RESTORING FLOODPLAIN FUNCTION: INTEGRATING ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, WATER QUALITY, AND HUMAN USE IN A PUBLIC PARK IN HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND

Abstract

Urban ecosystems and hydrologic function are impacted by urban development. Flooding and poor water quality persist in Mid-Atlantic communities due to impervious surfaces and disrupted hydrology. This thesis asks how landscape architects can restore ecological and hydrological function in a disturbed urban floodplain to improve waterquality, increase biodiversity, and support public stewardship. The study centers on a site in Hyattsville, Maryland, and develops a design proposal centered on a daylighted channel and multi-cell wetland system. Hydrologic modeling and ecological assessment are used to evaluate the project’s potential to slow, spread, and infiltrate stormwater, improve habitat complexity, and support more diverse native plant communities. The evidence suggests that restoring ecological and hydrological function through integrated stormwater and landscape design can improve environmental performance while creating visible, accessible spaces that encourage long-term care and stewardship.