In response to the World Commission on Environment and Development’s Brundtland Report (1987) and other documents that have brought the need to address environmental, economic, and social issues to the forefront of the awareness of the public, the Sustainable SITES Initiative was modeled after LEED certification and was formed to establish a rating system and comprehensive framework of guidelines for development. It is a collaborative effort between the ASLA, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the United States Botanic Garden. In June 2015, the Green Building Certification, Inc. of the United States Green Building Council acquired SITES and will oversee future certifications. SITES was formed to address the need for a coordinated response between all landscape design professionals, and to work in addition to and synergistically with LEED certification. This study investigates the new sustainability rating system while exploring the professional marketplace and the design processes of three landscape architecture firms. The purpose of this study is to answer the question, “How do the design processes differ between SITES certified and noncertified urban open space projects in the Puget Sound area?”. There are currently 47 landscape projects across the United States that have been certified by the SITES pilot program rating system. This is an exploratory study that examines the processes of three landscape architecture firms, with two projects within each firm: one sustainably certified through SITES, one is not certified, for a total of six case studies. By analyzing and documenting the presence and nature of patterns, similarities and differences, this study aims to strengthen the objective of SITES certification for the purpose of recognition and to validate existing sustainable landscape architectural practices. This study pinpoints the components of sustainable landscape architectural and highlights landscape architecture’s commitment to sustainable development. Landscape architecture has a rich history of incorporating sustainable practices into their work. With this new rating system, landscape projects can gain recognition for sustainable practice through marketing projects as SITES certified, as the LEED certification program exemplifies. This study can also inform future collaborations with LEED certifications. SITES currently works synergistically with LEED certification on several components, but increased collaboration will be mutually beneficial. The SITES certification process is very involved and time-consuming, and with valuable feedback from Landscape Architects, expedited certification can be possible.

Chinese floating population residents' underprivileged living status and intensified social tension are becoming the two major issues inside their community living settlements. The thesis research holds the position that urban open space can enhance Chinese floating population's quality of life and also contribute to the social capital within their living settlement. It is critical to create the open space system that brings great social and health benefits to the group. Literature reviews reveal floating population's characteristics such as existing and potential leisure activities and leisure places. Contemporary thinking on urban open space qualities, benefits and typologies were reviewed to determine which types of open space are of value to this population. Specific qualities and corresponding benefits of floating population community open spaces, which are closely related to the group's characteristics, are identified. Findings from the literature reviews were used to develop open space design guidelines specific to government sponsored floating population settlement areas. Planning and site design level design guidelines address social and health benefits for the floating population residents. Types of open space and their spatial distributions are identified at the planning level. At the site design level, place-based design guidelines were developed for three major open space categories: the daily use spaces around dwelling units, the streets, and the plaza/squares. Under each category, design strategies were developed to promote desirable open space qualities inside the floating population settlement area, and descriptive design objectives are proposed to achieve these qualities. The design guidelines connect the group's demographic, leisure and work characteristics to open space typologies, qualities and respective benefits, and provide recommendations for the open space design of Chinese floating population community. These design guidelines offer planners and site designers a new tool to guide planning and site design decisions of floating population community open space. / Master of Landscape Architecture

This research is an investigation into the phrase 'intermediate landscape' and tests this concept in the re-development of the Sanya waterfront, China. The phrase is based on the 'missing link' in the current disconnection between the landscape and urban development in Sanya city. If the landscape is considered as a connection across scales and urban systems rather than an isolated system, then how can landscape affect the structure and function of urban development? The 'intermediate landscape' considers the impact of understanding landscape not as an additional layer, but as a structure that can connect the urban context at different scales while at the same time addressing its function. This project attempts to formulate strategies of 'intermediate landscape' to coordinate the transformation of developing cities.

