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Attila Borsos

PROJECT PLAN

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Edited by Attila Borsos, Sunday, 8 Mar 2020, 14:05

1. My research question is very topical and reads ‘How soon will the ecosystem services recover on College Green after the Climate Change protest left a muddy quagmire (28/2/20)?’ 

Background info: Recently a major event took place in central Bristol (College Green) following Greta Thunberg’s call for a nationwide rally (Youth climate strike). Incidentally, some extensive damage was done to the green open space (College Square) by the massive crowd (20000+), which received vast media coverage afterwards for several days.  

Hypotheses 1) The CG lawn will recover within weeks/months.

Hypotheses 2) The CG lawn can be fully restored if funds are available.

Hypotheses 3) The CG lawn can never be completely restored.

2. My major aspect will be qualitative, complemented by the minor quantitative aspect.

3. Qualitative data

- various local and national, official press and personal responses & comments regarding the environmental impact of the protest as well as the social impact;

- the potential ecosystem benefits of a large urban public green space (College Square, 1.1ha); 

- photos (some of my own), map to be enclosed;

- general lawn repair and renovation information;    

Quantitative data

- specific, present and historic information about the CG (College Square) site;

- estimated ecosystem benefits of a large urban public green space (College Square, 1.1ha); 

- biodiversity and the variety of species in a large urban green space;

- methods and costs of lawn repair and renovation; 

4. Qualitative data source/collection

- research online articles, comments, press release, social media

- research the potential ecosystem benefits of a large urban public green space;

- take some photos, download some images of the CG site;

- gather general lawn repair and renovation information;    

Quantitative data source/collection

- research official (Bristol City Council) documents about the CG (College Square) site;

- estimate the ecosystem benefits of a large urban public green space (College Square, 1,1 ha); 

- assess the biodiversity and the variety of species in a large urban green space;

- review potential methods and costs of lawn repair and renovation; 

5. Methods of analysis/interpretation

Thematic analysis of the positive and negative comments (with quotations, textual evidence) made by the public and some official bodies. I’ll identify the pro and con themes & arguments.

In terms of quantitative methods, I aim to focus on the most likely scenario out of the above 3 hypotheses with regards to the ecosystem services in the research question. 

6. My research question directly relates to the ecosystem services provided by the CG public green space that had been partially damaged by the rain and people. It will address the event (28/2/20) and the solution of repairing and restoring a very frequently used large public open space.

7. The irony of my project is that it investigates the incidental environmental damage caused by the attendees of a  Youth Climate Change protest. My report will also refer to the unusual weather conditions around the time of the event (storms, floods, etc) that significantly contributed to the vulnerability of the College Square site.

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