Plant Science & Landscape Architecture Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2797
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Item DESIGNING AN ACCESSIBLE AGRICULTURAL GARDEN: CONNECTING SOLIDARITY & AGROECOLOGY(2024) Boyle, Patrick Robert; Ruggeri, Deni; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis explores the potential of agroecology as a transformative framework for guiding the transition of Bergamo's agricultural landscape toward sustainability, resilience, and community well-being. Grounded in the evolution of agroecology from farm-scale design to regional planning, the research investigates how this approach can integrate ecological methodologies and participatory action research in design to implement sustainable farming practices, rehabilitate landscapes, and cultivate solidarity-driven producer-consumer relationships. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecology, economy, and society, the study addresses whether agroecology can shape a district into a resilient landscape that enhances people's lives and promotes health and well-being.Through an interdisciplinary lens, the thesis also delves into the broader concept of landscape, highlighting its role in social well-being and advocating for the protection and responsible management of landscapes as a fundamental human right. It explores the principles of landscape democracy and solidarity, aiming to empower communities to reconnect with their environments and promote ecological restoration through collective action and ethical practices. Ultimately, the research strives to contribute to the discourse on agroecology and landscape planning, offering proposals and strategies for actionable change in regenerative and organic agricultural systems that prioritize the needs and values of local communities.Item INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BUILT AND NATURAL WINDOW VIEWS, AND STUDENTS PERCEIVED RESTORATION USING VRITUAL REALITY(2024) Esmaeili, Azadeh; Ellis, Christopher C.E; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis explores the concept of perceived restorativeness in virtual window views, which have significant contributions to the field of landscape architecture and environmental psychology. It begins with a comprehensive literature review to define perceived restorativeness which lies on Attention Restoration Theory(ART). The main emphasis in literature is on the importance of four restorative factors: fascination, being away, extent, and compatibility. All these four factors contribute to an environment’s restorative quality.This study acknowledges the existing gaps regarding the impact of virtual views both built and natural environments on perceived restoration within design studio , because the studio environments are critical in landscape architecture, architecture, and all the fields related to design. This study wants to fill this gap. In terms of research questions, all the research questions are designed to explore how different virtual window views affect perceived restoration, and whether variation in the natural and built environment affects that restorative quality. In the methodology chapter, the process of collecting data from participants for data analysis is described.45 participants responded to the perceived restorativeness scale (PRS-16), after displaying virtual window views from the School of Architecture Design Studio. All the responses were analyzed by using paired t-test and ANOVA to measure the restorative quality of different window views. Findings from data analysis indicate that not all virtual window views make the same restorative impact on participants. A significant variation was observed within and between categories of built and nature. Although all the nature views have significant restorative quality, the plaza as a virtual built window view perceived restorative benefit as well. This study makes an important contribution to investigating the restorative quality of virtual views in educational settings.Item Co-Creating the Yard: A study in defining dignity in the workplace for landscape labor(2024) McCormick, Katherine; Ruggeri, Deni; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Landscape architecture and landscape labor share a reciprocal relationship; one does not exist without the other. A landscape designer or architect produces a set of plants and a labor crew installs and maintains the work of the landscape designer or architect. This thesis project explores the definition of dignity as it pertains to landscape labor through participatory research methods: interviews, photovoice, vignettes, and co-design. The crew members of one landscape design/build and maintenance firm participated in the research. The research gathered informed the re-design of the Yard: the workspace where the landscape crew members report to work each morning and afternoon.Item INTEGRATED EDIBLE LANDSCAPES: CELEBRATING MULTICULTURALISM AT BROOKSIDE GARDENS(2024) Dirmeyer, Brandt; Ellis, Christopher; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Cultural diversity is an integral part of twenty-first century societies. The planet is interconnected now more than ever. The effects of climate change are forcing people to leave their homes in search of better living conditions. When people immigrate to a new place, they take with them their experiences, their traditions, and their identities, including their preferred foods, but the raw ingredients that one is accustomed to may be difficult to access. One way in which public spaces can help individuals adapt to their new environment is by making a place feel familiar through integrated edible landscape designs. By growing culturally relevant edible plants in a public space, the feeling of being at home can be cultivated while at the same time increasing the availability of culturally relevant crops to foreign born persons dealing with food insecurity.Item Spreading the Seeds of a Solidarity Landscape: Co-creating a Biophilic Landscape and Training Curriculum in Northern Italy(2024) Christensen, Mary Elizabeth; Ruggeri, Deni; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)A wealth of research explores the link between biophilia, access to nature, health, well-being, and quality of life (Wilson, 1984; Kellert, 1997; Louv, 2008; Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Cooper Marcus & Sachs, 2013). Drawing on this body of research, nature-based interventions employed by social work professionals promote positive connections to nature and improve health and well-being for vulnerable populations (Obeng et al., 2023; Overbey et al., 2021). This thesis explores a participatory action research project using the case study of Villaggio