MLA Conference 2016 Proceedings

MLA CONFERENCE

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

2016

WELCOME

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 2016 Master of Landscape Architecture Research Conference.

As part of the Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Guelph, students completing the thesis portion of their degree convey their research findings at the annual MLA conference. Today is an opportunity for students to present their work to peers, faculty members, involved parties, family, and the general public. The MLA conference represents the culmination of the students’ formal graduate course requirements and is a celebration of their dedication and effort over the past three years. Please join us in supporting and congratulating the students on their achievements.

Carrying on the tradition, the second year MLA students have been working behind the scenes to organize today’s event. The co-operative spirit of this joint venture among the 2nd and 3rd year graduate students provides the foundation for today’s conference.

On behalf of the participants we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the School of Environmental Design & Rural Development, faculty, peers, advisors and committee members – for many hours of effort and guidance, we thank you.

Sincerely, The MLA Students

SCHEDULE

10:00 AM Opening Remarks

10:10-10:25 Tim O’Brien 10:25-10:40 Laura Williams 10:40-10:55 Keith Cutten 10:55-11:10

Coffee Break

11:10-11:25 11:25-11:40 11:40-11:55 11:55-12:10

Alex Waffle Paul Chorley Alison Maxwell Corey Dawson

12:10-1:00

Lunch

1:00-1:15 1:15-1:30 1:30-1:45 1:45-2:00

Luc Palmer Daniel Ruffo Calen Hamelin Phaedra Maicantis

2:00-2:15

Coffee

2:15-2:30 2:30-2:45 2:45-3:00 3:00-3:15

Kearney Coupland Megan Thomas Christian Stewart Scott Cafarella

3:15-3:25

Closing Remarks

EXPLORING THE C

CHALLENGES OF URBAN OPEN SPACE PLANNING IN ONTARIO

Urban open space systems are interconnected networks of green space, waterways, and undeveloped land that link regional ecological corridors to the city. Whether intentionally or unintentionally designed, these systems have important social, cultural, and ecological functions. In this study, Ontario’s policy framework for urban open space is described and evaluated based on an existing performance framework. The case study of the Red Hill Valley Project is used to show how this policy framework is applied in municipal planning decisions.

Information is gained through a review of archival documents and provincial policy, and through interviews with stakeholders in the Red Hill Valley Project and experts in provincial policy. Results show how key decision-making processes have a significant role in the design and management of open space in the Red Hill Valley, and that the existing policy framework does not fully address the social and biophysical complexity of urban open space systems.

Keywords: Landscape Architecture, Socio-Ecological Systems, Greenways, Regional Planning, Urban Ecology

Scott Cafarella

Advisor: Dr. Karen Landman Committee Member: James Taylor Aside from a very formative year in California, Scott is a Guelphite through and through. Before entering the MLA program at Guelph, he studied Geography at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Scott is interested in how design can reveal the historical, political and natural processes that shape the built environment. He continues to learn to see, appreciate, and understand the landscape in new ways. In the future, Scott hopes to continue to pursue his interests in plants, music, rivers, and 20th century British fiction.

A MODEL FOR

R SUSTAINABLE URBAN AGRICULTURE: A STUDENTLANDLORD AUTOETHNOGRAPHY Using autoethnography as a method and result, this paper explores a niche market of urban agriculture and describes my experiences as a student, a landlord, a researcher and the creator of a memorial garden.

Food is a basic human need, it is the foundation of modern civilization and despite four million Canadians being food insecure, many of us take it for granted. Urban agriculture contributes to a climate-smart food system, improves food security, provides multiple health benefits, and encourages community organization and environmental stewardship.

By making theoretical connections and describing cultural influences I explain how urban agriculture in student settings can encourage proenvironmental behaviors. This paper concludes that student rental properties can contribute to a sustainable food system by integrating economic, social and ecological approaches to urban agriculture.

