Rapid urbanization of cities includes common characteristics of high-density populations and large number of impervious surfaces. The high percentages of impervious surfaces like rooftops, roads and parking lots in dense cities would block the natural hydrological infiltration process and increasing flooding threats. The goal of this study is finding solutions for meeting the nonpotable water use demand by applying water harvesting while also creating open green spaces for residents in urban communities. The design thesis explored the level of benefits that can be achieved by harvesting water from impervious surfaces like rooftops to fulfill the need for water consumption, purification and green open spaces for social activities in residential high-rise condominiums (multi-family residences) in Wuhan, China. The study has compared hydrological and social benefits from 3 different design scenarios in the selected urban community: 1) the existing site design with underground parking, 2) a new design without underground parking which expands water harvesting options, and 3) a new design with underground parking which limits the application of some BMPs (Best Management Practices). This study used open space design and water harvesting as a strategy to meet 94% of non-potable water consumption by harvesting water from residential rooftops as well as to decrease and purify surface runoff to reduce the flooding threat from ground surfaces in the selected community. The proposed open space design also achieved social benefits of providing places for social interactions, supporting various recreational activities, educating children about environmental issues while having in outdoor activities, experiencing nature and keeping or improving the physical and mental well-being of people in the selected urban community. / Master of Landscape Architecture / Dense cities have the characteristics of having high-density impervious surfaces roads, bridges, rooftops as well as a large amount of population. Since a large amount of increasing population in dense cities would result in high demands for water consumption, the water shortage problem, as a global issue, has challenged the distribution of water resources in dense cities. The massive number of impervious surfaces, as a result of rapid urbanization, have blocked the process of hydrological circulation by making natural infiltration impossible. Therefore, many dense cities are facing the challenges of waterlogging or flooding threat and the decreasing amount of water resources. This study focuses on using open space design and water harvesting as a strategy to relieve the stress of limited water resources and waterlogging or flooding threat in dense cities. This thesis has chosen an urban community in Wuhan, China for making open space design and bring the hydrologic and social benefits to the selected urban community by combing the practices of water treatment into the design. The new open design in the selected community not only has the hydrological benefits of decreasing and purifying surface runoff to reduce flooding threat, but also has many social benefits such as providing places for social interactions, supporting various of recreational activities, educating children about environmental issues while participating in outdoor activities, experience nature and keeping or improving the physical and mental well-being of people.

City patterns have taken shape as Architecture has prospered- as a search for a coherent environment between nature and human desires. This thesis is a study of urban as well as architectural impacts together, to find the meaning of life patterns in relation to the overall city structure. / Master of Architecture

