Students in the Landscape Architecture program in AGNR often look outward with their projects to create a resilient future for the natural and cultural landscapes of Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic region, and the world. But this past year, several students directed their efforts towards the campus community, with an exciting infrastructure redesign that would improve the movement of people, and the flow of rainwater across 66-acres in the north section of campus. Titled “Future Flows,” their project won first place in the Master Plan category of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 10th annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a national competition that engages college students in the design of on-campus green infrastructure solutions to address stormwater pollution.
The team’s strategy proposed replacing hard surfaces with green space that would decrease impervious surfaces by 33%, reduce rainwater runoff by an average of 132% and lower the air temperature by almost 8 degrees. The design limited interaction between cars, pedestrians, and bikers by adding 2,300 feet of bike paths and over 2,500 linear feet of pedestrian trails, including a boardwalk nature path along Campus Creek, which is partially obstructed by trees, overgrown with invasive species, and largely inaccessible.
“The implementation of Future Flows would create a reduction in campus traffic, drastically altering the university as we know it,” said Bridget Stokes, Master of Landscape Architecture candidate and Future Flows project team member. “Without vehicles clogging our campus, we can focus on the pedestrian experience, beautify our environment, reimagine how we utilize spaces for parking, and prioritize sustainable design solutions. With some forward thinking, new and redevelopment can not only accomplish university goals, but can also actively improve our environment by reducing stormwater runoff, decreasing urban heat island, and improving floodplain connectivity.”
The EPA wrote that, “By examining current and predicted fluctuations in the movement of people and water across campus, the team’s design would revitalize the campus through restoration of site hydrology and create a more resilient and adaptable campus for future generations of students.”
by Graham Binder : Momentum Summer 2022
