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Browsing by Author "Jacobson, Wendy R."

Now showing 1 - 20 of 33
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    Analyzing Physical Characteristics that Support Sense of Place and Context-Sensitive Community Design in Santa Fe, New Mexico
    Senes Jr, Raymond Nicholas (Virginia Tech, 2016-12-13)
    New developments often lack regional identity and distinctiveness of place. Before the industrial revolution, landscapes were the result of social, cultural and environmental constraints. Currently, a strong sense of place is lacking in many American cities. Santa Fe, New Mexico, as an example, faces the challenge of integrating new development with existing historic areas. While the downtown central core of Santa Fe has a distinctive and unique character, the outlying fringes of Santa Fe County are being developed in ways that undermine the sense of place that is valued by its residents and visitors. Current county development patterns do not meld with the intimate, small-scale character of the older neighborhoods in the downtown central core areas of the city. To address this issue, this thesis uses theory related to sense of place to identify distinctive characteristics that can be adapted for projects outside Santa Fe's central core. The study uses a mixed method approach, including a literature review and field study methods to assess Santa Fe's distinctive physical characteristics. The results are a set of contemporary community design guidelines for the Santa Fe, New Mexico region that address sense of place in the following categories: (a) Spatial Planning and Architecture: street design characteristics and their physical relationship to architecture; (b) Environmentally Responsive Architecture: architecture design characteristics that respond to the regional environment and Santa Fe Style; (c) Decorative Architectural Details: architectural detail design characteristics that respond to the regional vernacular and the Santa Fe Style; (d) Integration of Architecture and Landscape: open space design the physical relationship between the local landscape and architecture; and, (e) Landscape and Cultural Character: regional landscape and art design characteristics that respond to Santa Fe's environment and culture. The resulting design principles are expressed as guidelines to support sense of place and their application to new development in Santa Fe County.
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    Artistic Action and Contemplation: Recapturing The Elements of Mystery That Make Every Round of Golf A Voyage of Discovery
    Rundall, Shane (Virginia Tech, 2006-04-07)
    Artists think differently. They challenge the practical and apply their ideas to the contemporary world creating many journeys and excitement along the way. Without them, the world would have remained flat and as unique as black and white. This thesis investigation is grounded in phenomenological theories of aesthetics proposed by Maurice Merleau-Ponty and John Dewey, the artistic approach of Jackson Pollock and Yves Klein, and my own perceptions of the process of creating art. The objective is to apply aesthetic concepts and principles derived from these sources to the practice of golf course architecture and expand the way we view and play in our golf course environment. Golf, unlike any other sport, is carried out over an area of awarded luck and encouraged misfortune that also happens to be a living environment. Without question, no two courses are alike. Nor is any hole on any course ever the same. Nor is any hole, even if played the very next day, going to relinquish the same experience. Daily tee and hole locations make for an infinite number of configurations; as does wind, the temperature, the condition of the grass or the suddenly drooping branches of a once upright tree. However, not all courses reach their potential and capitalize on the environments possibilities and the perception of those experiencing it. Some course designers simply place holes in a pattern to reach desired numbers of par and yardage in order to fulfill a requirement. With the unrelenting expense of land and the continued awareness of negative development impacts, the art of golf course architecture could be viewed a bit differently. By incorporating the attitude of an artist such as Jackson Pollock, or the mentality of a psychologist such as Merleau-Ponty, and revealing the possibilities of the subconscious, the golf course architect's design can do more than give shape to space. Blacksburg Country Club, located in Ellett Valley just outside of the town of Blacksburg, Virginia serves as a case study site for this design investigation. The intent of the thesis is to develop a design that addresses the technicalities of golf course architecture and the history of the profession while creating a piece of 'art in nature' that touches all the senses — the gateway to the soul. There just happens to be a game inside.
