Bücher von Leo Kempe

Seminar paper from the year 2023 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Demographics, Urban Management, Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, language: English, abstract: This paper looks at prairies in the state of Illinois and at their fate facing continuous pressure of developmental projects. Specifically, it analyzes the case of the Bell Bowl Prairie near the City of Rockford, Illinois: The Greater Rockford Airport Authority published plans to expand the cargo area of their Chicago-Rockford International Airport, enabling it to grow substantially. Parts of the area are already on the grounds of Bell Bowl, however, the infrastructural plans aim for a larger natural area coverage - which means destruction of a defining landscape type in the Midwest. In the paper, the reader gets an introduction into the physical geography of prairies, which includes the definition of the term. Further, the case is presented in necessary detail, illuminating social, environmental and legal aspects. This includes the connection between citizens and this natural habitat, protection of endangered animal and plant species as well as the conflict between courts, activists and different authorities. For clarification and temporal orientation, a chapter deals with the current status as well as a view into the near future.

Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Demographics, Urban Management, Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Department of Geography and GIScience), language: English, abstract: This paper looks at policy input in three countries to manage natural disasters that occur on a regular basis. These countries are Canada, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. In the chapters about Canada, information about wildfires and (flash) floods is presented, looking at various reasons for the disasters as well as institutions involved in policymaking. The same content goes for cyclones in Bangladesh and earthquakes in Indonesia.In all four instances, historical evidence about particularly strong cases of these four types of disasters is presented, which underscores the continuous relevance for society and politics. Including a variety of information of different types of sources, the paper contributes to a debate about disaster management and relief mechanisms as well as policymaking capacities.

Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject Politics - Environmental Policy, University of Heidelberg (Institut für Politische Wissenschaft), language: English, abstract: This paper illustrates the conflict between the Sámi and the Swedish mining industry in the famous case of Kallak (Sámi: Gállok). A mine was planned to be erected on the lands of the native peoples of Scandinavia and parts of Russia, and these measures angered them. Therefore, they chose to erect a protest camp in which they stayed to prevent bulldozers and excavators from advancing onto their native soil. The Sámi deem it as culturally important because of reindeer herding and other nature-related, life-sustaining activities, which would be severely disrupted by the plans of the Beowulf Mining company. For context, the paper explores the essentials of Sámi life and their rights, before further diving into the conflictual nature of the Gállok case. Using the concept of (on-site) resistance, the analysis sheds light on the different forms of it as well as on the violent altercations between activists and law enforcement.

Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject Politics - Miscellaneous, University of Heidelberg (Institut für Politische Wissenschaft), language: English, abstract: This paper is an analytical description of Hammarby Sjöstad, a district in the Swedish capital of Stockholm that has been organized and planned around the objective of sustainability. This concerns elements such as wastewater treatment, urban hydrology, sustainable housing, and clean energy. The Stockholm City Planning Department has aimed to reduce the district's and overall city's carbon footprint as well as to prioritize initiatives for a sustainable urban life. In the analysis, the paper describes the so-called Hammarby Model with all its components and illustrates its contributions to a balanced and healthy life in Stockholm. For Sweden, sustainability practices have long been a core part of national philosophy. By continuously working on solutions to different sectoral problems in trade, building, forestry and fishing, people¿s well-being can be improved substantially. Communities in rural areas face the challenges of aggressive mining and climate change. However, also cities, like the capital Stockholm, must deal with multifaceted issues, from waste management, providing public transportation and green space accessibility to household and company energy consumption. Stockholm, the European Green Capital of 2010, has incorporated sustainability and circular thinking in its planning and decision-making practices. This becomes visible in the suburb of Hammarby Sjöstad. To better manage sustainability demands, the city administration created numerous political and strategic programs to focus on environmental concerns. The most significant one is the so-called 'Hammarby Model,' whose process and effects are analyzed in this paper. Supported by goals and guidelines, it is a circular model aiming at maximum recycling and reuse capacities. It was put in place to manage different sectors in the city and make them more efficient. The implementation of the model together with the sustainability guidelines and goals decreased resource consumption levels and increased efficient usage methods in most targeted sectors in Hammarby. However, in some other sectors, goals have proven not to be achievable because of limited capacities or operational discrepancies. Still, Hammarby Sjöstad can be regarded as exemplary and successful urban sustainability practice.

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject American Studies, University of Heidelberg (Heidelberg Center for American Studies), language: English, abstract: This paper, in contrast, suggests that the notion of being exceptional ¿ or as a noun: exceptionalism ¿ does also exist within the United States. The particular example is the state of California in the western part. The paper aims at illustrating some factors which have motivated scholars to use the term in an extended, yet more specific manner. First, it will elaborate on Silicon Valley and its features by taking into account some differences to East Coast industry. Second, it introduces the Californian geography and the strong efforts for environmental protection. Third, it provides a section on some cultural and societal features, including the Californian Ideology. Finally, the findings are summarized and put into concluding remarks that also give an outlook on further developments. 'American exceptionalism is the recurring character in the nation's narrative.' This sentence by business executive and former journalist Ron Fournier describes a notion that is familiar to those studying the history of the United States. Here, America is often symbolically portrayed as a country that guarantees freedom, opportunity, rights and prosperity. A selection of characteristics distinguishes it from other countries in the world, whether it is on the basis of moral superiority or only because certain elements do exist and others do not. English Puritans added a religious meaning to the term, as the phrases 'The New Israel' and 'God¿s Chosen People', the settlers, are mentioned. Further, the self-sustaining, hard-working yeoman farmer is an ideal figure that embodies the libertarian spirit of the nation. However, this definition looks at America in its entirety, and the scope is rather international as it is compared to other nations.

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject American Studies, grade: 1,0, University of Heidelberg (Heidelberg Center for American Studies), language: English, abstract: This research paper illustrates the transatlantic relationship between the United States and Germany before President Trump took office in 2016. It uses the historical context of the Cold War and its aftermath, as well as German Reunification to explain what the relationship looked like, how it changed over time, and what it means for both countries. Illustrating cooperative dynamics in the military and in politics, it is further discussed if the relationship between the United States and Germany could be considered "special". In the conclusion, the paper argues that we should invest our resources in keeping the important political and socio-cultural ties alive to form an enduring alliance.

Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject American Studies - Miscellaneous, University of Heidelberg (Heidelberg Center for American Studies), language: English, abstract: The paper illustrates a bit of the history of crime in the Detroit, Michigan. The main topics are drugs and gang violence, which started as early as the 1920s with a gang named the "Purple Gang". The paper talks about the fundamentals of this period of time, including "bootlegging", the illegal production and dissemination of liquor. Further explanations shift to crime in our days, and to law enforcement officers and firefighters' perspectives of the dangers lurking in the city - such as gun violence and arson. Law enforcement in particular is explained in a separate chapter, talking about Detroit Police Department tax problems and prejudice concerning racial and ethnic markers.