From Pit to Picturesque: Developing Site Specific Reclamation Design Strategies Using Dynamic Computer Simulation - Eli Paddle

Creating a reclaimed landscape that communicates that it is being rehabilitated through design, and not just left to naturalize, is important to the aggregate industry and the Management of Abandoned Aggregate Properties (MAAP) Program. The MAAP Program reclaims abandoned aggregate pits and quarries in the Province of Ontario, Canada. The sites are chosen according to safety, aesthetic, ecological and economic concerns. MAAP's rehabilitation work consists of grading, seeding and planting. A study is being conducted to assess the public's visual preference of naturalization designs for abandoned aggregate properties. To explore this relationship, computer simulated designs of aggregate properties will be developed using landscape modeling software to show change over time. This approach allows for the testing of multiple design strategies. The animated-simulations will be presented to sample groups who then complete a visual preference survey. The results of this study will help to improve landowner satisfaction with the rehabilitation work done by MAAP, and will also have significance to the aggregate industry as "natural areas", are one of the most commonly chosen rehabilitation end-uses for aggregate producers. The process and the results will be discussed.

Eli Paddle is a Master of Landscape Architecture gradute from the University
of Guelph.

Computer generated simulation of a rehabilitation project immediately
following completion.