasing dispersal of the city further destruct the sustainable urban form. The increase in pollution due to the highway traffic and industrial development has also made the city not environment-friendly eventually making the urban life un-sustainable as well as complicated. Hence the need for an environment-friendly and people-friendly urban form in order to gain sustainability and growth is essential. This report aims to present an insight on the question that whether sustainable urban form is achievable or not. The idea of compact city life and sustainable urban form is increasing in the twenty-first century because of the increased problems faced by the authorities in co-ordinating the cities. Hence a research on this topic is imperative to provide an insight on the essential factors that contribute to the sustainable urban form and ultimately derive upon the conclusion of whether the sustainable urban form can be achieved or not. 1.2: Aim and Objectives The aim of this report is to establish whether Sustainable urban forms achievable or not. The aim is accomplished by embracing the report on the following objectives Objective 1: To conduct a critical analysis on the concept of sustainable development. This is achieved by analysing the existing situation of the urban life and analysing the governmental policies against the policies of Forum for the future. This analysis will throw light on the current situation of the urban form, which is essential to understand the need for a sustainable form and identify the existing barriers that contribute to the un-sustainability of the urban life. Objective 2: Critically analyse the concept of compact city. Analyse its differences from the concept of dispersal and analyse the means of promoting social equity in compact city. Objective 3: Critically discuss the different sustainable models and the implemented designs with examples. Chapter 2: Problems of city life and sustainable development This chapter commences with an overview of problems with city life that answers the question what is wrong with city life? This is then followed by an overview on sustainable development. The definitions of the sustainable development from both the academic front and the government definitions are presented to the reader with examples. 2.1: What is wrong with the city life? The growth of the enterprise culture and the increase in the American style of dispersed business centres like the business parks and shopping supermarkets, away from the city has drained the city of its activity level and also increased the need for urban intensifications. The increased dispersal of the urban environment has also increased the pollution with increase in the traffic and driving habits of the general public to reach the places. Alongside, the planning in the UlhÄ s mainly hindered the actual physical form of the city and its districts (2) by concentrating more upon the two dimensional structure of the city rather than considering the actual physical form of the city to achieve a cohesive and sustainable urban form. Furthermore, the cosmetic treatment of the existing streets and squares and the limited betterment of the hard and soft landscaping in the UlhÄ s further reduced the sustainability of the urban form and above all increased the issues faced like pollution. Another problem faced by the current city life is the singular model of the city and urban planning. This is because the singular approach to city life in different geographical locations is not applicable due tithe fact that the environmental factors and the socio-cultural factors vary with location and it is thus essential to analyse the urban form of city objectively in the light of the environmental factors of the individual city. Alongside, the singular approach to the urban design and planning not only hinders the sustainability but also affects the approach for a universal model for sustainable urban form (1). Also, the current urban form of incorporating the city as a business centre has increased the imbalance in between the number of city-dwellers and the workers in the city. The fact that the people working in the city and surrounding areas tend to live in a different location and commute for their work on a day-to-day basis (1) has increased the pollutions around the city and also increased the level of congestion on the highways further making the city life more tasteless eventually deteriorating the sustainable urban form. Alongside, the focus on the economic growth by the government and the increase in the government to promote the cities as the pivotal elements for their economic growth has actually shifted the focus from the sustainable development of the cities towards economic development resulting in a volatile urban set up that is prone to frequent changes and cannot accommodate the primary needs of the society which is the backbone for the very existence of the city. It is also established by Mike Jenks et al (1) that the current city life is more focused upon the technological developments leaving behind the cultural importance for the city. For example the ‘Uneven Population Density and Sprawl’ and the ‘Functional Zoning’ mentioned by Hildebrand Frey (2) justify that the current city life is more focused upon the development with respect to the changes in the technology and the global business rather than focusing on the development from the cultural perspective which is essential for the sustained development of the city life. The arguments that the city life in the present situation is predominantly focusing on the material needs of the society without laying emphasis upon the rational and ethical elements that are specific to the given geographical location (1) (2) further makes the city life a unwise choice for the general public thus deteriorating the city of its residents. 2.2: Definition of Sustainable Development Sustainable development is the most widely used term in this report and also in the analysis of urban form and environmental development. Thawed definition as mentioned by Mike Jenks (1) on sustainable development is â€Å" a development which is capable of meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs†. This definition is exactly similar to the definition of the government towards sustainable development (3) that defines sustainable development as â€Å"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs†. This makes it clear that the urban development should not only focus upon the development with respect to the growth in the technology and global markets but also incorporate the cultural and ethical factors that will provide room for the future generations to incorporate changes to meet their requirements. Also, it is clear that the focus on the technological development and a global perspective is necessary for achieving global position and economic development but still the emphasis on the development without compromising the ability for future development is essential and can be achieved only through embracing the urban development with the demographic and cultural factors with room for further development. Furthermore, the argument by the â€Å"Sustainable development Unit â€Å" of Government (3) that we are not even meeting the present needs on global basis is causing concern about the sustainable development of the city. This is because of the fact that the increase in the focus of the society to accommodate to the changes in the global and technological perspective leaving behind the primary ingredient of cultural and social elements which is the backbone for sustainable development in order to help the future generations to meet their needs. Alongside, the argument of the sustainable Development Unit (3)that the increasing use of the resources and environmental systems like water, conventional sources of energy and other exhaustible natural resources cannot carry on forever since the rate at which they are replenished in the by nature is extremely lower to the rate at which the resources are consumed. On the other hand the definition of the Forum for the future (4) on sustainable development â€Å"A dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earths life support systems â€Å"lays more emphasis not only upon retaining the cultural and ethical factors but also upon the self development of the people in who live in the city in order to nurture the development right from the roots rather than the peripheral development of addressing the global and economic growth in the definition of the Government. Furthermore, the phrase ‘to enhance Earth’s life support systems’ in the definition further justifies that the urban development is sustainable only when the emphasis is provided to preserving the natural resources. The approach to Remaking Barnsley (5) â€Å"the 21st century Market Town â€Å"where the council is actually rethinking the entire Barnsley process in order to provide a sustainable world-class place for the future generations taking into account the cultural and social background of Barnsley is in line with the aforementioned definition of the Forum for the Future (4). Furthermore, the arguments by Mike Jenks (1) and Hildebrand Frey (2)that a sustainable development is achievable only when the development of the urban areas reflect upon the global and economic growth embracing the primary element of preserving the natural resources as well as emphasising on the cultural factors of the geography. The examples on sustainable housing discussed in the text (1) (2) justify this argument. 2.3: Conclusion: This discussion in this chapter has revealed that the current city life is actually deteriorating the natural resources and prone to changes without accommodating the need for a balance in the environment in order to gain sustainable development. Also, from the definitions of sustainable development, it is clear that the development can be achieved only when the urban development embraces the need to preserve the natural resources as well as implement changes by emphasizing upon the development of the people in the city as well as the city itself rather than addressing the changes at the peripheral level. From the above discussion it is thus established that the sustainable development of the urban form can be achieved only through the effective integration of the socio-cultural factors with the global and economic growth without depleting the natural resources. Chapter 3: Comparison the Policy Objectives In this chapter a profound discussion on the policy objectives of teak government and the Forum for the Future is presented to the reader. This is then followed by the analysis of the differences in the policies and the strategies proposed by the bodies in order to identify their compatibility and the ability to measure the success. This chapter aims to familiarise the policies and objectives to the reader prior to the analysis in Part 2 of the report. 