In this study, the terms that define a Rural Historic Landscape were examined. The examination of these terms determined the selection of the appropriate terms to identify the landscape of a Rural Historic Landscape. A case study of the Historic District of Mendocino, California was used to review the effectiveness of the landscape terms. The identified landscape elements in and around the Historic District were then evaluated using the National Register of Historic Places Standards. The result of the evaluation was the determination that a Rural Historic Landscape does exist separately from the Historic District as a landscape but a complete Rural Historic Landscape does exist with the inclusion of the Historic District. The results of this study are the creation of a template of landscape terms for identifying the existence of Rural Historic Landscapes in conjunction with places designated as historically significant that is applicable at a local, state and national level and a verification that a Rural Historic Landscape.

This project presents an unconventional approach to an innovative design process. The thesis relates the challenges of adapting to the design studio environment. The author describes a personal journey into the design process, resulting from research and study of specific designers who have had high impact on the new creative approach to landscape design. The insight and knowledge gained from this search was instrumental in the evolutional process of design, incorporating a universal technique. The resultant process was then applied to a case study and evaluated for merit. The measure of a designer ultimately becomes the work he produces.

The term gateways has been used in many contexts as a means of providing entry or connection. Gateways are where people congregate to leave a realm of familiarity to one of uncertainty and adventure. They can also mark the entrance into an area of interest. Gateways may have a significant impact on an individuals impression of a particular destination. This thesis provides arguments for using boating gateways into the Atchafalaya Basin (AB) region as the basis for a recreational framework that encompasses eight parishes. A common theme that exists in all eight AB parishes is their boat launches. They represent public access points or gateways into the forested wetlands that identify the Basin. These gateways can have a significant consequence on visitor impression. Research on human environmental preferences justifies the preference for these boat launch settings. A framework is then constructed on the basis of these settings by applying organizational principles employed by Kevin Lynch. This organization facilitates human functioning within an environment. The framework will be offered as a proposal for updating the 1999 State Master Plan (SMP) for the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System (ABFS). A series of maps designed from color infrared aerial photographs will communicate the boat launch data to address arguments posed by Lynch and the preference studies. Vector and satellite maps will illustrate the framework within the eight parishes.

Driven by the accumulation of vacated buildings along with the need to reconstruct vacant urban areas and neighborhoods, the need to establish infill as the primary means of development in the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area is apparent. As suburban tendencies have increased, the core of our city has diminished. The principles of smart growth and infill development have been created in response these very problems. The methods have proven successful nationwide, but is the process feasible in Baton Rouge area? The answer to this very question goes well beyond yes or no. Many variables must be evaluated; the positives and negatives associated with infill and suburban development, the growth trends of Baton Rouge, and a relative cost comparison. This research paper plans to establish an up to date comparison of development costs in the Baton Rouge area through a comparative cost study of suburban and infill development sites. It is the belief of this author that the economic as well social positives associated with the use of vacant or underutilized land with existing infrastructure will outweigh the positives associated with suburban development. This comparison can be utilized as an effective tool for developers when analyzing future development sites in Baton Rouge. If proven more beneficial, infill development could become a valuable tool in the establishment of smart growth principles as a basis and standard of development. Through channeling the actions of developers and our communities, not only will economic sense be made, but also community neighborhoods will once again be established as the backbone of our growing society.

This is a treatise on an attempt to translate a concept -- the driving principle of a design in the parlance of the design studios at the Louisiana State University School of Landscape Architecture -- into practice, form and function. If form follows function, as states the oft quoted proverb of design credited to Louis Sullivan, then perhaps as much attention should be given to the design of the function as the form. What this treatise will demonstrate is that function designed around a concept can result in physical manifestations, or forms, of that concept. In this case a concept was applied to a community development project. The project in turn created physical manifestations of the concept. The focus of this work is on a project begun in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The concept underlying the Baton Rouge project was to use active stewardship of the land and its people as a means of promoting economic and community development. This concept was put into practice through the creation of the Baton Rouge Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance, or BREADA, the function of which is to foster stewardship of land and community. Among the most evident forms borne of the concept and BREADA are the Red Stick Farmers' Market, the community garden project, and the recently-created Main Street Market in downtown Baton Rouge. Examination of the Baton Rouge project lead to a second premise. The concept that drives the design of the function and form can also guide the creation of the conditions necessary to produce the desired function and form. This includes such seemingly mundane aspects of a project's creation as how it is organized, funded, administered, evaluated, and staffed.