Keywords: Sustainable Food Systems, Social Learning Theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Pro-Environmental Behaviour, Personal Narrative, Student Housing

Paul Chorley

Advisor: Dr. Robert Brown Committee Member: Dr. John FitzGibbon Paul Chorley is a site supervisor for a general contractor in Toronto and manages student homes in Guelph. In the summer of 2012, upon completion of a BSc in kinesiology, Paul travelled Europe. It was then that Paul decided to pursue his childhood ‘dream job’ as a golf course architect. The subsequent years in landscape architecture showed Paul that he was looking for a creative and rewarding profession that involved design and build. This summer Paul will be managing two edible gardens, relaxing, and reconnecting with what’s most important to him, family and friends.

ACCESSIBLE DES

SIGN: PROMOTING A CULTURE OF PUBLIC INTEREST DESIGN IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE As professionals, landscape architects have a responsibility to design for the public good and are equipped with skills to engage communities and translate ideas into physical reality. This research aims to describe the models and methods being used by landscape architects practicing public interest design to inform the promotion of a formalized community service culture in Ontario. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with professionals working in firms practicing public interest design to identify differences in approaches to formalizing design initiatives and developing non-profits within North America. The research identifies processes and resources that differ from traditional commercial practice to better promote a culture of public interest design in Ontario and suggests the value that public interest design can add to the future of landscape architecture.

Keywords: socially responsible design, community engagement, organizational models, social impact design

Kearney Coupland

Advisor: Dr. Karen Landman Committee Member: Shirley Hall After finishing her undergraduate degree in International Development Studies, Kearney had the opportunity to collaborate with a school in Kenya to design a permaculture farm where she saw the impact that good design can have on community empowerment.

Her belief that sustainable design should be accessible to everyone led her to pursue a degree in landscape architecture, focusing her graduate research on the contributions of Landscape Architects to the Public Interest Design movement. In her free time she likes to rock climb, play bananagrams and read.

EXPLORING THE RELAT AND THE EV

TIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ISSUES IMPACTING THE FUTURE OF GOLF VOLUTION OF THE PROFESSION OF GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE Golf’s future is in question. Fewer people are participating, environmental restrictions are altering construction and maintenance practices, and improved equipment technologies have necessitated longer layouts increasing management and playing costs. There is a lack of research examining the influence that the profession of golf course architecture has had on the evolution and current state of the game. This study utilizes the Scholarship of Integration to explore connections between the evolution of golf architecture and external influences such as technology, media, social trends, the economy and allied professional fields. Findings from this process led to the recognition of two highpoints in the evolution of golf architecture, one pre-WWII and one on-going since 1995. Questionnaires were sent to 35 leading architects, from which aggregate findings were compared to writings of 35 pre-WWII architects. Findings suggest a correlation between influence and design product. Recommendations are made to direct future research and professional practice.

Keywords: Design, Philosophy, Environment, Water, Social, Economic

Keith Cutten Advisor: Dr. Robert Brown Committee Member: Cecelia Paine With a degree from University of Waterloo in Planning and Environmental Design, and the designation of Registered Professional Planner here in Canada, Keith’s successful completion of a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph is the next step in an ongoing professional journey. With almost 10 years of experience in the design and construction of golf courses across Canada, Keith has helped to shape many of the country’s top ranked courses. Projects have included the renovation of Westmount Golf and Country Club in Kitchener, Ontario and the Cabot courses (Links and Cliffs) in Inverness, Nova Scotia.

THE ROLE OF LAN

NDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IN LANDFORM GRADING: TERRAIN COMPLEXITY INDEX Natural landform shapes organize materials and functions with slope forms evolving towards stable states called equilibrium. Slopes have linear, convex and concave forms with concave being the most stable.