3.1: Policy Objectives The objectives of the UK Government’s Sustainable development Unit for sustainable urban form (3) are 1. Social progress, which recognises the needs of everyone (i.e.) the needs apart from the essential needs of food clothing and water like locations for public gathering and cultural activities etc., This objective of the government was extensively deployed in the post war urban development in the 1950s and the 1960s as argued by Hildebrand Frey (2) who argues that the UK government’s strive to provide a higher quality of life with better community facilities. The development plan of 1951 (1) (2) that concentrated on providing the basic communal facilities and improving the quality of the houses through housing plans by the government were concentrated upon achieving the Social progress in the cities to meet the changes in the global world. Hildebrand Frey (2) argues that the government from the initial stages of urban development was concentrating upon the two-dimensional plan of the city and did not address the physical form of the city to accommodate the future changes. Als o the fact that the development was concentrating on the rapid economic development and growth in the global market rather than emphasising on the socio-cultural factors has further depleted the sustainability of the urban form itself. 2. Effective protection of the environment: As mentioned in the previous chapter, the increase in the transportation especially the motorway commuters in the UK since the late twentieth century is causing very high levels of pollution that is eventually causing adverse effects on global warming making the weather hot with record-breaking temperatures which is not a healthy sign for sustainable urban form. Even though the objective of the government to protect the environment is novel, the existing set up of the urban for in the UK is causing adverse effects on the environment not only in the form of pollution of air but also upon the societal factors itself. The increase in the government’s tendency to respond to the global changes and economic growth without encompassing the people and the development of the people (1) (2) in the city is also a major cause for hindering the sustainable urban form. 3. Prudent use of natural resources: This objective of prudent use of the natural resources by the Sustainable development Unit (3) of Government mainly focuses on preserving the non-renewable sources of energy like the fossil fuels. The efficient use of water and prevention of the wastage of natural resources including water and energy also form the primary elements of this objective of the Sustainable development Unit. 4. Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment: This objective of the Sustainable development Unit mainly focuses upon the economic development of the city through the increased level of employment. It is worth noting that the arguments of (1) and(2) on the government’s focus upon urban development through addressing economic growth and global changes rather than development of the people in the city is justified in this objective. Even though the objective focuses on higher level of employment of the people, it does not focus upon the development of the society that forms the city. The objectives of the Forum for the Future are discussed below 1. The preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources: This objective clearly emphasises upon the preservation of the natural resources as well as the prudent use of the resources. This statement not only emphasises upon the careful use of the natural resources but also upon the preservation of the existing resources explicitly. This is essential because of the fact that the initiative of the society to preserve the natural resources is the driving factor for the prudent use of the natural resources (4). 2. The relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. From this objective it is clear that the Forum for the Future is not only concentrating upon the development of the city areas but mainly upon the development of the people who form the city in order to achieve sustainable development. The example of the Remaking Barnsley (5) where the urban development of the city was approached with the idea of preserving the socio-cultural factors as well as nurturing the development of the people in the city instead of concentrating upon the development of the urban areas with respect to the global change and meet the economic growth. 3. The promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration: This objective mainly suggests that the economic growth in the urban form can be sustained and achieved efficiently through achieving the above two objectives which will regenerate the walk of life of the people in the city eventually contributing to the economic growth. 3.2: Critical Analysis of the Policy objectives The major difference between the government objectives and the objectives of the Forum for the Future is the fact that the government approach to the sustainable urban form is predominantly focusing upon the economic development without focusing upon the development of the of the people in the city. This major difference in the policy objectives is the primary factor for the hindrance to the sustainable urban form in the UK. Alongside, the argument of Mike Jenks (1) that the sustainable urban form is achievable only through the development of the people in the city which is essential for the continuous growth of the society that forms the city in order to effectively achieve the sustainable urban form. Furthermore, the approach of the Forum for the Future in preserving the natural resources along with the prudent use of the resources emphasis more on the natural resources preservation and development from the basis of the city rather than the approach of the Sustainable development Unit of UK government to the prudent use of the natural resources without explicitly emphasising upon the preservation of the natural resources. Even though the policy objectives of the Sustainable development Unit and the Forum for the Future are different it is appreciable that both the government body as well as the charity organization are striving towards the preservation of the environment. The argument of Dr Bob Giddings (6) that the perception of the city centres as segregated areas of functional uses by the Sustainable development Unit is the major factor for the failure of the strategy to achieve sustainable development in the cities even though the policy objectives of the Sustainable development Unit strives to develop the urban areas in the UK as key elements for growth. From the objectives of the UK government Sustainable development Unit, the strategy of the government is primarily to protect the environment and increase the economic level of the urban areas to achieve sustainable development. This strategy of achieving sustainable urban form is not completely successful as argued by Dr Bob Giddings (6)since the development does not embrace the cultural values of the geography or the development of the people in the city who are the backbone for the mere existence of the city (1) (2). Even though the strategy does not focus upon the people development like its counterpart, the underlying idea of protecting the environment is easily measurable in this case since the prudent use of the natural resources for example can be accurately measured through the calculation of the use of energy resources by the general public and industries along with their classification and level of pollution. This ability to measure the strategy is the predominant factor for the implementation of the Sustainable development Unit in the UK urban form for sustainable development. On the other hand from the objectives of the Forum for the Future we can see that the strategy embraces the development of the people in the society in order to contribute to the economic development which will provide sustainable urban form since the roots of the urban form (i.e.)the people development is the focus. The development of the people in the society will obviously create the awareness of protecting the environment and preserving the natural resources resulting in the prudent use. Even though the above argument justifies that the emphasis on the people development is essential for the development of the urban for from the basis in order to achieve sustainable urban for, the ability to measure the actual development of the people in the society and their contribution to preserving the natural resources is difficult to measure and only the factors mentioned in the former case can be accurately measured. This measure does not always justify the requirement thus restricting the ability to accurately measure the results of the objectives of Forum for the Future. Apart from the issues of measuring the results the inherent problem is the compatibility of the policies in the urban form in order to actually implement the strategy. Mike Jenks et al (1) argue that the practise of the urban form in many cities is not always the same as in theory and to achieve the strategy effectively is not always possible due to the inherent issue of the extent to which a specific policy incompatible to the given urban form. From the above discussions it is clear that the government objectives of the urban form are more compatible to those of Forum for the Future mainly because of the lucid form of the objectives and the easy to implement nature. This further adds the credit to the policy objectives of Sustainable development Unit (3) against the policy objectives of is counterpart. 3.3: Conclusion The discussion of the policy objectives of the government and the Forum for the Future has revealed that the sustainable urban form should preserve the environment and the natural resources. Also, the analysis on the policy objectives have revealed that the objectives are achievable only through the prudent use of the resources and the development of the people in the city than focusing only upon the economic development and addressing to global changes. Furthermore, the arguments on the compatibility and the analysis of the strategy have revealed that the Sustainable development Unit (3) of the UK government policy is more compatible than that of the Forum for the Future. Part 2: The Compact City Chapter 4: The Compact City In this chapter, a discussion on the concept of the compact city is presented to the reader. The chapter commences with the definition of the compact city followed by the discussion on the various aspects associated with the compact city concept. 