Carlo Scarpa, Italian architect, designer, painter, had a vision of a deliberate juxtaposition of the presence of the past against the backdrop of the present. Such are the conditions that describe various palimpsests, partially legible windows into the past. Reconstructing the Ca'Foscari (1935-37), Scarpa's first real commission marked the realized reconciliation between the old and the new. The finished work of the Ca'Foscari reflects the poetic manner in which the presence of the history and the present moment are allowed to be what they are no more, no less; yet the two operate in ethereal symbiosis. A perforated semi-transparency and sophisticated manipulation of light evolved to become the governing strategies for future projects. Revelatory changes in materials establish a relationship with an evolving fabric. Scarpa believed that arranging such exhibits as the Ca'Foscari project kept these delicate reconciliations at the forefront of one's mind. In an era of placelessness, Niall Kirkwood states that history's failures are repeating themselves. In efforts to "Hold Our Ground" he make the revelation that spaces built from the 1990's on may deteriorate faster than expected as landscapes evolve. Spaces are redesigned with new forms masking what was. Kirkwood proposes a working paradigm, similar to a palimpsest, to provide legible insight into a site's past. This thesis investigation is intended to explore possible reconfigurations of history's artifacts, lending themselves to a dialogue between the past and the present as applied to a conceptual palimpsest. This is possible taking Scarpa's ability of weaving a new work into the ongoing dialogue of an evolving fabric paired with the fusions of modern/historical impulses of sculptor Isamu Noguchi strung with Walter Hood's improvisational analysis whereas the site informs the design. This design project will take form as a revelatory unveiling of Love Plaza's history, one of Philadelphia's many reused canvasses. / Master of Landscape Architecture

The US Environmental Protection Agency defines brownfields as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” The existence of brownfield presents enormous challenges for cities across the United States. This report explores the possible roles nonprofits can play in brownfield development. As part of this investigation, the problems and opportunities brownfields offer socially, environmentally and economically are examined through literature review. Further on, three existing brownfields-specific nonprofit corporations are discussed through case studies. Each of these organizations The Guardian Trust, The Brownfields Stewardship Fund, and The Center for Creative Land Recycling, provide unique services facilitating the redevelopment of brownfields across the country. The lessons learned are then applied to the City of Dallas. The report concludes by exploring the potential roles the third sector could play in the redevelopment of brownfields in Dallas. With increased involvement, nonprofits can help convert brownfields back to their highest and best use for the benefit of the community. / text