Date of Award

5-2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

First Advisor

Carlos Licon

Abstract

Open spaces are a valuable amenity that people often overlook. Open spaces allow for a system of water treatment, wildlife habitat, agricultural production, and recreation destinations. Too often, however, open space systems are systematically devoured by development with little regard of what that can mean for the future of a community. This thesis suggests that when open space systems are analyzed as having structure, shape, and a dynamic nature, interconnected with development, then an explanation of how it transforms and evolves can emerge. This thesis seeks to present a new method of describing open space change through understanding development trends through time in Cache Valley, Utah. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and parcel data, this thesis presents and analyzes various methods of describing open space change. Through developing a method of describing open space, then trends, development pressures, and potential areas for open space recovery can be identified and informed decisions can be made about development patterns in the future.

Comments

This work made publicly available electronically on September 16, 2011.


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