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Detailed Cost Estimation For Landscape Architecture: An Indicator Of Final Construction Costs In The Dfw Metropolitan Area, Charles L. Shy Sr.

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

This thesis uses quantitative research methods to study detailed cost estimating to determine how accurately this estimating procedure helps landscape architects forecast construction costs in the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Specifically, this study seeks to determine the benefits for landscape architects in providing detailed cost estimates to their clients as a deliverable during the design process. Considering how accurate forecasts of construction costs could be used to meet clients' budget expectations more effectively, this is an important field of study for landscape architecture. By evaluating the construction documents costs for each of the study's landscapes, the research determines whether …

Detailed Cost Estimation For Landscape Architecture: An Indicator Of Final Construction Costs In The Dfw Metropolitan Area, Shy Sr. Charles L.

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

This thesis uses quantitative research methods to study detailed cost estimating to determine how accurately this estimating procedure helps landscape architects forecast construction costs in the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Specifically, this study seeks to determine the benefits for landscape architects in providing detailed cost estimates to their clients as a deliverable during the design process. Considering how accurate forecasts of construction costs could be used to meet clients' budget expectations more effectively, this is an important field of study for landscape architecture. By evaluating the construction documents costs for each of the study's landscapes, the research determines whether …

Perceptions Of Thermal Comfort: Landscape Design Attributes Based On The Shops At La Cantera In San Antonio, Texas, Krishan Patel

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

The focus of this thesis was to understand people’s perceptions of thermal comfort. Understanding design attributes that affect thermal comfort in outdoor spaces is necessary, as it will have a major influence on the design of urban outdoor spaces (Nikolopoulou and Steemers, 2003). The research will have great implications on the field of landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, and planning, Indoor malls are no longer being built. The trend is moving towards lifestyle centers. Lifestyle centers offer an experience that can’t be replicated by indoor malls. Lifestyle centers are open to the sky and as a result, they are exposed …

Community Perceptions Of Golf Course Landscapes: Lessons Learned From Arlington, Texas Case Studies, Jon-Michael Clothier

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify the resident perceptions of golf course landscapes in communities around golf courses within Arlington, Texas. It specifically focuses on the residents’ feelings evoked by the golf course landscapes as well as any impact to the residents’ lives outside of actually playing golf. The study seeks to find connections between traditional golf course design and urban design around the edges of golf courses extending outward to the surrounding communities. The physical relationships between golf courses with their surrounding communities vary. Especially in suburban settings, there is a strong connection between the course and …

Perceptions Of Thermal Comfort: Landscape Design Attributes Based On The Shops At La Cantera In San Antonio, Texas, Krishan Patel

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

The focus of this thesis was to understand people’s perceptions of thermal comfort. Understanding design attributes that affect thermal comfort in outdoor spaces is necessary, as it will have a major influence on the design of urban outdoor spaces (Nikolopoulou and Steemers, 2003). The research will have great implications on the field of landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, and planning, Indoor malls are no longer being built. The trend is moving towards lifestyle centers. Lifestyle centers offer an experience that can’t be replicated by indoor malls. Lifestyle centers are open to the sky and as a result, they are exposed …

Community Perceptions Of Golf Course Landscapes: Lessons Learned From Arlington, Texas Case Studies, Jon-Michael Clothier

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify the resident perceptions of golf course landscapes in communities around golf courses within Arlington, Texas. It specifically focuses on the residents’ feelings evoked by the golf course landscapes as well as any impact to the residents’ lives outside of actually playing golf. The study seeks to find connections between traditional golf course design and urban design around the edges of golf courses extending outward to the surrounding communities. The physical relationships between golf courses with their surrounding communities vary. Especially in suburban settings, there is a strong connection between the course and …

Community Identity: Place And The South Knoxville Waterfront, Nicholas Joseph Burger

Masters Theses

“With the loss of tactility and the scale and details crafted for the human body and hand, our structures become repulsively flat, sharp-edged, immaterial, and unreal” (Holl 29). Our built environment is full of constructs which are unsuccessful on a number of levels proving why it is critical to concentrate on a sense of place and identity. A great place is described as one where people gravitate towards, a place for everyone, something that is memorable, and a space which evokes a story (Placemaking Is...). South Knoxville, Tennessee, the selected site of this thesis, will test the concept of place …

Aesthetics And Performance Evaluation Of Post-Industrial Public Parks, Adel C. Vaughn

Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

Post-Industrial sites are often un-utilized and deserted places that are an aesthetic, social, ecological, and physical hindrance to the realm of the cities in which they lie, however they possess enormous potential. With respectful and transformative design, these new public parks gain a variety of benefits that extend well beyond the typical benefits exhibited by public parks due to their rich history, fascinating existing structures, high levels of visual and sensorial stimulation, one-of-a-kind traits, and opportunity for impactful change. By evaluating these post-industrial public parks, knowledge can be gained about what specific elements in the landscape contribute to their overall …

