Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Laurence A. Clement / The word “equestrian” is generally not known to be synonymous with sustainability. Although there is a small progressive movement, sustainable design is currently not common practice in the horse industry and desperately needs promoting. Horsemen and women need to be made aware that these techniques exist as well as more information on how to implement them into the facilities that they own and manage. The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), one of the largest equestrian event venues in the nation, has great potential to become an example of successful sustainable design. As host to dozens of events and hundreds of visitors each year, the CHP presents the perfect opportunity to educate the horse community on sustainable practices. Using the Audubon Lifestyles Program and Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) as guides, I will promote the sustainable equestrian movement through the implementation of sustainable elements and an interpretive landscape at the CHP. The goal of this new design will be to educate site users on sustainable practices as well as motivate and inspire them to make changes to their own lifestyles and facilities. Using the theories established through research and precedent studies, a new design for the CHP was developed. There are three principles to this design: using circulation systems to make the facility more functional, implementing sustainable elements into the facility to serve as examples, and providing the visitors with educational opportunities in the form of interpretive exhibits. Function and safety are two major concerns at this type of venue, and are addressed through the re-organization of site elements and the establishment of a circulation system which creates separation between differing traffic types. Sustainable practices are applied in the forms of vegetated drainage ways, protection of riparian areas, xeric plantings, habitat restoration, and a manure composting operation. An interpretive landscape of signage and displays highlights each sustainable element and relates information on how visitors can incorporate sustainable techniques in their own facilities.

“All countries are vulnerable to climate change and instability in weather patterns but the poorest countries and the poorest people within them are most vulnerable, being the most exposed and having the least means to adapt” (IMF and World Bank Development Committee, 2006). African cities, as other cities around the world, are prone to flooding within in urban areas. The increased flooding from climate change, could have seriously destabilising effects for Africa (Commission for Africa, 2005). Climate records shows that most of Africa warmed by approximately 0.7°C during the twentieth century (IPCC Working Group II, 2001). Future changes in rainfall will depend greatly on the influence of global warming. In addition, a United Nations World Water Report states that in the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Earth with its diverse and abundant life forms (including over six billion humans), is facing a serious water crisis. Water needs to be conserved in any way possible. (United Nations World Water Report, n.d.). This study aims to explore the role in which floodingin urban landscapes can be addressed, but simultaneously stored for future use. It argues that the negative element of flooding can rather be used, i.e the water could be conserved and used in the build environment, rather than inhibiting social, economic and ecological factors. The pilot project in this stage can at the same time, serve as an urban generator. An innovative solution (urban water park) is analysed and tested and serves as a possible outcome to address flooding problems within an African city (Maputo, Mozambique). Afrika, 2005). / Stede in Afrika, soos in ander in die wêreld, is onderhewe aan vloedrampe in stedelike areas. Die toenemende vloedegevalle, tesame met die impak van klimaatsverandering, kan uiterse destabilisering vir die Afrika kontinent inhou (Kommissie vir Afrika, 2005). ‘n Klimaatsrekord, bewys dat gedurende die twintigste eeu, ‘n groot deel van Afrika onderworpe was aan ‘n hittetoename van omtrent 0.7°C (IPPC Werksgroep II, 2011). Toekomstige veranderinge in reënval sal grootliks afhang van die invloed van aardsverwarming. Ter aanvoering van die argument word daar adisioneel toegevoeg dat die Verenigde Nasies se Wêreldswater Verslag die volgende aanlas: dat die aarde, met sy diverse en verskeidenheid van lewende wesens (wat oor die ses miljioen mense insluit), aan die begin van die een-en-twintigste eeu onderworpe sal wees aan ernstige watertekorte. Water moet dus in alle moontlike maniere gespaar word (Verenigde Nasies se Wêreldswater Verslag, geen datum). Die studie beoog om die rol van vloede in die verstedelike landskap te ondersoek en aan te spreek tot voordeel van die bouomgewing. Die ontwerp poog om die huidige negatiewe element van water eerder te bewaar en die gebruik daarvan te aan te moedig. Hierdeur word word die omswaai in sosiale, ekonomiese en ekologiese faktore inplekgestel. ‘n Projek sal dan terselfdertyd as verstedelike genereerder dien. ‘n Innoverende oplossing, ‘n stedelike water park, is geondersoek en getoets. Hierdie sal moontlik as die oplossing dien van die huidige vloedprobleme in hierdie Afrika stad (Maputo, Mosambiek). / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted

This report is a discussion of the multifarious applications of the modern day geographic information system and how the universal merit of the technology across disciplines has led to the emergence of GeoDesign. The purpose of this Master’s Professional Report was to retrace the core conceptual framework and landmark events occurring in the evolution GIS technology, and how these factors have led to recent creation of new performance based rating systems and evidence-based design techniques. The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), a new performance based rating system that has emerged in response to the call for increased knowledge and best practices lacking in LEED, is discussed; along with integrated project management. This professional report was intended to be an exploratory discussion of the larger theoretical implications fueling the shift towards mandating greater standards for sustainable design. It offers some ideas for how we should continue evolving GeoDesign moving into the next century; and outlines the importance of all new rating systems needing to acknowledge the growing importance of GeoDesign and ever advancing imagery technologies in understanding complex system processes in the future. / text