Urbanization is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. To address this problem, landscape planners have increasingly adopted landscape ecology as a theoretical basis for planning. They use spatial concepts that express principles of landscape ecology in diagrammatic form to create frameworks for planning. This dissertation presents a quantitative approach to evaluate the application of spatial concepts developed to create an armature of open space in areas subject to urbanization. It focuses on the predicted urban expansion of Damascus, Oregon, as a case study. An alternative futures study was used to test three open space spatial concepts for patches, corridors and networks in combination with compact and dispersed urban development patterns. The resulting eight scenarios of land use and land cover were then modeled for the year 2060 to evaluate their effects on habitat quantity, quality and configuration and to identify tradeoffs between urban development and conservation for three focal wildlife species: Red-legged frog, Western meadowlark, and Douglas squirrel. Open space spatial concepts strongly influenced habitat quantity and quality differences among future scenarios. Development patterns showed less influence on those variables. Scenarios with no landscape ecological spatial concept provided the most land for urban development but reduced habitat quantity and quality. Greenway scenarios showed habitat increases but failed to provide sufficient habitat for Western meadowlark. Park system scenarios showed habitat increases, but high-quality habitats for Western meadowlark and Red-legged frog decreased. Network scenarios presented the best overall amount of habitats and high-quality habitats for the three species but constrained urban development options. Next, I used an individual-based wildlife model, HexSim, to simulate the effects of habitat configuration and to compare and contrast resulting wildlife population sizes among the eight future scenarios with the ca. 2010 baseline landscape. Network scenarios supported the largest number of Red-legged frog breeders. Park scenarios performed best for meadowlarks, while greenway scenarios showed the largest populations of squirrels. Four of the eight scenarios sustained viable populations of Western meadowlarks. Compact development scenarios performed best for most indicators, but dispersed development scenarios performed better for Western meadowlarks. This dissertation includes both previously published and unpublished material.

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abstract: This doctoral dissertation research aims to develop a comprehensive definition of urban open spaces and to determine the extent of environmental, social and economic impacts of open spaces on cities and the people living there. The approach I take to define urban open space is to apply fuzzy set theory to conceptualize the physical characteristics of open spaces. In addition, a 'W-green index' is developed to quantify the scope of greenness in urban open spaces. Finally, I characterize the environmental impact of open spaces' greenness on the surface temperature, explore the social benefits through observing recreation and relaxation, and identify the relationship between housing price and open space be creating a hedonic model on nearby housing to quantify the economic impact. Fuzzy open space mapping helps to investigate the landscape characteristics of existing-recognized open spaces as well as other areas that can serve as open spaces. Research findings indicated that two fuzzy open space values are effective to the variability in different land-use types and between arid and humid cities. W-Green index quantifies the greenness for various types of open spaces. Most parks in Tempe, Arizona are grass-dominant with higher W-Green index, while natural landscapes are shrub-dominant with lower index. W-Green index has the advantage to explain vegetation composition and structural characteristics in open spaces. The outputs of comprehensive analyses show that the different qualities and types of open spaces, including size, greenness, equipment (facility), and surrounding areas, have different patterns in the reduction of surface temperature and the number of physical activities. The variance in housing prices through the distance to park was, however, not clear in this research. This dissertation project provides better insight into how to describe, plan, and prioritize the functions and types of urban open spaces need for sustainable living. This project builds a comprehensive framework for analyzing urban open spaces in an arid city. This dissertation helps expand the view for urban environment and play a key role in establishing a strategy and finding decision-makings. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Geography 2011

