College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/1598
The collections in this community comprise faculty research works, as well as graduate theses and dissertations.
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Item ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE ON URBAN RESIDENTIAL STREETS BY CREATING PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND TREES(2019) PARKER, PAMELA; Ellis, Christopher; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Lower income urban rowhouse neighborhoods are often treeless with only narrow sidewalks separating the front door from the street. This thesis explores the opportunity to capitalize on the predicted shift from private automobile ownership to fleets of autonomous vehicles and the subsequent significant drop in parking demand. Space previously designated as parking lanes can be converted into continuous tree planting strips and social spaces along inner-city residential streets. In this thesis, I propose three streetscape models utilizing the space no longer needed for parking: 1) the James Street Private Model that designs a 10’ wide continuous tree planting strip, allowing trees, gardens and patios to be installed along the foot of the rowhouse steps; 2) the James Street Public Model that creates the same tree strip design but positions it between the sidewalk and the street; and 3) the Shared Street Model, set along a narrower alley street, that forms a meandering road shared with pedestrians, public spaces and trees. These streetscape improvements directly address the quality of life of the residents by enhancing their safety and security, physical surroundings, social relations and health.Item ECO-HABITATS - USING ECOLOGICAL DESIGN FOR AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE HABITATS ON GOLF COURSES: CASE STUDY AT LANGSTON GOLF COURSE, WASHINGTON, D.C.(2019) Simpson, Lotoia; Myers, David N; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Habitat restoration is useful to address the loss of amphibian and reptile habitats in the built environment. Golf courses provide the opportunity to implement best management practices and best development practices features to improve habitats for amphibians and reptiles. In addition, golf courses, through creative programming offer opportunities to provide education about amphibians and reptiles. This research project focuses on the application of vernal pools and regenerative stream conveyance (RSC) interventions for Langston Golf Course, a historically designated golf course in Washington, D.C. In addition, the implementation of additional programming allows for educational opportunities about amphibians and reptiles for expanded variety of users beyond golfers.Item EXPERIENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR EDUCATION: OXON RUN PARK AS A REGIONAL EDUCATION RESOURCE(2019) Ferguson, Katherine; Chanse, Victoria; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This design-research thesis explores the educational benefits of outdoor experiential learning for children, particularly in urban areas, and proposes a redesign of a 100-acre urban park to serve as an educational resource. This thesis first develops a theoretical framework based on research that nature can have restorative effects on attention that improve learning and behavior (Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008; Kaplan, 1995; Matsuoka, 2010). The focus of this thesis is Oxon Run Park located in Southeast Washington, DC. The proposed redesign includes educational spaces that can be visited and experienced by the local community or school classes, while focus areas at targeted locations concentrate educational resources that can enhance classroom learning. The research and redesign of Oxon Run Park addresses the question of how public spaces can be designed to serve as educational resources.Item Westport Waterfront: An Alternative Approach to Post-Industrial Rejuvenation in Baltimore(2019) Zhang, Keren; Sullivan, Jack; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Abandoned post-industrial sites are often seen as a representation of pollution and desolation. The neighborhoods near these sites, which no longer employ the local citizenry, often struggle with crime, unemployment and decaying residential and commercial properties. Nevertheless, post-industrial sites can contain some of the most interesting histories of the city and should be viewed as an opportunity for the local community to redevelop with meaning and purpose in a sustainable way. Like many post-industrial area, the Westport neighborhood in Baltimore struggles with crime, unemployment, housing abandonment and a lack of commercial properties, and is redesigned in thesis to explore how post-industrial site redevelopment can reconnect residents with waterfront and revive communities. This thesis will explore the options for establishing an equitable, viable and productive community that contributes to the well-being of the existing population through the reuse of the post-industrial waterfront property.Item RETHINKING THE ROLE OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ON CAMPUS IN COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND(2018) Collier, Nathan; Chanse, Victoria; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)As part of an intense effort to clean up the Anacostia River and the Chesapeake Bay region, the Maryland Department of Environment will soon enforce new policies to increase the treatment of impervious areas. The University of Maryland’s College Park campus needs to identify potential projects in order to meet the pending stormwater regulations as part of the new municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) permit for UM-CP. This thesis investigates retrofits a poorly maintained stormwater pond that has maintained itself as a wetland. The 4.89-acre site is located in the north part of campus is a part of the Anacostia watershed and includes the pond, two parking lots, and a wet swale. This thesis proposes a stormwater retrofit that includes various state acceptable BMPs including: a constructed wetland, mirco-bioretentions, pervious concrete, and a bio-swale. The BMPs forms a treatment train that reducing runoff by 7%, capturing and treating 113% of a one-year storm of 2.63 inches. This redesign that would provide a range of environmental, recreational, and educational services. While the proposal is site-specific, the model can be adaptable for retrofitting centralized stormwater facilities and by other college campuses