Alex+Metzger+Draft

Alex Metzger's Draft Page




 * Goals**
 * 1) My goals are to
 * 2) Assess the sustainability of Wake, Durham, and Orange counties using urban metabolism methodology.
 * 3) Improve UM methodology by incorporating important themes from urban sustainability literature


 * Objectives**
 * compile and analyze UM data for Durham, Orange, and Wake county
 * compare the results from each county
 * discuss the implications for sustainability
 * discuss the feasibility of the new UM methodology suggestions
 * Audience**
 * Researchers and academics involved in sustainability research, especially UM or resource-based methods.
 * Urban ecology journals

I. Introduction a. Definition and brief discussion of sustainability b. The importance of urban areas to sustainability c. Importance of viewing cities as ecosystems II. Urban Metabolism and an improved ecological basis a. introduction of classic UM methodology b. previous problems and inconsistencies c. proposed improvements and enhanced ecological design III. Case Study – 3 counties in the NC Triangle a. How this paper addresses inconsistencies and enhances ecological design b. data from Triangle case study, analysis, and implications for sustainability IV. Evaluating the changes made a. Discussion on applicability of the enhanced ecological design b. suggestions for how these ideas can be better incorporated V. Conclusion a. restatement of the objectives and fulfillment discussion b. implications for future urban sustainability research
 * Outline**

Often times, especially when overseas and away from my work here in NC, it has been classes that take precedence over progress on thesis work. I think this is because classes include shorter-term tasks that are more easily accomplished. A thesis, on the other hand, when viewed in its entirety, is quite daunting. It’s easy to slip into focusing more on the shorter-term tasks of coursework rather than the thesis work because it seems more immediately important and accomplish-able. One solution could be to clearly break down the thesis into smaller tasks that have a well-defined deadline. This is quite basic, but it’s important to take the time to sit down and clearly plan an effective way to break the paper down. This is what I need to do. Although I have done it more than once before, the project is evolving. The planning needs to evolve as well. It would be worth scheduling in re-planning time in my long-term plan.
 * Problems with time and motivation:**