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    Bangalore-Future Trends In Public Open Space Usage. Case Study: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bangalore
    Vagale, Uday Kumar (Virginia Tech, 2004-05-06)
    From 'Pensioners Paradise' or 'Garden City' to 'Silicon Valley' or 'Garbage City', the city of Bangalore has come a long way. One of the interesting aspects of life in Bangalore is 'public life' and the use of public space. However the quality of public spaces in Bangalore has deteriorated over the years due to several reasons. Rapid development, increase in traffic, encroachment into public spaces and lack of management of public spaces have all contributed to this. The CBD (Central Business District) area, especially M.G. Road has evolved as the de-facto centre of Bangalore. Hence a space that used to cater to a city of 2 million in 1980 has to now cater to a city of 5 million. This has led to congestion on M.G. Road, especially along the sidewalk, where people jostle each other to get to their destinations and one can no longer take a leisure stroll or promenade in comfort. Although the sidewalk has been historically an important public space, it is now slowly being reduced to the function of circulation. The increase in population has also altered the demands on public spaces in Bangalore. The cosmopolitan image that Bangalore has acquired has resulted in the creation of many eclectic spaces such as pubs, open-air cafés, and food courts. The common man is being left out of this semi-public realm because of affordability, causing a social rift. Also with pressure increasing on the streets it is becoming difficult to cater to these needs in an appropriate manner. The public realm is slowly diminishing and the semi-private realm is filling the void. This calls for a re-evaluation of the role of a street and how it is functioning in Bangalore and exploration of new spatial types of public spaces, which can be introduced in the public realm. Public spaces should reconcile these differences rather than aggravate them. With pressure on land due to increasing population and density a contest for space is inevitable. What is important is to reconcile these differences and evolve a strategy through which public space can be returned to the people irrespective or religion, caste, creed, class or political alignment for the common good without compromising on aesthetics. At the same time the poor and deprived need to feel a sense of belonging and ownership in the city. Public space is one of the few mediums for such expressions and hence the duty of the city to provide it. Also the absence of iconic public spaces as landmarks has resulted in Bangalore remaining an imageless city, a former middle-class city with no apparent vernacular. Today Bangalore has no real city centre to represent its image and cater to its citizens. The elements of a city centre already exist as observed by Rao & Tewari; it is a matter of giving it structure and a sense of place. Bangalore today confronts several problems with respect to its public spaces ' lack of an imageable city centre; contest for urban and public space based on class and caste; privatisation / corporatisation of public space. To curtail violent and disruptive demonstration of ideas and aspirations by various interest groups especially those of the suppressed, the city needs a democratic, civic space in the perceived/evolving heart of the city ' M.G. Road. Such a space would attempt to bridge the zoning of Bangalore and the lack of imageability of the city; providing its citizens a space to speak their minds, to protest, to celebrate, to mourn, to recreate and most importantly to unite. The thesis document comprises three sections. The first section deals with theory pertaining to the design of public spaces that provides a basis to evaluate public spaces in Bangalore, and draw conclusions, which can be applied in the design project. It draws from public space theory pertaining to the issues identified earlier. The second section provides a brief history of urbanisation of Bangalore. It describes the use of public space from colonial times to the present and draws conclusions for future development of public spaces in Bangalore. The last section applies and tests the conclusions arrived at in the previous two chapters through a design project for a site on Mahatma Gandhi Road. The design process and final product comprises the third section.
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    A circular model of urban hydrology
    Ganesan, Maya (Virginia Tech, 1996-03-05)
    Fresh water, particularly potable water, is a critically important, albeit scarce, resource to human beings. Increasing evidence of polluted fresh water bodies indicate water usage patterns that are detrimental to the scarce reserves of fresh water on a regional and global level. It may be said however, that, that the current problems of water wastage and abuse are not merely the results of the technology used but more so of the erroneous perceptions that have guided its development. Therefore it is crucial to not only adopt different technology to solve current water management problems but more important to create a new holistic paradigm of water management that provides the framework for ecologically sustainable technology. The thesis on a circular model of urban hydrology is an attempt in this direction. The thesis is based on the need to develop a sustainable model of urban hydrology. It is a descriptive model that combines existing technologies in a manner that would make them relevant to present and future cities and is applied on a conceptual level to study the implications that this new model could have on the urban landscape. By exploring the concepts of waste water reclamation and re-use, and storm water management that is connected to the city's water supplies, the circular model attempts to attempts to reduce the affects of urbanization and urban water usage on external natural systems while establishing ecologically benign links with the regional and global environments. The use of biological systems for wastewater reclamation has different implications to the urban physical environment in terms of its landuse patterns, open space systems, human activities and aesthetics, than a conventional centralized system of water supply and disposal. The thesis discusses those implications that are particularly relevant to those involved in the planning and design of cities and speculates on an urban environment that might be different from an existing modern city.