No processo histórico de urbanização de Campo Grande, MS e dos seus espaços livres públicos de recreação e conservação, alguns aspectos como a pequena receptividade da população e um uso incipiente desses espaços públicos, contribuíram para desencadear um questionamento sobre os procedimentos adotados e a atuação profissional no campo do planejamento, na elaboração de projetos e sobre o processo de construção desses espaços livres urbanos. A partir da identificação de que falta uma interpretação integrada para uma adequada compreensão da cidade, a tese se desenvolve com uma visão sistêmica como princípio de análise, considerando a cidade como um conjunto de elementos físicos e imateriais que interagem no espaço. Há em geral um jogo de forças, interesses, que promovem as mudanças na paisagem e na realidade urbana. O objetivo da tese é avaliar as ações desenvolvidas na atividade de planejamento, projeto e gestão do sistema de espaços livres públicos em Campo Grande, MS que proporcionam a adequada preservação da natureza e a realização das atividades recreativas, esportivas, culturais, propiciando o encontro e o relacionamento social. O método baseia-se na análise de fontes documentais primárias (mapas, dados cartográficos, acervos de projetos, registros fotográficos, originais de leis) e secundárias (revisão bibliográfica e entrevistas com técnicos e administradores) sobre o último século. A avaliação geral sobre o sistema de espaços livres públicos de recreação e de conservação de Campo Grande mostra que ele possui alguns aspectos dominantes e que o caracteriza: observa-se que a população mais abastada busca suprir a recreação individualmente, nos lotes e por isso, não demanda esse tipo de soluções nas praças, onde predominam as ajardinadas. A contradição aparece na região ocupada pela população mais carente habitante de lotes menores e que, portanto, demanda mais infra-estrutura de recreação. Entretanto, as áreas públicas nessa região caracterizam-se pelo uso indevido e a implantação de equipamentos nos lotes vagos. Apesar disso, a aplicação da legislação urbana associada à ação de algumas administrações municipais favoreceu a constituição de um sistema rico e demarcado pela construção de lugares públicos singulares, que servem de referencial para as cidades médias brasileiras. / In the historic urbanization process of recreational and conservational open spaces in Campo Grande, MS some issues as the low acceptance by its inhabitants and lack of use of these spaces, contributed to develop a questioning process about the procedures adopted and the professional acting on planning, design process and on construction process of these urban open spaces. This study began when it was identified a lack of an integrated interpretation of the city to get a adequate comprehension about its relationships. So, the thesis is developed with a systemic view as an analysis principle, considering the city as a group of joined-up elements, those are physical and immaterial and they interact in various types of relationships. There are tendencies and interests that promote the changes in the landscape and in the urban reality. This work aims to evaluate the actions developed in planning, design and management activities of public open spaces in Campo Grande, MS that provide an adequate environmental preservation and the implementation of recreational, sportive, cultural activities, creating opportunities to meeting and social relationships. The method is based on the primary sources documents analysis (maps, cartographic data, projects archive, photographic archive, original laws) and secondary sources (bibliography review and interviews with administrators and technicians) about the last century. The evaluation of Campo Grandes recreational and conservational public open spaces system shows that it has some dominant aspects: the richer population solves the necessity of recreation individually in their private areas and because of that, do not demand this type of solutions in near local urban plazas, where the predominant type is the plaza with gardens. The contradiction is in more poor areas, where the population lives in small areas and demand more recreational infrastructure. But, the public spaces in this region frequently are used in a bad way and the equipments are built in private but non occupied areas. Despite these issues, the application of urban legislation associated to some municipalities actions made possible the constitution of a rich system characterized by the construction of unique public places that are references to medium Brazilian cities.