More complex, heterogeneous shapes control runoff, allow biodiversity and are attractive. Landscape architectural grading plans alter terrains creating unnatural shapes often for drainage and safety objectives based on conventional standards. Landforming designs diversify slopes while conventional grading produces more simple, homogenous shapes. This project examines alterations from conventional grading designs on existing terrains. This is accomplished by analyzing pre- and post-construction terrains with a complexity index. The Compound Terrain Complexity Index (CTCI) examines surface area ratio, curvature, elevation variance and relief. A large sample set may not be required for validity of the CTCI but should include datasets of sufficient terrain varieties to restrict bias. Results describe grading tendencies within landscape architecture and suggest how grading can achieve more sustainable landscapes.

Keywords: Compound Terrain Complexity Index, landform grading, slope homogeneity, homogenous, conventional grading

Corey Dawson

Advisor: Dr. Robert Corry Committee Member: Sean Kelly Corey was born in Montreal, Quebec before moving to Cambridge Ontario in 1998 where he now lives. His area of interest is in land reclamation through the practice of landform grading. The importance of ecological diversity was first learned while he received a bachelor of Environmental Studies with a minor in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of Waterloo. Corey played on the Waterloo Warriors football team for four years after graduation from Southwood Secondary School. He currently works landscape construction and has recently started a business called Dawson’s Outdoor Spaces.

THE POTENTIAL O

OF LOST SPACE: IDENTIFYING AND TRANSFORMING URBAN VOID SPACES Urban void space, or lost space, has been discussed within landscape architecture, planning and urban design for centuries, but often goes unnoticed and underutilized. With city populations growing, there is increased pressure to provide outdoor spaces for inhabitants. This study aims to identify and categorize the Downtown Guelph Urban Growth Centre’s void spaces, while highlighting their potential for possibly becoming new public space. Furthermore, various intervention strategies, pop-up, pilot or permanent (PPP), are demonstrated as a transformation framework for these challenging spaces. A hybrid gap analysis was used to identify the spaces and to highlight their potential, while the categories were formed using a morphological analysis. Finally, three case studies demonstrated the intervention strategies of the PPP framework. The analyses showed that most void spaces have potential and that there are benefits to using a PPP framework for transforming them into public spaces within our cities, both temporarily and permanently.

Keywords: Interstitial Space, Loose Space, Permanent, Pilot, Pop-Up, Tactical Urbanism

Calen Hamelin

Advisor: Larry Harder Committee Member: Sean Kelly Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Calen has always been fascinated with design, art, architecture, and construction. Prior to attending the University of Guelph, he received a bachelor’s degree in Planning from the University of Waterloo, specializing in Urban Design and minoring in Geography. He attributes both travel and personal experiences as being highly influential to his professional development, while his experiences in construction, landscape design, planning and development have led him to pursue a career in landscape architecture. Currently, Calen works in Toronto as an Urban Designer at NAK Design Strategies while continuing to explore and research urban environments.

IMAGE © OF THE NEW YORK TIMES

GENDER & SEXUALITY IN DESIGN Exploring issues of gender and sexuality in landscape architecture is lacking in theory and practice. Disciplines such as geography, urban planning, and architecture have examined the role that gender and sexuality plays in the perceptions of space. The purpose of this research is to reconcile the role of landscape architecture with socio-political facets and its role in community design, with a focus on gender and sexuality. As issues regarding gender and sexuality increasingly become visible and global, with it comes new opportunities as values and needs experience a dynamic shift. It is within this new paradigm that landscape architecture can share an influential and relevant role in shaping and designing theoretical gender-neutral and gendersensitive standards and inclusive spaces. Delving into a thorough examination of working examples of inclusive designed spaces, the intent is to examine and challenge ingrained and normative design assumptions about how spaces and parks are perceived, used and designed.

Keywords: gender, sexuality, perceptions, space, gender-neutral, gender-sensitive, inclusive design, sexualized spaces, gendered spaces, parks, toilets

Phaedra Maria Maicantis

Advisor: Cecelia Paine Committee Member: Larry Harder Phaedra M. Maicantis is from Toronto, Ontario. She has diplomas in web design and visual arts and a degree in Environmental Studies and the Humanities. Previously, before entering university, she was focused on photography and design before delving into the social sciences. But these skills and knowledge in visual art and the social sciences coalesced into an interest and future pursuit in Landscape Architecture, a field that offered a multitude of opportunities to shape communities and policies through design and understanding the human condition.

