Graduation Semester and Year

2008

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture

Department

Landscape Architecture

First Advisor

Pat D. Taylor

Abstract

This research focused on preferred urban trail attributes and related these to restorative places and user experiences. Focused interviews were employed in the study. Restoration was shown in aspects of naturalness and excitement. Responses to the interviews indicated that a convergence of multiple physical features contributed significantly to a user's restorative experience on the trail, especially where tree canopy was juxtaposed with distant views and there were connections to active urban villages. Where the trail did not enhance the user experience the trail was not seen as contributing to the community in a significant way. Themes emerged from the focused interviews regarding naturalness, sociability, distinctiveness, safety, and a fitness-driven lifestyle. The Katy Trail, a four-mile urban pedestrian and bicycle trail in Dallas, Texas, served as a laboratory for the study. This study broadens knowledge of the quality of restive experiences found on an urban trail.

Disciplines

Architecture | Landscape Architecture

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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