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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Environmental Studies

2021

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Design

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Firesafe: Designing For Fire-Resilient Communities In The American West, Brenden Baitch Jul 2021

Firesafe: Designing For Fire-Resilient Communities In The American West, Brenden Baitch

Masters Theses

The perception that wildfires are completely preventable has caused many structures and communities to be built in locations that will inevitably experience an uncontrollable fire event, risking human lives and infrastructure. Modification of built environments into fire-adapted communities has been explored in this thesis, through multiple strategies. Central to this analysis is the idea that sustainable human developments could adopt a form of biomimicry and indigenous design informed by the adaptions of plants, animals, and native groups that endure and even thrive with regular cycles of fire. This possibility has been assessed through the scope of fire adaptation strategies available …


Novel Urban Ecosystems: Opportunities From And To Landscape Architecture, Catarina Patoilo Teixeira, Cláudia Oliveira Fernandes, Jack Ahern Jan 2021

Novel Urban Ecosystems: Opportunities From And To Landscape Architecture, Catarina Patoilo Teixeira, Cláudia Oliveira Fernandes, Jack Ahern

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Faculty Publication Series

Novel assemblages of biotic, abiotic, and social components resulting from human-induced actions (e.g., climate change, land-use change, species movement) have been labeled as “Novel Ecosystems”, or “Novel Urban Ecosystems” when emerging in urban contexts. This concept has been shifting perspectives among some scientists and making them question traditional values about human-nature interactions in a rapidly changing era dominated by anthropogenic actions (Anthropocene). Controversial dimensions surrounding the Novel Ecosystems and Novel Urban Ecosystems terms may be preventing the evolution and further research of these concepts. The environmental problems that our society will soon face support a search for innovative solutions and …


Improving Access To Trails And Green Space: Brightwood Neighborhood, Springfield, Massachusetts, Gregory N. Poelker-Mckee, Alena Conrad, Cameron Joshua Holland, Eli Grigorian Jan 2021

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. …