The relation between prey density and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis food consumption has not been quantified in natural streams. This relation may be most critical in the summer when southern Appalachian trout have demonstrated poor growth. It is not Known whether the poor growth is due to the low food densities or to excess temperatures and increased metabolic costs. Purposes of this study were to quantify the relation between prey density and food consumption in brook trout, identify how diel feeding and prey size selectivity by brook trout affect the relation, and to determine if slow growth in the summer was caused by low daily rations or other factors. Daily consumption was estimated in May, July and September of 1989, for four streams in Shenandoah National Park. Sampling was performed at 6-hour intervals over 24 hours. Adult and yearling trout did not consume more food at one specific time throughout the summer, but juvenile trout (< 100 mm) fed significantly less at night in both July and September. All sizes of fish selected for prey longer than 4mm. The best predictor of daily ration (corrected for temperature) over the summer was the number of prey longer than 4mm/m³. Models parameterized to quantify the relation between prey density and food consumption showed that adult trout were significantly more likely to have a higher daily ration per gram body weight (temperature and size corrected) than yearling trout at low ( < 1.0 prey longer than 4mm/m³) prey densities. Daily ration of juvenile trout was independent of prey abundance. The prey density-consumption relation was more consistent within streams than among streams, which suggests that habitat or population characteristics may influence the prey density-consumption relation. Trout had the most energy available for growth in July followed by May and then September. Daily ration was most dependent on temperature in May and on prey density in July and September. Juvenile trout did not decrease daily ration as much from July to September as did yearling and adult trout. All sizes of trout met maintenance costs in both early and late summer, yet yearling and adult trout did not grow in late summer although stream temperature was optimum for growth. Growth was negatively correlated with daily ration in the late summer, suggesting that activity costs may be more important in determining growth in late summer than prey densities. Activity costs varied substantially among streams. The effect of food consumption and habitat on activity costs needs to be defined to improve understanding of the determinants of growth in stream environments. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was (1) to identify visitors’ behaviors in and perceptions of linear parks, (2) to identify social media users’ behaviors in and perceptions of linear parks, and (3) to compare small data with big data. This chapter discusses the main findings and their implications for practitioners such as landscape architects and urban planners. It has three sections. The first addresses the main findings in the order of the research questions at the center of the study. The second describes implications and recommendations for practitioners. The final section discusses the limitations of the study and suggests directions for future work. This study compares two methods of data collection, focused on activities and benefits. The survey asked respondents to check all the activities they did in the park. Social media users’ activities were detected by term frequency in social media data. Both results ordered the activities similarly. For example social interaction and art viewing were most popular on the High Line, then the 606, then the High Bridge according to both methods. Both methods also reported that High Line visitors engaged in viewing from overlooks the most. As for benefits, according to both methods vistors to the 606 were more satisfied than High Line visitors with the parks’ social and natural benefits. These results suggest social media analytics can replace surveys when the textual information is sufficient for analysis. Social media analytics also differ from surveys in accuracy of results. For example, social media revealed that 606 users were interested in events and worried about housing prices and crimes, but the pre-designed survey could not capture those facts. Social media analytics can also catch hidden and more general information: through cluster analysis, we found possible reasons for the High Line’s success in the arts and in the New York City itself. These results involve general information that would be hard to identify through a survey. On the other hand, surveys provide specific information and can describe visitors’ demographics, motivations, travel information, and specific benefits. For example, 606 users tend to be young, high-income, well educated, white, and female. These data cannot be collected through social media. / Doctor of Philosophy / Turning unused infrastructure into green infrastructure, such as linear parks, is not a new approach to managing brownfields. In the last few decades, changes in the industrial structure and the development of transportation have had a profound effect on urban spatial structure. As the need for infrastructure, which played an important role in the development of past industry, has decreased, many industrial sites, power plants, and military bases have become unused. This study identifies new ways of collecting information about a new type of park, linear parks, using a new method, social media analytics. The results are then compared with survey results to establish the credibility of social media analytics. Lastly, shortcomings of social media analytics are identified. This study is meaningful in helping us understand the users of new types of parks and suggesting design and planning strategies. Regarding methodology, this study also involves evaluating the use of social media analytics and its advantages, disadvantages, and reliability.