4.1: Definition of Compact City Mike Jenks et al (1) define the compact city as â€Å"a freestanding urban settlement and defined as embracing one or all of three categories: high density, a mixed-use city and an intensified city†. This definition is obviously presented from an academic background and hence in the practical life the definition of the Compact city drills down toâ€Å" a city that has environmental and energy advantages and social benefits† (2), which emphasises on the preservation of the natural resources and emphasises on the development of the people. From the above definition it is clear that in order to achieve the policy objectives discussed in the previous chapter a model of the Compact city will be helpful to achieve the goal of sustainable urban form. Apart from the above argument, the compact city of the urban form as described by (1) (2) focus upon the idea of integrated development(i.e.) achieving development in all spheres of the social and personal life of the people in the city in order to gain sustainable urban form. The major advantages of establishing the compact city include the easy accessibility to facilities, reduced need for travel, health and social interaction as argued by Mike Jenks et al (1). The highlights of the compact city as argued by (1) (2) are discussed here with examples from case studies and reports on urban development and sustainable urban form. 4.2: Intensification Intensification as mentioned by (2) in the light of a compact is mainly concerned with the increased usage of the existing landscape in the geographical area that constitutes the city judiciously. The above statement means not only the extensive use pdf the land for housing development but mainly to utilise the space to achieve self-sufficiency to a certain level. The concept of urban intensification as argued by Mike Jenks et al (7) (1) argue that the intensification in terms of the urban development and achieving sustainability is by implementing the intensification in terms of both the usage of the urban space and in terms of the activity levels. The two categories of the intensifications described by Mike Jenks et al (1) is mentioned below Intensification of built form In this category of urban form, the focus is on the development of the previously undeveloped locations of the city in order to maintain balance in the entire city (i.e.) a balance in the level of the growth and the social development of the people, which is discussed in chapter6. This also includes the development of the existing buildings in the city in order to intensify their use and increase the activity level of the people through the effective use of the buildings and sites in the city. The case of the Barnsley development (5) where the recreation of the city as a twenty first century town is primarily focused upon establishing the town (i.e.) city centre of the urban form as the pivotal form for interaction with its surrounding villages, and other localities for intensifying the use of the urban space and interaction between the city with the surroundings in order to establish a balance in the urban form. The above statement makes it clear that the intensification of the built form in the compact city approach to the sustainable urban form is not only through the development of the city as an entity but through the intensification of the usage of the so developed space with the surroundings in order to increase the intensity of the urban development so as to gain sustainability. Intensification of Activity Katie Williams (8) argues that the intensification of the built form can be sustained in order to gain the sustainable urban form only through the intensification of the activity levels that contribute tithe intensification of the usage of the urban space thus increasing the interaction of the city with its surroundings. In the example of their making of the Barnsley (5) itself, the clear cut definition of each element of the entire urban form and the role of the entities so defined in the overall urban process makes it clear that only through intensifying the activity levels, the compact city initiative can be palpable to gain sustainable urban form. Even though the above arguments support that the intensification of the urban space and activity in a compact city will increase the level of sustainability of the urban form, the argument by Dr Bob Giddings (6)that the urban intensification will not only increase the interaction but also increase the need for rapid development and quick response to changes which will uproot the basic conception of achieving development of the people and sustainable urban form which are the essential elements for the compact city. The fact that the uncontrolled urban intensification will increase not only increase the interaction among the participants in the urban form but also affect the stability of the urban form because of the quick response of the participants to address economic changes and gain growth which will not only increase the use of natural resources but also increase the threat of social inequality. The arguments on acceptable urban intensification (1) justify the above arguments. 4.3: Mixed Use The idea of mixed use in the compact city argued by Hildebrand Frey (2)focuses upon a more decentralised approach to the urban use as opposed the case of intensification where the compact city concept was primarily revolving around the town centre of the city making it a more centralised approach. In this approach, Hildebrand Frey (2) decentralised manner of organizing the urban form and encouraging the various participants of the urban form to interact not only as specific entities to the city but among themselves in order to achieve increased level of self-sufficiency. The example of the Chinese cities with own farm belts in the cities in order to meet their agriculture requirements so as to be self-sufficient justifies the above argument. Alongside, one should understand the fact that the intensification of the urban form apparently loses the importance for preserving the natural resources and mainly for the prudent use of the resources in order to gain sustainable urban form. In the mixed approach the deployment of the farm strips in the city itself making city farming as a rural occupation not only increase the self-sufficiency level of the city in terms of food but also help in the preservation of natural resources mainly preventing soil erosion and increasing the rain fall thus preventing depletion of water in the city areas. The above scenario not only stands for the establishment of specific strips of the urban space for farming but mainly to encourage the residents to involve in house farming by growing vegetables in their own gardens. The increase in the price of vegetables during the 1970s saw the increase in the house farming in the urban areas, which further strengthens the mixed approach to the compact city. Even though the above arguments justify that urban farming will not only increase the self-sufficiency level but also reduce pollution and help preserve the natural resources, cities like London in the Cannot actually accommodate this approach mainly because of the tremendous increase in the industries and global businesses in the city. The arguments of Hildebrand Frey (2) that the city farming is becoming remote because of the very approach to the agriculture in itself. The fact that agriculture itself is treated as an industry and the increase in the demand for quality products across the cities in the UK has truly isolated the farming and green wedges in the busy cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham in the UK. The Urban Regeneration assessment of Keynote Plc. (9) further argues that even though the actual presence of the city farming is obsolete in most of the cities by virtue of the development, the initiative of the city councils and the government to maintain the green strips either artificial or natural in the city areas will help reduce the pollution in the city atmosphere. Apart from the farming element in the mixed approach to the compact city, the essential ingredient that increases the sustainability of the urban form in the mixed approach is that the interaction is not only in controlled manner but the activity levels of the people and there sources in the mixed form of the compact city are put to optimal use. The increase in the growth of the business parks surrounding the natural locations not only increases the interaction of the city but also mainly increases the sustainability and reduces the level of pollution due to the presence of the green wedges (either artificial or natural) in the city. The above arguments on the mixed use in the context of the compact city still poses a question of whether it is achievable mainly because of the fact that the approach of either urban intensification or the mixed-use is pertained to the extent of the availability of resources and above all the involvement of the aut Development of Sustainability in Urban Living Development of Sustainability in Urban Living The Compact City and Sustainable Development Recent research has proved that the form of a town or a city can affect its sustainability (1). This is not only because of the socio cultural factors but also mainly because of the shape, size, density and uses of a city. This is obvious because the nature of business and the environment encompassing the city or town directly affects the sustainability of the city. Alongside, the increase in the urban intensifications anthem urban development in order to increase the use of the urban geography so as to increase the productivity, has further increased the need for a sustainable urban form only when the process of development and urban intensification will be effective in achieving the desired goal of urban development and sustainable urban form. The uncontrolled development and the increasing dispersal of the city further destruct the sustainable urban form. The increase in pollution due to the highway traffic and industrial development has also made the city not environment-friendly eventually making the urban life un-sustainable as well as complicated. Hence the need for an environment-friendly and people-friendly urban form in order to gain sustainability and growth is essential. This report aims to present an insight on the question that whether sustainable urban form is achievable or not. The idea of compact city life and sustainable urban form is increasing in the