Building green infrastructure through urban land conservation : the social and ecological value of dispersed open space in the Boston urban wilds

Abstract

Through an analysis of the thirty-year history of the Boston Urban Wilds, this thesis investigates the ability of distributed urban open spaces to provide social and ecological value to the surrounding community. The capacity of the Urban Wilds to act as system to provide simultaneously ecosystem services, public space and wildlife habitat is examined. The evolving understanding of green infrastructure is used as a lens through which to understand the elements of the Urban Wilds model applicable to other communities. Through this lens, the ability of the Urban Wilds to provide social and ecological value greater than the sum of its individual parts is considered. Reflecting on the tools that have been used to enact Urban Wilds conservation, the tools best suited to preserving the Urban Wilds' social and ecological value are assessed. Drawing from the evolution of the Boston Urban Wilds over the past three decades, this thesis concludes with designation, preservation and stewardship recommendations for other cities and towns considering a similar system of distributed open spaces.