Designing in the Pyrocene

Abstract

As climate change intensifies, suburban communities are increasingly exposed to the dual challenges of wildfire risk and ecological degradation, particularly within the wildland–urban interface (WUI). While much of the existing wildfire research and design guidance has focused on high-intensity fire regimes in the western United States, less attention has been given to the distinct fire behavior and landscape conditions of the eastern U.S. This research investigates how landscape architecture can strategically design suburban environments in and around the Appalachian Mountains to enhance fire resilience while promoting long-term ecological sustainability. Focusing on eastern fire regimes characterized by seasonal, low- to moderate-intensity surface fires, this study examines how neighborhood-scale design can reduce ignition risk, manage fuel loads, and support adaptive landscapes. By synthesizing principles from fire ecology, native plant restoration, and resilient urban planning, the project explores integrative design strategies that respond to both fire behavior and regional ecological dynamics. Particular attention is given to the role of vegetation management, spatial organization, and community-scale planning interventions in shaping fire outcomes. Through research and design, this project aims to develop a framework for suburban landscape design that moves beyond suppression-based approaches toward systems that coexist with fire as a natural process. In doing so, it addresses a critical gap in wildfire planning by proposing context-specific strategies for eastern communities. Ultimately, the findings seek to inform a new paradigm in WUI design, one that not only reduces wildfire vulnerability but also enhances biodiversity, supports ecosystem function, and fosters more resilient and adaptive suburban landscapes.