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One of today’s most important public health issues is inferior air quality which causes many years of healthy life lost due to disability primarily due to respiratory-, heart- and cardiovascular diseases. A major cause is vehicle emissions such as particles or nitrogen oxides. To protect both environment and people from being harmed there are environmental quality standards that every township must follow. The aim of this report is to investigate residents in Piteå’s attitudes and motivations, significant differences in willingness to change behavior and what Piteå municipality can do to influence their residents to make sustainable choices. This study’s data was collected through a survey distributed towards people with a motor vehicle in Piteå. The results show that the resident’s most important motivations to change their behavior are health benefits and their climate moral. The willingness to change is lower the further from the city the resident’s live and the study showed a significant difference between people living closer than 5 kilometers from the city center compared to people with 10 kilometers or more. The report also showed that Piteå community must work with different types of information sources and methods to make people change their behavior. In conclusion, many residents in Piteå are willing to change their behavior, however accessibility for public transportation needs to be improved. To increase motivation, Piteå municipality must work broadly with many methods.

Infrastructure plays an instrumental role in the shaping of the landscape across many scales and is a critical human component within the landscape, yet these systems have tended to ignore the function of appearance and aesthetics in their design. Consequently, the relationship between our infrastructure, the environment, and us has become increasingly opaque. The majority of the vast infrastructure systems that weave throughout the landscape promote a mono-functional agenda which is relegated to the background of our everyday experiences. By investigating the traditional methods of designing infrastructure, we can begin to understand how to integrate aesthetics into the design of infrastructure. This is explored through one of the largest infrastructure systems in the United States; flood control. Flood control infrastructure in is an extensive system that has formed a protective barrier between human and natural processes for over 200 years. Its largest component, the levee, is an elegantly simple structure that contains many layers of significant cultural and historic aesthetic narratives. This thesis focuses on the levee as an infrastructure that mediates between natural processes and human development and studies how it can perform aesthetically to convey new meaning and value. What is the potential of the levee to become expressive in our lives, and be designed in such a way to move us? This new infrastructural paradigm explores the implications of utilizing aesthetics as an expressive and significant function of levee design that can inform and inspire the public and define a new dialogue between man, nature, and technology. / Master of Landscape Architecture