twenty-first century because of the increased problems faced by the authorities in co-ordinating the cities. Hence a research on this topic is imperative to provide an insight on the essential factors that contribute to the sustainable urban form and ultimately derive upon the conclusion of whether the sustainable urban form can be achieved or not. 1.2: Aim and Objectives The aim of this report is to establish whether Sustainable urban forms achievable or not. The aim is accomplished by embracing the report on the following objectives Objective 1: To conduct a critical analysis on the concept of sustainable development. This is achieved by analysing the existing situation of the urban life and analysing the governmental policies against the policies of Forum for the future. This analysis will throw light on the current situation of the urban form, which is essential to understand the need for a sustainable form and identify the existing barriers that contribute to the un-sustainability of the urban life. Objective 2: Critically analyse the concept of compact city. Analyse its differences from the concept of dispersal and analyse the means of promoting social equity in compact city. Objective 3: Critically discuss the different sustainable models and the implemented designs with examples. Chapter 2: Problems of city life and sustainable development This chapter commences with an overview of problems with city life that answers the question what is wrong with city life? This is then followed by an overview on sustainable development. The definitions of the sustainable development from both the academic front and the government definitions are presented to the reader with examples. 2.1: What is wrong with the city life? The growth of the enterprise culture and the increase in the American style of dispersed business centres like the business parks and shopping supermarkets, away from the city has drained the city of its activity level and also increased the need for urban intensifications. The increased dispersal of the urban environment has also increased the pollution with increase in the traffic and driving habits of the general public to reach the places. Alongside, the planning in the UlhÄ s mainly hindered the actual physical form of the city and its districts (2) by concentrating more upon the two dimensional structure of the city rather than considering the actual physical form of the city to achieve a cohesive and sustainable urban form. Furthermore, the cosmetic treatment of the existing streets and squares and the limited betterment of the hard and soft landscaping in the UlhÄ s further reduced the sustainability of the urban form and above all increased the issues faced like pollution. Another problem faced by the current city life is the singular model of the city and urban planning. This is because the singular approach to city life in different geographical locations is not applicable due tithe fact that the environmental factors and the socio-cultural factors vary with location and it is thus essential to analyse the urban form of city objectively in the light of the environmental factors of the individual city. Alongside, the singular approach to the urban design and planning not only hinders the sustainability but also affects the approach for a universal model for sustainable urban form (1). Also, the current urban form of incorporating the city as a business centre has increased the imbalance in between the number of city-dwellers and the workers in the city. The fact that the people working in the city and surrounding areas tend to live in a different location and commute for their work on a day-to-day basis (1) has increased the pollutions around the city and also increased the level of congestion on the highways further making the city life more tasteless eventually deteriorating the sustainable urban form. Alongside, the focus on the economic growth by the government and the increase in the government to promote the cities as the pivotal elements for their economic growth has actually shifted the focus from the sustainable development of the cities towards economic development resulting in a volatile urban set up that is prone to frequent changes and cannot accommodate the primary needs of the society which is the backbone for the very existence of the city. It is also established by Mike Jenks et al (1) that the current city life is more focused upon the technological developments leaving behind the cultural importance for the city. For example the ‘Uneven Population Density and Sprawl’ and the ‘Functional Zoning’ mentioned by Hildebrand Frey (2) justify that the current city life is more focused upon the development with respect to the changes in the technology and the global business rather than focusing on the development from the cultural perspective which is essential for the sustained development of the city life. The arguments that the city life in the present situation is predominantly focusing on the material needs of the society without laying emphasis upon the rational and ethical elements that are specific to the given geographical location (1) (2) further makes the city life a unwise choice for the general public thus deteriorating the city of its residents. 2.2: Definition of Sustainable Development Sustainable development is the most widely used term in this report and also in the analysis of urban form and environmental development. Thawed definition as mentioned by Mike Jenks (1) on sustainable development is â€Å" a development which is capable of meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs†. This definition is exactly similar to the definition of the government towards sustainable development (3) that defines sustainable development as â€Å"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs†. This makes it clear that the urban development should not only focus upon the development with respect to the growth in the technology and global markets but also incorporate the cultural and ethical factors that will provide room for the future generations to incorporate changes to meet their requirements. Also, it is clear that the focus on the technological development and a global perspective is necessary for achieving global position and economic development but still the emphasis on the development without compromising the ability for future development is essential and can be achieved only through embracing the urban development with the demographic and cultural factors with room for further development. Furthermore, the argument by the â€Å"Sustainable development Unit â€Å" of Government (3) that we are not even meeting the present needs on global basis is causing concern about the sustainable development of the city. This is because of the fact that the increase in the focus of the society to accommodate to the changes in the global and technological perspective leaving behind the primary ingredient of cultural and social elements which is the backbone for sustainable development in order to help the future generations to meet their needs. Alongside, the argument of the sustainable Development Unit (3)that the increasing use of the resources and environmental systems like water, conventional sources of energy and other exhaustible natural resources cannot carry on forever since the rate at which they are replenished in the by nature is extremely lower to the rate at which the resources are consumed. On the other hand the definition of the Forum for the future (4) on sustainable development â€Å"A dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earths life support systems â€Å"lays more emphasis not only upon retaining the cultural and ethical factors but also upon the self development of the people in who live in the city in order to nurture the development right from the roots rather than the peripheral development of addressing the global and economic growth in the definition of the Government. Furthermore, the phrase ‘to enhance Earth’s life support systems’ in the definition further justifies that the urban development is sustainable only when the emphasis is provided to preserving the natural resources. The approach to Remaking Barnsley (5) â€Å"the 21st century Market Town â€Å"where the council is actually rethinking the entire Barnsley process in order to provide a sustainable world-class place for the future generations taking into account the cultural and social background of Barnsley is in line with the aforementioned definition of the Forum for the Future (4). Furthermore, the arguments by Mike Jenks (1) and Hildebrand Frey (2)that a sustainable development is achievable only when the development of the urban areas reflect upon the global and economic growth embracing the primary element of preserving the natural resources as well as emphasising on the cultural factors of the geography. The examples on sustainable housing discussed in the text (1) (2) justify this argument. 2.3: Conclusion: This discussion in this chapter has revealed that the current city life is actually deteriorating the natural resources and prone to changes without accommodating the need for a balance in the environment in order to gain sustainable development. Also, from the definitions of sustainable development, it is clear that the development can be achieved only when the urban development embraces the need to preserve the natural resources as well as implement changes by emphasizing upon the development of the people in the city as well as the city itself rather than addressing the changes at the peripheral level. From the above discussion it is thus established that the sustainable development of the urban form can be achieved only through the effective integration of the socio-cultural factors with the global and economic growth without depleting the natural resources. Chapter 3: Comparison the Policy Objectives In this chapter a profound discussion on the policy objectives of teak government and the Forum for the Future is presented to the reader. This is then followed by the analysis of the differences in the policies and the strategies proposed by the bodies in order to identify their compatibility and the ability to measure the success. This chapter aims to familiarise the policies and objectives to the reader prior to the analysis in Part 2 of the report. 