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In tourism, energy demands are particularly high. Tourism facilities such as hotels require large amounts of electric and heating / cooling energy while their supply is usually still based on fossil energies.
This research approach analyses the potential of promoting renewable energies in tourism. It focuses on a combined and hence highly efficient production of both electric and thermal energy by biogas plants on the one hand and its provision to local tourism facilities via short distance networks on the other. Considering regional resource availability as well as socio-economic aspects, it thus examines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that can arise from such a micro-cooperation. The research aim is to provide an actor-based, spatially transferable feasibility analysis.
CO2 compensation measures, in particular the compensation of flights, are becoming more and more popular. Carbon offsetting is defined as measures financed by donations that save greenhouse gases previously emitted elsewhere through climate protection projects.
CO2 abatement costs are often low in developing countries. This is why most offset projects are implemented there. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the holiday resort and the project country are in any way related to each other.
By linking carbon offset projects with the destination country, the tourist is able to get an impression of the co-financed project. In case such projects are realized in cooperation with the hotel, the hotel operator obtains a new tourist attraction and can demonstrate its efforts to climate protection in a PR-effective way.
A physics lab-setup has been developed for engineering students in their first year at university. The so-called LabTeamCoaching helps to improve general lab skills, such as preparing an experiment, writing a documentation, using graphs and drawing conclusions. By using a flipped classroom approach, students get better involved than in our former physics labs when we applied classical methods. This approach will be described and an overview of our 10 years of experience using this method will be given.
One important skill for engineers is the ability of optimizing their experiments. On their job they will often spend a lot more time designing and improving an experimental setup compared to running the actual experiment itself. Is it possible to teach this complex task in physics labs? A method for reaching this goal is proposed an example is given and discussed.
Cities around the world are facing an increasing number of global and local challenges, such as climate change and scarcity of raw materials. At the same time trends like digitalization, globalization and networking gain in importance. For this reason, cities have started imple-menting smart solutions within the urban structure in order to evolve towards a Smart City. In Botswana, the Maun Science Park is intended to provide a best practice approach for a Bot-swanan Smart City. Since Smart City concepts have to be specifically tailored to local condi-tions, the first main goal of this thesis is to develop a synthesis concept for the Maun Science Park. A key problem in cities is the utilization of space, which is further intensified by increasing urbanization and population growth. Therefore, the second main goal is to develop approaches of (digitally) re-programmable space to use available areas intelligently and optimized.
Within the thesis, human-centered design has been applied as structure-giving methodology. By clarifying relevant Smart City contents, considering reference examples as well as identify-ing local challenges and requirements, an appropriate concept has been developed with hu-man-focus. Furthermore, the methodologies of literature research and expert interviews have been used as input in the individual human-centered design phases. In combination with an innovation funnel, the methodology human-centered design forms the structure of the thesis.
In total, ten main solution areas and 37 sub-segments have been identified for the synthesis concept of Maun Science Park. Additionally, a concept for Smart Buildings has been devel-oped as a part of the synthesis concept and as an essential infrastructure component of the Maun Science Park (three main segments, 16 sub-segments). Based on expert input, a priori-tization has been determined by evaluating the impact and economic affordability of the indi-vidual sub-areas. Moreover, individual key areas have been highlighted by identifying direct interactions between sub-segments and on the basis of expert input – these are particularly related to the segments Smart Data and Smart People. Besides the synthesis concept, ap-proaches of (digitally) re-programmable space have been created. Thereby, ten approaches refer to the conversion, reuse or expansion abilities of space within daily, weekly or life cycle. In addition, the conventional (digitally) re-programmable space idea has been extended by two new considerations – “multi-purpose use of built-up space” and “concept programming in the planning phase”. Finally, within an overall consideration – synthesis concept combined with approaches of (digitally) re-programmable space – the added value of the developed contents has been outlined, positive and negative aspects have been identified within a SWOT analysis and the business model of the Maun Science Park approach has been verified in a Business Model Canvas.
Through explicit elaboration, classification and prioritization of solution areas, the developed concept can serve as a basis for further project steps. Based on the defined requirements of the sub-segments, solutions can be developed with regard to the entire Smart City context.
Climate protection in Seychelles through tourism: the advantages of a small-sized destination
(2020)
CO2 abatement costs are often low in developing countries. This is why most carbon offset projects are being implemented there. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the holiday resort and the project country are in any way related to each other. Linking compensation projects with the destination country could increase the willingness of air travellers to finance voluntary CO2 compensation measures.
This paper describes how a possible combination of CO2 compensation projects in the Seychelles could affect the voluntary carbon offset behaviour of Seychelles tourists. On the one hand, the issue of whether the voluntary willingness of Seychelles travellers to compensate can be increased is examined; on the other hand, whether tourists would be willing to visit a co-financed project in the Seychelles.
As a result, the willingness of tourists to offset air-travel carbon emissions can be increased. Important factors for this are e.g. that all persons have adequate information and that the carbon offset providers display a high degree of transparency. In addition, a broad interest in visiting the projects in the Seychelles during the holiday was expressed. An important condition for this is the spatial vicinity to the project. Due to its small size, the Seychelles are an ideal location for fulfilling this premise.
Botswana is a country in southern Africa with rich mineral resources, which has built its economy on mining. Due to challenges in the upcoming years caused by climate and demographic change, it aims to move away from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy in the long term. In order to support the
process, the Maun Science Park, a centre for research and development is planned to be created in Maun, a town on the edge of the Okavango Delta. The project is initiated by the “International Resilience and Sustainability Partnership” (inRES), a non-governmental organization. The project is currently in the initiation phase.
The purpose of this thesis is to determine a cost framework with exemplary developer calculation and sensitivity analysis for the Maun Science Park Project in Botswana. Therefor, a source research was performed in a first step. Based on this, interviews were conducted with members of the inRES. Based on the data
obtained and further assumptions, a cost framework for the different project phases of the MSP project was established. Subsequently, a developer calculation
was exemplarily carried out on the basis of the project phase 2 and a sensitivity analysis was performed.
During the interviews, data was collected on the different project phases. It became clear that the interview partners had partly inconsistent perceptions
about different project phases. The calculation can be used as a basis for further calculation at the time of concretization of the planning data.
With the increasing challenges of the 21st century, such as a rapidly growing population, increasing hunger and the destruction of the environment, the demand for sustainable and future-oriented ways of living is growing. To meet this demand, a residential district named Maun Science Park is being built in Botswana to develop a resilient society. In addition to the application of modern technology to optimise the use of resources, the environmentally friendly construction of the buildings is another goal of the project. This thesis investigates the prefabrication of rammed earth in terms of implementation and profitability for the Maun Science Park.
For this purpose, the specific properties, handling, as well as the application of the building material in prefabrication are first discussed.
This is followed by an investigation of how the work processes of prefabrication can be implemented in the Maun Science Park. Based on this, a profitability test is carried out using a break-even and sensitivity analysis.
The analyses showed that the investment in prefabrication is not profitable within the assumed production volume, which is due to the high fixed costs. These are primarily generated by the two main cost drivers, consisting of the new construction of the production hall and the rental of heavy construction equipment.
Lastly, recommendations for action were formulated that provide for a cost reduction in both the two main cost drivers as well as for other decisive factors.