The Role of Geography in Land-Use Planning

Within urban and rural communities, geography plays a critical role in the development of the built environment. Urban planners must rely on knowledge of geographic space when deciding how best to manage growth. As the cities of the world grow and more rural land is developed, ensuring smart growth and practical environmental management are necessary goals. Steps Before Planning and Development Can Occur Before any kind of planning and development can happen, funds must be collected from the public and a set of rules is needed to clarify the process. These prerequisites are the two active factors in planning for land use. By collecting taxes, fees and even ideas from the public, decision-makers are able to effectively provide plans for development and revitalization. Zoning regulations provide a legal framework for development. Regulations of Use of Private Land Municipalities regulate the use of private land for a variety of reasons. Designations for the use of land are provided in a municipality’s master plan, which is usually intended to ensure the following. Transportation FlowEconomic DevelopmentHistoric PreservationRecreational Space/ParksEnvironmental/Wildlife Protection Businesses, manufacturers and residential communities all require specific geographic locations. Accessibility is the key. Businesses are more suitable downtown while manufacturing centers are most accessible for shipping at an interstate or a port. When designing residential developments, planners generally focus on developing close to or directly above commercial areas. Components of Planning Urban Areas The desire for urban areas is the flow of transportation. Before any development can happen, there must first be an infrastructure suitable to the needs of future growth. Infrastructure includes sewer, water, electricity, roads and floodwater management. The master plan of any urban region has the potential for guiding growth in a way that will generate a fluid movement of people and commerce, especially in emergency situations. Public investment through taxes and fees is the cornerstone for developing infrastructure. Most major urban centers have been around for a long time. Preserving the history and aesthetic of earlier developments within a city creates a more livable space and can boost tourism in the area. Tourism and livability are also boosted by growing the city around major parks and recreation areas. Water, mountains and open parks offer citizens an escape from the city’s hub of activity. Central Park in New York City is a perfect example. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are perfect examples of preservation and conservation. One of the essential parts of any plan is the ability to provide citizens with an equal opportunity. Communities cut off from urban centers by railroads, interstates or natural boundaries have difficulty in accessing employment. When planning for development and the use of land, special attention must be given to lower-income housing projects. Mixing housing for various income levels provides increased educational and opportunities for lower-income families. To facilitate the implementation of a master plan, zoning ordinances and special regulations are imposed on real-estate developers. Zoning Ordinances There are two essential parts to a zoning ordinance: Detailed maps showing land area, boundaries and the zone under which the land is categorized.Text describing in full detail each zones regulations. Zoning is used to permit some types of construction and prohibit others. In some areas, residential construction may be limited to a specific type of structure. Downtown areas may be a mixed-use of residential and commercial activity. Manufacturing centers will be zoned for construction close to the interstate. Some areas may be prohibited for development as a means of conserving green space or access to water. There may also be districts where only the historical aesthetic is allowed. Challenges are faced in the zoning process, as cities desire to eliminate blighted areas of zero growth while maintaining a diversity of interests in a geographic area. The importance of mixed-use zoning is becoming increasingly apparent in major urban areas. By allowing developers to build residential units above businesses, land use is maximized by creating a round-the-clock hub of activity. Another challenge faced by planners is the issue of socio-economic segregation. Some subdivisions strive to maintain a certain financial status by regulating the scope of housing developments. Doing this ensures that home values in the subdivision will remain above a certain level, alienating the poorer members of the community. Adam Sowder is a fourth-year senior at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is studying Urban Geography with a focus on Planning.