Stream Of Change: An Urban Stream Resurgence Through A Water-Centric Approach To Redevelopment, Jessica Graydon Taylor

Masters Theses

The relationship between cities and streams has historically been one of conflict. Streams are dynamic systems that do not conform to the rigid physical boundaries that characterize urban development. Past solutions to adapt streams to the urban landscape included altering stream paths and confining them to concrete channels and pipes to control localized flooding so that valuable land could be used for the construction of buildings and infrastructure. The increase in impervious cover and the rapid conveyance of stormwater to receiving streams typical to urban development has resulted in the “urban stream syndrome”, a consistently observed ecological degradation (Walsh et …

Stream Daylighting Restoration As Green Infrastructure: A Visual Preference Survey For The Future Revitalization Of Dallas' Mill Creek, Ryan Matthew Brown

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

The purpose of this research is to study the visual design elements of stream daylighting through a visual preference survey and apply them to a site along the Mill Creek flowline in Dallas, Texas. This research begins with a study on identifying a specific site location within the Mill Creek watershed. From that study, a visual preference survey determined which visual design elements of stream daylighting were found to be the most desirable. The most desirable visual design elements were then used to digitally depict a suggested stream daylighting outcome through the use of before and after images of the …

Stream Daylighting Restoration As Green Infrastructure: A Visual Preference Survey For The Future Revitalization Of Dallas' Mill Creek, Ryan Matthew Brown

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

The purpose of this research is to study the visual design elements of stream daylighting through a visual preference survey and apply them to a site along the Mill Creek flowline in Dallas, Texas. This research begins with a study on identifying a specific site location within the Mill Creek watershed. From that study, a visual preference survey determined which visual design elements of stream daylighting were found to be the most desirable. The most desirable visual design elements were then used to digitally depict a suggested stream daylighting outcome through the use of before and after images of the …

Hidden In Plain Sight: Tehran's Empowering Protean Spaces, Sara Khorshidifard

Sara Khorshidifard

As a recent citizen I noticed Tehran's urge for new kinds of public spaces. So, I initiated a dissertation that outlined a call for "protean space." Cities need protean spaces as a means to empower people, places that offer social interaction and support--spaces that are safe, accessible, and intriguing. Protean spaces empower people to create places for personal and interpersonal relationships, make social connections, gain information, and build trust across varied networks. My dissertation examined how planning and design practices can enhance the possibility of protean spaces and therefore increase their number. While my research concerns Tehran, all cities benefit …

Umass Amherst Green Building Guidelines 2013, Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, Ted Mendoza, Ezra Small, Patricia O'Flaherty, Nariman Mostafavi, Mohamed Farzinmoghadam, Somayeh Tabatabaee Pozveh

Ludmilla D Pavlova

Facilities & Campus Services, Sustainable UMass and Campus Planning support sustainability and energy conservation initiatives by providing in-house resources to campus staff as well as designers and contractors working with the University. The UMass Amherst Green Building Guidelines provide a framework for approaching new construction and major renovation projects at UMass Amherst that are undergoing LEED certification by focusing the conversation on green building aspects that are most important to the campus. They are intended to be the beginning of a dynamic conversation between designers, environmental consultants and constructors, university stakeholders, and users of new high performance buildings.

Umass Amherst Campus Master Plan Sustainability Chapter, Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, Nariman Mostafavi, Mohamad Farzinmoghadam, Kylie A. Landrey, Somayeh Tabatabaee Pozveh, Ezra Small, Ted Mendoza, Jason J. Burbank, Robert Ryan, Dennis Swinford, Niels La Cour, Alexander Stepanov

Ludmilla D Pavlova

The UMass Amherst Campus Master Plan Sustainability Chapter articulates the manner in which the Campus Master Plan 2012 principles translate into specific recommendations for campus systems development in support of future smart growth. It summarizes the current physical campus-scale planning projects that Facilities & Campus Services have completed during and after the Master Plan process, and incorporates other operational and educational initiatives that have engaged our campus community as we plan for sustainability. The CMP Chapter is organized in three major sections: i) sustainability overview; ii) campus master plan systems; iii) current initiatives; and iv) next steps. The first section …

Know Tommorrow Brown University Poster, Shepard Fairey, Risd Archives

Ecology and Environment

Poster for Brown University student event to demand action to counter climate change. "Brown emPOWER is joining dozens of colleges across the country for Know Tomorrow, a national day of action to raise awareness about climate change and its consequences. 2015 is the year for climate action as world leaders meet for the UN climate talks in Paris to sign a global agreement on climate. On October 2nd, join us for an evening of live music, engaging speakers, and environmental action on the Main Green at Brown University! Featuring: Kerry Kennedy, What Cheer? Brigade, Voces Verdes- Latino Leadership in …

