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Exploring Naturmolnet’s qualities that promote well-being in the public place : pocket parks for a better urban life?
Get PDFGreen public places are in constant threat due to city development and densification. For the benefit
of the urban dwellers and the environment, it is important to the development, accessibility, and
quality design of public places. Pocket parks are an urban phenomenon, a type of small public place
in between buildings, that represents a restorative escape from the roughness of everyday city life.
This thesis explored and investigated how Naturmolnet, a pocket park in Malmö, contributes to the
restoration and improvement of urban life. The methodology used in this project was an expert
observation landscape analysis which was assisted by a protocol tool developed from an initial
review of the scientific literature on both pocket parks and the Perceived Sensory Dimensions model
(PSD). This protocol was used to evaluate the characteristics and qualities in Naturmolnet that
fosters restoration and promotes well-being. With a 5-point Likert scale and a checklist, the eight
PSDs and pocket parks characteristics were evaluated. The results of this study suggested that
Naturmolnet included most of the pocket park characteristics and restorative elements from different
PSD qualities. The PSDs Cultural, diverse, and social scored the highest (5 points). Sheltered and
open scored in the middle (3 points). Natural, cohesive, and serene scored the lowest (1 point).
Overall, the results indicated that even though Naturmolnet was not considered a natural and serene
environment, it had other elements equally important like social and cultural that classify it as a
restorative urban place that promotes well-being. In conclusion, Naturmolnet is a high-quality
pocket park that functions as a dynamic environment, with a balance between natural, cultural, and
social aspects. Naturmolnet is a community-driven place in Malmö that works as an inspiration for
the development of future pocket parks and as a solution for the recovery, reclaiming of the public
place, the right to the city, and the improvement of a better urban life
Outdoor environments for physiotherapeutic rehabilitation of work-related stress
Get PDFLearning more about rehabilitating work-related stress is important since stress-related illness is
creating a lot of human suffering and a significant economic loss in most countries.
Physiotherapists are one of the most common professions in work-oriented rehabilitation in
Sweden and previous research has shown positive results of using outdoor environments when
rehabilitating work-related stress. Research has also displayed the preferred qualities of stressreducing and restorative outdoor environments, used in multi professional interventions. There is
however no previous research found on displaying the specific environmental qualities which are
beneficial in different types of physiotherapeutic exercises for rehabilitating work-related stress. In
order to investigate the qualities of outdoor environments and how they are affecting
physiotherapeutic exercises a qualitative study has been conducted, interviewing two
physiotherapists who are currently working at two rehab gardens with rehabilitation of workrelated stress. The interviews have been thematically analysed and resulted in a display of the
effect of the environmental qualities when doing physiotherapeutic exercises while: lying down,
being seated, standing and walking; in the rehab garden, the nearby field, walk path and forest.
The conclusion of this thesis is that the specific environmental qualities which are especially
important in the different types of physiotherapeutic exercises are the sheltered quality while lying
down, the serene quality while being seated, the natural quality while standing and the cohesive
quality when conducting exercises while walking. There is a need for further research, evaluating
the effect on the participants of the different environments used in physiotherapeutic exercises, in
order to better support physiotherapists when using outdoor environments for rehabilitating workrelated stress
Fjällräven i ett föränderligt klimat
Get PDFClimate change is an ongoing threat to the world´s biodiversity, and has an alarming effect on the Arctic. One species that can only be found in this particular habitat is the arctic fox, whose future is threatened by the aversive effects of global warming. The aim of this study was to investigate how climate change is affecting the arctic fox. A literature review of current research was done to identify relevant scientific information concerning the process of climate change affecting the species. Recent data indicates that the life of the arctic fox will be affected in many different aspects. The sea ice is decreasing, and this change is expected to continue, which affects both the arctic fox gene flow but also the abundance of marine food resources. The boreal forest is also expected to expand further north, leading to a shrinking tundra, as well as an