The World of Sports and Steroids Essay - 523 Words

The World of Sports and Steroids In the world of sports its not rare to see athletes give their all for the love of the game. From sunrise to sundown they practice everyday to perfect their game. Then there are those who take an alternative route, call it cheating. These athletes are taking performance enhancers such as creatine, androstenedione and worst of all, anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are chemicals that act like hormones (substances in your body that regulate bodily functions). Anabolic steroids are the ones that are abused to build muscle mass or to make your workout longer, or make incredible strength gains. They are chemicals of artificial testosterone and ones that create testosterone, which is a male hormone†¦show more content†¦Some take steroids for emotional purposes also. By having a better looking body they feel better about themselves and compliments help also, but what they forget is that its only a temporary gain unless abused all the time. What people dont think about is that with their bodies they are actually ruining themselves inside and out. You could have severe acne, genital shrinkage, water retention, yellowing eyes and skin, increase in balding, and most feared of all, Gyno better known as Bitch tits. Its not only your appearance that could be at risk but you can also get other health problems. There are coronary artery diseases, ligament injuries, high blood pressure, changes in your cholesterol level, sterility, and liver disease. For males you can get breast development, kidney disease, headaches, muscle cramps, abdominal pains, and bone pains. For females you could get male patterned baldness, smaller breasts, deeper voices, hairy bodies and menstrual irregularities. What I dont understand is why women take steroids to look better. Would you be attracted to a woman who is just like one of the guys? And girls, would you want someone who has yellow skin with acne all over his face? I know I wouldnt. Physical problems are just the first step, steroids also give you psychological problems. This would be known as roid rage. When the user gets very angry and they could possibly swing punches aggressively atShow MoreRelatedSteroids in the World of Athletes and Sports1603 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Steroids are a hot topic of debate and controversy in the world of athletes and sports. Steroids fall under the umbrella of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and are a dark cloud that have been hovering over the sports world for a long time. In the world today, steroids are the most relevant in major league baseball. Many baseball players, such as Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, and Mark McGwire, just to name a few, have ruined their reputations because of steroids. There areRead MoreThe Legalization Of Steroids Should Be Beneficial For The World Of Sport1226 Words   |  5 PagesSteroids seem to to be having a negative view for much of history. Steroids are drugs used by athletes to become stronger and achieve a strong physique. Steroids are illegal and are strongly discouraged to be used and may be seen first expressed during high school with the introduction of organized sport teams. The perspective against the legalization of steroids believes in the many benefits of legalization. The perspective for the legalization of steroid expresses the harmful effects of steroidsRead MoreSteroids And Other Performance Enhancing Drugs1407 Words   |  6 PagesSteroids in Sports Introduction The debate over athletes using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs has always been a hot-button issue in the sports world. From major league athletes in baseball and football; to track stars and bicyclist in the Olympics, the use of steroids in sports has been a wide-range problem. 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They either enjoy watching athletes be ridiculously good at their sport, and they find it entertaining, or they like to see athletes play by the rules. Steroid use is a big part of most sports, mostly baseball. Most records held by the greatest of baseball players used steroids. Steroid usage has many negative effects. EvenRead MoreThe Use Of Anabolic Steroids And How Athletes Are Cheating1482 Words   |  6 PagesThe athletic sports world has drastically evolved since the beginning of the creation of sports. Athletes are becoming bigger, faster and stronger. The competitive edge has started to increase and guys are looking for ways to enhance their performances. Many turn to repetitive practices and healthier diets, while some turn to protein powder. No matter the method the average athlete is trying their best to propel his or her efforts past previous marks. Most stick to natural remedies, but there areRead MoreAthletes and Steroids Essay1014 Words   |  5 Pagesincrease his strength. A few years later, after continued use of steroids, his life started to spiral out of control. He was feeling very depressed, struggling academically, and had become very aggressive. That bright, young man with aspirations to play major league baseball ended up taking his own life with a fatal gunshot on October 1, 2002. Ultimately, Rob Garibaldi killed himself but steroids could easily be deemed his accomplice. Steroids have only recently been heavily scrutinized but in actuality