Glacier retreat is considered a clear sign of global climate change. Although a rich body of work has documented glacial response to climate warming trends, comparatively little research has assessed vegetation change in recently deglaciated areas. In this study, we assess vegetation change at two glacier forefronts in Glacier National Park, Montana, through remote sensing analysis, fieldwork validation, and statistical modelling. The research objectives were to: 1) quantify the spatial and temporal patterns of landcover change of five classes"ice, rock, tree, shrub, and herbaceous at the two glacier forefronts in Glacier National Park, and 2) determine the role of selected biophysical terrain factors (elevation, slope, aspect, solar radiation, flow accumulation, TWI, and geology) on vegetation change at the deglaciated areas. Landsat imagery of the study locations in 1991, 2003, and 2015 were classified and validated using ground truth points and visual interpretation for accuracy. Overall accuracies were above 75% for all classified images. To identify biophysical correlates of change, we used generalized linear mixed models with non-vegetated surfaces to vegetation (code=1) or stable non-vegetation class (code=0) as a binary response variable. Results revealed elevation, slope, TWI, geology, and aspect to be associated with increased vegetation over time at Jackson Glacier forefront, whereas elevation, slope, solar radiation, and geology were significant at Grinnell Glacier forefront. New case studies on vegetation change in recently deglaciated regions can deepen our knowledge about how glacier retreat at local scales results in recharged ecosystem dynamics. / Master of Science / Glacier retreat is considered a clear sign of global climate change. Although glaciers are retreating globally, comparatively little research has assessed how vegetation changes in recently deglaciated areas. The research objectives were to: 1) quantify patterns of landcover change of five classes—ice, rock, tree, shrub, and herbaceous at two glacier forefronts in Glacier National Park, and 2) determine the environmental and terrain factors that affect vegetation change at the deglaciated areas. Landsat imagery of the study locations in 1991, 2003, and 2015 were classified and validated using ground truth points and visual interpretation for accuracy. To identify terrain and environmental factors that influence change, we modeled change from nonvegetated surfaces to vegetation (code=1) and the stable non-vegetation class (code=0). Results revealed elevation, slope, topographic moisture, geology, and aspect to be associated with increased vegetation over time at Jackson Glacier forefront. Elevation, slope, solar radiation, and geology were significant at Grinnell Glacier forefront, indicating some geographic differences in important factors. New case studies on vegetation change in recently deglaciated regions can deepen our knowledge about how glacier retreat at local scales results in recharged ecosystem dynamics. This study provides further insight on the future of alpine ecosystems as they respond to global climate change and a compelling new perspective on the future of the Park. Additionally, we demonstrate the benefits of using remote sensing applications to study land cover change as a proxy for vegetation colonization, especially in remote mountainous environments.

Yes / Nelson Mandela, speaking of peace parks said “I know of no political movement, no philosophy, no ideology, which does not agree with the concept of peace parks … in a world beset by conflict and division peace is one of the cornerstones of the future … in the entire world” The IUCN publication, Transboundary Protected Areas for Peace and Co-operation[1], lists over 600 such regions and defines Parks for Peace as: “transboundary protected areas that are formally dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and to the promotion of peace and co-operation”. The single Prokletije mountain range is divided by three borders. It is one of the most beautiful and untouched areas of high natural habitat in Europe. One of the aims here is to preserve this most outstanding area of natural beauty and value, as well as making a contribution towards peace and stability in the region, promoting the growth of community between ethnic and religious groups. Interest in a peace park for this area has already been activated in Belgrade, Peć, Plav, Podgorica, Shkodra, Tirana, Plav and elsewhere, although, as Franz Stummann observed, “Politicians don’t see what’s happening on the borders” [2]. It has been said that "borders constitute the main cause of wars ... neighboring countries are the most prone to fight. The danger of violence creeps around borders" [3]. Despite considerable skepticism initially, a "peace park", covering a wide geographical area has been developing for the past decade in the area surrounding the meeting point in the high remote mountains of Kosovo/Albania/Montenegro. Each of these aspire to EU membership. There are already many people, NGOs, local and national authorities working on ongoing relevant projects within the area, as well as dialoguing, across the borders.

Unlike the West, where many studies have explored how people's needs are fulfilled by urban parks, Malaysia has received very little attention from researchers. One reason for this is the fact that Malaysia has only a short public park tradition. Although folk art and stories have chronicled a long history of gardens and other parks, these spaces were only accessible to royal family members and autocrats. In Malaysia, the concept of free public parks is relatively recent, having been introduced by the British colonial government. This thesis aims to analyze the current demands on urban parks in Malaysia. It specifically studies an urban park in the city of Seremban in the state of Negeri Sembilan, which was built by the British in the early 1900's. This park is apparently not meeting the needs of the public at large. Even though it is near active public facilities, such as a state mosque, a downtown area, public offices, and a public library, it suffers from a declining number of visitors. This thesis is based on data obtained from a survey questionnaire that polled public attitudes regarding Seremban Urban Park. The data was analyzed to determine the factors that influence potential park patrons, as well as the preferred activities of those who visit the park. The research suggests that accessibility, sense of territoriality, activities in the park, the natural environment, and park maintenance influence participants' decisions to visit the park. In addition, it points out that participants' preferred park activities include family gatherings and passive socializing activities. The primary implications of this thesis are that urban parks are emerging as important public spaces in Malaysian cities, and that their continuing effectiveness is largely dependent upon a prioritizing of activities and a commitment to maintenance. This research should help landscape architects and planners expand the relationship between urban parks and public life in Malaysian cities. / Master of Landscape Architecture