No processo histórico de urbanização de Campo Grande, MS e dos seus espaços livres públicos de recreação e conservação, alguns aspectos como a pequena receptividade da população e um uso incipiente desses espaços públicos, contribuíram para desencadear um questionamento sobre os procedimentos adotados e a atuação profissional no campo do planejamento, na elaboração de projetos e sobre o processo de construção desses espaços livres urbanos. A partir da identificação de que falta uma interpretação integrada para uma adequada compreensão da cidade, a tese se desenvolve com uma visão sistêmica como princípio de análise, considerando a cidade como um conjunto de elementos físicos e imateriais que interagem no espaço. Há em geral um jogo de forças, interesses, que promovem as mudanças na paisagem e na realidade urbana. O objetivo da tese é avaliar as ações desenvolvidas na atividade de planejamento, projeto e gestão do sistema de espaços livres públicos em Campo Grande, MS que proporcionam a adequada preservação da natureza e a realização das atividades recreativas, esportivas, culturais, propiciando o encontro e o relacionamento social. O método baseia-se na análise de fontes documentais primárias (mapas, dados cartográficos, acervos de projetos, registros fotográficos, originais de leis) e secundárias (revisão bibliográfica e entrevistas com técnicos e administradores) sobre o último século. A avaliação geral sobre o sistema de espaços livres públicos de recreação e de conservação de Campo Grande mostra que ele possui alguns aspectos dominantes e que o caracteriza: observa-se que a população mais abastada busca suprir a recreação individualmente, nos lotes e por isso, não demanda esse tipo de soluções nas praças, onde predominam as ajardinadas. A contradição aparece na região ocupada pela população mais carente habitante de lotes menores e que, portanto, demanda mais infra-estrutura de recreação. Entretanto, as áreas públicas nessa região caracterizam-se pelo uso indevido e a implantação de equipamentos nos lotes vagos. Apesar disso, a aplicação da legislação urbana associada à ação de algumas administrações municipais favoreceu a constituição de um sistema rico e demarcado pela construção de lugares públicos singulares, que servem de referencial para as cidades médias brasileiras. / In the historic urbanization process of recreational and conservational open spaces in Campo Grande, MS some issues as the low acceptance by its inhabitants and lack of use of these spaces, contributed to develop a questioning process about the procedures adopted and the professional acting on planning, design process and on construction process of these urban open spaces. This study began when it was identified a lack of an integrated interpretation of the city to get a adequate comprehension about its relationships. So, the thesis is developed with a systemic view as an analysis principle, considering the city as a group of joined-up elements, those are physical and immaterial and they interact in various types of relationships. There are tendencies and interests that promote the changes in the landscape and in the urban reality. This work aims to evaluate the actions developed in planning, design and management activities of public open spaces in Campo Grande, MS that provide an adequate environmental preservation and the implementation of recreational, sportive, cultural activities, creating opportunities to meeting and social relationships. The method is based on the primary sources documents analysis (maps, cartographic data, projects archive, photographic archive, original laws) and secondary sources (bibliography review and interviews with administrators and technicians) about the last century. The evaluation of Campo Grandes recreational and conservational public open spaces system shows that it has some dominant aspects: the richer population solves the necessity of recreation individually in their private areas and because of that, do not demand this type of solutions in near local urban plazas, where the predominant type is the plaza with gardens. The contradiction is in more poor areas, where the population lives in small areas and demand more recreational infrastructure. But, the public spaces in this region frequently are used in a bad way and the equipments are built in private but non occupied areas. Despite these issues, the application of urban legislation associated to some municipalities actions made possible the constitution of a rich system characterized by the construction of unique public places that are references to medium Brazilian cities.

