Graduation Semester and Year
Fall 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Landscape Architecture
Department
Landscape Architecture
First Advisor
Dr. Joowon Im, PhD, ASLA, UTA ACUE Fellow
Second Advisor
Prof. David Hopman, ASLA, PLA
Third Advisor
Dr. Diane Jones Allen, D. Eng., PLA, FASLA, FCELA
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and increasing impervious cover in cities like those within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex have intensified flooding, heat, erosion, and declining ecological quality. Although large-scale green infrastructure (GI) interventions are widely recognized as solutions to these issues, small-scale institutional landscapes remain a neglected yet powerful component of urban GI networks. This study functions as a pilot/demonstration project to evaluate the potential of small-scale GI interventions at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Plano, Texas. The goals are to reduce stormwater runoff, provide ecological and microclimatic improvements, increase community engagement, biodiversity enhancement, and environmental awareness in public institutional settings.
The study utilizes a mixed-methods research design. It combines site inventory and analysis, expert and stakeholder interviews, surveys by church members, and a design charrette with the community members. The hydrological assessments identified erosion and drainage issues caused by high impervious coverage and inefficient landscape structure. A survey conducted by the researcher revealed that social data show limited GI awareness at the start; however, it also indicates strong enthusiasm for sustainable, low-maintenance landscape improvements such as rain gardens, native plantings, shaded seating areas, and attractive landscape features. Expert advice from interviews emphasizes the importance of balancing ecological function with user experience, adopting phased implementation, and promoting GI as a supportive, community-oriented concept.
The findings suggest that strategically placed rain gardens, dry creek channels, and expanded native planting beds can collectively mitigate about 2 million gallons of stormwater annually, reduce localized heat, enhance air quality, and support a more diverse range of plants and animals. Community feedback shows strong approval of these measures, especially when they are aesthetically conceived, well-constructed, and relevant to the site program. Therefore, the design framework demonstrates that small institutional campuses can serve as decentralized nodes within a larger urban GI network, offering replicable, cost-efficient local strategies that contribute to metropolitan ecological resilience and stewardship.
This study contributes to academic research on GI incorporated into faith-based institutional settings. It expands the body of knowledge both as a case study and a set of transferable design guidelines for similar public institution campuses. The study shows that small-scale GI, socially supported and ecologically grounded, has significant potential to bridge disconnections of urban green systems and inspire community-driven sustainability practices.
Keywords
Landscape architecture, Green infrastructure, Small-scale, Institutional landscapes, Stormwater management, Community engagement, Networked Green Infrastructure, Texas, Urban Resilience, Sustainability
Disciplines
Environmental Design | Landscape Architecture | Urban, Community and Regional Planning
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
-, Selvana Getsy, "SMALL-SCALE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN URBAN NETWORKS - TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AS A PILOT PROJECT" (2025). Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses. 317.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/landscapearch_theses/317
Included in
Environmental Design Commons, Landscape Architecture Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons