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Washington, D.C., like many older U.S. cities, suffers the woes of rapid urbanization and aging infrastructure. The city's combined sewer and stormwater system dumps millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers over 70 times annually during significant rain events. While many groups, both public and private, attempt to clean the river, billions of dollars are still necessary over several years to remedy the combined sewer overfl ow (CSO) problem alone. Current plans for a solution include constructing large underground storage tanks that store millions of gallons of wastewater during overflow periods. Washington, however, once had a network of waterways that naturally drained the Federal City. At least three major stream systems—the Tiber Creek, James Creek and Slash Run—and over 30 springs flowed within the boundaries of the emerging capital. The waterways, now buried, were victims of urbanization, and flow now only underground, wreaking havoc on foundations and basements and causing sewer backups and flooding. Can a historically-driven investigation of these buried channels lend credence to the resurrection in some form of a network of surface stormwater channels, separate from the municipal sewage system, to solve the city's sewage overflow crisis? The following study is an initial exploration of the re-establishment of waterways through Washington with the purpose of improving the current storm sewer overflow dilemma and exploring the potential urban amenities that they could provide as part of a stormwater management plan for the year 2110. / Master of Landscape Architecture

This thesis on Low Impact Development (LID) Practices provides design guidelines and principles for three important LID practices: green roofs, rainwater harvesting and bioswales. The most important component of the thesis is the qualitative analysis of various case studies based on the LID objectives drawn from the literature review for each LID practice. Through the course of my research, I found that there was no one single source which provided information on the design guidelines accompanied by case examples which could help the designer with built examples where the LID practices have been executed. Therefore, developing this thesis document which provided all this information started as my masters thesis project. The document is designed to be used by people with a variety of expertise like landscape architects, landscape contractors, engineers and clients. The manual is organized into five chapters. The manual details the process of stormwater management and then gradually leads to the evolution of Low Impact Development Practices and detailing out three important LID practices: green roofs, rainwater harvesting, vegetated swales and briefly about infiltration systems. The LID principles outlined in this manual were developed over the last few years to address runoff issues associated with the new residential, commercial and industrial suburban developments. Information to develop this manual has been drawn from numerous sources like the Low Impact Design Strategies developed by the Prince George's County, Maryland, US EPA, Low Impact Development urban design tools and numerous other research papers. It is my hope that the manual will provide adequate information to its users by not only providing design guidelines but also provide built examples through the case studies. / Master of Landscape 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

Up to 75 percent of new construction between 2000 and 2030 may â be redirected inward or into more compact, mixed-use suburban developments (Nelson, 2004). If this assertion is even nearly true, and if the goals of the Clean Water Act are to be met in the next generation of American cities, then we must find feasible and effective ways of improving urban watershed health using retrofit and infill development as a primary means. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patterns and approaches of suburban infill developments in order to determine which methods and extents are deemed capable of improving the health, sustainability and natural services of urban streams and watersheds. Water is considered to be foundational to urban and suburban sustainability and is treated as a primary indicator of overall health and sustainability within the context of this study. This thesis presents three pilot studies that examine urban watershed health using a single case as a vehicle. The studies, in the order they are presented, are: 1) Form- analyzing the relationship between landuse patterns and imperviousness, 2) Planning- relating questions of development scale planning and design to natural and cultural systems at the watershed scale and 3) Valuation- illustrating three possibilities for determining the economic value of improving urban watershed health. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Stormwater management basins (SWMB) are used to mitigate urban runoff. The Virginia Department of Transportation relies on dry detention basins planted with mowed turfgrass. However, these basins often retain water; resulting in cattail (Typha spp.) and tree colonization. Managing agencies request cattail eradication and trees are also removed. However, if trees were allowed to remain they could alter basin dynamics, making conditions unsuitable for cattails. In a greenhouse study we tested the impact of three shade (heavy, medium, full sun) and soil moisture (dry, moist, flooded) treatments on cattail growth. After two months, cattail biomass indicated a strong interaction between soil moisture and shade (p<.0001). Increases in shade and reductions in soil moisture resulted in decreased biomass and rhizome length. Heavy shade and dry soil produced the most reductions in cattail growth (95% less biomass, 83% smaller rhizomes than cattails in full sun and flooded soil). However, considerable growth reductions still occurred in medium shade and moist soil (66% for biomass and 74% for rhizome lengths). In a field study in four unmaintained SWMB in Virginia, environmental data (litter layer, water table, soil organic matter, etc.) and vegetation composition (cattail and other herbaceous biomass, and woody vegetation influence index) were collected from 100, 0.25-m2 plots. Principal component analysis indicated cattails and trees occupy opposing environmental spaces. Water table is most strongly correlated to cattail biomass. While these results suggest trees could eliminate cattails from SWMB, more research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of trees on basin function. / Master of Science

The Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia is largely defined by its abundant water resources. These water resources are also a source of unique issues for the region. Specifically, water quality challenges related to the Chesapeake Bay and recurrent flooding are the major concerns. Green infrastructure (GI) has emerged in recent years as an alternative to traditional stormwater conveyance and detention focused systems. GI practices focus on integrating infiltration, evapotranspiration, and other components of the water cycle into more conventional stormwater management systems. These systems provide several positive benefits, including local water quality and quantity control, community revitalization, and various public health benefits. In addition, GI implementation has seen strong levels of support from the Cooperative Extension System, with Extension faculty and staff around the U.S. supporting local municipalities through GI research, promotion, and program development. Despite widespread interest, GI has been slow to be adopted due to various barriers to its implementation. This study sought to identify the major barriers to the implementation of GI practices in Hampton Roads by conducting a needs assessment. Municipal stormwater staff were invited to participate in an online survey aimed at identifying the most significant barriers in the region. At the same time, local staff with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) were interviewed to explore their potential to become involved in promoting GI adoption in Hampton Roads. Survey respondents and interview participants found common ground in identifying costs, funding, and maintenance issues as the most significant barriers to GI implementation in Hampton Roads. In addition, VCE staff were found to be well suited to support widespread GI adoption in the region, having familiarity with the GI concept and access to unique resources in the form of knowledgeable Master Gardener volunteers and connections to Virginia Tech. Recommendations for VCE involvement in promoting GI in Hampton Roads include conducting cost studies, developing and hosting maintenance training programs, and taking advantage of partnerships to identify and obtain funding from diverse sources. By focusing on these widely acknowledged challenges at the regional scale, VCE can support GI implementation throughout all of Hampton Roads. / Master of Science / Hampton Roads is a region with a history and economy tied to its local waters. Today, the region is facing significant challenges related to these waters, including frequent flooding impacts on residents and pollution control needs for the nearby Chesapeake Bay. Green infrastructure (GI), a relatively new approach to managing water in cities, could help local governments address these challenges. Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), an organization formed through a partnership between federal and local governments and land grant universities in Virginia, seeks to meet community needs through community outreach and educational programs. As a community-centered organization with a history of advancing environmental education, VCE may also be an important partner for municipalities in Hampton Roads interested in adopting GI practices. To identify the barriers to GI in Hampton Roads and the potential role of VCE in addressing them, a needs assessment of municipalities in the region with stormwater permits was conducted. Based collected documents, surveys of municipal staff, and interviews with VCE personnel, three major barriers to GI adoption were identified. Permitted municipalities in Hampton Roads are uncertain of GI costs, have limited funds to support GI practices, and lack the knowledge and resources needed to maintain GI practices over time. VCE can help municipalities address these challenges using its many resources. Through its connection to Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, VCE can help in developing cost research studies for Hampton Roads. As an educational organization, VCE can also help municipalities win funding for GI projects that they would otherwise not have access to. Finally, local Virginia Tech faculty at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center and experienced Master Gardener volunteers can work to develop GI maintenance training resources for maintenance staff throughout the region. With its strong background, expert knowledge, and existing connections in the region, VCE can play an important role in addressing the GI adoption challenges in Hampton Roads.

Dagvattenhanteringen är ett aktuellt ämne i dagens stadsplanering. Forskning som denna studie utgår ifrån visar hur dagens traditionella system inte klarar av kommande klimatförändringar med mer och intensivare nederbörd. Dagvatten för med sig föroreningar samt miljögifter som kväve och fosfor, men även tungmetaller som klorid, olja, organiska miljögifter och bakterier. Det traditionella systemet leder dagvatten ofta rakt ut i våra vattendrag via recipienterna då endast 8 procent av Sveriges dagvatten blev renat år 2016. För en djupare förståelse kring detta utgår studien ifrån teorier inom hållbar utveckling, antropocentrism, ekocentrism samt det rumsliga perspektivet. Materialet består av litteratur, artiklar, tidigare forskning samt fyra intervjuer. Informanterna består av en konsult, en som arbetar på en branschorganisation och två från Karlstad kommun för att få förståelse kring dagvattenhantering, hur en hållbar dagvattenhantering definieras och hur Karlstads kommuns vision för dagvattenhanteringen ser ut. I resultatet för denna uppsats har det framkommit att informanternas syn på dagvatten stämmer överens med Naturvårdsverkets riktlinje av hållbar dagvattenhantering. Karlstad kommuns visioner kring dagvatten lever även upp till denna definition. Utifrån materialet kan uppsatsen visa på att informanterna har en bred kunskap kring framtidens klimatpåverkan på dagvatten samt dess åtgärder. Teorierna har kopplats med resultatet där det går att förstå hur det rumsliga perspektivet påverkas beroende på hur dagvatten hanteras och att en intergenerationell antropocentrism samt svag ekocentrism kan utläsas från intervjuerna. / The stormwater management is topical in today’s urban planning. The research that this study is based of shows how today's traditional system can not cope with future climate change with more intense precipitation. Stormwater also spreads pollution and environmental toxins such as nitrogen and phosphorus, but also heavy metals as chloride, oil, organic pollutants and bacteria. The traditional system often leads the stormwater straight into our waters via the recipients. Only 8 percent of Sweden's stormwater was purified in 2016. For a deeper understanding about this, the study is based on theories in sustainable development, anthropocentrism, ecocentrism and the spatial perspective. The study is based on the theories above, previous research as well as four interviews with a consultant, one who works on a industry sector organisation and two people who works on Karlstad kommun. The people are chosen for a deeper understanding about stormwater, how a sustainable stormwater management is defined and how Karlstad kommuns visions for stormwater management are. The result of this thesis has revealed that the informants view of stormwater is in line with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's guideline on sustainable stormwater management. The visions of stormwater in Karlstad kommun also live up to this definition. Based on the empirical data, the essay can show that the informants have a broad knowledge of future climate impact on the subject and its measures. The theories are linked with the result, where it is possible to see how the spatial perspectives are affected depending on how stormwater is managed and that an intergenerational anthropocentrism and weak ecocentrism perspective can be read from the interviews.