ASSESSING THE CONTR

E VIABILITY OF SIMPLE RAIN GARDENS IN GUELPH, ON AND THEIR RIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE SUSTAINABLE CITY Rain gardens – also known as bioretention facilities - are a relatively new form of sustainable stormwater management which detain stormwater and facilitate its infiltration. The primary function of rain gardens is the control of stormwater quantity and quality, but these facilities also possess potential for contribution to sustainable development beyond stormwater management. Highly technical rain gardens are used for treatment of large-scale catchment areas, but small-scale rain gardens can be constructed in a simpler manner.

Many municipalities now recognize the contributions of simple rain gardens and provide guidelines for their design, but little research on these gardens has been reported. This study investigates the design, functioning, and additional contributions of these simple rain gardens to the sustainability of urban areas using data from five case study gardens in Guelph, ON. Analysis reveals functional performance overall, variable design aesthetics, and alignment with principles of sustainable development that extend beyond stormwater management.

Keywords: low impact development (LID), sustainable design, stormwater infiltration, landscape architecture, urban stormwater management, best management practices (BMP)

Alison Maxwell

Advisor: Larry Harder Committee Member: Youbin Zheng Alison grew up in Cobourg, Ontario where she spent a lot of her time outside, developing a strong attachment to nature. She spent her undergrad studying biological science at the University of Guelph - focussing on animal behaviour and ecology. After graduating in 2010, she worked as a nature interpreter for several years where she developed a strong affinity towards affecting the interactions between humans and nature. Working in landscape architecture, she hopes to facilitate nature appreciation in others, use green infrastructure to improve our landscape, and bring more nature into urban areas.

DRONES AS REMO

OTE SENSORS: A PRECISE TECHNIQUE FOR WETLAND DELINEATION The research aimed at comparing UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehiclefacilitated wetland delineation techniques to conventional methods in respect to convenience, cost-effectiveness, and precision.The increasing risk surrounding Ontario’s wetlands is due in part to the imprecision of current wetland mapping techniques, and technological limitations.

A small UAV was deployed to survey and collect imagery data from a farm with wetlands in Wellington County, Ontario. Geo-referenced imagery, and digital models were generated using spatial analysis software. Collected imagery displayed finer GSR Ground Sample Resolution than conventional aerial imagery, and can be considered more comprehensive and precise in understanding delineation conditions, including ground water, vegetation patterns, and habitat.

The study’s single user approach demonstrated convenience over labour-intensive ground surveying, and at a comparative cost far lower than manned aircraft surveys. For landscape architecture and related professions, UAV technology progresses landscape comprehension and provides precise, adaptive surveying capabilities.

Keywords: Landscape Architecture, Orthophotography, Spatial Resolution, Photogrammetric Triangulation

Tim O’Brien Advisor: Cecelia Paine Committee Member: Larry Harder Tim O’Brien was born in 1987, and grew up in London, Ontario. Prior to his time at the University of Guelph, he earned a degree in Architecture from Carleton University, where he spent time studying abroad in France and Italy.

His interests lie in the functionality of space and utilitarian form. Tim is eager to use landscape architecture as an outlet to explore these concepts in his professional career.

ECOLOGICALLY IN C

NFORMED PLANT COMMUNITIES FOR GREENSPACE IN THE URBAN CORE: A CRITIQUE OF CORKTOWN COMMON’S PLANTING DESIGN Planting design in public greenspace can provide habitat for wildlife while still meeting the aesthetic and functional needs of users.

Informing planting design with ecological principles can develop plant communities that require less maintenance and resources in cities. This thesis relates contemporary literature to practice to build an understanding of the limitations and potentials for ecologically informed plant communities in the urban core. A critical review of contemporary literature surrounding ecologically informed plant communities produced principles that balance form and function in the urban core. These principles were used to evaluate the planting design of Corktown Common located in Toronto, Ontario. A critique based on the outcomes of the evaluation revealed strengths and weaknesses of the planting design. The topic and its use in practice are discussed to better inform landscape practitioners to design and research ecologically informed plant communities within the context of the urban core.

