As a community of life on Earth, humanity's fate has always been tied to this blue planet. However, human activities continuously impact the Earth's ecology, hydrology, and geography. Since entering the industrial society, these impacts have accelerated in speed and intensity. Consequently, excessive emissions have led to rising sea levels and the exacerbation of the urban heat island effect, significantly affecting coastal cities.

Coastal cities are attractive as they offer a more moderate climate, diverse natural ecosystems, access to water for commerce ports and recreation, and an entryway to the hinterland through rivers that connect with oceans. However, as many coastal cities are in low-lying areas and prone to land subsidence, they are vulnerable to coastal flooding and will only become more vulnerable in the face of rising sea levels and more frequent storms. At the same time, rising sea levels and extreme climate changes lead to more frequent hurricanes, exacerbating the severity of urban flooding. The types of floods include areal flooding, riverine flooding, coastal flooding, and urban flooding. Floods can originate from the adjacent ocean, stormwater, or rivers.

Cities, therefore, need to adapt themselves to these changes. The answer lies within the cities themselves. This project will use Jacksonville, Florida, as a design case, addressing urban issues through the implementation of a blue-green infrastructure network. Blue-green infrastructure is a meticulous landscape strategy that can be applied to streets, houses, parks, and other areas. It slows down stormwater runoff and includes measures to protect land from flooding, provide high-quality green spaces, enhance ecological benefits, and improve urban resilience. Additionally, this project will discuss how blue-green infrastructure can strive to achieve spatial equity in American society, enhance community safety and cohesion, and address community segregation to a certain extent.

'Satoyama 2.0.' presents an integrated approach within landscape architecture, establishing an inclusive framework for managing river landscapes, using Japan as a paradigm. The thesis proposes the integration of ecological preservation, cultural revitalization, and urban resilience into the design and management of river ecosystems. Prioritizing sustainable principles and strategies, interventions aim to understand and respect the diverse forms of existence, both human and non-human, interconnected with the river and its natural systems.

Across research through design and design through research, this project develops and implements practices that mitigate the harmful impacts of modern development and occupation while fostering environmental management and cultural continuity. Advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes harmony between human activities and the natural landscape, the proposition aims to promote the long-term sustainability and resilience of river landscapes, with Kameoka serving as a paradigm for these efforts.

Categorizing landscapes into headwaters, hillsides, and flatlands, and employing a layer-based analysis, this design strategy interprets the dynamic interactions between humans and nature. Utilizing controlled flooding strategies and a layered approach to sustainable riverine landscape management ‘Satoyama 2.0.’ aims to mitigate the harmful impacts of modern development while fostering environmental management and cultural continuity. Bridging tradition and sustainability through agriculture practices intertwines cultural rituals and modern conservation efforts, ensuring the preservation of the ecological and spiritual sacredness of the Satoyama forest.