3.1: Policy Objectives The objectives of the UK Government’s Sustainable development Unit for sustainable urban form (3) are 1. Social progress, which recognises the needs of everyone (i.e.) the needs apart from the essential needs of food clothing and water like locations for public gathering and cultural activities etc., This objective of the government was extensively deployed in the post war urban development in the 1950s and the 1960s as argued by Hildebrand Frey (2) who argues that the UK government’s strive to provide a higher quality of life with better community facilities. The development plan of 1951 (1) (2) that concentrated on providing the basic communal facilities and improving the quality of the houses through housing plans by the government were concentrated upon achieving the Social progress in the cities to meet the changes in the global world. Hildebrand Frey (2) argues that the government from the initial stages of urban development was concentrating upon the two-dimensional plan of the city and did not address the physical form of the city to accommodate the future changes. Als o the fact that the development was concentrating on the rapid economic development and growth in the global market rather than emphasising on the socio-cultural factors has further depleted the sustainability of the urban form itself. 2. Effective protection of the environment: As mentioned in the previous chapter, the increase in the transportation especially the motorway commuters in the UK since the late twentieth century is causing very high levels of pollution that is eventually causing adverse effects on global warming making the weather hot with record-breaking temperatures which is not a healthy sign for sustainable urban form. Even though the objective of the government to protect the environment is novel, the existing set up of the urban for in the UK is causing adverse effects on the environment not only in the form of pollution of air but also upon the societal factors itself. The increase in the government’s tendency to respond to the global changes and economic growth without encompassing the people and the development of the people (1) (2) in the city is also a major cause for hindering the sustainable urban form. 3. Prudent use of natural resources: This objective of prudent use of the natural resources by the Sustainable development Unit (3) of Government mainly focuses on preserving the non-renewable sources of energy like the fossil fuels. The efficient use of water and prevention of the wastage of natural resources including water and energy also form the primary elements of this objective of the Sustainable development Unit. 4. Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment: This objective of the Sustainable development Unit mainly focuses upon the economic development of the city through the increased level of employment. It is worth noting that the arguments of (1) and(2) on the government’s focus upon urban development through addressing economic growth and global changes rather than development of the people in the city is justified in this objective. Even though the objective focuses on higher level of employment of the people, it does not focus upon the development of the society that forms the city. The objectives of the Forum for the Future are discussed below 1. The preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources: This objective clearly emphasises upon the preservation of the natural resources as well as the prudent use of the resources. This statement not only emphasises upon the careful use of the natural resources but also upon the preservation of the existing resources explicitly. This is essential because of the fact that the initiative of the society to preserve the natural resources is the driving factor for the prudent use of the natural resources (4). 2. The relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. From this objective it is clear that the Forum for the Future is not only concentrating upon the development of the city areas but mainly upon the development of the people who form the city in order to achieve sustainable development. The example of the Remaking Barnsley (5) where the urban development of the city was approached with the idea of preserving the socio-cultural factors as well as nurturing the development of the people in the city instead of concentrating upon the development of the urban areas with respect to the global change and meet the economic growth. 3. The promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration: This objective mainly suggests that the economic growth in the urban form can be sustained and achieved efficiently through achieving the above two objectives which will regenerate the walk of life of the people in the city eventually contributing to the economic growth. 3.2: Critical Analysis of the Policy objectives The major difference between the government objectives and the objectives of the Forum for the Future is the fact that the government approach to the sustainable urban form is predominantly focusing upon the economic development without focusing upon the development of the of the people in the city. This major difference in the policy objectives is the primary factor for the hindrance to the sustainable urban form in the UK. Alongside, the argument of Mike Jenks (1) that the sustainable urban form is achievable only through the development of the people in the city which is essential for the continuous growth of the society that forms the city in order to effectively achieve the sustainable urban form. Furthermore, the approach of the Forum for the Future in preserving the natural resources along with the prudent use of the resources emphasis more on the natural resources preservation and development from the basis of the city rather than the approach of the Sustainable development Unit of UK government to the prudent use of the natural resources without explicitly emphasising upon the preservation of the natural resources. Even though the policy objectives of the Sustainable development Unit and the Forum for the Future are different it is appreciable that both the government body as well as the charity organization are striving towards the preservation of the environment. The argument of Dr Bob Giddings (6) that the perception of the city centres as segregated areas of functional uses by the Sustainable development Unit is the major factor for the failure of the strategy to achieve sustainable development in the cities even though the policy objectives of the Sustainable development Unit strives to develop the urban areas in the UK as key elements for growth. From the objectives of the UK government Sustainable development Unit, the strategy of the government is primarily to protect the environment and increase the economic level of the urban areas to achieve sustainable development. This strategy of achieving sustainable urban form is not completely successful as argued by Dr Bob Giddings (6)since the development does not embrace the cultural values of the geography or the development of the people in the city who are the backbone for the mere existence of the city (1) (2). Even though the strategy does not focus upon the people development like its counterpart, the underlying idea of protecting the environment is easily measurable in this case since the prudent use of the natural resources for example can be accurately measured through the calculation of the use of energy resources by the general public and industries along with their classification and level of pollution. This ability to measure the strategy is the predominant factor for the implementation of the Sustainable development Unit in the UK urban form for sustainable development. On the other hand from the objectives of the Forum for the Future we can see that the strategy embraces the development of the people in the society in order to contribute to the economic development which will provide sustainable urban form since the roots of the urban form (i.e.)the people development is the focus. The development of the people in the society will obviously create the awareness of protecting the environment and preserving the natural resources resulting in the prudent use. Even though the above argument justifies that the emphasis on the people development is essential for the development of the urban for from the basis in order to achieve sustainable urban for, the ability to measure the actual development of the people in the society and their contribution to preserving the natural resources is difficult to measure and only the factors mentioned in the former case can be accurately measured. This measure does not always justify the requirement thus restricting the ability to accurately measure the results of the objectives of Forum for the Future. Apart from the issues of measuring the results the inherent problem is the compatibility of the policies in the urban form in order to actually implement the strategy. Mike Jenks et al (1) argue that the practise of the urban form in many cities is not always the same as in theory and to achieve the strategy effectively is not always possible due to the inherent issue of the extent to which a specific policy incompatible to the given urban form. From the above discussions it is clear that the government objectives of the urban form are more compatible to those of Forum for the Future mainly because of the lucid form of the objectives and the easy to implement nature. This further adds the credit to the policy objectives of Sustainable development Unit (3) against the policy objectives of is counterpart. 3.3: Conclusion The discussion of the policy objectives of the government and the Forum for the Future has revealed that the sustainable urban form should preserve the environment and the natural resources. Also, the analysis on the policy objectives have revealed that the objectives are achievable only through the prudent use of the resources and the development of the people in the city than focusing only upon the economic development and addressing to global changes. Furthermore, the arguments on the compatibility and the analysis of the strategy have revealed that the Sustainable development Unit (3) of the UK government policy is more compatible than that of the Forum for the Future. Part 2: The Compact City Chapter 4: The Compact City In this chapter, a discussion on the concept of the compact city is presented to the reader. The chapter commences with the definition of the compact city followed by the discussion on the various aspects associated with the compact city concept. 