Hi !
I've been reading a lot on how I can develop my thesis but I'm still having trouble.

I'm an environmental management student and I have 2 topic options. (word limit: 10 000 words max)

1. 'An environmental management plan for the Lower Liesbeek' *the Lower Liesbeek is part of the Liesbeek River in Cape Town (South Africa) and it is located on the urban edge of the city within a metropolitan park. There is a broader plan for the entire area already but mine would be a site specific plan. The problem with this is that it so practical I don't know how to integrate the theoretical component to it. I just don't have enough insight.

2. 'A comparative analysis: managing the lower Liesbeek through Public-private partnership'. How can I conceptualize this topic?

Regards,

Sally

Were these topic options already chosen for you, or can you develop any more if you want to?

I can develop them in any way I wish to.

So, are you saying that they weren't already chosen for you?

They were sort of given to me , but I am given the freedom to adjust them to a form that I am comfortable with. I think both are OK, I'm just not sure How to set out both their outlines.

I would suggest putting together at least four or five, simple statements for the topics. That way you will have more from which to choose for your topic. Your statement doesn't have to be wordy at all. Just needs to set the tone for the thesis. What you write in your thesis will take care of the rest based upon how you have worded your statement.

Outlining is based upon what you know and would like to develop concerning the topic. I would suggest outlining everything that you already know about the Lower Liesbeek and then condensing it into a usable form for your thesis. What you are going to be doing then is a lot of writing and then picking and choosing the points from what you have written that support your thesis statement.

I hope that this makes sense. Basically what I'm saying is that you will have to go from something bigger to smaller in order to support your thesis statement.

Thanks for that input. I will post out any new developments as soon as I am done.

Thanks for that input. I will post out any new developments as soon as I am done.


Thank you! That will help! :) Just please remember that we can't write what you need to. But, we can advise you in the development of what you need to write.

Hi:) , any comments on my title and its thesis?

PROJECT TITLE:
An environmental management plan for the lower liesbeek (ll)

THESIS:
In order to achieve a sustainably working park there is a need to strategically manage the two rivers urban park (trup) in a holistic and integrated manner, whilst maintaining the broader frameworks outlined in the spatial development framework & phase one environmental management plan (sdf &emp1). To achieve this goal, this study suggests that trup be managed in divisions and management plans be drawn up for each sectional division. However, this study only focuses on the management of the ll as a division in the trup.

Hi:) , any comments on my title and its thesis?

PROJECT TITLE:
AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER LIESBEEK (LL)

THESIS:
IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A SUSTAINABLY WORKING PARK THERE IS A NEED TO STRATEGICALLY MANAGE THE TWO RIVERS URBAN PARK (TRUP) IN A HOLISTIC AND INTEGRATED MANNER, WHILST MAINTAINING THE BROADER FRAMEWORKS OUTLINED IN THE SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK & PHASE ONE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (SDF &EMP1). TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THIS STUDY SUGGESTS THAT TRUP BE MANAGED IN DIVISIONS AND MANAGEMENT PLANS BE DRAWN UP FOR EACH SECTIONAL DIVISION. HOWEVER, THIS STUDY ONLY Focuses ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LL AS A DIVISION IN THE TRUP.

Hi, snasheya!

I think that you have done a good job with conceptualizing and narrowing your ideas some so that they are more focused. I hope that you aren't going to be using all capital letters in your Project Title, Thesis Statement and also your Thesis itself. Also, where I live, the word "whilst" would be considered to be archaic, and thus not a word to be used. I would suggest using "while" instead.

I hope that you don't mind, but I did take the liberty of writing and doing a little editing to your Thesis Statement. What I did are only suggestions as to what you might do. The changes that I made should be obvious by making comparisons between your draft and also what I wrote. I am not your teacher, so I don't really know all the requirements that you are having to do to complete your thesis. However, you did ask for help here. And, that is what I am trying to do.


In order to achieve a sustainable, working park, there is a need to strategically manage the Two Rivers Urban Park, or T.R.U.P. in a holistic and integrated manner while maintaining the broader frameworks outlined in the Spatial Development Framework & Phase One Environmental Management Plan (SDF & EMP1). To achieve this goal, this study suggests that T.R.U.P. be managed in divisions and that management plans be drawn up for each sectional division. However, this study focuses only on the management of the Lower Liesbeek as a division in the T.R.U.P.

However, I'm wondering if you even need this sentence in your Thesis Statement:
However, this study focuses only on the management of the Lower Liesbeek as a division in the T.R.U.P. If you leave it out, then maybe you would only need to support how T.R.U.P is to be managed in divisions and how management plans are to be drawn up for each sectional division.