"Creative Thinking about the future requires tension -- the tension of holding both the need and the possible in our awareness at the same time." Milenko Matanovic Constructing concrete open channels can provide a quick, efficient solution to help prevent an area from flash floods and water accumulation. However, such a solution does not take into consideration the increased land needs for housing and public open spaces, in addition to missing the opportunity for benefitting from rainwater and reusing the municipal water of cities in greening sustainable stormwater channels. The United Nations (2014) reported that 54% of the world's population is living in urban areas, and it is predicted to increase to 66% by 2050. Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia already struggles from both lack of open spaces while consuming spaces in constructing concrete open channels, only made worse by the rapid growth of population and urbanism. Although the rate of precipitation in arid regions is low, studies and evidence show that even in arid regions turning the majority of urban areas into impervious surfaces is restrictive and the result of doing so is devastating. This thesis aims to find an environmental alternative solution for an open drainage channel designed to function as a stormwater management facility as well as a central green finger for Jeddah City. It will take into consideration international and regional precedent design and future development of green channel case studies, to provide efficient design recommendations to planners and designers, who aim to redevelop constructed or proposed stormwater channels using sustainable green infrastructure practices to improve a city's livability. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Living shorelines and other nature-based solutions have become more widely accepted as a cost-effective, multi-functional, and sustainable approach to coastal resilience. However, in spite of growing stakeholder support, a planning-level understanding of the hydrodynamic impact of living shorelines is not well-developed. Not only do these features vary in size, shape, and structural characteristics, but the wave environment in which they exist can be quiescent or extreme. The work presented in this paper explores the hydrodynamic effects of living shoreline features in such a way that can be generalized across a range of varying physical environments. In a series of Simulation WAves Nearshore (SWAN) simulations, we investigate the effect of wave period, wave height, bed slope, living shoreline feature length in the cross-shore direction, and feature friction coefficient on wave attenuation. Results showed that higher wave period, higher wave height, milder slopes, longer feature lengths, and higher feature roughness largely correlated with higher wave attenuation. However, only on mild slopes did additional feature lengths result in appreciable additional attenuation. Characteristic lengths were thus computed to better illustrate the cost-effectiveness of additional feature lengths given a particular wave environment. These characteristic lengths provide one way to evaluate the hydraulic efficacy of proposed living shoreline projects. In this way, regardless of the particularities of individual project sites, we aim to help planners screen potential living shoreline projects before pursuing more detailed, costly analyses. / Master of Science / Living shorelines and other nature-based solutions have become more widely accepted as a cost-effective, multi-functional, and sustainable approach to coastal resilience. However, in spite of growing stakeholder support, a planning-level understanding of the hydrodynamic impact of living shorelines is not well-developed. Not only do these features vary in size, shape, and structural characteristics, but the wave environment in which they exist can be quiescent or extreme. The work presented in this paper explores the hydrodynamic effects of living shoreline features in such a way that can be generalized across a range of varying physical environments. In a series of Simulation WAves Nearshore (SWAN) simulations, we investigate the effect of wave period, wave height, bed slope, living shoreline feature length in the cross-shore direction, and feature friction coefficient on wave attenuation. Results showed that higher wave period, higher wave height, milder slopes, longer feature lengths, and higher feature roughness largely correlated with higher wave attenuation. However, only on mild slopes did additional feature lengths result in appreciable additional attenuation. Characteristic lengths were thus computed to better illustrate the cost-effectiveness of additional feature lengths given a particular wave environment. These characteristic lengths provide one way to evaluate the hydraulic efficacy of proposed living shoreline projects. In this way, regardless of the particularities of individual project sites, we aim to help planners screen potential living shoreline projects before pursuing more detailed, costly analyses.

As urban land expands across the globe and impervious surfaces continue to be used for constructing urban infrastructure, stormwater treatment costs and environmental damage from untreated stormwater will rise. Well designed urban landscapes can employ trees and soils to reduce stormwater runoff flowing to streams and treatment facilities. Typical urban soil, however, is compacted and restricts tree growth via high soil strength and inadequate gas exchange. A site preparation method that deeply incorporates compost and includes trees for long term carbon input and pore development was evaluated in the urban setting of Arlington, Virginia. Three species were used in that study of 25 streetside plantings. The site preparation affected soil at 15 30 cm by lowering soil bulk density by 13.3%, and increasing macro-aggregate-associated carbon by 151% compared to control plots, and resulted in 77% greater tree growth during the first year after transplant. In a second experiment, rainfall simulations were used to evaluate common landscape mulch materials for their ability to prevent compaction from traffic as well their affect on surface runoff before and after traffic. When plots were subjected to heavy rainfall, (>97 mm/h) mulches were found to reduce sediment loss 82% and 73% before and after traffic, respectively. Runoff rates from wood chips were only 0.19 ml/s faster after traffic while rates from bare soil and marble gravel with geotextile increased 2.28 and 2.56 ml/s, respectively. Management of soils, trees and landscapes for stormwater benefit could reduce cost of wastewater treatment for municipalities and can prevent environmental degradation. / Master of Science

