Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Ireland’s rural landscapes have undergone significant ecological and cultural transformation through centuries of colonial land restructuring, agricultural intensification, and increasing dependence on globalized economic systems. County Roscommon represents a particularly relevant context within this condition, characterized by livestock-dominated land use, fragmented ecological systems, low forest cover, and declining biodiversity. Simultaneously, communities remain culturally connected to the landscape despite increasing physical and ecological disconnection from nature.

This thesis investigates how multifunctional landscape design can operationalize deep ecological principles to enhance ecological resilience and reconfigure human–nature relationships in rural landscapes such as Roscommon, Ireland. The research combines literature studies, historical analysis, qualitative interviews, thematic coding, site analysis, and speculative design methodologies to explore the socio-ecological interface between land use, ecology, culture, and community. Reference case studies, including Burrenbeo Trust and Common Knowledge, informed the development of design principles grounded in agroecology, ecological restoration, accessibility, and community engagement.

The findings identify biodiversity loss, ecological fragmentation, and restricted access to nature as central challenges within the contemporary Irish rural landscape. Interviews and thematic analysis further reveal tensions between environmental stewardship, economic pressures, agricultural policy, and cultural identity. In response, the thesis proposes a multifunctional design framework for the Cusack Family Farm in Strokestown, integrating agroforestry, wetland restoration, afforestation, ecological corridors, food production, education, recreation, and public accessibility. The proposal emphasizes ecological connectivity, local knowledge, and creating space for ecological autonomy within productive landscapes.

The research concludes that multifunctional landscape design informed by deep ecology can support both ecological resilience and stronger relational connections between communities and landscape. Re-establishing ecological resilience in Ireland is therefore framed not solely as an environmental challenge, but also as a cultural and relational process requiring cooperation, accessibility, and renewed ecological understanding.