Strategic Spatial Planning Evaluation

Introduction Overview The proposed study is about establishing new spatial plans for urban areas. Establishing new urban territories is important as they affect the living environments of various stakeholders. Often, the planning team, which undertakes the re-structuring of a city, cannot interact with all stakeholders (people and organizations) in order to assess and incorporate their diverse interests in the planning process (Healey, 2003).Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Strategic Spatial Planning Evaluation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, to develop plans that best meet the needs of all stakeholders, the project planners must involve and interact with stakeholders throughout the project planning process. The aim is to develop plans that reflect their interests and values, which may influence project performance. In the U.S. and many European countries such as the Netherlands, interactive planni ng is highly embraced in the initial stages of spatial planning (Tewdwr-Jones, 2003). It is believed that more interaction during the strategic planning process yields a high performance product. However, this assumption is not based on substantial empirical evidence as research on this area is scanty. Therefore, the impact of stakeholder interaction on product performance is less understood. The proposed research is an exploratory study that will investigate the relationships between stakeholder involvement during strategic spatial planning and performance of industrial area developments. It will explore the nature of the interactions between the planning team and various stakeholders. The study will be guided by the following research question: How does stakeholder (people and organizations) involvement during industrial areas planning influence the effectiveness of strategic spatial planning process? Statement of the Problem Strategic planning generally entails the identification of future actions in a regional or local urban area. A strategic plan takes into account the current and future conditions, which are based on predictions. Spatial planning structures should be flexible and long-term, and reflective of the changing environment as such structures consume high resources (Sartorio, 2005). Moreover, strategic spatial structures aim at improving the quality of life of the people. Thus, a strategic plan for urban development is essential for regional or local governments. As spatial development is influenced by many factors, it raises the question whether nowadays’ planning decisions are right based on the conditions of future spatial development. Regional and local development areas are increasingly becoming globalized and individuals now have more freedom of action. Moreover, there is little empirical evidence to support effective spatial planning. As a result, the effectiveness and appropriateness of spatial planning seem largely uncertain. One way of achieving effective spatial planning is through stakeholder involvement during the planning process. Objective prognosis of the future can be achieved when various institutional and social players are involved. Moreover, through stakeholder engagement, various scenarios can be analyzed, which could help make the future more certain.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Purpose The purpose of this project is to assess the impact of stakeholder involvement during spatial planning on product performance. This will form a sound basis for strategic spatial development in urban areas. To achieve this purpose, the study will examine different scenarios of stakeholder interaction and assess the degree to which the objectives of the projects were achieved. Strategic spatial planning is one way of improving urban planning and organization, and protecting existing ecosystems. How ever, there are claims of insufficient empirical evidence to support spatial planning objectives. It is anticipated that this project will provide empirical data that will inform stakeholders and policy makers on urban planning. Research Questions The main research question for this study is: Does stakeholder (people and organizations) involvement during industrial areas planning influence product performance? To answer this question, five minor research questions, which are related to the main research question, will be used. The supporting research questions include: What constitutes interactive planning in the urban planning process? What are the elements of an effective spatial planning process? How is the effectiveness and appropriateness of spatial planning measured? Does stakeholder interaction during spatial planning process influence product performance? Does an in-depth analysis of scenarios enhance the effectiveness of spatial planning? Based on the answers to these que stions, it will be possible to identify the factors that contribute to the effective spatial planning. It will also be possible to determine whether stakeholder involvement in project planning leads to improved performance. Significance of the Study The proposed research will investigate the effect of stakeholder interaction on the effectiveness of a spatial plan. It is anticipated that the study’s findings will have a positive impact on the policies and land use legislations of regional and national governments. The UN postulates that in the next three decades, much of the world’s population will be living in the cities (Clinton, Bottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormTop of FormC2001). The rapid population growth in urban areas is placing immense pressure on available facilities and resources leading to a rise in urban poverty. This has become a big challenge to urban planners due to poor spatial planning policies. Empirical evidence su ggests that proper urban planning policies are essential for creating effective urban states, promoting development and attaining MDGs (Sartorio, 2005). However, a framework for incorporating the views of the diverse stakeholders (people, social agencies and political players) is largely lacking in many countries. This study aims to identify the factors that influence spatial planning and to provide a framework for stakeholder interaction during the planning process.