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    Dante, VA: Community Design Charrette
    Clements, Terry L.; Williams, Daphne; Shi, Xiaofei; Bohannon, C. L.; Bork, Dean R.; Jacobson, Wendy R.; Johnson, Benjamin C.; Katen, Brian F.; Kim, Mintai; McGill, David; Miller, Patrick A.; Proctor, Nicholaus; Gilboy, Elizabeth (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2017-02-01)
    The Virginia Tech Landscape Architecture (LAR) Program held the first Richard G. Gibbons Public Landscapes Planning and Design Vertical Charrette at the beginning of the spring semester 2017. All landscape architecture students from second through fifth year participated in the charrette as part of their required studio and senior project work. This endowed charrette was also supported with an Urban & Community Forestry grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry provided through the Community Design Assistance Center and funding from the town of Dante. The charrette addressed public landscape issues and opportunities in Dante, Virginia, a historic coal town located in far southwest Virginia. Students and faculty travelled to the historic coal and rail town to meet with Dante and Russell County representatives to learn about the town and its rich social, cultural, economic, and environmental heritage as well as its current challenges and opportunities. Student groups were tasked with identifying and investigating options for community revitalization using public open space. After a single week of intensive work, the student groups graphically and orally presented their ideas for Dante’s future.
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    Designing for the Future: Promoting Ecoliteracy in the Design of Children's Outdoor Play Environments
    Freuder, Tracy Grace (Virginia Tech, 2006-03-22)
    Rapid development of U.S. cities and towns along with changes in society and technology are dramatically affecting childhood experience. Wild places and vacant lots for kids to play in are disappearing. Parents have limited time to spend with their children and fear letting them play outside alone. Traffic is a growing safety hazard and there is an increasing desire for entertainment in the form of TV and video games over outdoor exploration. As a result, children are becoming alienated from nature. They are growing up without developing a personal attachment to their natural surroundings or an understanding of their impact on the environment. The design of outdoor play areas can help reconnect children to their surroundings and lead to a more environmentally minded generation. Ecoliteracy suggests an understanding of ecological principles as well as appreciation for the environment and an attitude of stewardship. In addition to helping kids acquire factual knowledge, outdoor play spaces should cultivate a sense of wonder and delight and an emotional appreciation of the living world. Through research, observation and application, this thesis project identifies design criteria for promoting ecoliteracy in outdoor play environments.
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    Embodying the City: Identity and Use in Urban Public Space
    Dougherty, Dana (Virginia Tech, 2006-03-22)
    Certain urban public spaces seem to embody the cities in which they are found, helping to make those cities the vibrant places they are. This project explores how urban public spaces can be created to reflect the vitality of the city by embracing the culture and the people who reside in it. Through literature review and case studies, a framework is developed focusing on the areas of identity and use in the design of public spaces. Identity is looked at in terms of place attachment, spatial identity, and how surrounding uses affect the identity of a space. Use is explored in terms of designing a public space to encourage a diversity of uses at different times. Identity and use are inevitably linked: much of a space's identity depends on the uses that take place there and whether or not the space meets the needs of its users. In the same way, a space will not be used unless potential users can identify with it and feel a connection to it. A design project is carried out in an urban neighborhood based on this framework to create a space that is connected to its users and its city.