The Ideal Man Essay Free Essays

Ideal Man Essay: Rewrite Alicia Luttrell AP English October 11, 2012 From ancient times to present day, authors from around the world have tried to pursue the ideal man. After reading some of their stories, it is easy to see that each story depends on the type of culture the author was raised in. Throughout this pursuit, the ideal man has taken on many different forms. We will write a custom essay sample on The Ideal Man Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now The ideal man may be thought of as someone who is perfect, but some may see him as someone who overcomes faults or doubts. He could also be seen as someone tries to become the ideal man or is well-known and liked throughout the land. In Flight, the young man Pepe has to learn to become a man after his father dies. His mother tells him almost daily that he is lazy and needs to get to work. As Pepe’s mother starts to rely more on him, she sends him into town to pick up some medicine and supplies. This is the start of Pepe forming into a man. His mother is instilling responsibility in him to help out the family. He goes on a journey and ends up proving that his mother should have never sent him because he kills someone. He runs from his crime and tries to get away from facing the consequences. Although he wanted to be like his father, the ideal man in Pepe’s eyes, he was young and foolish. The doubt of his mother didn’t help though. John Steinbeck wrote this story to show the reader that just because there is a void to fill does not mean that the person filling that void is ready for the task. Pepe tried to be like his father and fill his shoes. Some readers might view trying as a characteristic of an ideal man. Although Pepe tried he still lacked strength and courage to face his mistakes. The strange story of The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World is an example of creating an ideal man. The town’s people created a life that they thought this handsome man, they found on the beach, should have lived. Instead of just burying and being done with him, they chose to give him a life story so that he would not be forgotten. They gave him the name of Esteban, which means great and beautiful. The women compared him to their husbands, even though they knew nothing of him. The town’s people went out of their way to give him a lavish funeral, one that everyone would remember. These people were using Esteban for their own self-improvement. They saw how this man was forgotten and did not want the same thing to happen to them. This thinking caused them to change their life styles and better themselves. In the short story, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, there are many characteristics that could be put together to make up one ideal man, but separately everyone has flaws. The main character of the story, the grandmother, is in search of a good man. She is always quick to say someone is a â€Å"good man† before she knows anything about them. For example, when she meets Red Sam he mentions to the family that he let some â€Å"fellers† charge their gas last week; she instantly decides that he is a good man. Red Sam was caring, generous, and thoughtful, things that an ideal man should be. On the other hand, Red Sam was lazy and rude towards his wife, not a characteristic of an ideal man. When the grandmother meets the Misfit, even though she knows he is a criminal, she still calls him a â€Å"good man. † He is kind to her, but in the end he kills her because she knows too much. Flannery O’Conner wrote this short story to let the reader know that just because someone may seem like â€Å"good man†, it does not always mean that they are. Red Sam seemed kind and caring, but he was really just lazy and rude. The Misfit turned out to be a cold-hearted killer after seeming like he cared to stop and help the family on the side of the road. There are people that are in the world today who seem good, but are nowhere close to it. They can say whatever they want but their actions will speak for themselves. As all of these stories show, being an ideal man is near impossible. Many people possess qualities that would make up an ideal man, but never all the qualities needed. They can never possess all the qualities because every perspective of an ideal man is based on what the reader believes in. Pepe was not mature enough, Esteban was not remembered for what he actually did, and Red Sam and the Misfit appeared like good men, but were not even close. There will never be an ideal man living in society. The ideal man will only live on through the stories, movies, and imagination people create. The ideal man is all based around culture and belief. How to cite The Ideal Man Essay, Essay examples