4.1: Definition of Compact City Mike Jenks et al (1) define the compact city as â€Å"a freestanding urban settlement and defined as embracing one or all of three categories: high density, a mixed-use city and an intensified city†. This definition is obviously presented from an academic background and hence in the practical life the definition of the Compact city drills down toâ€Å" a city that has environmental and energy advantages and social benefits† (2), which emphasises on the preservation of the natural resources and emphasises on the development of the people. From the above definition it is clear that in order to achieve the policy objectives discussed in the previous chapter a model of the Compact city will be helpful to achieve the goal of sustainable urban form. Apart from the above argument, the compact city of the urban form as described by (1) (2) focus upon the idea of integrated development(i.e.) achieving development in all spheres of the social and personal life of the people in the city in order to gain sustainable urban form. The major advantages of establishing the compact city include the easy accessibility to facilities, reduced need for travel, health and social interaction as argued by Mike Jenks et al (1). The highlights of the compact city as argued by (1) (2) are discussed here with examples from case studies and reports on urban development and sustainable urban form. 4.2: Intensification Intensification as mentioned by (2) in the light of a compact is mainly concerned with the increased usage of the existing landscape in the geographical area that constitutes the city judiciously. The above statement means not only the extensive use pdf the land for housing development but mainly to utilise the space to achieve self-sufficiency to a certain level. The concept of urban intensification as argued by Mike Jenks et al (7) (1) argue that the intensification in terms of the urban development and achieving sustainability is by implementing the intensification in terms of both the usage of the urban space and in terms of the activity levels. The two categories of the intensifications described by Mike Jenks et al (1) is mentioned below Intensification of built form In this category of urban form, the focus is on the development of the previously undeveloped locations of the city in order to maintain balance in the entire city (i.e.) a balance in the level of the growth and the social development of the people, which is discussed in chapter6. This also includes the development of the existing buildings in the city in order to intensify their use and increase the activity level of the people through the effective use of the buildings and sites in the city. The case of the Barnsley development (5) where the recreation of the city as a twenty first century town is primarily focused upon establishing the town (i.e.) city centre of the urban form as the pivotal form for interaction with its surrounding villages, and other localities for intensifying the use of the urban space and interaction between the city with the surroundings in order to establish a balance in the urban form. The above statement makes it clear that the intensification of the built form in the compact city approach to the sustainable urban form is not only through the development of the city as an entity but through the intensification of the usage of the so developed space with the surroundings in order to increase the intensity of the urban development so as to gain sustainability. Intensification of Activity Katie Williams (8) argues that the intensification of the built form can be sustained in order to gain the sustainable urban form only through the intensification of the activity levels that contribute tithe intensification of the usage of the urban space thus increasing the interaction of the city with its surroundings. In the example of their making of the Barnsley (5) itself, the clear cut definition of each element of the entire urban form and the role of the entities so defined in the overall urban process makes it clear that only through intensifying the activity levels, the compact city initiative can be palpable to gain sustainable urban form. Even though the above arguments support that the intensification of the urban space and activity in a compact city will increase the level of sustainability of the urban form, the argument by Dr Bob Giddings (6)that the urban intensification will not only increase the interaction but also increase the need for rapid development and quick response to changes which will uproot the basic conception of achieving development of the people and sustainable urban form which are the essential elements for the compact city. The fact that the uncontrolled urban intensification will increase not only increase the interaction among the participants in the urban form but also affect the stability of the urban form because of the quick response of the participants to address economic changes and gain growth which will not only increase the use of natural resources but also increase the threat of social inequality. The arguments on acceptable urban intensification (1) justify the above arguments. 4.3: Mixed Use The idea of mixed use in the compact city argued by Hildebrand Frey (2)focuses upon a more decentralised approach to the urban use as opposed the case of intensification where the compact city concept was primarily revolving around the town centre of the city making it a more centralised approach. In this approach, Hildebrand Frey (2) decentralised manner of organizing the urban form and encouraging the various participants of the urban form to interact not only as specific entities to the city but among themselves in order to achieve increased level of self-sufficiency. The example of the Chinese cities with own farm belts in the cities in order to meet their agriculture requirements so as to be self-sufficient justifies the above argument. Alongside, one should understand the fact that the intensification of the urban form apparently loses the importance for preserving the natural resources and mainly for the prudent use of the resources in order to gain sustainable urban form. In the mixed approach the deployment of the farm strips in the city itself making city farming as a rural occupation not only increase the self-sufficiency level of the city in terms of food but also help in the preservation of natural resources mainly preventing soil erosion and increasing the rain fall thus preventing depletion of water in the city areas. The above scenario not only stands for the establishment of specific strips of the urban space for farming but mainly to encourage the residents to involve in house farming by growing vegetables in their own gardens. The increase in the price of vegetables during the 1970s saw the increase in the house farming in the urban areas, which further strengthens the mixed approach to the compact city. Even though the above arguments justify that urban farming will not only increase the self-sufficiency level but also reduce pollution and help preserve the natural resources, cities like London in the Cannot actually accommodate this approach mainly because of the tremendous increase in the industries and global businesses in the city. The arguments of Hildebrand Frey (2) that the city farming is becoming remote because of the very approach to the agriculture in itself. The fact that agriculture itself is treated as an industry and the increase in the demand for quality products across the cities in the UK has truly isolated the farming and green wedges in the busy cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham in the UK. The Urban Regeneration assessment of Keynote Plc. (9) further argues that even though the actual presence of the city farming is obsolete in most of the cities by virtue of the development, the initiative of the city councils and the government to maintain the green strips either artificial or natural in the city areas will help reduce the pollution in the city atmosphere. Apart from the farming element in the mixed approach to the compact city, the essential ingredient that increases the sustainability of the urban form in the mixed approach is that the interaction is not only in controlled manner but the activity levels of the people and there sources in the mixed form of the compact city are put to optimal use. The increase in the growth of the business parks surrounding the natural locations not only increases the interaction of the city but also mainly increases the sustainability and reduces the level of pollution due to the presence of the green wedges (either artificial or natural) in the city. The above arguments on the mixed use in the context of the compact city still poses a question of whether it is achievable mainly because of the fact that the approach of either urban intensification or the mixed-use is pertained to the extent of the availability of resources and above all the involvement of the aut

Ground Effect :: physics

The Ground Effect (or Wing in Ground Effect) is a natural phenomenon that occurs due to vortices caused by a difference in pressure between the two sides of a wing. This effect can be very dangerous to inexperienced pilots, but can be utilized by creative engineers. Nearly all pilots have experienced a strange phenomenon during landing. While everything is happening as it should during decent, a 'cushion' of air gets trapped below the wing during the last few meters to the runway. This throws off the rate of decent and can be dangerous if the pilot has already begun to flare up and decelerate for landing. This means the plane would climb again while slowing down, which would easily lead to a stall. However, pilots who are aware of this effect can use it to their advantage. Pilots during World War II who had fuel leaks flew scant meters off the ground, conserving fuel until safe territory was reached. This effect is not really caused by a cushion of air at all, rather, by vortices of air off the tips of the wings. For a plane to create lift, its wings must create low pressure on top and high pressure on the bottom. However, at the tips of the wings, the high pressure pushes and the low pressure pulls air onto the top of the wing, reducing lift and creating a current flowing to the top. This current remains even after the wing has left the area, producing really awesome vortices. This flow of air reduces the high pressure and increases the low pressure systems, thus reducing lift and increasing induced drag a great deal. However, once the plane nears the ground (usually half of the distance from the wingtip to fuselage) this flow is significantly reduced. Therefore, the lift is significantly increased. This is the ground effect. Creative engineers can take advantage of the ground effect and create craft called Ekranoplans. These were gigantic boat planes built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War to transport large amounts of material quickly. These planes could only fly in the ground effect (over water, ice, or flat ground) but were very efficient.

