Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Cooked Nature: What Three Classic Books On The American Lawn Can Tell Us About Our Current Struggle To Mitigate Climate Change, Gregory N. Poelker-Mckee

Student Showcase

My essay, “Cooked Nature: What Three Classic Books on the American Lawn Can Tell Us About Our Current Struggle to Mitigate Climate Change,” attempts to explain the dissonance between our collective desire for sustainability and our inability to reduce our own carbon footprints. Through the history of the American lawn, one can learn how culture and industry have shaped the landscape of our country, and how they continue to shape our lives today.

This paper grew out of my lifelong confusion regarding our lawns. Why do they exist? Why is it often expected that they be perfectly green year-round? Why …

Improving Access To Trails And Green Space: Brightwood Neighborhood, Springfield, Massachusetts, Gregory N. Poelker-Mckee, Alena Conrad, Cameron Joshua Holland, Eli Grigorian

Student Showcase

Accessibility has been an issue with the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway (River Walk) since its completion in 2003. Our project focuses on designing better connections between this Springfield, MA rail trail and the local environmental justice communities it is meant to serve. As a team of four undergraduate design students, we have spent three months conducting a comprehensive research study on the trail. Ultimately, we will be turning over our research to the Appalachian Mountain Club which intends to use it for reference in their efforts to secure funding for improving River Walk access in the city of Springfield. …