Keywords: reconciliation ecology, environmental aesthetics, ecosystem services, novel ecosystem, landscape architecture, urban biodiversity

Luc Palmer

Advisor: Cecelia Paine Committee Member: Larry Harder As a young boy, Luc was exposed to gardening, camping, and art. These experiences would lead Luc to receive a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a minor of Geography from the University of Victoria. Further experience in the horticultural industry has lead him to research alternative approaches that create a balance between humans and the environment. These gained experiences of aesthetic critique, geography, horticultural techniques, and landscape architecture informed the development of his thesis topic. Luc hopes to further his interest of art and the environment by practicing planting design.

ACTIVATING THE

Image credit: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

E LANDSCAPE: DESIGNING COMMUNITIES TOWARD MORE RESILIENT OUTCOMES Several studies identify the role of landscape architecture as a physical component in community development, but few studies have explored landscape and its design as an operative process for change at the community scale. The research goal is to explore landscape as a framework for catalyzing community development. A case study design was used where data from semi-structured interviews, a community economic development session, site analysis and participatory design session were analyzed and synthesized into a set of design guidelines. Principles derived from the guidelines were used to inform two alternate conceptual designs for the Cree Village Ecolodge in Moose Factory, Ontario. The designs were evaluated by project stakeholders and selected members of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Results suggest that a landscape framework has potential to effect sustainable community initiatives. This research can be a model for landscape architects working in remote Aboriginal communities.

Keywords: participatory design, community design, MoCreebec Eeyoud, Moosonee area

Daniel P.F.A. Ruffo

Advisor: Cecelia Paine Committee Member: Larry Harder Prior to Guelph, Daniel completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Specialist, Philosophy) from the University of Toronto. He enjoys the feeling of waking up on a charming spring morning; postprandial conversations; and single malt scotch. Two of his favourite life experiences include: Having his personal identity stolen while travelling abroad; And shaking hands with the notorious former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi (Daniel was quick to wash up afterwards). Recently, Daniel has come to terms with the fact that his childhood dream of working as a Mossad Agent will not happen.

Instead, he hopes to work in capacity development for the United Nations.

PLACE AS PATH:

: EXPLORING PLACE IN TORONTO’S PATH NETWORK Toronto’s extensive grade-separated PATH network is devoted entirely to pedestrians, but is often derided as an example of a landscape that is disorienting and devoid of identity. Despite its heavy use it is said to lack “place”. This exploration seeks to determine the extent of the PATH’s quality of place. To discover this a review of the literature was undertaken to define established place models and determine limitations in their applicability to this study. Themes derived from the literature were then applied to a photographic, mapping, and historical analysis of the PATH. After a synthesis of the findings was performed the results showed the PATH’s sense of place is measurable, but its definition is nuanced and complex.

Keywords: pedestrian, underground pedestrian network, place identity, landscape architecture

Christian Stewart

Advisor: Dr. Nathan Perkins Committee Member: Dr. Al Lauzon Christian’s broad interests include landscape, design, and photography. His primary interest lies at the intersection of the poetics and ecologies of landscape.

EXPLORING THE VIAB MANAGEMENT STRATE

BILITY OF A NATION-­‐WIDE YOUTH CONSERVATION PROGRAM AS EGY THAT RE-­CONNECTS YOUTH WITH NATURE WHILE SUPPLYING CANADIAN PARKS WITH AN UNDER-­‐UTILIZED WORKFORCE Canada’s extensive national parks are faced with the dual‐mandate of providing recreational opportunities without compromising ecological integrity. In an era of urban growth and electronic attachment, today’s youth are experiencing disconnect from nature while parks are faced with financial constraints and limited human resources. Though independent issues, this study attempts to find a unified solution by exploring the viability of a sustainable conservation program that promotes youth as an under‐utilized work force. The strengths of an existing American model, The Student Conservation Association, are used to develop selection criteria to analyze existing Canadian programs. Through systematic data compilation, a gap analysis and key informant interviews, programmatic design recommendations are developed that could inform the basis of a nation-wide youth conservation program suitable for the Canadian context. Through hands‐on service to the land, the experience could foster the next generation of environmental stewards while protecting the state of the park system.

