Dear Clifford Ateesi,

I propose a topic regarding the improvement of the planning process and the implementation of specific objectives of the environmental development policy on the basis of an analysis of the external effects of economic processes implemented in a specific economy, including the characteristics of the structure of the energy sector (traditional energy based on combustion of minerals / energy based on renewable energy sources ), the scale and type of environmental pollution, the state of natural water retention and soil water richness, the state of implemented garbage sorting and recycling, etc. Then, in accordance with the results of these analyzes, appropriate strategies should be developed for the implementation of the principles of sustainable, pro-ecological economic development implemented in accordance with the concept of green economy and / or circular economy. Strategies developed in this way should be the main element of the process of improving the planning and development of the environment. A constantly verified and improved process of planning and implementing specific objectives of the environmental development policy should play a special role in environmental policy in each developing and developed country.

Best regards, Have a nice day,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Following topics may consider

1. Land use planning, Environmental Assessment and mitigation, Strategic environmental assessment, Sustainability.

2. Exploring the importance of protected areas in tropical developing countries.

3. Assessing uptake of green energy with reference to your case study area.

4. Unlocking the intersection between environmental planning and climate change.

5. Mitigation measures to human impacts on the environment.

6. Planning measures for ecosystem-based adaptation capacity of cities: A comparative study.

7. The state of natural water retention and soil water richness.

8. Renewable energy production and Environmental impacts studies.

9. Environmental Assessment for Economics and Urban Sociology

10. Disaster Mitigation and Environmental Management

11. Geo informatics Lab for Environmental Planning.

12. Bio-diversity and Eco-tourism

Urban ecology seems incredibly relevant right now, especially given the growing concentration of people in large cities. I've seen TED Talks about the success of bees in urban vs. rural habitats, and they're actually more successful in urban habitats because of the increased diversity of plants available. There are so many different routes that could take though, because urban ecology is such a broad term. What processes or practices could make cities more sustainable?

Yes, I agree to the former advice, Environmental Impact Assessment , EIA (including SEA) and Mitigation.

Among the mitigation , mitigation hierarchy, compensatory mitigation (biodiversity offset), mitigation banking (biodiveristy banking) are very importanat topics, I think.

Climate Change resilience planning. Is current floodplain mapping adequate? Where can a city go above and beyond required standards, such as retaining the 100 yr flood on the landscape.

I would suggest an empirical research (review of INDEPENDENT literature and press and possibly on-field exploration) aimed at answering the following empirical questions: what kind of policies are inspired by the "natural capital" approach (see WAVEW and NCAVES and REDD+ programs by the WB and the EU) and implemented in "developing" countries? What are the outcomes of these policies, and in particular: how are indigenous peoples affected (check out WRM for that) and how is the countries' power position influenced? What alternative approaches are available (e.g. conservation) and how do they perform?

Clifford,

You have the opportunity to investigate the significance of transitioning to solar and other clean energy alternatives. In the U.S., I envision solar power climbing to the top source of electric power by 2040 or before. What does this mean for the decrease in loading of atmospheric greenhouse gases? What about the harsh chemicals utilized in the production of solar panels? What about the eventual disposal of solar panels? In other words, what would be the overall impact (footprint) of a dominant solar power industry? For a master's project, I suggest examing the above issues on a small scale, perhaps a village, town, or small city. Best to you and thank you for choosing a worthy inquiry.

Solid waste is little studied. Effective actions need to be generated to stop producing solid waste domestically. At the same time, it is pertinent to encourage industries to stop using toxic envelopes for the environment.

Environment and Sustainability Development is the most common topic.

I think it is very difficult to give a specific answer to such a question. My advice is capitalize on current issues that are applicable to solve direct problems that your population face easily and for the better good. Also consider aspects of researchability based on extensive literature review.

Short term:

1.) Arctic methane emissions. They are already terribly influencing Earth's atmosphere & greenhouse.. See Tomsk Polytechnical University (TPU).

2.) Capture and usage these methane emissions instead oil and classic fossil fuels. The created CO2 has far smaller influence to the greenhouse as the released methane...

3.) Covering and anchoring the Arctic seafloor methane exhausts with durable strong plastic material, which will - instead the highly damaged permafrost - hold the pressure, needed to stabilize the methane hydrates again...

Long term:

4.) Developing software tools to store legislation into computers and make automatic comparison of environmental projects and plans. Without human self will and corruption...

