DESIGNING WITH DEBRIS: ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR URBAN TIDAL RIVERS

Abstract

Urban tidal rivers, such as the Anacostia River in Southeast Washington D.C., continue to experience persistent accumulation of floating debris and nutrient pollution from both legacy contamination and ongoing urban runoff. This thesis examines how in-water ecological infrastructure can address these intertwined challenges by integrating debris management, water quality improvement, and public engagement strategies in a single framework. Through a review of debris monitoring methods, hybrid capture systems, and ecological precedents, this project explores how modular floating and shoreline-based interventions can function as debris sorting systems that highlight natural riverine processes. Located in Southeast Washington D.C., the design reinterprets floating litter and woody debris accumulation along shoreline edges not as a sign of neglect, but as an opportunity for nutrient interception, habitat formation, and increased public stewardship. In doing so, the project proposes a model for urban waterfront resilience in which debris-responsive infrastructure contributes to both ecological restoration and civic engagement.