I hope that this has been helpful to you! :)

Clough

After my thesis readjustment I have now begun to write my 1st chapter. Given my title and thesis could I begin with this paragragh as an opening to the study? Is it okay?

Cape Town's unique environment is arguably also its greatest asset, making it one of the most sought after urban areas in the world. In recognition of the need to effectively manage and protect this valuable and diverse environment, the City of Cape Town (CC) is geared at implementing integrated policies that will ensure that the principles of environmental sustainability are adhered to. However, given this daunting task, the CC has not succeeded at implementing all of its policies effectively.

In 2003, a Spatial Development Framework and phase 1 Environmental Management Plan (SDF & EMP1) for the area at the confluence of the Black and Liesbeek River was promulgated by the CC in collaboration with various key stakeholders e.g. the Friends of the Liesbeek, the River Club, e.t.c. The framework was developed after several extensive studies showed that there was a need for a management plan for the area in order to put in place a comprehensive and realistic means to govern the area.

After my thesis readjustment I have now begun to write my 1st chapter. Given my title and thesis could I begin with this paragragh as an opening to the study? Is it okay?

Cape Town's unique environment is arguably also its greatest asset, making it one of the most sought after urban areas in the world. In recognition of the need to effectively manage and protect this valuable and diverse environment, the City of Cape Town (CC) is geared at implementing integrated policies that will ensure that the principles of environmental sustainability are adhered to. However, given this daunting task, the CC has not succeeded at implementing all of its policies effectively.

In 2003, a Spatial Development Framework and phase 1 Environmental Management Plan (SDF & EMP1) for the area at the confluence of the Black and Liesbeek River was promulgated by the CC in collaboration with various key stakeholders e.g. the Friends of the Liesbeek, the River Club, e.t.c. The framework was developed after several extensive studies showed that there was a need for a management plan for the area in order to put in place a comprehensive and realistic means to govern the area.

I would mention the Black and Liesbeek Rivers somewhere in the first paragragh also.


However, given this daunting task, the CC has not succeeded at implementing all of its policies effectively. Why? Because of.. I think that it would help to have a very brief explanation here.

"CC" doesn't seem to be the best representation for the City of Cape Town. How about C.C.T?

Cape Town's unique environment is arguably also its greatest asset, making it one of the most sought after urban areas in the world. In recognition of the need to effectively manage and protect this valuable and diverse environment, the City of Cape Town (CCT) is geared at implementing integrated policies that will ensure that the principles of environmental sustainability are adhered to. However, given this daunting task, the CCT has not succeeded at implementing all of its policies effectively. Often, the inefficiency of implementing policies effectively is due to a lack of reliable funding. The area at the confluence of the black and Liesbeek River is a testimony to this notion.

How's this?

That's much better! I like and understand it a lot more, now! :)

I think that it will be easier to connect to and also flow into the other parts of your thesis better that way.

When is your thesis due?

What time is it right now where you are at? Here, it is almost 5:00 A.M. I must go to bed real soon!

What did you think of my comments on the previous page? Were they helpful at all?

You make smile!! Thesis is due in January but I'd like to finish it before chrismas if possible. I've already done most of my data collection. Now its just a matter of putting it together.

Oh! I didn't realize that. Its 1:05pm here in Cape Town. They were great! You're super!!
Thank you so much you can not believe how I've struggled to unscramble this work. As easy as it may sound, I was stuck and struggling to begin. I think now I'm making very good progress (thanx 2 u). I'm even beginning to understand what I'm talking about.

Let me leave you to get some rest now. I'm also going to have some lunch now. Sweet dreams now...

Till later
Snash

Thank you! :) I do admire that fact that you are starting so early on this project! That will also give you much more opportunity for revision and others to look it over so that it is just right. The more people that you have looking over something like this, the better!

I am usually on here late at night, my time. If you are able to come on here at 8:00 A.M. or 9:00 A.M. your time, more than likely, I will be here. Not always, but most of the time. Right now for me, it is really just too late. My thinking would be much clearer if you would be able to come on here at 8:00 or 9:00 A.M. in the morning, that is, if you are able to. I realize that might not be possible.

Do you have any printed instructions for your thesis that you could post here?

One more thing concerning your thesis, I would suggest continued posting on this thread about it rather than post a new thread somewhere else here about it. I did see your other post and that Wondergirl had responded to it. By-the-way, Wondergirl would also be a wonderful resource because she is a librarian in a public library and is also a published writer! Concerning me, I taught various Fine Art type courses in public and private schools for many years.