Planning A Greenway Network For The “Impressions From A Lost World” Exhibit, Kellie Fenton, Tasuku Kamei, Yue Li, Yanhua Lu, Maozhu Mao, Emilie Marques Jordao, James Prendergast, Michalagh C. Stoddard, Ruoying Tang, Jing Wang, Nelle Katharine Ward, Yuqing Yang, Yi Yang, Yu Yu

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Studio and Student Research and Creative Activity

This report describes a proposed multi-modal greenway network that links dinosaur-related sites in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The study conducted by the fall 2015 MLA studio at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst included assessment and design work at regional, sub-regional, and site scales. The proposed Dinosaur Trail Project greenway network was designed to incorporate the goals of the client, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, a historical and cultural organization based in Deerfield, Massachusetts. The project will help preserve, interpret, and highlight the rich history of dinosaur track discovery in the region for future generations.

Open Space & Food Access In The City Of Chicopee, Madison M. Burke, Angelica L. Carey, Nicholas M. Fournier, Marika Kopp, Amanda M. Lipson, Jennifer M. Pacacha, Shannon M. Rice-Nicols

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Studio and Student Research and Creative Activity

The goal of the Master of Regional Planning Studio is to develop a student’s techniques for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing spatial and non-spatial data and then presenting that collective data in a manner (i.e., report, video, presentation, and charettes) that is understandable to academics, professionals, and the public. Planning Studio allows students to integrate knowledge from coursework and research, and apply such knowledge to resolving representative planning problems. At UMASS Amherst, these problems are found in neighborhood, rural, urban, and/or regional settings.

In the fall of 2015, the City of Chicopee contracted the MRP Studio to create a vision plan …

Routes To The Renaissance For Pittsfield, Ma, Nicholas A. Armata, Laura Caughlan, Ross C. Kahn, Leonard M. Kendall, Sarah Lang, Tiffany Leung, Christopher Mcgoldrick, Stephen Meno

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Studio and Student Research and Creative Activity

The goal of the Master of Regional Planning Studio is to develop a student’s techniques for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing spatial and non-spatial data and then presenting that collective data in a manner (i.e., report, video, presentation, and charettes) that is understandable to academics, professionals, and the public. Planning Studio allows students to integrate knowledge from coursework and research, and apply such knowledge to resolving representative planning problems. At UMASS Amherst, these problems are found in neighborhood, rural, urban, and/or regional settings.

In the fall of 2015, the City of Pittsfield contracted the MRP Studio to create a vision plan …

Climbing The Adaptation Planning Ladder: Barriers And Enablers In Municipal Planning, Elisabeth M. Hamin, Nicole Gurran

Elisabeth M. Hamin

Local municipal governments have a crucial role in helping communities adapt to climate change. Recognizing different levels of climate preparedness, this chapter analyzes what steps communities tend to follow when they move forward on climate adaptation, including prerequisites for planning and the selection of policies. Drawing on content analyses of local climate adaptation plans from the United States (US) and Australia, as well as interviews with municipal planners in both nations, the chapter explores the adaptation policy choices communities are making and explains the range of strategies local governments have used to move forward on a ‘ladder’ of climate adaptation, …

Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter (Fall 2015), Cheryl Stevens, Dean

Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Creating The West Gate Entrance: Erosion And Water Quality Solutions For The University Of Massachusetts – Amherst Campus, Nathan A. Frazee

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

The impacts of development have degraded the Tan Brook to the point that water pollution and flooding issues are affecting residents and the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus as well as the adjacent Mill River Watershed. Water quality measurements indicate high levels of conductivity possibly due to winter salting. This proposed design solution includes a vegetated swale that integrates sand filters and bioretention basins. These applications within the design could reduce erosion issues and improve water quality while providing students, faculty, and staff a location for educational purposes, recreation, and respite. By embracing innovative and aesthetic solutions, the West Gate …

Ecoscience + Art Initiative: Designing A New Paradigm For College Education, Scholarship, And Service, Changwoo Ahn

The STEAM Journal

The paper presents a new initiative, EcoScience + Art, which blooms at George Mason University. The creator explains the background, history, and recent activities of the initiative, and also introduces an on-going special project called “The Rain Project”, a student participatory project to design, construct, and monitor a green infrastructure (i.e., floating wetland) for sustainable stormwater management on campus. The special project is geared to design and present a new paradigm to integrate college education, scholarship, and service. The relevance of the initiative and the special project to STEAM education is discussed.