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Strategic Spatial Planning Evaluation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conceptual Framework From the literature review, spatial planning is an important tool for coping with the challenges of urban planning. Stakeholders (people and organizations) can be involved in the planning, evaluation and implementation phases of the urban spatial planning process. In the planning phase, the stakeholders would play a role in setting objectives and activities of the plans. During the evaluation and implementation phases, the stakeholders will participate in the choice of spatial plan options that best suit their interests. The conceptual framework is shown in figure 1 below. Summary of Methodology The proposed study is an exploratory research that examines the relationship between stakeholder engagement during spatial planning and product performance. Using a case study approach, the study will explore this relationship through an in-depth analysis of urban developments in the U.S. The case study approach will allow the researcher to assess the extent to which stakeholder interaction affect the performance of urban developments. This approach will give insights into the connection between interaction during planning and performance. It will yield in-depth knowledge on the impact of interaction on spatial planning. Figure 1: Conceptual Framework Limitations of the Study This research will measure the per formance of spatial planning based on the level of stakeholder engagement in the planning process. This approach may differ from the other approaches adopted in similar studies since there is no standard methodology for measuring performance.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thus, the findings may not entirely represent the dynamic relationships between performance and stakeholder involvement. Another potential limitation of this research relates to context. Often, the effectiveness of spatial planning depends on environmental factors that are specific to a particular site or case. Thus, context variable may limit the external validity of this study. Definition of Terms Strategy– Is defined as â€Å"the pattern or plan that integrates an organization’s major goals, policies and action sequences into a cohesive whole† (Clinton, Bottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormTop of FormC2001, p. 8). Stakeholders– â€Å"Are those groups without whose support the organization would cease to exist† (Callies, 2009, p. 91). Spatial planning– Is a modern approach for urban planning, which is regulated by regional and national governments of countries. Stakeholder interaction– refers to the degree of participation and influence of different stakeholders during the spatial planning process (Wilkinson et al., 2013). Research Design and Methodology Methodology The study is an exploratory study that aims to provide in-depth knowledge and analyses regarding the effectiveness of spatial planning in the United States. It uses the case study methodology to explore the relationships between stakeholder engagement and the effectiveness of a spatial plan. This approach is appropriate because it will satisfy contextual conditions associated with spatial planning studies. Faludi (2000) states that a case study approach is applicable in studies with the â€Å"how† or â€Å"why† research questions and involve events beyond the researcher’s control. Since the proposed study will involve cases in the U.S., experimental approaches may not be applicable as these exclude contextual issues. Therefore, in this research, multiple cases (5 research units) will be investig ated to generate in-depth knowledge regarding the relationship between effectiveness (spatial planning) and interaction (stakeholder). Thus, a representative sample of cases will be selected for this study. The researcher opted for a multiple case study instead of a single case study because of two reasons. First, multiple case studies can be generalized to similar settings or contexts (March, 2010). They argue that enhanced external validity does not mean more cases. Rather, adequate sampling that includes cases that are diverse can increase the external validity of a study’s findings. The second reason is to reduce researcher bias that may arise when the researcher selects a non-representative case for investigation. Multiple case studies also facilitate the comparison of similarities and differences among different cases, which helps strengthen the theoretical knowledge. Research Questions and Hypothesis As aforementioned, the main research question of this research is: Do es stakeholder (people and organizations) involvement during industrial areas planning influence product/process performance? Deriving from the main question are the minor research questions, which include: What constitutes interactive planning in the urban planning process? What are the elements of an effective spatial planning process? How is the effectiveness and appropriateness of spatial planning measured? Does stakeholder interaction during spatial planning process influence product performance? Do in-depth analyses of scenarios enhance the effectiveness of spatial planning? The study will test the null hypothesis that stakeholder involvement has no impact on the performance of urban industrial areas. The findings of the study will shape the hypothesis for the study. Research Procedures The criteria for conducting a case study research involve standard procedures for data collection and analysis. This research will adopt the case study approach to explore the relationship be tween interaction and performance/effectiveness of spatial plans. The criteria consist of several steps, which will be described in the subsequent sections. Step 1: Defining the Research Questions In the first step, the main research question is stated in general terms. This facilitates systematic data collection. In this research, the main research question and minor questions have been defined. Based on the data the minor research questions will generate, it will be possible to identify the relationship between interactions during the spatial planning process (question 1) and the performance of spatial plans (question 4). Step 2: Inclusion Criteria Identifying the relevant cases to include in the study sample is the second step. As stated above, the study will involve five cases (research units), which will be strategically selected to enhance internal and external validity of the study’s findings. Five industrial areas will be selected from the U.S. based on