Did you get my private message to you?

I love art... I just never got to do it in school, I could afford to go to school that offered it. But its never too late to do anything, and that's something I'll do one day-take art classes. The only closest thing to art I'm doing now is landscape architecture.

Anyway, did you send the message 2 my email?

You should get to bed now. I should be able to catch you around the times you mentioned because all I'm doing lately is eat, exercise, write A lot and sleep a bit. I really want to finish ASAP.

Cheers
Thanks again.

I mean't I couldn't afford.

I love art...I just never got to do it in school, I could afford to go to school that offered it. But its never too late to do anything, and thats something I'll do one day-take art classes. The only closest thing to art I'm doing now is landscape architecture.

Anyways, did you send the message 2 my email?

You should get to bed now. I should be able to catch you around the times you mentioned coz all I'm doing lately is eat, exercise, write ALOT and sleep a bit. I really want to finish ASAP.

Cheers
Thanks again.

Now you are talking about art and that's very exciting! That is something that we could also discuss at length! There is a thread that I am going to point you to. It is here: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/art/artist-you-133294-131.html

Please have a look around there. It is huge! But, please don't be daunted by that! We are an extremely friendly bunch over there! The amount of support and learning that is going on there is tremendous! Most of us are online there at about the same times that I mentioned to you previously. If you are interested in becoming a part of that thread, please let me know. It would be great to have you join us! :)

You are correct! I need to get to bed! It sounds like you are more responsible than I am! My main fault here, is that I get so caught up in the fellowship and also trying to help people.

Good day and night to you! I will look forward to continued dialogue! :)

Continuation of chapter 1: background to the study....

In 2003, a Spatial Development Framework and phase 1 Environmental Management Plan for the area at the confluence of the Black and Liesbeek River was promulgated by the City of Cape Town in collaboration with various key stakeholders e.g. the Friends of the Liesbeek, the River Club, e.t.c. The framework was developed after extensive studies showed that there was a need for a management plan for the area in order to put in place a comprehensive and realistic means to govern the area.

These studies include Crowther's report in which the authors pointed out that 'a management plan would be needed in order to set in place a process for improving partnerships between the City and NGO's with the aim of providing an effective upgrading of the Liesbeek River valley system and a base against which to assess any future development which could significantly affect the system' (Crowther et al, 1996). In response to this, the City of Cape Town failed to particularly achieve the former. However, presented with the desperate call of management the City of Cape Town declared the area and its broader locale as a metropolitan park known at present as the Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP) on 18 August 1998 and five years later subsequently produced the broader management framework.

Dear snasheya,

Just to recapitulate and to make this thread cohesive and comprehensible as possible, I have put below what would appear to be your developing thesis. I have made a few suggestions in it that are in red. Please let me know if this is the way your thesis is currently being developed.

Still much to do and develop on this thesis. But, there is still lots of time...


PROJECT TITLE: (As it was.)
AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER LIESBEEK (LL)

Project Title
(As Redone) An Environmetal Management Plan for the confluence of the Lower Lisbeek and Black Rivers (We may need to discuss and work on it some more.)


Thesis Statement
In order to achieve a sustainable, working park, there is a need to strategically manage the Two Rivers Urban Park, or T.R.U.P. in a holistic and integrated manner while maintaining the broader frameworks outlined in the Spatial Development Framework & Phase One Environmental Management Plan (SDF & EMP1). To achieve this goal, this study suggests that T.R.U.P. be managed in divisions and that management plans be drawn up for each sectional division. However, this study focuses only on the management of the Lower Liesbeek as a division in the T.R.U.P. (Need to insert River after Liesbeek and also include the Black River.)

Thesis
Cape Town's unique environment is arguably also its greatest asset, making it one of the most sought after urban areas in the world. In recognition of the need to effectively manage and protect this valuable and diverse environment, the City of Cape Town (CCT) is geared at implementing integrated policies that will ensure that the principles of environmental sustainability are adhered to. However, given this daunting task, the CCT has not succeeded at implementing all of its policies effectively. Often, the inefficiency of implementing policies effectively is due to a lack of reliable funding. The area at the confluence of the Black and Liesbeek River is a testimony to this notion.

In 2003, a Spatial Development Framework and phase 1 Environmental Management Plan (SDF & EMP1) for the area at the confluence of the Black and Liesbeek River was promulgated by the CC in collaboration with various key stakeholders e.g. the Friends of the Liesbeek, the River Club, e.t.c. The framework was developed after several extensive studies showed that there was a need for a management plan for the area in order to put in place a comprehensive and realistic means to govern the area. (In what way? Concerning the...? So that....? Needs to be explained just a little bit more. Remember, this is about proving your points that you are making. So, you need to make the points clear that you want to prove.)