From its infancy, environmental psychology [which concerns itself with the coinfluencing interface between people and places] has required attention to actual context, and attention to social relevance. There has always been an emphasis on research into real problems within a context of meaningful theory, and on results which have potential not only for individuals, but also for policy-makers and those who execute that policy. This environmental psychology study is about the potential role of green open space in contributing towards quality of life in the city generally. It is also about a specific, wellloved urban open space in Namibia's capital city, Windhoek, the Avis dam environment, which is often the contentious target of proposed commercial development. At the moment, the Windhoek Municipality has no well-structured urban open space policy, and possibly also no full understanding of the meanings of the Avis dam for its users. This study hopes to make contributions to both these areas of policy-making. As the applicability of research findings to the development of public policies and community interventions depends very much on the suitability of the methodology and theories chosen (Stokols, 19911), this study begins with a discussion of systemic and ecosystemic thinking [Chapter Two]. They were chosen as the guiding metatheory for this study, not only because of their recognition of the inescapable connectedness between person and environment, but because of their personal appeal too. Chapter Three examines theories and models which are compatible with systems thinking, and which help understand the potentially positive psycho-social and socio-economic roles of urban open space generally, and how the extent of that potential in a specific open space may be appreciated and described. The implications of systemic/ecosystemic metatheory for the study's methodology and research design are discussed in Chapter Four, and the data collection methods, which comprised observation and interviewing, in Chapter Five. Ecosystemic thinkers do not believe that facts can be "found" [they are not there objectively, but co-emerge subjectively from people's individual and collective experience in a place], so Chapter Six deals with a co-emergent interpretation of the data gathered. Based on that interpretation, recommendations for urban open space policy generally, and the Avis dam environment specifically, are made in Chapter Seven. AFRIKAANS : Omgewingssielkunde (wat gemoeid is met die mede-beinvloedings tussen mense en plekke) het van sy vroegste jeug aandag benodig ten opsigte van werklike verband asook maatskaplike toepaslikheid. Daar was nog altyd klem op navorsing ten opsigte van daadwerklike probleme binne die verband van ‘n betekenisvolle teorie asook op die uitslae wat potensiaal het vir die individualis sowel as die beleidsbepalers en beleidsuitvoerders. Hierdie omgewingssielkundestudie gaan oor hoe groen oop spasies moontlik kan bydra tot kwaliteit van lewensgehalte in die stad oor die algemeen. Dit gaan ook oor ‘n besondere, geliefde stedelike oop ruimte in Namibia se hoofstad, Windhoek, nl. die Avisdamomgewing, wat voortdurend ‘n teiken is vir bedryfsontwikkeling. Tans beskik die Munisipaliteit van Windhoek nie oor ‘n welsaamgestelde beleid oor oop ruimtes nie en moontlik ontbreek ook by hulle die nodige begrip van die betekenis van die dam vir sy verbruikers. Hierdie studie be-oog om ‘n bydrae in die beleidsbepalings van altwee leemtes te lewer. Die toepaslikheid van navorsingsbevindings in die ontwikkeling van openbare beleid en gemeenskapsbemiddeling hang baie van die gepastheid van die metodologie en teorië (Stokols, 1991)2 af. Hierdie studie begin met ‘n bespreking oor sistemiese en ekosistemiese denke (Hoofstuk Twee). Hulle is as die leidende metateorieë gekies, nie alleen vir hul erkenning van die onontkombare verband tussen persone en hul omgewing nie, maar ook vir hulle persoonlike aantrekkingskrag. In Hoofstuk Drie word teorië en voorbeelde bestudeer wat verenigbaar is met sistemiese denke en wat help om die potensiële positiewe psigo-sosiale en sosio-ekonomiese rolle van stedelike oop ruimtes oor die algemeen te verstaan, asook hoe om die omvang van die potensiaal van ‘n spesifieke oop ruimte te kan waardeer en te kan beskryf. In Hoofstuk Vier word die implikasies van die sistemiese/eko-sistemiese metateorie vir hierdie studie se metodologie en navorsingsplan bespreek. Die dataversamelingsmetodes wat uit waarneming en onderhoude bestaan, word in Hoofstuk Vyf hanteer. Ekosistemiese denkers glo nie dat feite “gevind” word nie (dit is nie objektiewelik daar nie maar ontstaan subjektiewelik deur persone se individuele en gesamentlike ondervindinge van ‘n plek), dus word die vertolking van die saamgestelde data in Hoofstuk Ses bespreek. In die lig van dié vertolking word aanbevelings 2 Stokols, D. (1991). Conceptual strategies of environmental psychology. In D. Stokols& I. Altman (Eds), Handbook of environmental psychology, Vol. 1 (pp. 41-70). New York: John Wiley. vir stedelike oopruimtebeleid in die algemeen asook spesifiek vir die Avisdam omgewing in Hoofstuk Sewe hanteer. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 1998. / Psychology / unrestricted