influx of predators migrating from the south. The red fox, which has already significantly affected the Fennoscandian arctic fox population, is expected to further expand its distribution north, which will be detrimental to the prospect of survival of the arctic fox. The rodent cycles, which are a key process in the tundra ecosystem, are also expected to become more unstable. The arctic fox´s reproductive success is dependent on peaks in the rodent population and will be severely affected if these cycles fail. Many conservation measures have been taken, especially in Fennoscandia, in the form of support feeding the artic fox and controlling the red fox expansion. Conservation and management will be necessary in the future, and new research is needed to find sustainable and ethical methods for the conservation of the arctic fox. Insight into the process of converging factors is also fundamental. Even if the arctic fox is an opportunistic predator, a change in both terrestrial and marine food resources can lead to a food shortage for the arctic fox. Understanding how this, in conjunction with a shrinking tundra and a boreal invasion will impact the global arctic fox population is necessary to be able to predict and find sustainable solutions for the future
Analysis of Vertical Farming Business Model
Get PDFThe world's population is projected to increase to 9 billion by 2050 according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO (2020), and this growth in the earth's population is anticipated to put great pressure on the existing natural resources. It will increase food demand which would intensify agricultural production. Vertical farming (VF) is a new method to grow crops by artificially growing plants vertically on stacked layers. It provides opportunities for sustainable crop growth by minimizing water use, increasing productivity per unit area, and reducing fertilizer/pesticide use which leads to maintaining the ecosystem's health and to protect the crops from climate-related disasters. More than 80% of the fruits and vegetables consumed are imported to Sweden, which is associated with devastating climate side effects such as transportation, keeping and cooling. VF can fulfil the everyday demands of consumers in Sweden for fresh nutrients and is an aspect of flexible feeding methods - particularly in and near densely populated regions.
VF currently produces a limited range of vegetables and plants that are more expensive than conventional agricultural products, and although it has many environmental and social benefits in terms of sustainability, it also needs to improve economic profitability. The purpose of this thesis is to examine how this industry can be economically viable. To achieve this goal, reviewing the literature on the Business Model Canvas (BMC), SWOT analysis of the company and its business model, and three dimensions of sustainability are used to create a theoretical framework. To gain an in-depth understanding of the business model, a case study was conducted with a vertical farming company in Sweden called Swegreen, and data on business model analysis and SWOT analysis were collected through an interview. Based on the findings, the company changed its business model from B2C to B2B based on past experiences to stay consistent in the economic sector and reduce costs. According to SWOT analysis of the BMC, the company almost has equal strengths and weaknesses in implementing the nine building blocks, but the opportunities ahead outweigh their threats, which indicates that the industry is still young and has a bright future ahead
Implementering i tuff terräng
Get PDFEtt alltmer fragmenterat landskap där grönstruktur sällan består av det nätverk som
krävs för att bevara stabila ekosystem och upprätthålla leveransen av
ekosystemtjänster är verklighet. Skånes landskap skiljer sig till stor del från övriga
Sverige och påminner mer om Europas geografiska sammansättning. Skåne är
tätbefolkat och de grönytor som finns utsätts för högt tryck av både turister och
bofasta. Det finns ett ökande behov av grönytor som både kan erbjuda rekreation,
hantera klimatförändringar och omhänderta biologisk mångfald. Detta arbete
undersöker påverkansfaktorer vid implementering av grönstruktur i Skåne.
Relevansen gällande att genomföra en studie som denna grundar sig i en låg grad
av implementerad grönstruktur i skånska kommuner och att det finns en påtaglig
diskrepans mellan ambitiösa planer och genomförande av dessa. För att främja
utveckling av grönstruktur strävar arbetet efter att identifiera hinder i
implementeringsprocessen samt vad som leder till framgång. Arbetets syfte
undersöks i genomförandet av elva intervjuer med planerare på olika nivåer,
kommuner, regionen och myndigheter där erfarenheter samlas. En intervjustudie
kompletteras med en litteraturstudie som även skapar ramar inom vilka resultatet
diskuteras. Resultatet redovisas i åtta teman som samlar data vilka utgörs av,
planering, organisation, juridiskt underlag, kunskapsunderlag, ekonomiska
förutsättningar, synergieffekter, personella resurser och regional samverkan.
