Arid/environmental water use alternatives to conventional urban parkland

Abstract

The population shift to the arid and semi-arid southwest has brought about severe declines in the water resource. The problem is particularly acute in Arizona. This thesis deals with one component of the overall water use problem, the efficient use of water in urban parkland. Using Tucson, Arizona, as a study area, three urban parks within the city park system are used as case studies. Each park site is assessed for water use efficiency in the areas of land use planning, landform, and vegetation. Policy regarding water use efficiency is also assessed. From the case studies, the assessment findings are compiled into planning/design concepts and policy recommendations. These products will be helpful to landscape arChitects and planners in the development of new parks and the modification of older, less efficient conventional urban parks throughout the arid and semi-arid southwest.