5.) Introducing other values and virtues from monetary into human societies. Making them equal in exchange processes. Examples are ecological value, social value, food value, health value, value of cooperation (not competition !!)... The valuation unit is not money, but it can be the time used...

Without these aproaches the planet is sentenced to death, believe (and research, too:-)

Regards, Milan

COVID-19 has forced lots of people to work from home #WFM and effectively disrupted the way we do work as well as school life. What environmental impact has this had on our communities? Lots of considerations in there ranging from air pollution arising from car/bus/train/aeroplane fumes, energy saving at workplaces, waste generation and disposal, printer/photocopier usage, increase internet use e.t.c.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that covers all disciplines and the use of Renewable Energy.

Dear Mr. Ateesi,

Already you got plenty of good answers and good ideas here. I think any direction suggested in this forum will be good, as long as you know where you want to get into, and what your limitations are. Planning is always a complex task in itself, not to mention the theoretical contentions amongst a diversity of ontological approaches to it, ranging from rational normative to neoliberal loose governance.

To do Environmental Planning is like to work in the epicenter of a hurricane, where everything is spinning around and everything matters, mixing natural elements with social institutions. But then it is where the scientific methodology should drive the situation, and the researcher makes his decision about the specific issue to put focus on. Some stuffs are more important or more urgent than others, but it is up to the researcher to know in which direction he can give his best contribution to science and humanity. It is not possible to study everything at once, and a master degree is a fast running time to write the final paper.

As you are in a country where there is a lack of comprehensive institutional framework for environmental issues, due mainly to development dependence, I rather would recommend you to study the structure of environmental management at national level. It includes sectorial policies, territorial planning, development priorities, environmental legislation and so on.

Any idea you get from this forum can drive you through a relevant research. However, keep in mind that only you can know better in which direction to give the best of your competence to produce new knowledge in your context.

Wish you a good research.

Carlos Gonzaga

Unicentro - PR, Brazil

Another issue that you can adopt is about pollution, waste, and environmental management for a specific discipline.

Thanks, I hope that may help, Goodluck.

If you don’t have projects try to work on climate change

Dear Clifford, dear contributors...

Reading of your all answers, I see that most of you are not aware, that solving of any partial environmental problem will not be successful, if the humanity won't solve the most basic threat - the increasing of the atmospheric greenhouse. And that is not dependent on CO2 - unluckily any more...

Of course, the background of this problem is still much more complicated and need more long-term oriented work in our human relations and societies... But the atmosphere is urgent...

So I am asking you - where to "invest" our energy, work and time? What will be the "profit"?

The people, who do the field research of the Arctic methane emissions, urgently need help !!! Acquaint them also here on ResearchGate (Russian group around Igor Semiletov and Natalia Shakhova) My modest contribution ought to be the book, for now on this link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tEXpc1OEN5e8MCwXFhKK3Kt3CDPljIc8

The profit will be "only" our survival...

Regards, Milan

En el campo de la planificación y desarrollo ambiental hay que investigar entre otros, lo siguiente: para establecer un ordenamiento territorial con una proyección a futuro hay que analizar y diagnosticar el sistema territorial , saber sus debilidades, amenazas, fortalezas y oportunidades para luego proyectar a futuro un sistema territorial objetivo a efectos de llevar a cabo dos cuestiones importantes a futuro que son: 1) la normativa a utilizar en el sistema con la categorización del uso del suelo. 2) los programas, subprogramas y proyectos necesarios para que se cumpla eso MODELO TERRITORIAL OBJETIVO A FUTURO.

Climate change, water and social justice are critical issues. However, I am uneasy about suggesting a focus. Instead, I encourage you to explore these questions to determine your research question:

1. What do I want to do after my studies?

This is the toughest question to answer, because we often don’t know what we want until we see it. On the other hand, if you don’t know where you are going, any road will do. How could your research help prepare you for what you want to do with your life after graduation?

2. What organization would I ideally like to work for / with?

Do you want to work for a private, public, or NGO organization? Do you already have a wish list of two or three? Might one of them be prepared to sponsor your research on a particular topic that they need to explore? That conversation would help you to get to know them, and help them to get to know you, so you can test your mutual comfort with a longer term relationship. Plus, they might help cover the cost of your studies.

3. What do I really want to know, and why?

A masters is a lot of work. You need to be energized to learn the findings of your research because you want to know — not me, or your supervisor, or a prospective employer. You. Why do you want to know the answer to your research badly enough to invest the time and money to find out? Don’t do the masters for the credential; do it for the increased knowledge about something that you care about.