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    Experience-Oriented Ecological Design: A Methodological Framework to Improve Human Experience in Urban Public Space Ecological Design
    Zeng, Hui (Virginia Tech, 2005-04-19)
    This thesis proposes that sensory experience should play an important role in setting up a direct relationship between people and the natural environment, and it is based on the premise that contemporary urban public space ecological designs. Are often deficient in this regard. In order to develop a design methodology that addresses both ecological function and sensory experience, the author examine both contemporary western ecological design and classical Chinese garden design. The former focuses on the ecological functions of the environment, while the latter typically emphasizes the sensory qualities of the landscape. Drawing from the strengths of both approaches, an experience-oriented ecological design framework is proposed with the goal of improving human experience in urban public spaces. The framework emphasizes both sensory experience and ecological functions in two phases of the design process — site analysis and site design. The framework is applied to a design for Bridge Park in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The design is evaluated to assess efficacy of the framework for the design urban public spaces that address both sensory experience and ecological processes. The evaluation suggests that the framework could be an effective tool for designers, and also draws conclusions regarding the potential role of sensory experience as a tool for creative discovery in the design process. Finally the paper raises questions regarding the desirability of employing sensory experience as a didactic tool to enhance environmental awareness.
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    Explorations in City Image: An Investigation of Tools of Perception and Representation in Urban Design
    Dawson, Thomas Edward (Virginia Tech, 2004-05-10)
    The map is vitally important for space design. Maps allow designers to record and filter impossibly complex information about an environment. Designers try to capture a variety of aspects of a site through the use of graphic tools like maps and drawings. While there is a long-established conventional graphic language for recording characteristics of a site, this language is often inadequate when one attempts to explore and capture subtler perceptual qualities of urban environments. Many of these perceptual qualities can greatly inform a design and some designers have invented creative mapping strategies to record and analyze difficult aspects of a site. This position paper follows the work of innovative designers who creatively map perceptual qualities of urban landscapes. The theories and practices of these designers have informed my development of new creative tools for mapping my perception of space. The design portion of this thesis takes place in the Mexican War Streets Neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and results in a plaza for the local Mattress Factory Art Museum. The design phase uses and evaluates traditional perception and representational tools of urban design. New creative maps are used to express what the traditional tools cannot. These creative maps are used to derive the concept for the site design as well as the design of the major site elements and materials.
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    Exploring the Role of the Artifact: An Evolution of Form, Function and Memory in the Urban Landscape
    Burg, Joel G. (Virginia Tech, 2013-06-20)
    The urban landscape is a diverse environment that is constantly evolving. Such change does not remove and replace all of the remnants of the city\'s past, however, and the remaining artifacts become key pieces of local identity as a result of their persistence. Even so, artifacts are also complex entities and their definition and value can be drastically different given the context in which they exist. Nonetheless, artifacts can be broadly understood as interactive elements in the urban landscape that become enmeshed in their surrounding community, and serve a vital role as a result. This enquiry examines that role of artifacts in the urban landscape and seeks to uncover how such a role can inform effective design practice into the future.
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    Factors that Influence the Social Life and Vitality of Public Open Spaces in Maracaibo - Venezuela. Case Study: Plaza de la Madre and Plaza de la República
    Montero Avila, Monica Ines (Virginia Tech, 2001-10-12)
    Plaza de la Madre and Plaza de la República., located in Maracaibo, Venezuela, are two important urban plazas studied from a social perspective, based on the belief that people and their needs should be addressed in public plaza design and renovations. The research problem is based on the fact that many plazas in Maracaibo provide uncomfortable conditions for user enjoyment and satisfaction, in terms of poor climatic comfort, security and poor maintenance, among other conditions. The methodology used in this research consisted of interviewing users of both plazas and making observations of plaza use and physical characteristics. The research showed that climatic and security conditions determine, in most instances, the presence of social life and vitality in these public plazas. A combination of functional factors influence the vitality, attractiveness and the image of the plazas including the location of the plazas, the presence of supportive activities and uses which attract people to the context, the programmed activities developed in the plaza, the presence of other people and the presence of physical amenities that support different activities. It was found that environments that satisfy many human needs (such as security, thermal comfort and affiliation) are highly visited by people, and therefore more livable, with a greater frequency of use, and more meaning and attachment to those spaces. The study also showed that Plaza de la República had more favorable attributes that contributed to its enjoyment and livability than Plaza de la Madre. People preferred to be in spaces where others congregated and socialize for security reasons. Plazas have an important role in the social life of cities. Therefore, the study of these settings from a social perspective becomes critical for this research. The research findings provided valuable information that was used to develop design implications for plaza design in Maracaibo. Recommendations were mainly focused on improving the conditions of Plaza de la Madre and making recommendations for plazas with similar conditions in order to increase their use, people presence and livability. Design implications were directed towards reestablishing climatic comfort, security and incorporating more activities and physical amenities that could create more activities in the plazas and attract more people. Recovering the use and livability of plazas can promote a sense of ownership and territoriality of public spaces. If this sense of ownership could be established, attachment to and care for those spaces could increase. This attachment could also promote sociability in public spaces and subsequently social tolerance among strangers. The author concludes that the attitudes of designers and municipal authorities toward public space design need to be more inclusive and site specific (more aware of the range of people's needs and the environment). Therefore, addressing climate and security issues of a place, for example, become critical variables that should be incorporated in any public space design.