Resultatet visar att det finns goda underlag och kunskap inom verksamheterna men
att denna kunskap behöver förankras i samtliga förvaltningar samt spridas till
allmänheten där ett ökat intresse för gröna frågor kan växa för att skapa tryck
underifrån. På grund av en exploateringsdriven samhällsutveckling finns det ett
behov av att koppla samman grönstrukturen med andra samhällsfunktioner där
synergieffekter kan identifieras och en multifunktionalitet hos gröna element låter
flera tjänster levereras på samma yta och gör grönstrukturen viktig ur många
aspekter som är ekonomiskt mätbar. Denna studie fastställer ett behov av ytterligare
insikter i planering och implementering av grönstruktur. Samtliga teman som
identifierats, där barriärer och framgångsfaktorer presenterats, behöver undersökas
vidare för att det ska vara möjligt att ordna med insatser för att stötta utvecklingen
av grönstruktur framöver. Det som detta arbete bidragit med är en kartläggning över
identifierade påverkansfaktorer som planerare på olika nivåer upplever vid
hantering av grönstruktur. Många insikter kring vidare forskning har uppkommit
som kan erbjuda ytterligare stöd för detta arbetes resultat.An increasingly fragmented landscape where green structures rarely consists of the
network required to contain stable ecosystems and maintain the delivery of
ecosystem services is a reality. The landscape of Skåne differs greatly from the rest
of Sweden and is more reminiscent of Europe's geographical composition. Skåne is
densely populated and the green areas that are available experience high pressure
from both tourists and residents. There is an increasing need for green spaces that
can offer both recreation, manage climate change and support biological diversity.
This work examines influencing factors in the implementation process of green
structure in Skåne (Scania). The relevance of this study lies in a low degree of
implemented green structure in Scanian municipalities and there is a clear
discrepancy between ambitious plans and their implementation. To promote the
development of green structure, the work strives to identify obstacles in the
implementation process and what it is in these same processes that lead to success.
To investigate the purpose of the work, 11 interviews were conducted with planners
at different levels (municipalities, regions and authorities) where experiences were
gathered. An interview study was complemented by a literature study that also
creates a framework within which results are discussed. The results are presented
in eight themes that collect data which consists of planning, organization, legal
basis, knowledge base, financial conditions, personnel resources and regional
collaboration. The results show that there is a good basis and knowledge within the
organizations, but that this knowledge needs to be anchored in all administrations
and disseminated to the public where an increased interest in green issues can grow
to create pressure from below. Due to an exploitation-driven societal development,
there is a need to connect the green structure with other societal functions where
synergy effects can be identified and a multifunctionality of green elements allows
several services to be delivered on the same surface and makes green structures
important for many economically measurable aspects. This study establishes a need
for further insights into the planning and implementation of green structure. All
themes identified, where barriers and success factors are presented, need to be
investigated further in order for it to be possible to facilitate the development of
green structure in the future. This work has contributed to a survey of identified
influencing factors that are planned at different levels and experienced in the
management of green structure. Many insights into further research have emerged
that can offer further support for the results of this work
A landscape analysis
Get PDFToday people are described as an integral component of urban green infrastructure which
advocates to study human engagement within the use of nature to develop goals and
landscape planning in the purpose of achieving better life conditions for city inhabitants.
The connectedness to nature has been described as decisive when exploring possible
human psychological restoration derived from nature. Although, a lack of existing
research is found concerning any specific amounts or types of restorative features in
nature that is preferred when accommodating different health benefits and to serve public
health outcomes. This study is comparing restorative environmental qualities within an
urban forest as well as an urban planting with the purpose of finding inspiration to future
landscape design for urban areas that can support human health and wellbeing. This study
was conducted in Jönköping, Sweden by implementing a triangulation of methods using a
mood scale that investigated six different categories of mental states, a sensory walk
conducted with an introspective approach, as well as applying Visual Landscape
Assessment Tool (VLAT). The results showed to be in line with previous research and
findings indicated that the urban forest encompassed higher restoration potential than the
urban planting. The participant enhanced a happier state of mind within the forest setting
in comparison to the urban planting and qualities such as water features and singing birds
in the urban forest were argued to redirect focus from city noise and to promote
psychological restoration. Limitations and further research are discussed.In this essay, we investigate a perspective on urban development where artistic methods are given more
value. The purpose is to investigate how art can be used to illuminate immeasurable values in spatial
planning. Our thesis is that immeasurable values are not accounted for due to increased efficiency in
planning and a pursuit of profit. We base our theory in that we see a spread of the NPM system (New
Public Management) in Sweden, within which only measurable values are understood. The
immeasurable values we are looking to illuminate could be well-being but are also emotion and feeling.
