Environment, Energy, and Agriculture

Hurricane Katrina: Preparing for "The Big One" in New Orleans (A)

Publication Date: June 19, 2006

When Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast on Monday morning, August 29, it cut a wide swath of destruction in the area; but despite inflicting enormous damage, it initially appeared that the storm had spared low-lying New Orleans the...

Too Many Parents? Governance of Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway (A)

Publication Date: June 05, 2006

This case study examines through the lens of governance structure the evolution of the Central Artery (or "Big Dig") in Boston, a public works project of historic proportion which had the potential to create a green oasis of parks in the heart...

Agricultural Biotechnology Meets International Trade: The US-EU GMO Dispute (B)

Publication Date: April 07, 2006

This case traces the development of genetically-modified (GM) foods in the United States and in Europe. The US had from the start a commanding lead in GM food development and a correspondingly large stake in global acceptance of GM seeds and...

Agricultural Biotechnology Meets International Trade: The US-EU GMO Dispute (A)

Publication Date: April 07, 2006

This case traces the development of genetically-modified (GM) foods in the United States and in Europe. The US had from the start a commanding lead in GM food development and a correspondingly large stake in global acceptance of GM seeds and...

Financing the Theun-Hinboun Hydroelectric Project

Publication Date: February 21, 2006

How does a public-private venture emerge in one of the world's poorest countries (Laos) and how does it obtain $280 million in financing for a 215 MW hydroelectric facility to supply power--not to the host country, but its neighbor? At the time...

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board

Publication Date: February 21, 2006

This case discusses the efforts by the state of Andhra Pradesh and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to provide water services to its poorest inhabitants--approximately 1.7 million people. Undermining this challenge is...

Revising Electricity Tariffs in Brazil

Publication Date: February 21, 2006

This case examines the dilemma confronting the Brazilian electricity regulator in the period following power rationing. Brazil privatized about 65 percent of the distribution companies (DISCOs) in the 1990s, but the companies were hit hard...

City Renovation: New Images for Athens

Publication Date: January 27, 2006

In preparation for hosting the 2004 Olympics, the city of Athens, Greece embarked on an extensive renovation project, New Images for Athens, to beautify the city. In total, over 1,600 buildings received attention at a cost of over 4.5 million...

Wireless Philadelphia (Sequel)

Publication Date: December 20, 2005

This case tells the story of the decision by the city government of Philadelphia to develop a publicly-owned competitor to private high-speed internet connection systems ("broadband"). The case describes both the city's rationale, its desire to...

Wireless Philadelphia

Publication Date: December 20, 2005

This case tells the story of the decision by the city government of Philadelphia to develop a publicly-owned competitor to private high-speed internet connection systems ("broadband"). The case describes both the city's rationale, its desire to...

Power Partnership: The Creation of a Hybrid Electric Delivery Truck Eaton, FedEx, and Environmental Defense

Publication Date: November 18, 2005

In 2003, industrial manufacturer Eaton, the NGO Environmental Defense, and shipping giant Federal Express formed a partnership to develop a hybrid electric delivery truck. While Environmental Defense had experience setting up successful...

When Imperatives Collide: The 2003 San Diego Firestorm (Epilogue)

Publication Date: October 31, 2005

In October 2003, a confluence in southern California of low humidity, dead vegetation, and Santa Ana winds created the conditions for a firestorm--multiple fires that burned for some two weeks, scorched hundreds of thousands of acres, destroyed...