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    The Historic Canal System in Bangkok, Thailand: Guidelines for Reestablishing Public Space Functions
    Chansiri, Noppamas (Virginia Tech, 1999-05-06)
    This thesis proposes guidelines for reestablishing the historic canal system on Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok as a public space system and a connector of key public spaces. The study examines the historic value and cultural symbolism of the canals through evolutionary morphological analysis, establishing that the canals are primary structural elements in the city, since they have retained the integrity of their physical form over time, and have come to hold cultural meaning for the Thai people. The canals have also accommodated different functions over time, in response to a changing urban context. There is potential for them to accept new functions as recreational spaces, connectors of key public spaces, and as tourist destinations. Typological analysis of structural characteristics of the canals yields seven canal types that have potential to accommodate public space functions. The study proposes guidelines for the seven canal types that will enhance these potentials and ensure the preservation of the canals' physical form.
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    Home Away from Home
    Baradaranfallahkheir, Navid (Virginia Tech, 2016-02-08)
    This thesis looks at the interplay between neighborhood space and public space as they come together in the circles and squares of Washington D.C.. The outcome of the thesis is a designed landscape that would perform the same roles as traditional circles in serving both neighborhood and public needs, at the site of the former Truxton Circle, a place where there had been a traffic circle and a public space but where it is not possible to make a traffic circle today.
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    Improving Urban Watershed Health Through Suburban Infill Design and Development
    Franklin, Joshua C. (Virginia Tech, 2011-05-23)
    Up to 75 percent of new construction between 2000 and 2030 may â be redirected inward or into more compact, mixed-use suburban developments (Nelson, 2004). If this assertion is even nearly true, and if the goals of the Clean Water Act are to be met in the next generation of American cities, then we must find feasible and effective ways of improving urban watershed health using retrofit and infill development as a primary means. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patterns and approaches of suburban infill developments in order to determine which methods and extents are deemed capable of improving the health, sustainability and natural services of urban streams and watersheds. Water is considered to be foundational to urban and suburban sustainability and is treated as a primary indicator of overall health and sustainability within the context of this study. This thesis presents three pilot studies that examine urban watershed health using a single case as a vehicle. The studies, in the order they are presented, are: 1) Form- analyzing the relationship between landuse patterns and imperviousness, 2) Planning- relating questions of development scale planning and design to natural and cultural systems at the watershed scale and 3) Valuation- illustrating three possibilities for determining the economic value of improving urban watershed health.
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    An Integrative Approach to Therapeutic Outdoor Spaces in Dementia-Care Units
    Caniano, Gina Marie (Virginia Tech, 2006-05-08)
    There is an evident gap in the research regarding the environmental needs of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and the design of therapeutic outdoor spaces for these persons. With the rapid growth of the aging population, appropriate outdoor spaces will become essential to improved quality of life for older adults with ADRD. This study explores nonpharmacological treatment approaches for persons with ADRD that can be facilitated in the outdoor environment. The study presents an examination of the literature, including theoretical frameworks and treatment approaches, interviews with professionals in the fields of landscape architecture and gerontology, and an assessment of case studies. Design guidelines identify the necessary landscape elements that can be incorporated in outdoor environments to reduce maladaptive behaviors and improve positive affect and the overall quality of life for persons with dementia. This study concludes with an example of a prototypical wander garden design that responds to the design guidelines and addresses the physical and mental capabilities of persons with ADRD.