The rock outcrops and cliffs of Shenandoah National Park provide habitat for several rare and endangered plant and animal species. The location of the world-famous ridgeline parkway, Skyline Drive, makes many outcrops and cliffs within the park readily accessible to the park's 1.2 million annual visitors. Consequently, visitor use of cliff areas has led to natural resource impacts, including marked decreases in size and vigor of known rare plant populations. Despite the clear ecological value and potential threats to the natural resources at cliff areas in the park, managers possess little information on visitor use of cliff sites and presently have no formal planning document to guide management. Thus, a park wide study of cliff sites was initiated during the 2005 visitor use season. As part of this research effort, the study presented in this thesis integrated data from resource impact measurements and visitor use observation to help assess the effects of recreational use on the natural resources of one heavily used cliff site in the park, Little Stony Man Cliffs. Results of resource impact measurements indicate that several nodal areas of high disturbance (bare soil) are present on the cliff-top and cliff-bottom. Additionally, visitor observation data point to several possible visitor use factors that may contribute to cliff-top impacts, including concentrated levels of use during certain times of day and days of the week, and frequent trampling of soil and vegetation by visitors. The information from the study presented in this thesis will help assist Shenandoah National Park staff in developing a cliff resource management plan that will protect park resources while providing opportunities for visitor enjoyment. / Master of Science

To design a successful space or building one must first understand the entire nature of the space. This thesis examines the dynamics of sport [purpose], water [element], and building [space]. The intentions of the project were to reveal the connection between architecture and purpose as well as building and nature. The thesis explores all of these areas using architectural practices and human experience. The connections between the human dymanis and arcitectural dynamics became more evident throughout the thesis. Scale, proportion, movement and structure all played an important role in the final design of the space. In the pages to follow theses aspects will be depictd and described. It was my full intention to try and understand the defeinition of dynamic architecture, as well as create my own definition. The drawings, sketches, and models include a variety of scale, proportion, movement and structure. Each portion of the progamitic space was broken down and explored using these ideas. My final definition of dynamic architecture is expressed within the final drawings and images. / Master of Architecture

The McMillan sand filtration plant in Washington, D.C. is a significant industrial landscape that provided safe clean water to much of the capital during 1905-1985. At the outset, the McMillan Commission chose to make the plant and adjacent McMillan reservoir part of the park system it was mapping for Washington. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. was appointed to landscape the tract, a task completed in 1920. Closed to the public since WWII, the site was abandoned when its operation ended. This thesis looks at its future by exploring the thickness of landscape and the site's discovered geometry. Peeling back its uniformly level 25-acre surface broken only twice by rows of concrete towers, its horizontal layers, vertical elements and strong grids are revealed, offering clues for new design strategies. Examples of how landscape geometries have been considered and works of landscape built elsewhere are reviewed. Recalling water's historically central role in the site, the latter's potential for demonstrating responsible stormwater management and other sustainable practices is emphasized. Local stakeholder interests and proven ingredients of successful urban parks are noted. A design process is outlined that exploits the earlier exploratory findings to reconcile the transition between old and new, deciding what to remove and what to add. Details are provided on the resulting new "memorial park" that both celebrates its history and responds to contemporary interests and needs of the 21st century urban landscape. / Master of Landscape Architecture