the following inclusion criteria. First, since the study focuses on the impact of interaction on spatial plans’ performance, the contextual conditions have to be the same. Thus, only cases in the U.S. will be selected. Second, only cases currently in the plan-making stage of spatial planning will be selected. At this stage, the zoning plan is being formulated, which implies that the level of stakeholder interaction is comparatively high. Thus, cases at this stage will have different levels of stakeholder involvement. Step 3: Developing Data Collection Instruments and procedures This step focuses on the data collection instruments and procedures. One advantage of using a case study approach is that it allows for triangulation of methods. Triangulation is a research technique that generates a single outcome based on multiple sources of data (March, 2010). Thus, multiple case studies enhance the accuracy of the research findings since they involve multiple sources of information. The proposed research will use two data collection methods: (1) interviews (semi-structured) and; (2) analysis of secondary sources/documents. The interviews will involve semi-structured questions, which include both open-ended and specific/closed questions. The open-ended questions will probe the participant’s responses to the specific questions. Various stakeholders will be interviewed in a two-part interview, three months apart. Besides interviews, documents will be used as sources of data. Examples of documents that will be analyzed include zoning plans (drafts), newsletters and project plans. The researcher will also analyze the information provided in the municipalities’ websites and other city council databases. The researcher will use the data collected from these sources to describe the spatial characteristics and the effect of interaction on the performance of U.S. urban industrial areas. Step 4: Field Data Collection Albrechts (2004) states that, when analyzing spatial plans, the processes of data collection and data analysis should occur simultaneously. In this step, the researcher will collect data (respondents’ answers) during the interviews. Emerging issues or questions in the first interview will be probed further in the second interview. The data collected will be presented in tables to illustrate the underlying relationships. Step 5: Data Analysis In this step, data analysis for each case will take place. In this study, the five cases will be analyzed individually to determine if and whether there is a relationship between interaction and performance. The spatial characteristics of each case will be outlined based on the data obtained from zoning plans and project plans. Data analysis will also encompass the description of the main stakeholders for each case as well as their level of interaction. The findings from the first and second analysis will be further analyzed to determine the correlation between performance and interaction ( Mastop Faludi, 1997). The stakeholders participate in the spatial planning process and thus, are well-positioned to assess the process. The analysis will rely on the data collected from the stakeholders through the interviews. The interpretation of the findings will indicate the dynamic and static relationships between the two variables (performance and planning). Step 6: Cross-case Analysis After analyzing each case individually, the researcher will compare the different cases to identify the underlying relationships. In this step, the analysis will focus on the nature of the relationship (dynamic or static) between stakeholder participation and performance, the contextual factors in each case and the specific strategic planning factors in each case. Step 7: Hypothesis Testing Based on the findings of within-case and cross-case analyses, the hypothesis proposed above will be tested. These analyses will reveal the patterns and relationships between the variables (interaction and pe rformance). The emergent concepts and themes will be compared with literature to identify similarities or departures from similar studies. This will also contribute to the growth of knowledge on this topic. References Albrechts, L. (2004). Strategic (spatial) planning reexamined. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 31(1), 743-758. Callies, D. (2009). Casenote legal briefs: Keyed to courses using Callies, Freilich, and Roberts’s land use. New York: Aspen Publishers. Clinton, H. (Bottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormTop of FormC2001). Integrating geology in urban planning: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Viet Nam. New York: United Nations. Faludi, A. (2000). The performance of spatial planning, Planning Practice Research, 15(4), 299-318. Healey, P. (2003). Collaborative planning in perspective. Planning Theory, 2(2), 101-123 . March, A. (2010). Practising theory: When theory affects urban planning. Planning Theory, 9(2), 108-125. Mastop, H., Faludi, A. (1997). Evaluation of strategic plans: The performance principle. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 24(1), 815–832. Sartorio, S. (2005). Strategic spatial planning. DisP, 163(3), 26-40. Tewdwr-Jones, M. (2003). Creating and shaping places with purpose, vision and pride. International Planning Studies, 8(1), 3-8. Wilkinson, C., Saarne, D., Peterson, G., Colding, J. (2013). Strategic spatial planning and the ecosystem services concept -An historical exploration. Ecology and Society, 18(1), 37-38. This proposal on Strategic Spatial Planning Evaluation was written and submitted by user Charlie Holder to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Italian Present Perfect Tense - Il Passato Prossimo