How it feels to walk down a street and how the experience of the public space feels for the individual
person. We can state that there is a need to illuminate immeasurable values and that art can be a way in
which to do it. Art therefore needs to be more impactful within spatial planning. We also see that it can
be difficult to implement artistic methods because the system still demands measurability and that it
requires a lot from individual planners and architects to challenge these systems. We test our thesis
through a theoretical framework which we also use to analyze our interviews. In our interviews we have
spoken to professionals within art, architecture, regional planning and the cathedral in the Lund parish.
We also look at the Råängen project, a project with the ambition of using art as an integral part in the
planning process.
We argue that artistic methods would need to be a part of the basic chord that sets the tone for how
we handle problem solving in spatial planning today. Art can then act as a counterforce in society that
helps us deal with uncertainty in a planning that otherwise aims to create certainty about the futur
Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect in a Local Context
Get PDFClimate change is the cause of more weather extremes. Cities' dense configuration, heat
absorbing surfaces and low amount of vegetation leads to higher temperatures within cities
known as the urban heat island effect (UHI). Mitigating and adapting to warm temperatures is
of great importance to minimise the risk of people suffering from heat stress and for avoiding
high energy usage for cooling. This thesis researches how vegetation, especially trees,
interacts with wind and solar radiation using Geographical Information Systems and
microclimate modelling, with aim for greater understanding how to use nature based
solutions within cities. The study takes place at the Karlstad region hospital area in Sweden.
Scenarios with different amounts of trees and respective leaf area density were modelled in a
unvegetated area enclosed with buildings on two sides. The results showed that vegetation
slightly changes wind speed while the wind patterns are more affected by vegetation. Air
temperature reduction is highest under the trees and its near surroundings. The result showed
that the amount of trees matter; more trees evens out and lower temperatures in a wider area.
Thus, the overall physiological equivalent temperature (PET), which considers the heat
balance of the body, air temperature, incoming solar radiation, wind movement and humidity,
found that wind and vegetation best together improves thermal comfort during warm seasons.
This thesis illustrates the complex challenges in cities and the many interactions leading to
higher temperatures. Understanding a place's prerequisites, meteorological conditions,
vegetation aesthetic and technical functions is key for providing a long term sustainable
design. Further research assessing more seasons and sites is suggested to evaluate the results
viability
Perceptions on Social Banking : an experimental analysis following narrative economic theory
Get PDFThe presented paper employs a between-subject experimental survey with one control and two treatment groups. These three groups were each shown a different narrative capturing either a bank that does traditional banking operations, a bank which does traditional banking operations and has a focus on following environmental-, social-, and governance (ESG) guidelines, and a social bank which puts focus on maximizing social welfare. Participants were then asked questions on their perceptions of the respective bank on both an economic performance (investment opportunity attractiveness) and an emotional level (willingness to be customer). They gave ratings on both dimensions using Likert-scale items. Comparing between treatments, it is found that ESG narrative banks rank significantly higher than traditional banks in both dimensions. However, this increased score is marginal when compared to social narrative, which scores significantly higher in both dimensions than both traditional and ESG narrative banks. Using alternative dependent variables, this effect only seems to remain for the emotional dimension, in which social treatment scores significantly and substantially higher than ESG (which in turn scored significantly higher than traditional). These results have implications for a future role of sustainability engrained within the financial system. That is, given growing awareness around sustainability in general, this may also increase awareness around sustainability particularly in the banking sector. Thus, positive perceptions of social banking may indicate a more prominent role of the institutions in the future, given that perceptions are able to drive (parts of) the individual’s behavior
Proteininnehåll hos drav och dess egenskaper : upcycling av drav från livsmedelsavfall till proteinkälla. Moa Rönnhagen
Get PDFThe United Nations have adopted sustainable development goals (SDGs). Within these SDGs, food waste management and waste valorization, an increase in value, is found. For these reasons, it was of interest to study Brewers’ spent grain, a residual product from beer production. In 2020 beer was one of the largest categories among the production of alcoholic beverages and Brewers’ Spent grain (BSG) was one of the largest sources of waste in beer production.
