Matching Items (5)
Filtering by
- All Subjects: landscape architecture
- All Subjects: Track and field
- Creators: Fish Ewan, Rebecca
- Member of: Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Description
Now dry and broken, the Salt River once supplied a great legacy of Riparian vegetation through the Sonoran desert. This verdant landscape flourished from perennial flows of a river fed by high mountain snowmelt. However, multiple dams within those mountain canyons and channelization for the purpose of flood protection have nearly dried up the Salt. Through the process of design I examined the potential to repair, restore, and redevelop the river, choosing a site within the reach of the Salt River that currently includes an artificial retention area called Tempe Town Lake. Since 1999 a two mile portion of the river channel has contained the reservoir for the purpose of recreation and development within the city of Tempe. As I investigated the viability of restoring an urban desert river to a more natural riparian condition, I developed a master plan that merges ecological river restoration with sustainable urban development. Research into the vegetative communities historically occurring along the river's edge guided me to create a project based in ecological principles. Expanding the concrete channel to a wider river presence followed examples set by case studies and the historic character of the Salt River. A new braided low flow channel, allowed to meander with the natural currents of the river, is terraced upwards in a gentle slope that maintains current 500-year flow plains. The vegetation communities I propose to establish along the new terraced elevations are adapted from Charles H. Lowe's profile of a foothill canyon and archival research specific to this portion of the Salt River. As a way to support the reintroduction of Arizona's lost riparian plant communities, the master plan incorporates the use of greywater and A/C condensate collection from proposed developments along the river's edge. These new water systems would be substantial enough to sustain riparian vegetation creation and in addition, provide for ground water recharge. Additional developments continue the City of Tempe's goal to expand development along the river and adjacent to the downtown core. Providing for increased recreational opportunity in a river setting improves the quality of life in Tempe and sets the community apart from surrounding desert cities. By applying ecological and sustainable design and planning principles, the Salt River Diaries master plan repairs the river's flow, restores the riparian vegetation, and redevelops the edge between the city and river.
ContributorsBruckner, Coby Ryan (Author) / Fish Ewan, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Cook, Edward (Committee member) / Sykes, Astrid (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This project seeks to provide Landscape Architects practicing in the Phoenix/Tempe area of Arizona with a guide to assist with the process of selecting plants for harsh urban environments in the region. The first step was an online survey of professionals in the area, to determine which urban conditions were harsh, followed by interviews with consenting survey respondents to determine why each condition was harsh, which plants belong in it, and what sites in the study area are good examples of well-planted areas in harsh conditions. The final product is an essay (detailing the research methods and findings of the study), a set of case studies that visually document some of the sites suggested by survey respondents, and a set of plant lists for each harsh urban situation.
ContributorsTorchia, Erin Jaye (Author) / Fish Ewan, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Coffman, James (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
A study of nature through juxtaposition of Horton's Creek and Tempe Beach Park.
ContributorsJohnson, Risam Faul (Author) / Kelley, Kristian (Thesis director) / Fish Ewan, Rebecca (Committee member) / The Design School (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
This thesis will discuss how design strategies reduce the impact track venues
have on the environment and how to enhance the sense of place by investigating
ecoregional design for now and for the future. The specific site where examples of
sustainable design will be implemented is at the proposed new Arizona State University
Track and field that will be relocated as part of the Novus Innovation Corridor Athletic
Village. First, we will discuss the impact sports have on our health and culture and why
athletics matters to society. Understanding the history of track and field and the
evolution of track stadiums and looking at current designs of stadiums will provide
insight for future track designs. Next, we will look at some existing track stadiums
around the United States and how each design is adjusted to the climate and weather of
the region to help the stadium last longer and be more sustainable. After that, we will
look at what is working for the existing Sun Angel Stadium and what should be improved
and implemented in the new design. Lastly, we will explore a proposed design for the
new Sun Angel Track Stadium and how it will benefit the student athletes, spectators,
and the environment.
have on the environment and how to enhance the sense of place by investigating
ecoregional design for now and for the future. The specific site where examples of
sustainable design will be implemented is at the proposed new Arizona State University
Track and field that will be relocated as part of the Novus Innovation Corridor Athletic
Village. First, we will discuss the impact sports have on our health and culture and why
athletics matters to society. Understanding the history of track and field and the
evolution of track stadiums and looking at current designs of stadiums will provide
insight for future track designs. Next, we will look at some existing track stadiums
around the United States and how each design is adjusted to the climate and weather of
the region to help the stadium last longer and be more sustainable. After that, we will
look at what is working for the existing Sun Angel Stadium and what should be improved
and implemented in the new design. Lastly, we will explore a proposed design for the
new Sun Angel Track Stadium and how it will benefit the student athletes, spectators,
and the environment.
ContributorsAntill, Kaylee Noelani (Author) / Coseo, Paul (Thesis director) / Martens, Lora (Committee member) / The Design School (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The design of a series of parks along Swan Creek in Toledo, Ohio that connect visitors to the environment, history, and communities around them. They will provide spaces for people to walk, bike, kayak, play, and relax while enjoying the creek.
ContributorsMishler, Mallory (Author) / Fish Ewan, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Bockbrader, Tim (Committee member) / Smilovsky, Nikolas (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor)
Created2022-05