within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.Item THE SURVIVORS’ MONUMENT: AN EMPOWERING AND HEALING LANDSCAPE FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND THEIR SUPPORTERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND(2018) Robinson, Laura Katherine; Kweon, Byoung-Suk; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This design investigation explores the duality of landscape architecture to be both a tool for healing survivors of sexual violence and a mechanism for spreading awareness to the general population at the University of Maryland. To design the site, a literature review of healing gardens and case studies were undertaken to uncover the parameters for successfully designing with the restorative properties of nature and healing garden techniques. To understand how to apply this research to redesign the site, Morrill Quad was inventoried and analyzed. The result is a space where awareness and restorative elements are merged to promote the healing of individuals and the community. By utilizing the restorative qualities of nature with healing garden design techniques, the space creates opportunities for stress reduction and mental restoration for all users. The concept of a monument is re-imagined from one object symbolizing an event or person to an entire space representing a movement and those that support it. This monument space serves as an educational piece, a place to embody survivors’ voices, and a restorative environment for survivors and students.Item DESIGNING NEIGHBORHOODS FOR ACTIVE LIVING: THROUGH TRAIL AND TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT(2018) Dalal, Avantika; Myers, David; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Trail and Transit Oriented Development is a new neighborhood planning and design concept. Trail and transit-oriented developments are high-density, mixed-use communities around public transit stations connected by trails (off-road shared use paths) and a dense network of pedestrian-friendly streets. This concept addresses the lack of pedestrian and bike-friendly design often characterized by suburban sprawl and the resultant lack of physical activity characterized by Americans. Car dependent suburban development promotes sedentary lifestyles. On the other hand, walkable and bike-friendly communities provide opportunities for active living. Neighborhoods designed with the concept of Trail and Transit Oriented Development have a network of trails connecting public amenities, major destinations, new development, and existing neighborhoods. This research project focuses on applying trail and transit-oriented design and planning principles to the Long Branch Sector Plan. There are two proposed Purple Line light rail stops within the boundary of Long Branch Sector. The proposed design provides an increase in trail length and connectivity. It creates a built environment for active living by creating opportunities for walking and bicycling in everyday life.Item TRANSFORMING ECOLOGICALLY DEFICIENT ROADSIDE GREENSPACE INTO QUALITY POLLINATOR HABITAT(2018) Franklin, Joshua; Kweon, Byoung-Suk; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This paper discusses preeminent ecological issues attributable to human development which negatively affect pollinator population sizes and diversity, and suggests design solutions to mitigate them. Under particular scrutiny is the perpetuation of monoculture landscapes. The problems with this ubiquitous practice include increased pesticide and herbicide use, lack of habitat and forage for pollinators, and reduced soil quality. In an effort to attenuate these threats, this thesis proposes two redesigns of University of Maryland campus lawn spaces into designed native plant communities. In these designs, native plants have been arranged in ways that reduce maintenance and provide ecological benefits by considering the unique roles each of them fill in their natural environment. Other strategies, such as defining borders around the habitat and placing smaller plants near the edges, were also implemented in order to positively influence the public’s view of these more naturalized designed systems and encourage adoption.Item REGENERATIVE STORMWATER CONVEYANCE: TECHNIQUES TO WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP & TURNING STORMWATER LIABILITIES INTO AMENITIES(2018) Zerfas, Matthew; Kweon, Byoung-Suk; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance (RSC) is a moderately new best management practice primarily implemented in the mid-Atlantic region. This thesis documents the proposed design of an RSC at Parkdale High School in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region. A degraded channel with incised banks between 9 to 12 feet in height was found on site. This stormwater channel runs for 160 feet and has a contributing catchment of 17.2 acres. The proposed RSC was designed to stabilize the channel banks, and create a stable channel profile. The runoff storage volume was calculated to be 4523.1 ft3 total which would treat a runoff volume of 0.24”. This equates to 32% TN, 37% TP and 40% TSS removal. The design provides a viewing area with a photo point and bank pin that would provide an opportunity for students and teachers to assist in visually documenting sediment deposition and geomorphological changes that may occur.Item Choreographing a Greenway: Exploring Experiential Diversity Through Choreographic Dance Principles(2018) Ren, Jennifer; Ellis, Christopher; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Successful parks provide a rich assortment of experiences that stimulate the body, senses, and emotions. Another way to describe this quality is the term experiential diversity. While experiential diversity is rarely addressed explicitly in typical greenway designs, its implementation is vitally important in order to increase engagement and activate space. The Anacostia riverfront in Washington, D.C. suffers from a severe lack of experiential diversity and is redesigned in this thesis to explore how experiential diversity can enhance greenway design using choreographic dance principles. Many dance principles can be applied to design. By approaching park design as a choreographer of dance, a designer can focus on the human experiences –how materiality and the environment influence movement, senses, and emotions. This thesis demonstrates how dance can be successfully translated into the landscape, and how choreographic dance principles are helpful tools for creating a diverse and engaging landscape composition.