Italian Present Perfect Tense - Il Passato Prossimo The passato prossimo- grammatically referred to as the present perfect- expresses a fact or action that happened in the recent past or that occurred long ago but still has ties to the present. It’s a compound tense (tempo composto), which means that you need to use an auxiliary verb  - either â€Å"essere† or â€Å"avere† -   plus a past participle. An example of a past participle would be â€Å"mangiato† for the verb â€Å"mangiare†. If you want to talk about events that happened repeatedly in the past, like going to your Italian lesson every Sunday, or telling a story, you’ll need to use the imperfect tense. Here Are a Few Examples of How the Passato Prossimo  Appears in Italian: Ti ho appena chiamato. - I just called you.Mi sono iscritto/a alluniversit quattro anni fa. - I entered university four years ago.Questa mattina sono uscito/a presto. - This morning I left early.Il Petrarca ha scritto sonetti immortali. - Petrarca wrote enduring sonnets. How to Form the Past Tense In order to form the past tense, there are two main things you need to know. Does the verb you want to use need the auxiliary verb â€Å"essere† or â€Å"avere†?What is the past participle of the verb you want to use? For example, if you wanted to say, â€Å"I went to Rome last summer†, you would need to use the verb â€Å"andare†. The verb â€Å"andare† takes the verb â€Å"essere† as a helper, or auxiliary, verb because it’s a verb that has to do with motion. Then, the past participle of the verb â€Å"andare† is â€Å"andato†. However, when you use the verb â€Å"essere† as an auxiliary verb, the past participle MUST agree in number and gender. Ad esempio: L’estate scorsa sono andato a Roma. - I went to Rome last summer. (masculine, singular)L’estate scorsa sono andata a Roma. - I went to Rome last summer. (feminine, singular)L’estate scorsa mia sorella e mia madre sono andate a Roma. - My sister and mother went to Rome last summer. (feminine, plural)L’estate scorsa siamo andati a Roma. - We went to Rome last summer. (masculine, plural) If you’re using â€Å"avere† as an auxiliary verb, it’s much simpler as the past participle does not have to agree in number and gender (that is, unless you’re using direct object pronouns.) For example, let’s use the sentence, â€Å"I watched that movie†. First, you need to use the verb â€Å"guardare - to watch†. The past participle of â€Å"guardare† is â€Å"guardato†. Then you conjugate your auxiliary verb â€Å"avere† into the first person singular, which is â€Å"ho†. The sentence then becomes, â€Å"Ho guardato quel film†. TIP: If the verb you’re using is reflexive, like â€Å"innamorarsi - to fall in love†, you need to use â€Å"essere† as your auxiliary verb. For example, â€Å"Ci siamo innamorati due anni fa. - We fell in love two years ago.† When to Use Il Passato Prossimo (Present Perfect) Instead of L’Imperfetto (Imperfect) It is notoriously difficult to correctly decide between il passato prossimo and l’imperfetto when you try talking about the past in Italian. While there are some rules for when to choose one or the other, it’s also helpful to know which phrases are typically used with il passato prossimo. The following table lists some adverbial expressions that are often used with the passato prossimo: Common Expressions Used With Il Passato Prossimo ieri yesterday ieri pomeriggio yesterday afternoon ieri sera last night il mese scorso last month laltro giorno the other day stamattina this morning tre giorni fa three days ago

What influence has prince charles had on the design of british Essay

What influence has prince charles had on the design of british architecture - Essay Example According to him the modern architecture did more harm than good to the city of London. The high-rise office and residential buildings according to him are overshadowing the ecstatic beauty of the historic architecture of the city. He suggested imposing limitations and controlling on the designs of new buildings within 500 yards of historic landmark. The material the modern architects are using and the heights of the new constructions should also be restricted (Lohr, 1987). His grave criticism about modern architecture attracted a wide range of discussion and debate. According to Ken Shuttleworth, the lead designer of 30 St. Mary Axe also known as Gherkin, the city of London cannot be preserved as a museum. London is now attempting to lead the world in several aspects and at this juncture its economic and industrial growth should not be curbed by imposing some restrictions on the modern constructions needed (Booth, 2008). The Prince has been accused of curtailing the freedom of the modern architects forcing them towards bad design. In more recent years Lord Rogers attracted criticism from Prince Charles about the high rise buildings. But he is the one who made high-rise living receive support from the Blair Government. The urban policy of the government is now trying to construct more living space in a small area and the concept of high-rise buildings completely suits the bill. The detractors argued that the Prince is taking a generalized view of the w hole culture. He wants to design the city according to his own taste and in doing so he is trying to deny the need of the day and the wishes of the younger population for modern architecture. But the views of the Prince surely enjoy the backing of the mass in terms of its environmental aspect. The modern architecture is surely losing some popularity now a days in Britain. Prince Charles argued that the new

Business Strategic report of Peets Coffee and Tea Research Paper

Business Strategic report of Peets Coffee and Tea - Research Paper Example Peet’s coffee competes with smaller coffeehouses such as Tully’s and Caribou Coffee. For it to gain an upper hand, Peet’s coffee should differentiate its products from those of its competitors. It can achieve this by selling itself to the consumers as a memorable experience. Moreover, it should focus its coffee business to a single distribution channel, for instance, the grocery. As a result, this would enhance the company brand awareness in those areas. The current recession in the US economy could severely affect Peet business since sales revenue based on luxurious coffee brand depends entirely on consumer confidence.Peet coffee focuses on the production of high-quality coffee products. It is known for its introduction of dark roasted Arabica coffee in the US market. The company has one of the finest group of roasters who are considered to have great mastery in their craft after undergoing three of training. Peet runs its roasting activities in a recently opene d facility in California. The facility was developed in a design that conserved energy and had minimal environmental impact.The company has managed to attract and maintain a large group of loyal consumers who call themselves the â€Å"Peetnicks† although the term as evolved to include consumers that adore quality coffee and tea. Peet coffee has a wide variety of signature blends such as French Roast, Espresso Forte, Fair Trade Blend, and Arabian Mocha-Java. Its stores located in most parts of the country offer 2-hour free wireless internet for its customers.

