Aaron Hanson Thesis Book.pdf - NDSU - North Dakota State ...

theoretical premise researchAlan Ewert, an outdoor recreational researcher, conducted a wide rangeof studies and concluded that “outdoor programs can result in significantphysical, psychological, social, and educational benefits that sometimesaffect participants for long periods of time in their ordinary lives” (as citedin Kellert, 2005, p. 17). Some of these benefits described by Ewert includeenhanced self-esteem, self-confidence, personal effectiveness, improvedcoping skills, greater independence, and increased willingness to takerisks. Activity also brings obvious health benefits of strength, endurance,and stamina that are increasingly important with rising concerns of obesityin America. In many situations, recreational activity involves workingin teams. Ewert found in his studies that this can improve cooperation,the ability to work in teams, avoidance of conflict, respect for others,leadership, and capacity to make new friends; all of these things areimportant to a healthy unified community (Kellert, 2005, p. 16).ThoughtsMy design thesis will look to provide the healthy benefits of recreationalactivity by designing specific areas throughout the corridor. Riverfrontspresent a great opportunity for walking, running, and bicycling trails alongwith using the water for boating, canoeing, and other water recreationalactivities. It will be important to analyze specific locations along theMississippi River where activity can be expanded upon.Nature and CommunitiesMost of the research thus far has been conducted on individual peoplethemselves, but how does environmental quality affect communities andneighborhoods? Many rivers connect communities along their route, andit is important to have a strong relationship between neighborhoods andthe natural environment to provide a higher quality of life. Stephen Kellert(2005) and his colleagues conducted a large scale study that examinedrural, suburban, and urban communities located within a single watershed.They found a strong correlation between environmental quality, people’senvironmental values, and human physical and mental well-being indifferent urban and nonurban communities.Within watersheds that had a high value of landscape features such as goodroad qualities, large attractive trees, open spaces, views of rivers, healthystreams, and other aesthetically pleasing land use variables, the people hada greater awareness and appreciation for their environment. Specifically,Kellert (2005) reported, “Communities with higher environmental qualityhad more positive environmental values and a higher quality of life,whereas those with lower environmental quality tended to reveal lessenvironmental interest and a lower quality of life” (p. 44).21