Open space in Broward County Florida: A geographic analysis of parks and golf courses in the urban fabric

From 1982 to 1992, urban areas of Broward County Florida grew 44.2 percent from 52,206 hectares to 75,274 hectares (Sierra Club, 1998). Many municipalities in Broward are now approaching critical build-out and because of this urban open space is under pressure. Given the development predicament facing the remaining vacant land in Broward, it's time to rethink the role and function of open space in the urban fabric. This thesis investigates the role of golf courses in the provision of open space in urban Broward County. It argues that golf courses, despite their environmentally negative image, play an underestimated role in urban open space. Golf courses provide hectares of pervious surface and have vegetative features integral to the game not typically found in city parks or county parks. This thesis shows how golf courses compare to city and county parks in terms of their environmental contribution to urban Broward County.