Starbucks and Peets Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Starbucks and Peets - Research Paper Example Their intense performance, growth, and investments warrant investigative studies. As such, this paper will seek to analyze the fundamental philosophical differences in their styles of management, how they launch and handle products, as well as their systems of marketing products and services. Additionally, this paper will develop a face-off strategy based on electronic commerce approach that sets one rival company apart from the other. Other aspects that this paper will resolve to explore include future challenges that these companies face and how the decisions that they make affect the company’s performance. Fundamental philosophical differences between the two companies According to reliable sources, Starbucks does not have any philosophical management styles. However, it does put a lot of emphasis on some strategies that makes it flexible and different from its competitors. For instance, the company puts a strong sense of ownership on its staff. From the highest rank to the lowest level, every employee has the responsibility and dedication to carry the success of the company with a strong and encouraging context (Ford, Sturman, & Heaton, 2011). In addition, Starbucks management style revolves around the belief that, everything concerning coffee matters. On the other hand, Peet’s coffee store practices an autocratic style of management whereby, leaders at the headquarters makes all the decisions while the subordinate staff implements them (Mottern, 2002). This is a very sharp fundamental philosophical difference between these two stores since analytical research and analysis describes Starbuck’s system of management as permissive. Launch and handling of products and services More focus based on establishing how Starbucks and Peets launches and handles their products and services set forth that, both companies maintain database records in which they keep customers’ trends (Pride, Hughes, & Kapoor, 2010). However, Starbucks is differ ent from Peets and the rest of the competitors in that, it uses factors like business-to-business strategies of marketing to launch and handle products (Smith, 2007). It also incorporates considerable measures that comprise of customer pinpoint and identification of early adopters where the company involves three main types of customers. They include program buyers, transaction buyers, and relationship buyers. In this case, Starbucks launches and handles its products through a chain of network created by these types of customers. Other methods incorporate use of the internet and massive television and radio advertisements. As in the case of Peet’s, this coffee store is unique from Starbucks as it uses sub elastic measures to launch and handle its products. First, it tests its marketing strategy then introduces the concept of marketing implementation (Mottern, 2002). Agreeably, it is hard to dash headlong to launch a product without first carrying market testing. After this st age, Peet’s uses its relations department to initiate campaign roll out aimed at launching a new product or service

Benefits of Keeping a Fish Aquarium at Home

Benefits of Keeping a Fish Aquarium at Home THE AQAURIUM THERAPY: POSITIVE EFFECTS OF FISH- KEEPING ON HEALTH AND LIFE. Omkar Pokharkar Abstract: Fish-keeping is a fantastic hobby enjoyed all over the world. It is simply amazing how one individual can sit in front of the aquarium spending hours staring and admiring colorful fishes and their habitat. It is mind boggling how people can kill time with this interesting hobby. This hobby is a boon to the people who lead a stressful life and have cardiovascular disorders/problem. By pursuing this hobby one can experience calmness and happiness effectively reducing stress levels and hence keeping the blood pressure in check. This paper points out only the outline of possible events occurring in the brain and not the detailed mechanism of action of each neurochemicals. With the help of neuroscience it is now possible to understand the correlation between the aquarium and brain neurochemicals which are secreted when an individual gazes at fishes and the dà ©cor of the aquarium. People practicing aqua-hobby are less susceptible to heart diseases, and live a longer and happy life. This concludes that by having an aquarium in the house, the illness caused by stress and other emotional trauma can be effectively tackled to some extent without any mental health medications. Keywords: fish, aquariums, health, therapy, ornamental, neurochemicals. INTRODUCTION: Humans had a long history of capturing and domesticating the animals for their benefits. Humans used animals for production of dairy products, for agricultural production, to obtain meat etc. But certain animals such as fish were also kept captive in tanks for decorational purposes. History of fish-keeping can be traced back to Sumerians around 2500 B.C. Egyptians used to worship fish and romans too used fish as both food and decoration in 1st century A.D. These evidences are based on archeological findings. Chinese during the sung dynasty kept large number of fishes such as ‘carps’ just for decorative purposes and not for