Cosquer Cave :: Place Descriptive Essays

Cosquer Cave In 1985, while scuba diving in Cape Morgiou, near Marseilles, France, Henri Cosquer discovered a narrow 175-meter, air-filled tunnel 37 meters below the sea (â€Å"The Cosquer Cave†). The tunnel, unbeknownst to him, lead to one of the world’s most treasured Paleolithic art-filled caves. During the Paleolithic age, Cosquer cave was much more accessible than it is today. Researchers say that at the times the art was created, the cave was probably only 11 kilometers from the coast and 80 meters above sea level (Jaobs). Since then, the giant glaciers of the period have melted and the Mediterranean Sea has risen, preserving this magnificent display of ancient art. Oblivious to the historical importance of his find, Cosquer kept the cave secret until a return visit in July of 1991 when he sighted what seemed to be a red, stenciled human hand painted on the side of the cave (Clottes 14). Excited by this discovery, Cosquer invited several fellow divers including Yann Gogan, Jean-Claude Cayol, Pascal Oriol, Cendrine Cosquer, and Thierry Pà ©lissier to further examine the cave with him (Clottes 14). The hand, as it turned out, was only the first of approximately 142 ancient paintings and engravings that appear on the walls and ceilings of Cosquer cave (â€Å"Accessing Cosquer Cave†). The cave consists of several narrow tunnels, some of which are less than one meter high, and two main chambers that are covered with calcite crystals (Clottes 48). Throughout the cave are finger grooves, which the artists were able to carve into the weather-softened stone walls (Clottes 59). After recording proof of the discovery, Henri Cosquer informed the French Ministry of Culture. They assigned Jean Clottes and Jean Courtin to study the cave for further research. In the last nine years scientists and archaeologists have performed approximately two dozen radiocarbon datings (Jaobs). This makes Cosquer the most extensively dated cave in the world (â€Å"Accessing Cosquer Cave†). Through these thorough studies, researchers have discovered that the images were created during two separate phases. The first phase dates around –27,000, and includes the handprints and some geometric designs that were found (Duckeck). After that, there is an 8000 year gap in which no one seems to have used the cave (Jaobs). The second phase is between -19,000 and –18,000. It was in this phase that the animal images were created (Duckeck). Of the images depicted in the cave, over two-thirds are engraved and most are of horses (Duckeck).

Graduation Speech: Fireworks -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Addres

Even though you cannot see them yet, the fireworks will begin tonight. In bright stunning colors, they will paint over the black world around them and they will glow. In all shapes and sizes they will scatter over the stars and the moon. They will erupt in loud, almost deafening blasts to hushed crackles of soundless glory. Each diploma received is a lighted match of fire. Each graduate is a fuse. If you put a lighted match and a fuse together, you make sparks to create light. If you put a diploma and a graduate together, you have fireworks. As I look down into the mass crowd of parents, guardians, relatives, friends, teachers, and other members of Southern Columbia’s school community, I can only focus on my fellow graduating classmates. This particular section is beginning to illuminate. It is giving off a subtle glow of many colors as if it is ready to explode into blinding lights. The dull colors seen now are only the stored energy ready to explode. The TNT is the knowledge that each graduate has acquired at Southern Columbia. It is the basic factor in beginning to light their personal firework. Once every graduate has a diploma in their hands, the whole world will be painted with their cascading colors. These colors will reflect upon the eyes of many people watching them erupt. Bright hues will light up as every graduate paints the world with their own color. I caution everyone in the audience to put on their sunglasses, because I feel the future will be so bright for my fellow classmates and myself that we will all have to wear shades. Some people say they remember the enormous fireworks that stretch out for what looks like miles in the sky. Other people say they remember the fireworks that are small and pop so qu... ...tant people for caring about our future. You cannot look at the firecrackers ready to be set off and perfectly imagine their shape and size. You can only hope that they will ignite into a display of colors and inspiration in all sizes instead of malfunctioning. As graduates, we do not know who we are until we see what we can do. Class of 2004, no matter how bright your colors glow, how large your display is, or how loud your boom is, all of us are important in providing the rest of the world with such a memorable fireworks display that will leave our spectators speechless. As a whole, we have achieved so much over the many years, and we will keep on achieving in life even after we have left each other’s physical presence. As we move on with our lives, we will always meet in memories and in the sky as we display our individual colors and patterns over the world.

HR Management Roles

The Human Resources Department an important system to any organization and is a key component in the healthcare industry. It is the HR department that is built on skills, performance, and knowledge of the organization and is responsible for hiring and training the new employee’s healthcare services. â€Å"Human resources, when pertaining to health care, can be defined as the different kinds of clinical and non-clinical staff responsible for public and individual health intervention† (WHO, 2000). The roles and functions of the Human Resources Department (HR) management in the health care industry is to work closely with all staff to ensure each employee recognizes the needs and standards of the organization. Management is about planning, performance and team work. Planning is a vital in any organization and in healthcare it is pertinent for proper flow and function of the organization. â€Å"High- performance organization show a greater commitment and skill development† (Gomez-Mejia, 2010). This is the prime element in HR management roles the organization has opening positions, new programs for employees and creating a plan is essential for success. As a representative of management HR a plan to promote employees who show exceptional ability to lead. Management must look at these employees who show skill and focus on how to move them into positions that need their talent. Hiring new personnel for an organization includes providing extensive training for employee development. A program from management would include building proficiency requirements, develop mental skills of potential new employees. The functional roles of the HR department is to provide assistance to all managers who execute responsibilities of the health care organization. The department monitors daily functions of the healthcare organization to ensure the organization is running smoothly. It is their duty to oversee the organization success in practice. The HR department responsibility is to confirm that each employee has the proper skills and training required for the position. This guarantees that the organization is operated effectively day-to-day. The methods used in the HR department creates a team effort atmosphere for the organization. This set clear goals, standards and success in a healthcare organization this gives each employee something to accomplish. The HR department’s role in the healthcare industry is very important, and the functions of the department’s plans, skills, and programs help achieve the organizations goal success in the healthcare industry. Management is the center of the organizations achievements. Proper management in HR is crucial in delivering quality health care. Management in HR is needed to develop new programs and policies. Effective management keeps the healthcare industry in a position to provide quality care to patients.