Responsible Leadership Productivity and Performance

Question: Discuss about the Responsible Leadership for Productivity and Performance. Answer: Introduction Crevani, et al. (2007) have discussed about shared leadership. Nowadays, the practice of leadership has witnessed a movement where leadership positions are shared between two or more powerful individuals. There are ample amount of proofs of shared leadership in the present civilized society when it comes to the administration of corporate organizations, government organizations, or states. Thus, the authors have shared the view of leadership through collaboration of powerful leaders to help organizations to excel more. The section emphasizes on the complex nature of leadership position while supporting the idea of shared leadership.It states that new leadership environment is not a job for one man and requires a well qualified team to do the job (Conrad Nash, 2012). Discussion The authors through paper describes about sustainable leadership as it implies on the concept of working for the organization without losing other important elements in life. The modern society looks at the position of leadership to be challenging and time consuming. Hence, shared leadership can help to improve the leadership perspectives and increase the validity of leadership in organizations. Leadership techniques have always depicted about the practices of a leader in the industry.(Crevani et al., 2007) Hence, Shared Leadership focuses on today's needs of an individual and describes that leadership responsibilities can be performed without losing the essential elements of modern life. It discusses about the ways which can be practiced to improve the morality and effectiveness of leadership responsibilities. There is more than one example about past leadership where leadership was collective in nature. The concept of one-man army leadership is over according to the authors. They h ave said that this mannerism of leadership has a disadvantage of taking the leaders for granted as they are the sole saviours for organizations. Moreover, the article criticizes the concept of unitary leadership. It questions the power and the range of responsibilities handled by a single person. An example of Yahoo corporation can be taken where a single leader ruined the vision of the company and could not handle the pressure of responsibilities given to her. Marissa Mayer is the best example for the demerits for unitary command. She was supposed to save the company but could not handle the pressure of challenges and her narrow-mindedness ruined everything for Yahoo (Myatt, 2015). The authors focused on the unitary perspective of leadership and disagreed with the fact leadership is one mans job. Further,the concept of one-man power is questioned by the chapter with the help of general and real life examples. The chapter is liked and chosen because it wants to promote the idea of collective leadership, which could make leadership more productive and enjoyable at the same time. Leadership in the Age of Complexity: From Hero to Host There is a risk in leading things and it requires great control over the system. Wheatley Frieze (2011) have supported and celebrated the concept of leadership as hosting and not as a heroic deed. Moreover, they describe the major trait of a modern leader is to understand the complexity of situations and act according to it. Leadership has always been commemorated as action of heroic value. Author state that the world always hopes for a savior who could remove all the problems from life. People are habitual of being saved and doing nothing to save themselves. The report describes that this sort of attitude will not help or give strength to face challenges in future (Nixon et al., 2012). The section discusses that praying for a leader or depending upon a single individual can worsen the situation.Even a good leader can fail to handle complex situations and lead into total failure. Moreover, leadership and its responsibilities are complex as the problems of todays world are interconnected and complex.The complexity of problem is easy to be handled when collective efforts are made to solve problems. The authors want to say that people take responsibility and participate in the process of solving problems rather waiting for some leader to rise. They introduce the concept of leader as a host rather than a hero. Due to this ideology, there would be a collective force or team consisting of leaders and people to find solution to a problem. Example of CEO of Nokia Mr. Elop could be perfect as the fall of Nokia was considered to be one of his faults(Wheatley Frieze, 2011). During the age of android advancement, he faced the challenge of sustaining his company shares in the m arket and it was difficult for him to handle all the pressure. As a leader, he was talented but not expected to accept the defeat. Hence, as a result, Nokia failed disastrously. If there had being an application of host concept as discussed above, it would have survived easily with collective efforts (Surowiecki, 2013). Conclusion The author has clearly described the concept of new age leadership where a single handed process is a myth and leaders are considered and supported as normal human beings. The report has been selected because the concept can be applied to any sector and area of development. The power lies within people if they want to change their situations. References Conrad, D. Nash, S., 2012. Learning From Bad Leadership: MBA Students Reflect on Bad Leadership and Lessons Learned. International Journal of Business and Social Research, 2(6), pp.198-216. Crevani, L., Lindgren, M. Packendorff, J., 2007. Leadership Virtues and Management Knowledge: Questioning the Unitary Command Perspective in Leadership Research. In M.-L. Djelic R. Vranceanu, eds. Moral Foundations of Management Knowledge. Edward Elgar. pp.159-77. Myatt, M., 2015. Marissa Mayer: A Case Study In Poor Leadership. [Online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2015/11/20/marissa-mayer-case-study-in-poor-leadership/#4849d0743795 [Accessed 26 August 2016]. Nixon, P., Harrington, M. Parker, D., 2012. Leadership performance is significant to project success or failure: a critical analysis. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 61(2), pp.204-16. Surowiecki, J., 2013. Where Nokia Went Wrong? [Online] Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/where-nokia-went-wrong [Accessed 26 August 2016]. Wheatley, M. Frieze, D., 2011. Leadership in the Age of Complexity: From Hero to Host. Resurgence Magazine, January.