Spring 2025

Supported by Rhode Island Sea Grant and led by Professor Hongbing Tang, the Spring 2025 Landscape Architecture Capstone studio developed an integrated vision to enhance climate resilience and community value along Jamestown’s Mackerel and Sheffield Coves waterfront. Building on extensive site analysis, community engagement, and collaboration with URI’s Ocean and Civil Engineering Capstone class, 19 landscape architecture seniors addressed critical environmental challenges, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, intensified storm surges, vulnerable dune systems, and the need for improving public access. The students produced six distinct design schemes emphasizing ecological restoration, adaptive coastal protection, enhanced mobility, and enriched recreational and educational experiences for residents and visitors alike. This work is documented in the capstone final report, which serves as a public resource to support long-term planning, ecological stewardship, and civic partnership.

The Jamestown Capstone earned statewide recognition through two Student Awards from the Rhode Island chapter of ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects): a Merit Award in Communications (Madeline Ashenfelter ’25) and a Merit Award in Planning & Analysis (Spencer Asofsky ’25, Stephanie Nordhoff ’25, and Tim Purcell ’25). The project also received the 
2026 Student Award from the Rhode Island Chapter of APA (American Planning Association), highlighting the project’s excellence in research‑driven design, community engagement, and forward‑looking coastal resilience planning. 

See the Full Report (PDF) [HT1] prepared by Madeline Ashenfelter, with Faculty Lead Professor Hongbing Tang, ASLA, RLA, LEED AP. Additional coverage of the project’s impact and recognition can be found in the 02/02/26 URI Rhody Today news release and 02/05/26 Jamestown Press.