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    The interrelationships of nature based on Thoreau's Walden and Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis
    Meyers, Amanda (Virginia Tech, 1994)
    James Lovelock and Henry Thoreau propose a world view based on the connections between an individual and their personal landscape. This viewpoint is an alternative to the more prevalent world view of our mass society. The pervasive outlook disregards these connections and concentrates instead on isolationism. By viewing elements of the natural world as isolated entities, individuals are unable to comprehend the larger context, or environment of which these entities are a part. William James, a philosopher of the early twentieth century, poses a philosophical foundation which reinforces Lovelock's and Thoreau's ideas. James' philosophy is "pragmatism, proposing ideas of relational thinking and the absence of absolutes. Lovelock and Thoreau il1ustrate the philosophy of James in the exploration of three concepts: (1) Beauty; (2) Spirituality; and, (3) Human Experience and Knowledge. The acknowledgment and internalization of these concepts leads to a different understanding of an individual's place in the world. Since this conception is not the prevalent viewpoint of the general public, this difference has the potential of creating a communication gap between student and professor, and between landscape architect and client. The implications of this communication gap are discussed.
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    Intersections: Cross-Disciplinary Conversations about Social Justice and the Built Environment
    Brossoie, Nancy; Dorsa, Ed; Tural, Elif; Jacobson, Wendy R. (Virginia Tech. University Libraries, 2019-10-16)
    Focus: Aging and Place Moderated by Wendy Jacobson, Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture
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    Life on the streets: rebuilding community in America's cities
    Ganey, Sean (Virginia Tech, 1996-10-20)
    A study of the current urban condition in America with a focus on the lack of permanent residents and community mindedness in our urban centers. The sources of urban blight are discussed along with some possible cures or solutions. A proposal for change is submitted for urban centers in general and for Roanoke's Gainsboro district in specific.
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    The New Town of Williamsburg: A Study of the New Urbanism
    Boonyanunt, Charaspim (Virginia Tech, 1996-12-11)
    This thesis studies New Urbanism, a movement intending to address the problems of the American suburbs and create pleasing and livable communities. The focus is on the Traditional Neighborhood Design concept (TND), one of the five types of New Urbanism developed in the late 1980's by architects Andre Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The goal of this thesis is to develop the best community design concept, with a basis in the TND concept, which responds to local cultural and physical environments. The study is comprised of two approaches: a literature review and a design approach. In the first three chapters, the findings of the literature review are shown. There include (1) the history, structure, and problems of the American suburbs, (2) the theory and types of New Urbanism community structures, and (3) the characteristics of TNDs. At the end of Chapter 3 the TND concept is analyzed using four criteria comprised, uses and activities, public space, circulation and typological characteristics of architecture, as well as a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the TND concept are summarized. In Chapter 4 the development of a TND plan for the New Town of Williamsburg is shown, which includes the context of the site, history of Colonial Williamsburg, site inventory, site analysis, design concept, and design development. The design concept was developed from the findings of the site analysis and the improved TND concept. The conclusions in Chapter 5 provide an overview of this thesis, findings of both the research and design part, lessons from this thesis, and areas for future research
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    The NIMBY Syndrome and Low-Cost Manufactured Housing Developments: Can Landscape Architecture Help Overcome Community Opposition?
    Bean, Janet L. (Virginia Tech, 2004-02-10)
    Decent housing available to the working class in America is in very short supply. Manufactured housing could help to meet this basic need. But community groups and politicians often reject manufactured housing because they fear it will have a negative impact upon property values and the aesthetic character of their community. This thesis examines the reasons behind these fears, how the history of manufactured housing has fed into these fears and what design elements can allay these fears. Three site planning typologies are developed using the factors found in the research, that create a good neighborhood for both the residents and outside observers. The typologies inform three designs that illustrate how manufactured housing developments can be designed to fit compatibly into existing communities.