Towards a new paradigm: motivating a shift in urban water management through a landscape architecture approach

Abstract

The way America thinks about and develops with water is not sustainable (Mouritz et. al. 2003). These thoughts and actions embody a paradigm that does not value ecological functions necessary to maintain water quality and quantity for future generations (Ahern et. al. 2010). Linear water infrastructure systems of collect, treat and convey lead to issues of flooding and contamination. These systems are reaching the end of their life span in American cities. Instead of replacing them using the current development approach, which treats water as a nuisance, this study argues for a new approach, developing with water as a resource; water-centric development. People have different perceptions regarding water resources and sustainability (Pahl-Wostl et. al. 2007). These perceptions affect the acceptance and support of public projects. Commonly, these perceptions are based upon people’s personal values and the immediate benefits they reap from the project. In order for communities to shift towards a water-centric development approach, demonstration projects must work to communicate the social value in the development’s hydrological functions (EPRI 2009). This project investigates emerging urban water management paradigms and synthesizes relevant knowledge to create a comprehensive new paradigm—New Urban Water Management (NUWM). This project focuses specifically on landscape architecture’s role in catalyzing the adoption of NUWM in Kansas City by applying the paradigm as a design approach to water-centric urban development. This approach employs environmental psychology strategies to append “Motivational Aspects” to the traditional social, ecological and economical aspects of sustainable development. The methodology provides the steps and tools for designers to apply the design approach. A three part design model of 1. Hydrologic Function 2. Social Amenity, and 3. Personal Relevance guide designers in developing water infrastructure systems as social amenities that objectively connect ecological functions with personal relevance. Washington Square Park in Kansas City, Missouri functions as a case study in the application of the design approach.