Human Resources and their Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Human Resources Policy, Development and Management in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Human Resources and their Development provides the essential aspects and a myriad of issues of great relevance to our world such as: Human Resources and their Development; Major Issues in Human Resource Development; Elements of Planning Strategies for Human Resource Development; Human Life Systems, Diversity and Human Development; Human Development and Causes of Global Change; Consequences of Global Change for Human Resource Development. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students, Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers and NGOs.

Environment and Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Development and Economic Sciences in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The pressing need to combine protecting the environment with sustaining development has become increasingly recognized. This theme deals with environmental and ecological sustainable development. Environmental damage has not only created obstacles to sustainable economic development, but is also posing great threats, to human health and life, to ecological systems and the natural world, and to the socio-cultural environments in which human beings lead their daily lives. The content of the theme on Environment and Development is organized with state-of-the-art presentations covering the following aspects of the subject: Approaching Sustainable Development from Different Angles; Hazard and Risk Assessment, and Risk Management; Current Views of Global Carrying Capacity; Social and Economic Disparities; Responses to the Challenges of Disparities and Unsustainable Use of Natural Resources; Environmental Economics and Ecobusiness; Environmental Values and Ethics; Other Important Future Environmental Issues. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs.

Water and Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Water Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. Water is perhaps the most critical natural resource upon which humans depend. Agricultural and food production, trade and ultimately the economic development of all regions of the world depend on rivers, streams, dams, oceans and other water resources. This critical relationship has persisted through the agricultural and industrial revolution and into the era of economic globalization. The relationship between human activity and the water resources on which it depends also continues to be reciprocal. Human consumption, energy, agricultural, industrial and other economic activity have significant impacts on water quality and quantity for better or worse. A key element of sustainable development rests on our global capacity to interact with the water resources on which we depend in ways that preserve them for our use and that of future generations. The two volumes on the subject present some of the topics such as Water, Agriculture and Food Interactions, dams, water valuation, arid regions, water-management, and Conflict over Water Resources, Water and Sustainable Development: They consider the implications which contributions have in each of these areas as well as introduce additional issues relating to the future of dams, innovative ways of increasing water supply, transboundary water resources, and the implications of global climate change for water resources. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students, Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, Managers, and Decision makers and NGOs

Welfare Economics and Sustainable Development theme is a component of Encyclopedia of Development and Economic Sciences in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. This theme introduces welfare economics and sustainable development in four topics dealing with four important issues to be considered in implementing sustainable development. These are: the use of ethics and discounting and economic growth models in balancing the interests of future generations against those of the present; the advantages and limitations of national accounting methodologies as means of evaluating sustainability; the international dimensions of sustainable development arising out of environmental and economic linkages among nations; and the nature of institutions required to promote sustainable development. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Introduction to Sustainable Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Development and Economic Sciences in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on “Introduction to Sustainable Development implies processes of fundamental change in our social systems and institutions. The thrust of this change [entails] … addressing the … new global awareness that the earth is finite, and all of the planet's life support systems – including social and economic systems – are globally interconnected and interdependent.” This volume is aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Environment and Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Development and Economic Sciences in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The pressing need to combine protecting the environment with sustaining development has become increasingly recognized. This theme deals with environmental and ecological sustainable development. Environmental damage has not only created obstacles to sustainable economic development, but is also posing great threats, to human health and life, to ecological systems and the natural world, and to the socio-cultural environments in which human beings lead their daily lives. The content of the theme on Environment and Development is organized with state-of-the-art presentations covering the following aspects of the subject: Approaching Sustainable Development from Different Angles; Hazard and Risk Assessment, and Risk Management; Current Views of Global Carrying Capacity; Social and Economic Disparities; Responses to the Challenges of Disparities and Unsustainable Use of Natural Resources; Environmental Economics and Eco-business; Environmental Values and Ethics; Other Important Future Environmental Issues. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs.

Principles of Sustainable Development is the component of Encyclopedia of Development and Economic Sciences in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. Sustainable Development is a term of differing definitions. Standing alone, the term is abstract and ambiguous. The meaning most often cited is that adopted by the World Commission on Environment and Development: meeting today’s true needs and opportunities without jeopardizing the integrity of the planetary life-support base – the environment – and diminishing its ability to provide for needs, opportunities, and quality of life in the future. This definition may serve as a general principle, but for a guide to action its components sustainability and development must be given substance: what is to be sustained and what developed? Is development essentially economic or material growth, and is sustainability mostly a means to keep economic growth growing? Consequently, should development represent means toward ecologically sustainable ends? The concept of ecological sustainability has been advanced as a restriction on economic development. It follows therefore that principles of sustainable development depend upon how the term is understood and how it is put into practice. Even so the definition of the World Commission on Environment and Development, given the adequate definition of variable needs, provides the most reliable principle for testing the qualitative and ecological sustainability of development proposals. The Theme on Principles of Sustainable Development, in three volumes, deals with the diversity of points of view on this complex subject. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Dimensions of Sustainable Development is the component of Encyclopedia of Development and Economic Sciences in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Dimensions of Sustainable Development, in two volumes, deals with the diversity of points of view on this complex subject. The chapters in these volumes are organized into five groups. The first starts with chapters introducing the general concepts underlying sustainable development. The second treats current and emerging understandings of the general biophysical limits of economic growth and development. The third focuses on the human and social capital requirements for sustainability. The fourth deals with a particular aspect of the organization of human economic and technological activity. The final group discusses something of the diversity of possible approaches to the management of sustainability. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainable Development theme is a component of Encyclopedia of Physical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainable Development with contributions from distinguished experts in the field discusses mechanical engineering - the generation and application of heat and mechanical power and the design, production, and use of machines and tools. These five volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs

An understanding of dynamic effects on structures is critical to minimize losses from earthquakes and other hazards. These three books provide an overview of essential topics in structural and geotechnical engineering with an additional focus on related topics in earthquake engineering to enable readers gain such an understanding. One of the ultimate objectives of these books is to provide readers with insights into seismic analysis and design. However, in order to accomplish that objective, background material on structural and geotechnical engineering is necessary. Hence the first two sections of the book provide this background material followed by selected topics in earthquake engineering. The material is organized into three major parts. The first section covers topics in structural engineering. Beginning with fundamental mechanics of materials, the book includes chapters on linear and nonlinear analysis as well as topics on modeling of structures from different perspectives. In addition to traditional design of structural systems, introductions to important concepts in structural reliability and structural stability are discussed. Also covered are subjects of recent interest, viz., blast and impact effects on structures as well as the use of fiber reinforced polymer composites in structural applications. Given the growing interest in urban renewal, an interesting chapter on restoration of historic cities is also included. The second part of the book covers topics in geotechnical engineering, covering both shallow and deep foundations and issues and procedures for geotechnical modeling. The final part of the book focuses on earthquake engineering with emphasis on both structures and foundations. Here again, the material covered includes both traditional seismic design and innovative seismic protection. And more importantly, concepts in modeling for seismic analysis are highlighted.