The planning field is presently undergoing a technical revolution; computers are increasingly being used to store, manipulate and display planning data. Computer software used by planners for spatial analysis is generally still limited but one program, IMGRID, developed at Harvard University Graduate School of Design by David Sinton, is unusually powerful and adaptable. One major drawback does exist with this computer program; input of user commands to IMGRID is highly structured and in many situations requires use of technical manuals even by those familiar with the technical aspects of IMGRID. Consequently, this creative project develops additional algorithms which make IMGRID an interactive program using standard computer terminals, thus eliminating the rigorous inputting format. In addition, an educational element is added which makes this program even more useful. A description of the user key words and new subroutines are given along with a discussion of a trial computer run indicating the potential of the new interactive system. / Department of Urban Planning

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 K43 / Master of Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture is presently undergoing a technical revolution; computers are increasingly being Landscape architecture is presently undergoing a used to store, manipulate and display regional information. Computer software used by landscape architects is generally still limited but one program, IMGRID, developed at Harvard University Graduate School of Design by David Sinton, is unusually powerful and adaptable. One major drawback does exist with this program; capability for statistical manipulation of data is very limited. Consequently, this creative project develops additional algorithms which give an enhanced version of IMGRID (IISIS) that statistical capability. Statistical procedures added include a complete range of descriptive statistics and multiple correlation and regression. The IISIS user may invoke these procedures by use of a new key word STAT. A description of the options and new algorithms are given along with an example of their use. / Department of Landscape Architecture

This project presents a model for a computer augmented plant selector, CAPS. Development of the model was based on a survey of landscape architects' needs in the selection of plant materials. The survey was accompanied with an investigation of previous computerized plant selectors.Major objectives of the model are that CAPS be easy to operate for those with limited computer experience; that CAPS have the capability to be modified to fit the specific needs of the office; and that CAPS provide a choice of plant materials in a manner which ensures healthy growth as well as visual excitement.A model, such as CAPS, serves as excellent documentation in the development of a computer program which also facilitates coding into the actual software language. / Department of Landscape Architecture

This creative project was a research effort in order to develop a computer program which could be of assistance to students learning the design process and the calculation of earth work cut and fill volumes. Two programs which calculate cut and fill volumes were analyzed. The first by Mark Lindult: 1980, and the second by E. Bruce MacDougal: 1981. Points of weakness were carefully studied and taken into consideration while developing the CATE program.CATE program (Calculating And Teaching Earth Work) has two major purposes. The first is to teach the grid method for calculating earth work. The second is to calculate cut and fill volumes using this method. It presents accurate results especially in basement and walls studies. The program is designed to be used by students who have no background in computers. The program has been tested twice to prove its abilities in teaching and calculating earth work. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 H33 / Master of Landscape Architecture

Application of artificial intelligence (Al) has been a topic of interest among researchers for the past decade or more. Years of research in the commercial application of Al, availability of hardware support for Al application and affordability of software and hardware has generated a lot of interest in this field and brought this technology within the reach of micro-computer based users. The commercial impact of AI is due to expert systems (ESs). ES technology is a collection of methods and techniques for constructing human-machine systems with specialized problem solving expertise. This project explores the application of ESs in landscape architecture by developing a prototype ES and testing implications of its use with designers while working on a hypothetical problem in a studio environment. The development process helps identify the typical difficulties of such an application, to uncover technical problems, and to identify areas needing further research. The project aims at building an ES that provides very limited preliminary data and design guidelines to initialize the design process and keeps track of the most fundamental issues necessary for planning, thus acting as an expert and assistant simultaneously. The idea is to explore the possibility of applying ESs to facilitate the design process so that designers may concentrate on other important aspects of design which include intuitive judgement about qualitative aspects. / Master of Landscape Architecture