The Sacred Art Of Labyrinth Design: Optimization Of A Liminal Aesthetic, Yadina Z. Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper provides an overview of both practical and esoteric elements that inform the labyrinth design process and touches on the physiological and psychological effects of meditative walking. In addition to new installations, some other outcomes that have resulted from this research include an interactive online map of over 200 labyrinths in New England and two simple formulas for accurately calculating the path length of both 3- and 7-circuit Classical labyrinths.

Labyrinths, in their true, non-maze forms, have existed for thousands of years in numerous places around the world and there are similarities in the designs and uses of these …

Forgotten Infrastructure: The Future Of The Industrial Mundane, Whitney Ann Manahan

Masters Theses

The typical cycle of industrial use, disuse, and abandonment is no longer acceptable or feasible. This thesis investigates phased remediation and conversion of petrochemical structures and their respective sites with the intention of increasing both the socioeconomic vitality and environmental quality of the area.

The oil silo is an intriguing object and industrial artifact. Being close to one of these massive structures is captivating and there is something truly exciting and thought provoking about inhabiting a space that was clearly not meant for humans. These are qualities that provide opportunities to connect people with a site and create a place …

Layers Of Staro Sajmište [Re]Opening Dialog, Jared Samuel Wilkins

Masters Theses

This research analyzes and tests the application of a process driven memorial intervention on the contested territory of Staro Sajmište, Novi Belgrade’s former 1937 International Exposition Fairgrounds that was adapted into a concentration camp in 1941. Today, Staro Sajmište exists as makeshift living for an impoverished community. Traditional memorial and conservation efforts have been attempted on the site over the last 60 years; however, none have achieved an appropriate depth of impact. I propose to revisit Staro Sajmište through an intervention not recognized as a literal memorial, but rather as the transformation and re-appropriation of the urban fabric into an …

Constructing Terroir: Architectural Mitigation In Mono-Economies At Risk To Climate Change, Geneva Margaret Hill

Masters Theses

Climate change will have enormous implications for the future of architecture and design at all scales. Architectural discourse has recently focused mainly on preparing major cities to become the future sustainable centers of living for the world. Little has been discussed, however, about the future of smaller communities on the periphery and the implications of their loss to the diverse American cultural landscape.

Napa Valley contains many communities threatened by a changing climate. Napa Valley plays a major role in America’s culture as the heart of American winemaking. The success in Napa Valley wine is deeply rooted to the soil. …

The Relationship Between Park Characteristics And Human Social Behavior: Learning From Main Street Garden In Dallas, Texas, Junjie He

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

The objective of this thesis is to study the relationship between park characteristics and human social behavior in Main Street Garden Park in Dallas. Whyte highlights several characteristics that promote the successful use of urban spaces: sitting space, nature, concessions, pathways, and triangulation (Whyte 1980). The ways in which these five characteristics influence human social behavior is the focus of this thesis. The aspects of human social behavior studied in this thesis are the proportions of couples, women, children, and pet-owners; usage times; self-congestion, meaning the amount and location of new interaction; and individualism. Using Main Street Garden in downtown …

Complete Streets Design Elements And Their Impact On Travel Behavior: Learning From The Bagby Street Reconstruction In Houston, Tx, Alexandra T. Tracz

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

There are several studies linking travel behavior to various other topics within urban design but none directly examine Complete Streets. This travel behavior study is significant in that it looks at specific streetscape design features rather than studying density or land use of a particular area. This research examines if and how travel behavior is influenced by specific design elements on Complete Streets using Bagby Street Reconstruction in Houston, Texas as a case study. Bagby Street Reconstruction is one of the first Complete Streets projects in Houston completed by Design Workshop and Walter P Moore. The project is a section …

Study Of Environmental Variables Affecting Walkability: Learning From Main Street In Downtown Fort Worth, Xitong Li

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

Walking has widely been considered by researchers to be important for physical health and a key to increasing social interactions in the local community (Layden, 2003), as well as a mode of transportation in such an era of high fossil fuel price (Maibach, 2009). The negative effects of low-density, automobile-dependent, segregated-use patterns of land and transportation systems typical of postwar suburban development are attracting public health attention. As a result, more designers and urban planners are beginning to take the concept of "walkable design" into consideration in their projects. In order to promote walking activity in terms of urban design, …

Restraints On Design: Adventure Playgrounds And Landscape Architecture, Karen Teague

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

This thesis examines minimally designed adventure playgrounds, what landscape architects, landscape designers and educators think about this type of play space and if it could become a larger part of the American play inventory. It also explores the roles landscape architects have in designing these play areas while still allowing the intended users, the children, to take a lead design role and attain the intended benefits of the space. To do this, this study explores the origins of adventure playgrounds, their ability to develop in the United States, and how landscape architects are involved in this process. Landscape architects, designers …