consumption. People during these days were not familiar to the concept of â€Å"water change† to remove the excess ammonia caused due to fish waste in the tank and as a result the fishes used to die frequently. In 1805, Robert Warrington found out the concept of water change to keep the fish healthy for long time. First public aquaria were opene d in London at Regents Park in 1853 and took fish-keeping to a whole new level. In 1853, German Emil Robmaber wrote an essay stating that; sea can be captured in a glass, which introduced fish-keeping hobby to the public making it popular. Now in 21st century due to advancement in the field of aquarium technology it has become more convenient to master the hobby and gain health benefits from it, modern aquarium technology acts as the life support system for fishes in the tank making them thrive comfortably in captive for a long period of time. BENEFITS OF FISH-KEEPING ON HEALTH: Stabilizes Blood pressure and induce calmness: Ideal blood pressure is below 120/80, and it must remain in this range for good health. When the blood pressure stabilizes there is a drop in stress levels which is necessary for optimum health. Studies around the globe proved that gazing at a fish aquarium stabilizes the blood pressure which offers a great health benefit for an individual suffering from cardiovascular disorders. Watching the fish swimming in the aquarium with their dazzling colors can induce deep relaxation state. This is extremely therapeutic as it takes away the anxiety and clears the mind of all unnecessary thoughts. This practice of gazing the aquarium and watch beautiful ornamental fishes swim in shoals triggers neurochemicals in the brain called as ‘GABA’ which is an amino acid acting as a neurotransmitter in CNS and it acts by inhibiting or slowing the nerve transmission in the brain reducing the anxiety hence called as Anti-anxiety neurochemical. (See Figure I) and ‘Serotonin’ or 5- hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter produced both in brain and gastrointestinal tract which is capable of stabilizing the mood. Serotonin maintains a balance between breathing and heart rate, it regulates the sleep cycle, regulates body temperature and pH levels in blood. (See Figure II). (smith, 2014) Figure I. Structure of a GABA molecule Chemical formula-C4H9NO2 Figure II. Structure of serotonin molecule Chemical formula-C10H12N2O Helps Alzheimer/dementia patients Alzheimer’s disease is brain disorder that gradually destroys the memory, thinking skills and ultimately destroys the ability to perform the routine tasks. Fish aquariums induce general sensory stimulation which helps individuals suffering from Alzheimer to eat better, gain weight and stay mentally active. Watching the fish swim, the attention span of patient increases and aggressive behavior reduces to a great extent. The technique that emerged from Neuro-research clinics involved restoring appropriate levels of the master neurotransmitters like serotonin and the catecholamine group such as dopamine and adrenaline. There is an opinion that watching a nicely decorated aquarium with beautiful fishes can naturally induce these neurotransmitters in the brain to some extent. Adrenaline is the neurochemical which is produced by the adrenal glands located at the top of the kidneys and is responsible for an energy surge in the body which takes away the dullness (see Figure III) and d opamine is a neurochemical which acts as a messenger that aids in the proper transmission of signals in brain and other organs. This neurotransmitter is produced in several parts of the brain such as substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. It is also released by hypothalamus (see Figure IV). (darling, 2015) Figure III. Structure of adrenaline molecule Chemical formula- C9H13NO3 (Macà ©us, 2011) Figure IV. Structure of dopamine molecule Chemical formula- C8H11NO2 Induces a sudden sense of happiness In this competitive and challenging world, there is a huge amount of stress which every individual experiences and it leads to depression or sadness. An aquarium in the house is a perfect solution to get refreshed and it gives a break from the outside world. The sadness and dullness is washed away by simply gazing and admiring the fishes that swim in the tank (see Figure V). Neurochemical such as Endocannabinoids are self-produced cannabisthat acts on the ‎Cannabinoid receptor type 1and 2 of the cannabinoid system. The word ‘Anandamide’ is derived from a Sanskrit word â€Å"Ananda† meaning Bliss or happiness (see Figure VI). It is the most well-known endocannabinoid. This neurochemical is responsible for surge in happiness. (jeffrey senske, 2015) Figure V. Red Discus fish and tetras (Cronk, 2014) Figure VI. Structure of ‘Anandamide’ molecule Chemical formula-C22H37NO2 Benefits hyperactive children Hyperactive kids sometimes can cause a lot of mess in the house; they often have very low focus span and are more notorious. Bringing an aquarium in the house can reduce their hyperactivity and will stay more focused and calm, simply because the fish swimming inside the tank distract children from their hyperactive behavior. In this case, the excess adrenalin rush in hyperactive kids is minimized by a surge in secretion of