Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Eric A. Bernard / The sub-rural Kansas community of Winona stands at a critical
crossroad. The dilemma of rural population decline, fueled largely by
technological advances in communication, transportation, and agriculture
is devastating rural economies and the centers of community social life –
namely the local school(s) and main street(s). The physical infrastructure,
spatial character and unique identity of rural places is slowly diminished in
the process. While great potential exists for the landscape architecture and
planning professions to address the patterns of rural decline, the limited
market for such services and the lack of regulations requiring those services
precludes their effective implementation within rural communities.
Within Winona, a long-standing stormwater problem provides an opportunity
to address both the stormwater problem and the larger dilemma in a
holistic landscape architecture approach.
How can contemporary landscape architecture engage rural communities
in planning and design solutions aimed at mitigating stormwater
issues while addressing community identity loss resulting from population
and economic decline? The Place, Space, Community (PSC) Framework
developed can determine distinctive qualities and characteristics and illuminate
community identity which serves as the creative genesis for
stormwater mitigation, and more importantly, the development of social
capital critical to economic and population stability and growth.
Successful development of social capital and enhanced community
identity is dependent on design solutions anchored in the sense of place
inherent in the residents of Winona. Landscape architects are uniquely
qualified to provide solutions to the stormwater problem which respond
to place in ways influencing the identity and social capital of Winona’s
residents in dramatically positive ways. This initial focus on a holistic,
place-based approach to increased social capital provides a strong foundation
for future economic, social and environmental stability and growth
into the future. Winona can indeed enjoy a bright and prosperous future
with a Place, Space, Community approach.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:KSU/oai:krex.k-state.edu:2097/9187 |
| Date | January 1900 |
| Creators | Barrett, Kirby |
| Publisher | Kansas State University |
| Source Sets | K-State Research Exchange |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Report |
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