Graduation Semester and Year

2021

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture

Department

Landscape Architecture

First Advisor

Taner R Ozdil

Abstract

The state of Texas produced more than 36 million tons of waste in 2019. Currently, there are 198 active landfills of varying size and capacity in the entire state. Overall landfill capacity within the state is decreasing over time, while the size of landfills on average is increasing, creating quite the contradiction and clear picture of the average consumer’s increase in waste production (Municipal Solid Waste, 2019). The state of Texas is on an unfortunate path to meet landfill capacity in 53 years (Municipal Solid Waste, 2019). Of the almost 800 landfill sites (active and inactive) in the state of Texas 66% are publicly owned. Most landfills sit with unrealized potential after closure because of possible liability issues, rather than exploring the opportunities for public amenity/benefit. Therefore, closed landfills can be regarded as potential amenity opportunities for the citizens of Texas (Municipal Solid Waste, 2019). Repurposing closed landfill land would help mend segments of the now fractured ecosystem that were once designated for waste storage. Prioritizing such land in a rapidly increasingly metropolitan area, like Dallas- Fort Worth, is critical to the health and livelihood of the public. The objective of this master’s design thesis is to assess opportunities to repurpose public landfill sites in Dallas County, Texas and propose design recommendations for one of the five active Subtitle D landfill sites to be implemented at close. This study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data and methods (Deming & Swaffield, 2011). It systematically reviews the state of Texas’ data in concurrence with weighted overlay analysis to locate an application site (Steiner, 2008; McHarg, 1992). Case studies are examined and investigated for each known repurposing strategy. Both the case studies and site suitability analysis provide a variety of intervention opportunities for the landfill land post-closure. Closed landfill data of the state of Texas are researched, analyzed, and applied to a closer analysis of the site Interviews are conducted with professionals to gain a wider knowledge of the landfill industry and to evaluate the current landfill situation of the proposed site (Glaser & Strauss, 1980). This Institutional Review Board approved study acquires perspective for repurposing strategies from those who work within the active landfill process (planning, engineers, workers, etc.). Findings are used to inform the planning and design of a proposed landfill site in Dallas, Texas. The results of this research produce recommendations and criteria to be used as a template for each landfill site that applies, and an overview of the suitability options for optimal repurposing of the landscape components especially within the context of Dallas County, Texas. Possibilities may exist to extend or better the wildlife habitat restoration strategy, implemented by Waste Management, Inc. to continue the repair of the bionetwork damage (Wildlife Habitat Sites, n.d.). Verifying landfill history enables research for such repurposing to begin and provides a window into connecting human activity to these landscapes. The goal of this research is to create a model that can be reproduced and considered in the landfill process at the end of its active lifecycle, through landscape architecture, to address the loss of land caused by the production and storage of waste.

Keywords

Landfill, Subtitle D, Dallas, Dallas county, Landscape architecture, Repurposing

Disciplines

Architecture | Landscape Architecture

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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