Spaces for People and Salmon along Restored Urban Shorelines: A Critical Reflective Analysis

Abstract

Restored urban shorelines have social and ecological value even in polluted and industrialized contexts, but the relations among people, the land and water, and other species are not often studied, nor are the social benefits that these shorelines hold for different groups using these spaces. A two-part study of six restored shoreline sites on the Duwamish River was conducted to address this gap. First, point-intercept intertidal plant surveys were conducted and habit characteristics were assessed. Second, interviews were carried out with people spending time at shoreline sites, and findings were further supplemented with information collected through participant observation and interviews with key community informants. Findings were synthesized to elucidate relationships between physical, ecological, and social site parameters. The results of this analysis can be used to inform restoration practitioners, community organizations, and city and county planners about opportunities for improving existing and future habitat restoration sites in the Lower Duwamish River and similar geographies. This thesis contributes to literatures on urban estuarine habitat restoration and social-environmental ethics, by outlining and testing a method and approach that supports the integration of intentional human use and access to restored shoreline sites in highly developed areas, where marginalized communities have little access to green spaces.