This study aimed to extract protein from two variants of BSG, dried at different temperatures, and to study some of the protein characteristics. The protein extraction was an alkali-soluble and acid precipitation and was performed in variations. The extraction was most successful when using an alkaline concentration of 55 mM (NaOH) and a pH of 3.8 when isoelectric precipitation was performed. Concentration measurements of the proteins in the precipitates were made through Bradford analysis and for two samples using Kjeldahl analysis. At the most, the concentrations of protein showed to be 53.50% for the BSG dried at 50-60°C, results obtained from a Kjeldahl analysis.
For the characterization, SDS-gels, gel filtration, foaming, gelation, and protein nanofibrilation (PNF) was carried out. The results from the SDS-gel and gel filtration showed indications of protein (or complex) of sizes > 200 kDa. The obtained proteins showed abilities to form gel and foam, but the stability and ability were questionable as the precipitates were not only pure protein. For the same reason, the results of the ability to form PNFs were difficult to draw any conclusions from.
In conclusion protein from the BSG in question was able to be extracted. The precipitates showed the ability to form gel and foams, with varying desirable characteristics. Judging by the protein concentrations obtained in the precipitates and total protein content in the BSG, the use of protein as a valorization may not be the answer.FN har antagit mål för hållbar utveckling. Inom dessa globala hållbarhetsmål hittas ämnen som matsvinnshantering och värdeökning av avfall. I och med dessa mål var det av intresse att studera drav, en restprodukt från ölproduktion. År 2020 var öl en av de största kategorierna inom produktion av alkoholdrycker och drav en av de största källorna till avfall i ölproduktionen.
Denna studie syftade till att extrahera protein från två varianter av BSG, torkat vid olika temperaturer och att studera några av proteinets egenskaper. Proteinextraktionen var en alkalilöslig och sur utfällning, som utfördes i variationer. Extraktionen var mest lyckad när man använde en alkalisk koncentration om 55 mM (NaOH) och ett pH på 3,8 när isoelektrisk utfällning utfördes. Proteinkoncentrationerna i utfällningarna bestämdes med hjälp av en Bradford-analys och för två prover med användning av en Kjeldahl-analys. Som mest var koncentrationen av protein 53,50 % för dravet torkat vid 50-60°C och framtaget genom Kjeldahl-analys.
För karakteriseringen utfördes SDS-geler, gelfiltrering, skumning, gelning och försök till protein-nanofibriller (PNF). Resultaten från SDS-gelen och gelfiltreringen visade tecken på protein (eller komplex) med storlekar på > 200 kDa. De erhållna proteinerna kunde bilda gel och skum, men stabiliteten och förmågan var tveksam då fällningarna inte bara var rent protein. Av samma anledning var resultaten av förmågan att bilda PNF svåra att dra några slutsatser kring.
Sammanfattningsvis var det möjligt att extrahera protein från dravet i studien. Fällningarna visade egenskaper som att bilda gel och skum, med varierande grad av användbarhet. Att döma av de proteinkoncentrationer som erhållits i utfällningarna och det teoretiska proteininnehållet i dravet, kanske inte användningen av protein som värdeökning är svaret
A destructive host-shift : a comparative review of resistance mechanisms in the novel and original hosts of Varroa destructor
Get PDFApiculture has a major antagonist in Varroa destructor, the ectoparasitic mite that has become the most prominent driver of colony losses for the European honey bee, Apis mellifera. This was not always the case, as V. destructor is native to Asia and originally only infested the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana. As these two species have co-evolved, A. cerana colonies can coexist with the mite, in contrast to colonies of A. mellifera, which die within 2-3 years, unless treated.
This review explores the differences in the coevolved and the novel parasite-host relationships and tries to determine what factors have made V. destructor so successful in A. mellifera. The resistance of A. cerana is multi-variate, but the two behaviors that are considered the most important are social apoptosis, which denies V. destructor from worker brood infestation, and grooming, which reduces mite populations when drone brood is not produced. A. mellifera lacks the former and is less effective at the later.
Many effects of resistance behaviors and factors on varroa infestation are not quantified, making comparisons between them difficult. There are also many factors that remain largely unexplored by the scientific community such as entombing of drone brood, bee damage on mites, swarming, absconding and colony size, that could have an effect. This obscures what behaviors really have an effect in Varroa resistance.
As we look into the future of the Varroa-honey bee relationship, there is hope in resistant variants of A. mellifera. However, whether resistant behaviors are compatible with market needs remains to be seen, as current treatments for Varroa control continue to be effective