Hållbar dagvattenhantering är ett koncept som, i takt med ökade regnmängder och tät bebyg-gelse, blivit mer och mer uppmärksammat inom stadsplanering. Det handlar om att hitta ettmer robust system för att hantera det dagvatten som uppstår genom att kombinera både rör-och ledningssystem med andra lösningar som fördröjer och renar vattnet innan det når ut tillrecipienten. Samtidigt är samhällsbyggnadsprocessen ofta komplex och involverar många olikaaktörer vilket också gäller för dagvattenhantering. I och med detta uppstår ett antal utmaningarsom problematiserar processen mot att få till en mer hållbar dagvattenhantering. Detta arbetesyftar till att komma underfund med de utmaningar som finns när det kommer till samverkanrelaterat till dessa frågor samt att klargöra hur samverkan kan förbättras för att uppnå en merhållbar dagvattenhantering. I arbetet görs en litteraturstudie vars främsta syfte är att reda ut begreppet samverkan, vad sombidrar till god samverkan och vilka positiva effekter samverkan kan ha i ett projekt. För att sedanreda ut vilka utmaningar och framgångsfaktorer som finns kring dagvattenfrågan genomförs enkvalitativ studie i form av sju intervjuer med personer som på olika sätt arbetar med dagvatten.Dessutom används två analysverktyg, Fyrfältaren och Forum-Arena-Court, för att sortera in debehov och förbättringar som behövs arbetas med. Det framkommer att det finns en del problematik kopplat till samverkan och dagvattenhantering.Det finns främst förbättringspotential när det kommer till att hantera de olika perspektiv ochintressen som kommer med att ha många olika aktörer involverade. Där framstår det som viktigtatt dagvattenfrågan är med tidigt i processen och att det skapas en gemensam målbild kring vadsom ska genomföras i projektet. Utöver detta finns det även en del utmaningar när det kommertill tydlighet kring hur projektet ska genomföras. Här är det viktigt att det finns tydliga riktlinjerfrån kommunens sida samt att se till att det finns en kontinuitet och dialog. Sammantaget finnsdet behov av förbättring kring samverkan och detta skulle kunna möjliggöra vägen mot en merhållbar dagvattenhantering. / Sustainable stormwater management is a concept that, with increasing amounts of rain and densesettlements, has been paid more attention to in urban planning. It revolves around finding amore robust system for managing stormwater by combining systems using pipes with othersolutions that delay and clean the water before it reaches the recipient. At the same time, theprocesses within urban planning are complex and involve many different parties which is alsotrue for stormwater management. Consequently, a number of challenges arise which complicatesthe process of achieving sustainable stormwater management. This study aims to find what thecooperation challenges are and to find out how cooperation can be improved to achieve a moresustainable stormwater management. In the study, a literature study is conducted with the purpose of investigating the conceptof cooperation, what good cooperation consists of and what positive effects it might have ina project. To figure out what the challenges and the factors of success are when it comes tostormwater management, a qualitative study consisting of seven interviews with people workingwith storm water is conducted. In addition, two tools for analysis, Forum-Arena-Court andFyrfältaren, are used to categorize the needs and improvements that need working with. There appears to be some issues regarding cooperation in connection to stormwater management.Mainly, there is potential for improvement when it comes to handling the different perspectivesand interests that come with having several different parties involved. It seems important to makesure that stormwater management is included early in the process and that there is a commonvision regarding what is supposed to be achieved within the project. Moreover, there are also afew challenges in regards to clarity of how the project is to be carried through. It is important tohave clear guidelines from the municipality’s side as well as continuity and dialogue throughoutthe project. To summarize, there are a few areas where improvement is needed when it comesto cooperation and this could possibly lead the way towards a more sustainable stormwatermanagement.