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

summary of researchDigging deep into a city’s history, one can discover missing elementsthat may reconnect a city to its forgotten culture, ancestors, and/or vitalwaters. Revealing an urban riverfront’s pattern through time is importantfor planners in order to understand land use and development, which caninfluence the city’s future expansion. Further research will determine St.Cloud’s historical past and development around the Mississippi River.Finding a broken link in its past will be important to expose through thedesign proposal phase in order to promote a strong social and culturalconnection within St. Cloud.Population is on the rise; Bernhardt and Palmer (2007) believe by 2030,85% of North American populations will be living in urban areas. Withpopulation growth, urban riverfronts design becomes an important elementin protecting natural waters and habitats. To prevent further environmentaldegradation, an urban river corridor is a great area to protect the naturalenvironment from water pollution and waste while connecting people totheir natural waters.Humans have an unconscious tendency to involve nature in their dailylives with the forms, patterns, and language of everyday life. Studies haveshown that interaction with nature can enhance human physical, mental,and spiritual well-being. However, contemporary society fails to promotehealthy and diverse natural systems in urban environments.Riverfront corridors, like the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, can use greenspaces and natural areas for stress relief and improving emotional wellbeingand intellectual functioning. Studies by Terry Hartig (2005) andcolleagues have proven greater emotional gains from people who walkthrough parks and who have the availability of green fabric within their city(as cited in Kellert, 2005).Within river corridors are opportunities for recreational activity; StephenKellert’s (2005) research has suggested that activity can exert significanteffects on participants. Additionally, recreational activity usually consistsof working in teams, which can improve cooperation, leadership andteamwork skills, conflict avoidance, and respect for others.St. Cloud’s Mississippi River connects neighborhoods along its route,however, these communities are currently lacking a strong relationship totheir natural environment. Kellert (2005) has found a strong correlationbetween people’s environmental values and quality, which is beneficial tohuman physical and mental health within urban communities.31