Presentation Comments 2

The presentations on Monday were also really helpful for me. I think that I will be able to utilize the case studies regarding race and transportation issues, as well as the building of coalitions in conjunction with what is going on in Detroit. I will probably also address food issues, since Detroit is a food desert.

Presentation Comments

All of the presentations yesterday were very informative. I think that everyone had very thorough and clear presentations. Additionally, I found it very beneficial that the groups defined various different ideas presented throughout their own chapter, the ideas and vocabulary will definitely be helpful in my own case study. The case studies themselves could also useful for my own case study, merely for format purposes.

Detroit Master Plan

Detroit is a city that desperately needs smart growth. Though I was unable to find an official plan (because it must be found at the library), I was able to find a philanthropy backed organization called Detroit Future City that has a "plan to guide the next 50 years of decision-making in a place that has, to many, become emblematic of backward-looking stasis" (Next City). One of the key ideas for Detroit is to improve the transportation system "by 2030, the Detroit metropolitan region will have an integrated regionalpublic transportation system that efficiently serves the region’s 21 dispersed,yet interconnected employment centers" (Detroit Future City). The all encompassing idea is that a majority of the plan is centered around sustainable development and equal opportunity which will foster growth in all of the areas necessary for Detroit to rebound.

Thoughts On The Election and An Inconvenient Truth

Even though I have seen An Inconvenient Truth multiple times, it never ceases to frighten me. I find the fear has overwhelmed me today as I am currently terrified with the results of the presidential election. The predictions within an Inconvenient Truth have only been proven correct. I can only hope that the people who stand for justice, equality and compassion can join together and help prevent the potential destruction that lays ahead... Love Always Wins!

Urbanization in Bhutan

Source: World Urbanization Prospect Report

As I have previously discussed, Bhutan is not extremely urbanized. The most urbanized city is the capital, Thimphu, which has restaurants, clubs, internet, ATMs (and banking), farmers markets and many other attractions. One of the most interesting aspects about Thimphu is that there are no traffic lights, instead there are police that direct traffic at certain intersections. I think that this methodology creates a very clear picture as to how the most urbanized city in Bhutan still retains its rural roots.

Source: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/map/thimphu

Food Security in Bhutan

Bhutan's food system relies heavily on "subsistence farming: small-scale crop production and migratory herding". The country is susceptible to food insecurity primarily as a result of location and being landlocked. Additionally, climate change and surrounding country's emissions as well as global emissions, clearly impact food production and malnutrition. 



Source: http://www.wfp.org/countries/bhutan

Environmental Health and Well-Being in Bhutan

Bhutan cares deeply about physical health because it is a primary aspect of Gross National Happiness. Health is the most important aspect of GNH and is necessary in achieving well-being and happiness in regard to all other categories (WHO).
In congruence with that mentality, Bhutan states in its constitution that “the state shall provide free access to basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicines.” (WHO). 
Though Malaria has been present in the Bhutanese people, the Bhutanese government does a very good job of making sure that they are tested and treated, in order to limit and hopefully reduce the amount of cases for the future. As a result, the amount of cases have gone down significantly.



Source: WHO