Solidale, a charitable co-housing community in Northern Italy. Following the use of participatory methods, including co-creation, listening, observation, and prototyping, researchers are co-designing a Solidarity Landscape and co-creating a training curriculum with community social workers and educators to integrate nature-based interventions, biophilia, and well-being into the larger ecosystem surrounding Villaggio Solidale, ensuring that the landscape will become a central tool to support community solidarity, health, and well-being.Item IMPROVING TREE CANOPY COVER WITHIN SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL FRONT YARDS AND THE CASE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TREES CASE STUDY: GALWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT(2023) Bentley, Daniel; Myers, David DM; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Trees contribute to many social and health benefits for citizens when trees areplanted appropriately and maintained into maturity. A healthy tree canopy cover layer should be enjoyed by all residents no matter their location or income level. While many communities and organizations have developed robust tree program and provide free trees, homeowners have difficulty imagining what mature trees might look like and what the benefits of the trees would be to them. This thesis strives to develop design methods to support homeowner decision-making for tree planting . A case study focused on the selected front yards of residential homes in the Galway Elementary School walk zone will be used to document these methods. The research is focused on how to demonstrate tree placement to homeowners, tree benefits and but also bring to their attention the opportunities offered to make the process simple and rewarding for the future of their children and the neighborhood.Item A Place in Public Space: Designing an Autism-Friendly Experience for Adults in Palmer Park(2023) Ada, Micaela; Sachs, Naomi A; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prevalence rates have nearly doubled every decade since the CDC began tracking this data in 2000. When these children come of age and enter adulthood, they face new milestones and challenges such as working, living away from the family home, and navigating the world with more autonomy. Design professions —including architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture— have progressively incorporated considerations for ASD into their spaces. Adult-specific, autism-friendly design guidelines existing today have honed in on improving workplace, home, and therapeutic environments. There is a noticeable gap in addressing landscapes made for the social and leisure aspects of life. To address this gap, this research design thesis focuses on implementing design interventions in Landover, MD’s Palmer Park Community Center outdoors space to create an autism-friendly space for adults seeking comfortable recreation opportunities.Item REVIVING CONNECTIONS: A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY OF THE ANACOSTIA RIVER AND CONNECT THE CITY TO ITS RIVER THROUGH SUSTAINABLE URBANISM(2023) Shah, Jainee Priyesh; Ellis, Christopher D; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)A very significant element of the city of Washington D.C. are its rivers. These rivers have been supporting the civilization around them for years. The Anacostia river has been subject to industrialization for centuries and it has been exposed to pollution mainly due to urban waste and storm water runoff. This pollution not only affects the water quality of the river but also impacts the nearby population, aquatic life and other species in many harmful ways. It is essential that development should take place considering the needs of people as well as the environment. Here, application of various green infrastructure techniques plays an important role in creating a balance. This thesis is an effort towards improving the water quality of the Anacostia River, reconnecting the city to its river and ensuring a healthy environment for humans and other dependent species.Item CREATING SPACE FOR NATURE RX AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES(2023) Smith, Marci-Ann; Sachs, Naomi A; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)With the rising trend of mental health issues among young adults, many colleges are trying to establish an approach to combat those issues for the well-being of their students. One such approach is Nature Rx. Nature Rx is a program that encourages people, sometimes with an actual prescription, to spend time in nature in order to relieve stress and improve overall health. Nature Rx is a holistic way of addressing mental issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression that are prevalent among college students. The evidence is strong that time spent in and engaging with nature can improve mental and physical health. Colleges like Cornell University and University of Maryland College Park are taking advantage of their existing beautiful landscape as part of their Nature Rx program to help their students. Other schools are implementing this program and providing spaces for their students to find reprieve from the stresses of studies. However, there is a gap in the presence of Nature Rx programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). To date, no HBCU has a nature Rx program. This project seeks to fill that gap by using the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU, as a case study to answer the following thesis question: “How could a Nature Rx design at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Historically Black College and University, benefit the health and well-being of its students?”Item ILLUMINATING PUBLIC SPACES THROUGH ARTFUL LIGHTING DESIGN: A RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSED ELEVATED SEAWALL ON STATEN ISLAND(2023) Shteinberg, Debra; Sullivan, Jack; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis explores the ways in which lighting can be used to create a memorable nocturnal experience that engages users and strengthens connections to their landscapes. Far more than functional, lighting is an art form that can be used to transform the very way we understand and experience our public spaces. Through the lens of lighting design, a redesign of the FDR Beach and Boardwalk is proposed in response to the building of the East Shore Seawall, a large-scale infrastructure project that will threaten the community’s ability to engage with this vital open space. Lighting is used to create spaces that allow for entertainment, education, and reflection, which will activate the site, providing legibility, enhance the nighttime experience, and create a sense of identity.