Climate change is expected to lead to more intense and severe rainfall events in the future, significantly increasing the risk of urban flooding. This change, characterized by spatial and temporal shifts in precipitation patterns, presents a challenge to the capacity of existing urban drainage systems, which may lead to higher runoff volumes than they were initially designed to handle. Relying solely on enlarging stormwater infrastructure to tackle this issue could be expensive and may transfer the flooding risk downstream, rather than effectively resolving it. Furthermore, climate change may also lead to prolonged dry spells, potentially resulting in soil compaction and diminished soil infiltration rates. Given these considerations, it is essential to ensure urban drainage systems are both adaptable and space-efficient, with an enhanced capacity to manage the heightened rainfall caused by climate change.   As awareness of the hydrological and environmental impacts of urbanization on catchments grows, there has been a paradigm shift toward adopting green infrastructure solutions. These approaches diverge from traditional 'end-of-pipe' strategies, emphasizing more holistic and sustainable methods. The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate the implications of climatic conditions and geographic location on the retention and detention capacity of three types of infiltration-based facilities: a biofilter cell, a green roof, and a grass swale. A rainfall-runoff model of a biofilter cell and a green roof, combined with swale irrigation experiments, was used to evaluate the capacity of these facilities to reduce runoff volumes and attenuate peak flows. The analysis was conducted in four urban areas representing oceanic (Cfc), humid continental (Dfb), and subarctic (Dfc) climatic zones. The assessment also includes the effect of temporal and spatial variation of saturated hydraulic conductivities (ksat). Swale irrigation experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of outflow controls on swale retention and detention capacities, under high soil moisture conditions.   Results for biofilter cells and green roofs showed that retention capacities were influenced by the combined effect of antecedent wetness, the extent of winter periods, and the frequency and intensity of rainfall events. Conversely, green roofs were found to have a higher sensitivity to initial soil conditions and antecedent dry weather periods, which was observed through a spread distribution of runoff volume reductions. Grass swales exhibited a large spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity (ksat) values, with lower values at the swale bottom and higher values at the slope on the right side. Results from a full-scale infiltration test showed that overall, grass swale infiltration capacities are representative of the measured ksat values at the swale bottom. Finally, the presence of outflow controls was observed to enhance the retention and detention capacities of grass swales, even under high levels of soil moisture content. This increase in swale hydrological functionality was influenced by swale outflow controls, leading to greater utilization of the grass swale surface area. Differences between swales with outflow controls and those without were noted due to the effect of the additional storage capacity provided by an outlet control weir. Conversely, it was shown that swales without outflow controls experienced limited retention under high soil moisture content, restricted by the finite capacity of surface depression storage.

This case study aimed to assess the potential threats to the Linnaeus botanical heritage in Uppsala Municipality, focusing on the Linnaeus Trails and their surroundings. These trails are part of Uppsala's green infrastructure, providing cultural and supporting ecosystem services that enhance urban resilience.  The study investigated potential threats to the Linnaeus trails from different angles, including management and governance, urban expansion, habitat fragmentation, wear and tear, UNESCO World Heritage plans, genetic contamination, and invasive species. Data was collected through reviews of scientific literature and municipal governance documents, with informants providing additional insights, clarifications, and primary data. The authors also compared historical and current maps to identify changes over time and conducted study visits to verify the information. The findings revealed that the Linnaeus botanical heritage is threatened in all examined areas, with urban expansion, landownership issues, habitat fragmentation, and genetic contamination identified as the primary threats. Additionally, shifting baselines and landownership were highlighted as significant concerns. The findings also showed that the botanical heritage and the Linnaeus Trails are most protected within designated nature reserves. However, the management of the Linnaeus heritage involves numerous stakeholders, which might lead to instability in preservation strategies.  To address these challenges, the authors propose that the municipality should establish a biological rescue plan for the Linnaeus botanical heritage, complementing Uppsala’s Green Plan. This plan should guide stakeholders in avoiding genetic contamination and utilise expertise from SLU and Uppsala University to protect Linnaean species. A centralised governing body should be responsible for the long-term management. Allocating more resources for communication and advocacy around the Linnaeus Trails will help garner public and political support. Awareness of shifting baselines in urban planning is essential for protecting this heritage. In conclusion, this case study underscores the need for coordinated and proactive measures to protect the Linnaeus botanical heritage from environmental and anthropogenic threats.