C. House

Blue sky thinking meets green field usability: Can mobile internet software engineering bridge the rural divide?:

Mobile applications (apps) are becoming more commonplace as mobile phones and tablets begin to replace traditional desktop devices. Software developers are usually located in areas where good connectivity is the norm, but large numbers of users are located in other areas where 3 G connectivity is at best poor or non-existent. This results in app development which is unsuitable for many areas of the world and, as well as being a problem in rural areas of the UK, has ramifications for mobile app use in third world countries where fixed broadband services are largely absent. Drawing on experiences of users on the margins of connectivity, this paper discusses difficulties of mobile internet access in Wales and recommends changes to app development methodology to maximise bandwidth in areas of limited network coverage.

Perception Versus Skepticism—An Environmental Communication Issue and Climate Change

‘Perception’ plays an influential role in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring. It varies between individuals, communities, and administrative levels, and in degrees of importance. Furthermore, perception can be good or bad, positive or negative, yes or no, right or wrong, belief or disbelief, or even true or false. In parallel to perception, ‘skepticism’ is referred to in literature and practice, and is a corollary to understanding human interaction in environmental communication. A review of the perception-associated literature and anecdotes collected from researchers and practitioners reveals that there is no clear definition of the remit of these two terms. At least not when it comes down to research and its application in controversial topics and scenarios cropping from sustainable development and climate change, which are two of the most multi- and interdisciplinary fields in their own individual right. The purpose of the paper is to identify and propose the definitional boundaries between perception and skepticism in a systematic manner, and propose a conceptual model in the form of a schematic. Based on illustrative case studies, the paper also paves a path for further research areas in which the conceptual model can be applied to real-world scenarios for testing and sensitivity analysis, whereas such scenarios can come from the multi- and interdisciplinary fields of sustainability and climate change. This way, the environmental communication can be rendered more effective and efficient between diverse and wide range of stakeholders, particularly including decision makers. The paper also concludes that skepticism is relatively a newer term as opposed to perception needing to be carefully employed and, not confused and readily interchangeably used with perception.

Flood Vulnerability and the Three Dimensions of Sustainability Philosophy: An Innovative Concept Design for Rapid Assessment

This paper proposes the concept design of a novel Localised Rapid Flood Vulnerability Index. This proposed index has been initially tested and applied to a specific locale in Somerset, UK. The early analysis demonstrates that flood vulnerability may be unique to an individual location, despite the flood risk being considered the same for identical adjacent properties. Interpretation of these findings should provide increases in understanding of the interaction between the socio-economic and natural environmental requirements and overall flood vulnerability at a localised level. This initial research demonstrates the need for a rapid and cost effective flood vulnerability assessment tool at the localised scale.

Sustainable Development and Climate Change

The sustainable development philosophy can be regarded as the most multi- and interdisciplinary field. On the other hand, climate change, which is relatively a new field, has yet been evolving as another significantly multi- and interdisciplinary field. Both, the sustainable development and climate change have many factors in common ranging from socio-economic to the environment. However, commonality between the two has so far been studied insufficiently. This paper is to advance knowledge in this direction, specifically considering the Climate Change Act 2008 of the UK that legally binds the country to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). By employing the UK housing sector as a case study, it is demonstrated via numerical calculations that even partly insulating the existing UK housing stock, legal targets of the Act can almost be met for that sector. Links are also drawn between climate change and sustainable development and that how addressing climate change can directly and indirectly help meeting the national sustainability agenda.

Designing Coastal Management Strategies for Populations with Distinct Needs: The Case of Learning Disabilities

The Disability Discrimination Act (1995, amended 2005), Equality Act (2010), EU Disability Action Plan (2003 –2010), and EU Disability Strategy (2010–2020) were designed to make equal opportunities a “reality.” As 16% of the EU population, is statutorily disabled there are considerable implications for beach management. Research examples of beach users include swimmers, anglers, etc. - but rarely people with learning disabilities (LD). This paper considered beach users with LD and their appreciation of three different coastal classifications in South Wales. Because of their disabilities, the research applied a participatory photo interpretation methodology (photovoice). A comparison of the LD ranking of beach issues was made with rankings provided by the general public at the same beaches. Results demonstrated some similarities between LD and general public coastal needs, but identified the need for specific considerations to be made by beach managers for LD users, including informed self-advocacy, use/application of signage, instructive access and a requirement for baseline information gathering. The research proposes an integrated coastal access model from which coastal management/gatekeepers can consider LD needs within coastal strategies. Finally, findings highlight the use of photovoice in coastal research projects and the need for innovative methodological considerations when researching certain groups.