Setting an integrated soil monitoring system for Malta : strategy, feasibility and recommendations

Chapter 6Since 2010, MEPA has embarked on a project (which attracted co-funded ERDF assistance) (1) to develop a multi-thematic environment strategy that would lead to updating of its data/ information monitoring capabilities for a number of environmental sectors. The monitoring and continuous evaluation of soil properties is one important sector within this project. Essentially, a multi-criterion assessment of existing available information has been carried out with a view to objectively chart the most appropriate process to carry out a pilot field sampling by testing a pre-agreed set of indicators. The latter were established after taking into consideration all degradation pressures threatening the continued sustainability of this resource. Multi-criterion analysis was carried out by means of a limited set of soil-related datasets published in past editions of Malta’s State of the Environment Report in order to support a number of objectives stipulated within the Project’s ambitious Terms of Reference. Information was derived from earlier attempts to establish a soil information system for Malta. All soil degradation threats, officially determined by the European Commission’s Technical Working Groups, have been taken into consideration within the aforementioned project and its research methodology with a view of establishing a shared GIS environment in accordance with state-of-the-art information dissemination standards.peer-reviewe

Analysis and Investigation of Lasting Architectural Projects and Plans in Housing in Post Era of Ghajar, Tehran

The goal of present research is to investigate the ways employed in Qajar residence blocs of Tehran, in a manner that the architecture used have what extent of adaptation with architectural durable planning and designing for Qajar residential buildings. The structural and frame limit of this survey, has been selected and investigated from different buildings like (Mosques, coffee shops, ice houses, schools, markets, wind-breakers, residential architecture), residential architecture i.e. the old residential buildings of Ghajar time. Time duration of the investigation of case samples links to the buildings had been built at the last period of Ghajar {third period of Ghajar governance during 1934} and the beginning period of Phalavi period and used then. The way of research, lies in the developmental researches area, and the research has applied two methods, 1- Historical research method which has engaged in the perception and the investigation of historical movement of the events 2- Expressive research method that has engaged in the description of components of a situation or condition relation. The tool to collect the data encompasses the library method (table, map, notes taking, plan and chart, document) observation, and field and face to face understanding. Following two methods have been employed to analyze the data: 1- comparative analysis and 2- descriptive analysis. As this investigation follows the answer to the question of Ghajar houses adaptation level to the lasting architectural standards and criterion, after conducting the study it indicated that the housing blocs of Ghajar’s end period in city of Tehran had high adaptation with sustainable architectural designing and planning

Directing the Teaching and Learning Research Programme: or ‘trying to fly a glider made of jelly’

TLRP’s generic phase (1999-2009) is believed to have been the largest ever UK investment in educational research. This paper describes the critique from which TLRP emerged, its strategic positioning and the roles of successive directors and their teams in its development. The paper offers an early stock take of TLRP’s achievements from the perspective of the last Programme Director. The efficacy of the form of the Programme, once likened to ‘a glider made of jelly’, is discussed

The Design Postgraduate Journeyman: Mapping the relationship between design thinking and doing with skills acquisition for skilful practice

The relationship between knowing, doing and skillful practice resonate in industry and design education. The connection between creativity, design and successful innovation practices in industry has been debated much recently, heightened by realization in academe and governments that 'we need a different way of thinking and doing if we are to live well and prosper in the future' This paper addresses the question; how to understand more about the relationship of design thinking and doing with learning. It describes research to correlate design knowledge and skill with the pedagogy of skilful practice, thereby supporting pedagogical theory for the design practitioner learner. The research correlates Sennett's review of craftsmanship as skillful thinking and doing, with Dreyfus and dreyfus's model of mental activitiesin the transition of novice to masterful states of skilful practice. It concludes by illustrating the critical transition points to inform educational practice

Rethinking Information Systems research methods with Heidegger’s ontology

IS research is to some extent driven by practitioner concerns. Both practitioners and .Information Systems (IS) research has been dominated by the Cartesian worldview of duality. This has had the effect of narrowing the range of research questions addressed and focusing mainstream research on the application of scientific research methods. Heidegger’s ontology gives us an alternative view of the reality of human life. His analysis of tools in use (which he labels equipment) is of particular interest for IS research. His concept of equipment can be directly applied to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by both practitioners and researchers. The paper outlines some of the implications of this step for IS researchers