Caleb Carpenter Thesis: Designing a Multifunctional Urban Open Space Network Across the Phoenix Metro

This applied project draws on theories and research on landscape ecology and ecological design
that show that connectivity between open spaces is beneficial to humans and biodiversity, which
motivates the following research question: what is the optimal open space network based on both
social and ecological criteria for the Phoenix Metro? The results of this project can help inform
planners, regional planners, designers, and other decision makers in identifying opportunities to
build a robust open space network in the Phoenix metro.