Economics of Best Buy

One of the fortune 500 companies in our society is Best Buy. Best Buy is one of the largest consumer electronics retailer company in the United States and Canada. There are many products Best Buy distributes, such as; computers, computer equipment, video and audio products, refrigerators, coffeemakers, compact discs, video games, DVD and VHS movies and players, CD’s, computer software, cameras, cell phones, and satellite systems and so on. In addition, their customer service is very helpful and has improved throughout the years.The Geek Squad is one of their forms of customer service they provide and they offer various computer-related services and accessories for residential and commercial clients. Best Buy didn’t always have these products and services available. They are an industry that changes with the times. They supply products that are in high demand by the consumers. Best Buy was started in 1996 by Richard R. Schulze and his business partner James Wheeler. It w as originally known as Sound of Music and the first store was located in St. Paul, Minnesota.In 1983, the company’s name was changed to Best Buy and the first store named Best Buy was located in Burnsville, Minnesota. By 1984, there were only 8 Best Buy’s in the Midwest, but by 1987 the number tripled and their sales and earnings were at a high $239 million and $7. 7 million respectively. And since they have money to spend, they increased their warehouse size and products. In 1985, Best Buy went public and then two years later they were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. By 1988, sales had doubled to $439 million, but net earning declined 64%.Despite the net earnings declining, revenues were still increasing well into 1989. Also, in 1989, Best Buy launched its Concept II stores with bigger show rooms, fewer sales people and more self help product information. From 1992-1993 Best Buy had the best financial performance in the company’s 27 year history with an increase in revenues and earnings. Following this, 38 new stores were opened up. By 1997, Best Buy became the industry leader. This caused net profits to jump to $94. 5 million and revenues to jump to $8. 36 billion and for their stock to increase to $36 per share.In 1998, Best Buy created an online music store and in 2000 they expanded it and it offered more then music, it offers DVDs, consumer electronics, computers, software’s and games. Having a website made Best Buy’s income grow even more. By 2001, profits increased 14%, revenues rose to $15. 33 billion. Despite the recession in 2001, Best Buy bounced back the following year with $570 million in profits and $19. 6 billion in revenue. And by 2004, revenue reached $25 billion and net income rose to $705 million. Best Buy is a publicly traded corporation.A publicly traded corporation is the style of many companies in the United States, Europe and India. They are liable, taxable, have legal rights that an individual citizen would have, they can sue and be sued and must establish a paperwork identity with state and/or federal governments as required by local laws. When it comes to liability, public corporations have limited liability which means a partner or investor cannot lose more than the amount invested and the investor or partner is not personally responsible for the debts and obligations of the company in the event of bankruptcy.For taxes public corporations are taxed twice; once for revenue for the corporation and once for personal income for the shareholders. Best Buy is the type of company that always stays up to date with the latest technologies which keeps the consumers coming back and interested. They also have every product on the floor when you walk in so the choices of products are endless and you never have to wonder if there is more. In addition, they base their stores on low pricing and efficiency in operation; this explains why Best Buy’s industry has grown so much sin ce 1966.Mostly every corporation deals with competitors. The biggest competition Best Buy faced was Circuit City. They were competitors because they were the top two retail chains for electronics. Eventually Best Buy took over and put Circuit City out of business. Why? The answer is because Best Buy does a better job of utilizing marketing through brand recognition, incentives and customer service. Best Buy has gotten a lot better at putting the customers first and helping them in any way they can and Circuit City has had many problems with keeping their customers satisfied.Also, Circuit City’s problem is they aren’t competitive; they keep losing money quarter after quarter. Even their stock dropped from $22 to $3. 83. Why is Circuit City losing money? It’s because they aren’t updated enough with the latest technologies like Best Buy is. Also, whatever Circuit City has Best Buy already has and better so people want to go to Best Buy for that reason. In ad dition, Best Buy offers services such as computer service and support and home theater installation, which makes Best Buy different from Circuit City and other fortune 500 companies.Before Circuit City went out of business, there have been reports about how Best Buy would benefit from reduced competition. There was an estimation of a $12 million increase in revenue if Circuit City wasn’t in business. In addition, more suppliers will be forced to sell their products to them whether they want to or not. For example, if Best Buy demands for better terms on Sony’s big screen LCD TV’s and if Sony doesn’t like the terms they have nowhere to turn to. Every company uses and must use adverting in order to gain popularity and people’s interest.Both Best Buy and Circuit City use advertising, but they both advertise in different ways. Best Buy’s strategy is aggressive advertising and competitive pricing and pursuit of cost saving strategy. There are thr ee messages they portray in their TV advertisements, they are; â€Å"you can trust us to always have your best interests in mind, we have a unique take on how technology and entertainment can make your life better and you can always expect to find great prices†. For example, their commercial titled â€Å"True Stories† focused on Best Buy employees telling their true stories on how they helped customers.As the years go on advertising becomes ignored because people don’t trust the misleading ads so, to fix this problem Best Buy recently featured their customer’s comments from online product reviews and product ratings in their nationwide Sunday newspaper circular. This helps because potential customers will most likely trust people who have already bought something from Best Buy then the Best Buy salesmen. This practice of advertising is called â€Å"Bazaarvoice† and it is very affective and it is the future of advertising.In addition, Best Buy has a dvertisements that highlight key entertainment groups like MGM Studios, Activision, Sega and Rock Band which showcase the enjoyment people are acquiring from these products and this makes people want to have these items because everyone likes to have fun and enjoy themselves. The problem with Circuit City is they never did anything like Best Buy. Circuit City never changed its ways and products so they never adapted new advertising methods like the â€Å"Bazaarvoice†. In addition, since they never update their inventory onsumers were probably never interested in their ads because Circuit City’s products were outdated. Circuit City never got into selling video games and they never sold any thriving companies’ products like Apple Computers. Also, Circuit City never improved their website and the internet is used a lot now to sell products so if they are not up to speed with everyone else people will loose interest in their store. In addition, Circuit City stopped selling appliances which can stop a lot of people from buying from you.My prediction is that Best Buy will continue to prosper in the future for many reasons. One reason I think this is because their Revenue is $20. 9 Billion. Also, their price per stock is $54. 15 (a 138% change in stock price) which is very high compared to their competitor Circuit City which is $3. 83 per stock. Best Buy’s market cap is also $18. 6 billion. In addition, there are 750 Best Buy stores throughout the United States and in Canada. As you can see, Best Buy makes a lot of money and the more money a company has the more successful they are.So, if Best Buy keeps satisfying the customers, updates their products and basically just changes with the times then I don’t see a reason for how they will ever go out of business. Work Cited Best Buy Co. , Inc.. 2010  funding universe. 5/7/10  . â€Å"Best Buy. †Ã‚  Company Profiles for Students. 1999  ed. Best Buy Launches New Holiday Adve rtising Campaign; Alliance with Major Entertainment Groups Highlight Customer Experience. 2002  Business Wire. 5/7/10  . Best Buy Using Reviews in Advertising. 2010  Bazaarvoice Inc. 5/13/10  . Best Buy. 2010  Mahalo. com inc. 5/7/10  .Coleman,  Quentin. Public Corporation Information. 2010  eHow. 5/11/10  . Hamilton,  Anita. Why Circuit City Busted, While Best Buy Boomed . 2010  Times Inc. 5/13/10  . January and February Best Buy Advertising. 2010  Barry Judge CMO of Best Buy. 5/11/10  . Muller,  Turley. Best Buy Will Benefit from Reduced Competition. 2008  Seeking Alpha. 5/7/10  . Peterson,  Matthew. Circuit City Vs Best Buy Marketing – Why Circuit City Failed and Best Buy Won 2010  EzineArticles. com. 5/13/10  . Watson,  Julie. Best Buy vs Circuit City. 2006  Forbes. com inc. 5/13/10  .