Keywords: environmental stewardship, landscape architecture, nature-­deficit disorder, the Student Conservation Association, youth participatory action, ecological integrity

Megan Thomas Advisor: Sean Kelly Committee Member: Larry Harder Megan was born in Kitchener, Ontario and received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University before pursuing her Masters degree in Landscape Architecture. When Megan isn’t busy writing her thesis, she’ll often be found backpacking through the mountains, painting, rock climbing, or playing ultimate frisbee where she has been named to multiple Team Canada rosters. Megan’s other areas interests include ecological restoration, urban ecology, environmental education, and conservation science.

URBAN AGRICULTURA

AL HOT-SPOTS: TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND FOR PRODUCTION OF WARMER-CLIMATE CROPS Much attention has been placed on reducing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect but few have proposed taking advantage of it. This thesis investigates the potential for growing food crops in hot urban microclimates that would not grow successfully in the surrounding rural area.

Growing degree days (GDDs) and grapevine winter hardiness are used to illustrate how the UHI might affect plant growth in Toronto, Ontario using local climate data. Modelled leaf temperature is used to analyze urban microclimate variability and the added implications for plant growth.

GDDs in Toronto have increased by about 20% over the last 100 years, while they remain unchanged in a rural control over the same period. The urbanization of Toronto has caused longer, hotter growing seasons, and warmer winters. Given the appropriate microclimate combined with UHI effects Toronto could likely support the growth of warmer-climate crops that would not otherwise grow successfully in Ontario.

Keywords: Toronto, Ontario; growing degree days; microclimate; landscape architecture; urban farming

Alex Waffle

Advisor: Dr. Robert Brown Committee Member: Dr. Robert Corry and Terry Gillespie Alex grew up in Huntsville, studied Integrated Land Planning in London, and is happy to now call Guelph home. His interests in landscape architecture include public art, storm water management, food production, playground design, microclimates and much more. In his spare time you can find Alex in the wood shop, travelling, or catching up with friends.

FLORAL LAW

WNS: DEVELOPING AND EVALUATING A RESIDENTIAL LAWN ALTERNATIVE FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO Residential landscapes in Canada and the U.S. are dominated by turfgrass. The consequences of this include diminished biodiversity, limited rainwater infiltration, increased irrigation and widespread overuse of fertilizers and pesticides that degrade water quality and impact wildlife populations. This study develops and evaluates a lawn alternative that achieves functional and aesthetic performance similar to turfgrass while addressing the limitations of lawns. Floral lawns designed and developed using a selection of low-growing herbaceous perennials adapted for the conditions of southern Ontario - were displayed at Canada Blooms 2016 and evaluated by a questionnaire administered at the event. Results of the study ascertain responses to species and plant combinations that may be suitable for residential groundcover applications in southern Ontario. This study could help alter the North American reliance on turfgrass lawns in residential applications.

Keywords: landscape architecture, residential landscape design, Low Impact Design (LID), plant communities, green infrastructure

Laura Williams

Advisor: Dr. Robert Brown Committee Members: Dr. Youbin Zheng and Rodger Tschanz Laura is from Scarborough, but we don’t hold it against her. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a BA in Architecture, dabbling in interior design, and generally sorting out her life, she decided to grace us with her presence in the MLA program at Guelph.

In her down time she enjoys jamming on the ukulele, playing board games, and watching copious amounts of Netflix. When she’s not rapping about floral lawns, you can usually find her discussing her favourite trees and eating chicken fingers.

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