Architecture Commons^™

Creating A Successful Wayfinding System: Lessons Learned From Springfield, Massachusetts, Yanhua Lu

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

The masters project presents findings from recent work the author completed related to wayfinding, and wayfinding systems. This work began as part of a graduate urban design studio, followed by work as a research assistant at the UMass Design Center in Springfield, on a new “demonstration” wayfinding system installed in Springfield, Massachusetts. The wayfinding project was done in association with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Springfield Office of Planning and Community Development, was implemented with the main goals of improving public health by encouraging more people to walk.

Wayfinding systems are increasingly seen as an important part of …

Increasing Urban Biodiversity In Springfield, Ma By Restoring The Native Floodplain Plant Community Along The Connecticut River, Keith W. Hannon

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

The purpose of this project was to increase urban biodiversity by restoring the native floodplain plant communities along the Connecticut River at the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC). Restoring or designing native plant communities is an important design alternative to the typical design methods of using non-native plant species and mono-culture plant palettes. Restoring a native plant community at the PVRC will allow the landscape to function once more as usable habitat for wildlife and native plants, encourage the natural succession of native plants, and become a more resilient landscape that can better withstand ecological changes caused by various factors …

Cultivating A Common Ground: Community Gardens As Urban Infill In Springfield, Massachusetts, Christopher J. Jennette

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

Vacancy, as an actor in our urban landscapes, is growing in importance. As the realities of post-industrialism are making themselves ever clearer in many cities across the country, issues of vacancy are becoming of paramount concern. After all, if the density and centrality characteristic of traditional urban form are the result of forces of production and industrialization, then forces of de-industrialization could be said to have a set of equal, yet opposite results. For many post-industrial cities, these results include job and population losses, and an increase in vacant and abandoned land. The situation has only been worsened by the …

Main Street Revitalization Master Plan - Memorial Square, Springfield, Ma, Ignacio F. Campillo

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

Chapter I is an introduction to urban problems, urban revitalization, and current tendencies in urban revitalization. This chapter also mentions the situation of cities in Massachusetts and the case of the city of Springfield and its neighborhood Memorial Square. Chapter II explains the goals and objectives for this project. Chapter III is the literature review of those areas that are pertinet to review for this kind of project. Chapter IV includes case studies that are significant to this kind of project, and bring relevant findings that help to see ways the project can take shape. Chapter V briefly explains the …