4. How can my thesis be a force for change?

Sustainability issues are huge. What needs to be added to the body of knowledge about them that people don’t already know about? For example, what would it take to have governments use sustainable public procurement to only allow suppliers who disclose their contributions to the SDGs to bid on tenders? Is it lack of knowledge or lack of action, or both? Think of your thesis as a draft of a guidebook. Ideally, who would you like to read it so that they can be more effective? One of my books was my master’s thesis, another was my doctoral thesis. I wasn’t doing the research to get another certificate on my wall; I was doing it so that the book would be a more effective instrument for change.

These questions reinforce that a masters should be a means to an end, not the end itself. You want to do the research so that ….(what)? Have fun with the questions, take your time, and I know you will enjoy exploring ways to leverage your research.

I hope this helps a bit. All the best.

I can only congratulate you because you have got best of ideas and suggestions. Initially, my suggestion, would have been that you identify environmental planning and management related problems of your country and direct to a thesis work. Therefore, borrow a leaf from some of the self motivated suggestions from great colleagues who have already made some heroic comments. Meanwhile, research is about your motivation, problem solving ability, passion for a particular study and finally your doggedness. Pick the study that best suit you and much relevant to your country's economy. Good luck

In general, Watershed-Level Planning in urban areas is desperately needed at this time. Integrated environmental planning of this caliber requires robust interdisciplinary collaboration--so my recommendation is to study the relationships of these collaborators and how to align their goals to achieve a systematic approach to preparing our cities as climate ready, resilient ecosystems. From my experience, the integrated components should include: forest conservation, complete streets/road diets, impervious area removals, green infrastructure, stream stabilization, flood mitigation, critical area preservation, smart growth development and community engagement.

I would be glad to discuss this further if the concept peeks your interest.

do consider the topic on waste management in urban areas having developmental plans in mitigating pollution caused by urban waste.

We are facing this painful experience of pandemic thanks to the lack of care on land use, irrational land change, selfishness of excessive consumption that ends in climatic extremes. We did not learn to take the role of others that already suffer with lack of water, sanitation, poverty. So, I do agree with Ihab Alfadhel and Bob Willard . We wastage our natural resources, now the natural environment answers us saying stop. Good work.

Dear Clifford Ateesi ,

I would suggest you to go for sustainable development.

To my experience, I can answer ecosystem service modelling and green infrastructure development!

Preprint Agroforestry 4.0 Interventions for Indian Agroforestry Policy

Article Horticultural Agroforestry Systems Recommended for Climate C...

Without knowing project conditions, how can we suggest?

People are more focused in master degrees that's fine.why not think about more practical way of knowledge to experience, to put in use for the benefit of the humanity and earth.

There are too many thesis, theoretical pieces, for reading, not many with practical instructions pan to work to make it productive, protective and for solution. A piece of writiriting only would solve big threatening issues. The philosophy of expressions are right in their places and in the past century's philosophies are plenty to put in practice by lessons. It's time to practical work. Polytechnics and vocational educational system must be brought back to bring practical results in to society.

Sustanability requires practical work. Our IT came in and made huge jump of advancement be lighter up entire globe from the under sea to galaxy. All through practical practice.

For several years I have advised students who have done theoretical and practical things with people. This style of research requires social commitment and a lot of discipline to do participatory action research. It also requires long-term processes. Master's studies last only two years, so students who require a theoretical-practical thesis need to be uncertain in the process of that course. Thus, it is possible to start from concrete problems and concrete solutions. But this depends a lot on the master's degree in which you are enrolled and the academics who advise you. Kind regards.

In my opinion, social issues will have a fundamental influence on territorial development. It is common to find high training in development and environmental planning exclusively focused on natural and environmental aspects. If we take into account the trend towards transdisciplinarity in development studies, the increase in social complexity, the complexity of environmental impacts (causes and effects) ... I would say that a good amount of training in social aspects (main causes and effects environmental planning) will make a significant difference to your resume.

Water resource management is a batter option

Yes.

Water issue needs urgent attention for solution.

Focus should be in salinity and protecting fresh water.

Fatema Miah.

Research on "Environmental Planning and Development" should be focused on the following topics:

-Bridging Ecosystem Service Valuation (ESV) with Circular Economy Valuation (CEV)

-Renewable Energy Sources (RES) exploitation under the strategic planning of national energy production/mix

-Harnessing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities through Low and Zero Carbon technologies (LZCs)

Research on built environment and smart buildings are best

Climate change and green building