GABA which occurs due to watching fishes swim. It simply eliminates the transmissions in brain, producing calm effect. Benefits the eyes The fast pace of urbanization is putting lot of pressure on the urban infrastructure in the cities. To see a green patch in the concrete jungles has become nearly impossible. Human eyes can see up to 7 million colors out of these some are eye irritants for instance; bright yellow and some are relaxing like different shades of green. The green color is more desired by the eyes as it feels more relaxing. So an aquarium planted with variety of live plants and driftwood can help stimulate greenery in the house which would be soothing for both eyes and mind (see Figure VII). Many eye specialists have an opinion that, gazing at planted fish aquariums daily for at least 1 hour can significantly improve the vision of an individual. (huachinango, 2013) Figure VII. Blue Discus fish and tetras BENEFITS OF FISH-KEEPING ON LIFE: Education for both children and adults: When children see an aquarium filled with beautiful ornamental fishes in hotels or restaurants they get excited and at the same time start asking questions about the fish. Adults too sometimes get confused and often don’t know anything about the fish species or their natural habitat. A solution to this problem is to simply buy an aquarium and house some fishes from a wide range of habitats. And many books on fishes are available in market which describes in detail the origin of fishes for instance (see Figure VIII). Children can learn how to care for pets; they will become more responsible towards another living creature. They can witness the life cycle of a fish and appreciate biology. They may choose to become a marine biologist or aqua culturist. ( Atsushi Sakurai, 1993) Figure VIII. A Book describing 650 fish species Enhances the interior look of the house: Bringing a fish aquarium can incredibly enhance the inside look of an average house. A big aquarium with live plants, driftwoods and small tropical or other ornamental fishes placed in the right directions in such a way that the tank is visible from every corner of the room would intensify the look of that room. Many people buy aquarium just to improve the look of their living room and bed room (see Figure IX below). Flowing Water from the Filter units in the aquarium make continuous water trickling sound which is music to the ears. (Melissa, 2012) Figure IX. Bedroom with an aquarium for a peaceful sleep CONCLUSION From the points mentioned above it is clear that having an aquarium can significantly influence life and health. Aquariums can heal a stressed out body and mind making it clear of all unwanted thoughts which reduces the stress and blood pressure. Watching beautiful fishes swim in the aquarium provides a break to the viewer from all the routine work in life and cause a sense of relaxation or calmness. It helps kids to gain knowledge about variety of fishes and learn how to care for them. Hyperactive kids become quite and calm. These positive effects on health are caused due to secretion of neurochemicals influenced by gazing at colorful active fishes swimming in the tank. This paper contains a simple explanation of how neurotransmitter in brain can get influenced by this hobby. These neurochemicals include Endocannabinoids, serotonin, GABA, and adrenaline which when are deficient or secreted in low amounts can cause high stress and depression levels. So it’s safe to say that aq uariums can reduce suicidal tendencies in people by regulating these heavenly chemicals in the brain. REFERENCES: [1] smith, P. (2014). balancing brain chemistry with peter smith. Retrieved april 2015, from www.balancingbrainchemistry.co.uk: http://www.balancingbrainchemistry.co.uk/33/GABA-Deficient-Anxiety.html [2] darling, D. (2015). Encyclopedia of science. Retrieved april 2015, from The worlds of david darling: http://www.daviddarling.info/images/adrenaline.png [3] Macà ©us, J. (2011, april 1). Dark side of the bigO. Retrieved april 2015, from sexual health site: http://www.sexualhealthsite.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Dopamine.png [4] jeffrey senske. (2015). aqaurium design group. (j. s. mark senske, Producer, ADG) Retrieved april 2015, from www.aqauriumdesigngroup.com: http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/index.php#mi=2pt=1pi=10000s=14p=0a=0at=0 [5] Cronk, J. D. (2014, november 15). Biochemstry dictionary. Retrieved april 2015, from www.guweb2.gonzaga.edu: http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/cronk/biochem/A-index.cfm?definition=A [6] huachinango. (2013, october 10). petco. Retrieved april 2015, from www.community.petco.com: https://community.petco.com/t5/General-Discussions/Planning-a-future-aquarium/td-p/42577/page/2 [7] Atsushi Sakurai, Y. S. (1993, november 1). Aquarium Fish of the World: The Comprehensive Guide to 650 Species. Retrieved april 2015, from http://www.amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Fish-World-Comprehensive-Species/dp/0811802698 [8] Melissa. (2012). the home decoration. Retrieved april 2015, from melissasheartandhome: http://melissasheartandhome.blogspot.in/2014/05/aquarium-design.html

Bernard Shaws Mrs. Warrens Profession Essay -- Bernard Shaw Warrens

Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession In Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Shaw presents prostitution as a result of few economic opportunities for lower class women (rather than of hedonism, laziness, or depravity, as was commonly believed at the time this play was written) through the characters of Mrs. Warren and her daughter Vivie. When Vivie initially finds out her mother was once a prostitute, she responds in the typical Victorian fashion: with scorn and indignation. The prevailing mindset of the time was one that lauded personal responsibility. It assumed agency in each citizen that, if not complete, was at least enough so that any respectable person could avoid unrespectable vocations. When confronted with the information that her mother was, at least at one time, involved in the epitome of unrespectable vocations, Vivie says, â€Å"Everybody has some choice, mother†¦ People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I dont believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they cant find them, make them† (Norton 1831). However, Vivie’s mother responds to her daughter’s very Victorian assumption by showing just how much choice her â€Å"respectable† half sisters had. She says, â€Å"One of them worked in a whitelead factory twelve hours a day for nine shillings a week until she died of lead poisoning† (1831). The other one married a drunk. Her full sister Lizzie, on the other hand, became a prostitute and, as such, quite successful. When the two sisters ran into each other at a restaurant where Mrs. Warren was â€Å"wearing out [her] health and [her] appearance for other people’s profit† (1832) being a waitress, Liz explains to her that h... ...aying economics, rather than some personal, moral flaw, as the cause of prostitution, Shaw challenges the status quo belief that sees it as a self-contained immoral phenomenon. Without excusing its vices, he explains that it is neither a cause nor a result of hedonism and moral depravity, but rather that these are all effects of a common cause: an economic system that provides women with so few opportunities that they are forced to use their femininity as a commodity, something that hypocritical British society did not mind at all. A patriarchal society that is accustomed to wielding power over women through money and marriage, as Crofts puts it, â€Å"doesnt ask any inconvenient questions† (1843). Works Cited Shaw, Bernard. "Mrs. Warren’s Profession." The Norton Anthology of English Literature.7th Ed. Vol. 2. Ed. Abrams, et al. London: Norton, 1962. 1810-1856. Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession Essay -- Bernard Shaw Warren's Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession In Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Shaw presents prostitution as a result of few economic opportunities for lower class women (rather than of hedonism, laziness, or depravity, as was commonly believed at the time this play was written) through the characters of Mrs. Warren and her daughter Vivie. When Vivie initially finds out her mother was once a prostitute, she responds in the typical Victorian fashion: with scorn and indignation. The prevailing mindset of the time was one that lauded personal responsibility. It assumed agency in each citizen that, if not complete, was at least enough so that any respectable person could avoid unrespectable vocations. When confronted with the information that her mother was, at least at one time, involved in the epitome of unrespectable vocations, Vivie says, â€Å"Everybody has some choice, mother†¦ People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I dont believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they cant find them, make them† (Norton 1831). However, Vivie’s mother responds to her daughter’s very Victorian assumption by showing just how much choice her â€Å"respectable† half sisters had. She says, â€Å"One of them worked in a whitelead factory twelve hours a day for nine shillings a week until she died of lead poisoning† (1831). The other one married a drunk. Her full sister Lizzie, on the other hand, became a prostitute and, as such, quite successful. When the two sisters ran into each other at a restaurant where Mrs. Warren was â€Å"wearing out [her] health and [her] appearance for other people’s profit† (1832) being a waitress, Liz explains to her that h... ...aying economics, rather than some personal, moral flaw, as the cause of prostitution, Shaw challenges the status quo belief that sees it as a self-contained immoral phenomenon. Without excusing its vices, he explains that it is neither a cause nor a result of hedonism and moral depravity, but rather that these are all effects of a common cause: an economic system that provides women with so few opportunities that they are forced to use their femininity as a commodity, something that hypocritical British society did not mind at all. A patriarchal society that is accustomed to wielding power over women through money and marriage, as Crofts puts it, â€Å"doesnt ask any inconvenient questions† (1843). Works Cited Shaw, Bernard. "Mrs. Warren’s Profession." The Norton Anthology of English Literature.7th Ed. Vol. 2. Ed. Abrams, et al. London: Norton, 1962. 1810-1856.