Army installations of the future : urban + shrinkage + landscape

Abstract

The US Army has set a course to transition to a future force that is adaptive, modern, and at the forefront of change. This strategic vision lacks a refined installation strategy to meet the needs of the future force. In a period of troop reductions, declining budgets, and increased facility vacancy rates the Army is required to shrink its installations. This thesis explores how to shrink Army installations through change, policy, and design. A set of changes is proposed that focus on eliminating housing, revising security standards, increasing privatization, and growth in Enhanced Use Leasing. Current Army planning strategies based on New Urbanist principles do not address how to shrink installations. Four theories are analyzed to develop a framework for designing the future of Army installations. Parameters are established to test the results of the design. The framework is applied to develop a design proposal for Fort Belvoir, VA. The framework generated a successful design of Fort Belvoir, VA based on the establish parameters. The framework and design process is transferable to all Army installations in the United States. Army planners can apply the process and framework as a tool to generate solutions to shrink Army installations.