These studies include Crowther’s report in which the authors pointed out that ‘a management plan would be needed in order to set in place a process for improving partnerships between the City and NGO’s with the aim of providing an effective upgrading of the Liesbeek River valley system and a base against which to assess any future development which could significantly affect the system’ (Crowther et al, 1996). In response to this, the City of Cape Town failed to particularly achieve the former. However, presented with the desperate call of management the City of Cape Town declared the area and its broader locale as a metropolitan park known at present as the Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP) on 18 August 1998 and five years later subsequently produced the broader management framework.

Project Title
(As Redone) An Environmetal Management Plan for the confluence of the Lower Lisbeek and Black Rivers (We may need to discuss and work on it some more.)

Maybe we could say, An Environmetnal Management Plan for the Lower Liesbeek River in the Two Rivers Urban Park, Cape Town..

OK. I will try to elaborate more. I forgot to mention that I have gone\come home to Namibia (Where yo find the Namib Desert and the worlds oldest plant the Welwitchia-or better even, where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie gave birth to their daughter!) for a Job interview. So I will barely be on the net for the next 2-3 days, but I will work on my paper in that time.

Thanks again, always for taking time out to help me.

Be blessed,
Selma


(Need to insert River after Liesbeek and also include the Black River.) I don't think I really need to include the Black River because its not part of my study area its just part of TRUP. How can I send you an arial photo of my study area?

You could post an aerial photograph right here in a post, if you would like. It can't be really large though. If you would like for me to size it down for you, I do have the programs in order to do that. We will need to discuss how to send it to me.

Are you interested in taking the test or quiz that I mentioned on another thead?

I look forward to continued dialogue with you!

Blessings to you, also!

Craig

Hi Craig,

I'm back again. I had to go home because my mum had a stroke but she's fine now. About that quiz, yes, I'd like to take the test. Where did you say should go again?

I 've done a little work on my paper but I think I'll just send it tomorrow.

Cheers,
S

Dear Snasheya,

I'm so sorry to learn that your mum had a stroke? Is she completely recovered from it? It would be best to send you the quiz when we are on here at the same time because there are multiple parts to it. I will be on here probably about 11:00 P.M. I think, my time tomorrow night. I have to travel about 100 miles one way in order to play a gig and then I will be tuning one or two pianos around the same location.

I also am looking forward to seeing the progress that you have made on your paper!

Cheers to you, too!

Craig

You know what, I've been having second thoughts on my current project. I'm thinking of changing my aim of developing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to simply discussing that I have identified a need for an EMP for the study area and then I can just discuss the various components that need to be considered, i.e. discuss the significance of managing area, the various identified management aspects (perhaps give management suggestions, but not detailed),the legistlation that needs to be adhered to, the relevant literature focusing on the promotion of a holistic management approach and give suggestions to that as well e.g. adopting a multidisciplinary and adative management approach as well as encouring private/public partnerships; elaborating on the need to understand system dynamics and how it relates to what I suggest; and basically putting together what I think is needed to justify my view.

What do you think? I haven't spoken to my supervisor yet. Do you think this change would still be valid for an honours degree? If not How could I make it more academically sound and not merely report-like? The reason I want to change is because, initially I was aiming at producing an integrated EMP but that will not work too well now as I may not be able to meet all the key stakeholders as we're in the festive season already and this will defeat my aim of having an integrated plan. Instead I could use the questionairres I used earlier to add on to my latter proposition.

Dear snasheya,

I do hope that you are doing well, and that your mum is doing better! I don't know what the criteria are that you have to follow in order to maintain getting an honours degree, so I don't know if the desired change in your plans for your thesis will affect that.

From my viewpoint however, I think that your thesis being more on the lines of, as you say, simply discussing what you have identified as a need for an EMP for the study area and then discussing the various components that need to be considered would work as far as writing your thesis, and also not be so much of a pressured task for you as you have already sought to undertake. If you do commence writing your thesis in such a way, you will be able to come up with points that you will be able to support concerning why there are needs in managing the area, how it can be managed and what can be done to manage it. I think that utilizing those ways of supporting the points that you make in your thesis will be academically sound.

I think that your pursuing that avenue of discourse would be both a valid and wise move considering what is going on in your life right now. But, it does depend on what your supervisor decides.

I am looking forward to discussing things with you, again!

Craig