Since the end of World War II, many American cities have seen an outward migration from their core into open spaces along the citys edge. The urban/suburban sprawl phenomenon not only affects urban cores but the rural lands and open spaces surrounding them. As landscape architects, we study humans and their interactions with the environment and have an important position in making informed decisions about issues of sprawl and unmitigated growth in communities. This study was conducted to provide city and parish officials and planning boards with options for beneficial growth in St. Landry Parish, a rural parish in south central Louisiana. A study of Smart Growth and its ten principles was completed. Also, three areas Lancaster County Pennsylvania, Talbot County Maryland and the Wasatch Area in Utah - were examined for comparison and insight on how suburban sprawl had been mitigated in their communities. Recommendations for a comprehensive growth plan in St. Landry Parish were made based on the analysis of Smart Growth principles and case studies. It was determined that three Smart Growth principles would benefit the rural character and sense of place in St. Landry Parish. The principles were (1) preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas (2) strengthen and direct development towards existing communities and (3) foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place. Community involvement in the planning process and the establishment of community vision and goals were highly encouraged. Smart Growth can be used as a step stone in the planning process for St. Landry Parish.

This study used a post occupancy evaluation to assess the impact of an existing hospital garden on its users. Previous studies of hospital gardens have been of passive garden use. This study addressed gardens including physical therapy, while also considering the emotional, spiritual, and social aspects. The POE included behavioral observation, interviews with the designer and lead therapist, a staff survey, and a patient questionnaire. In light of historical information and contemporary theory, the results revealed issues to be addressed in the design process of future healing gardens, specifically those including physical therapy. The major issues included: the need for research of similar gardens when designing new ones and the consideration of all users in the design process, visibility of the garden from indoors and a strong indoor outdoor connection, provisions for inclement weather, accessibility, thoughtful plantings, careful maintenance, and volunteer support. These issues and contemporary theories were used to develop design guidelines specifically for gardens including physical therapy. These guidelines included designing goal-oriented spaces, using appropriate plant material, coordinating volunteer groups to support horticulture therapy, and increasing the dialogue between health care professionals and designers. The study concluded with the need for design professionals to be involved with initial design and site planning phases of hospital campuses. Simple landscaped areas and entrance beautification must not be substituted for healing spaces. Indoor gardens such as atriums and solariums need study. Future studies will require studying different populations for more specific garden design. The quantitative relationship between physical, emotional, spiritual and social healing may need defining to establish the permanency of gardens in health care settings and greater society. Landscape architects have the opportunity to use contemporary research to design gardens that impart healing to the human body in a new and profound way.

Landscape Architecture is a field that is in process of development in Mexico. However, although empirically, the landscape was considered in the past as part of the human's environment, and this is the Mexican heritage. Thus, this heritage is important to considered because is part of the people's identity, and therefore, vital to protect. However, Mexico focuses its attention to the preservation of its' national heritage in the fields of architecture and fine arts, leaving without protective regulations and guidelines the field of landscape architecture. The following thesis intends to create awareness in people of the importance of the landscape and of the importance of the history of landscape architecture that has been happening in Mexico. To accomplish this task, the Casa Cristo, designed by Luis Barragán was chosen as a case study. This case study involved the development of the first part of a Cultural Landscape Report (CLR). Since Mexico does not have any protective laws for its' landscapes, to develop the CLR it was use guidelines and processes proposed by National Park Service in the United States of America. The study contributes to the field of preservation in Mexico, and to encourage the protection of Luis Barragán's work, specially the Casa Cristo.

For several years, the department of Landscape Architecture at Louisiana State University has entertained the thought of offering alternatives to the thesis as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Landscape Architecture. In recent discussions with graduate faculty, it was agreed upon that the idea of researching this in more detail and organizing a collection of information about the consequences of such actions would be beneficial in the decision making process. Through surveys and interviews of numerous graduate faculties, students, and administrators and through careful analysis of program curriculums, this thesis explores the positive and negative consequences a MLA program might incur by offering alternatives to the thesis requirement.

General information about the development the United States Interstate System, different theories of urban design, and samples of projects developed under elevated highways structures were used to illustrate the issues associated to the development of elevated highway within urban areas. After building the framework for the study of the spaces below elevated highways a comprehensive study of the contextual, spatial, and functional characteristics of the spaces below the Interstate-10 at Perkins Road was conducted over a period of 9 months. As a result of this study a master plan was developed to addresses the issues affecting the spaces below the Interstate-10 overpass at Perkins Road and surrounding communities. The areas surrounding the Interstate-10 overpass are part large area known by locals as the Perkins Road Historic Business District. This area of northern Perkins Road is an active commercial corridor surrounded by large subdivisions. During the development of the Interstate-10 overpass on the 1960s this area suffered drastic changes causing the removal of businesses and relocation of entire families. Despite these adverse effects Perkins Road commercial corridor has maintained its unique character but the under develop state of the spaces below the Interstate-10 overpass have restricted further development of the area.