Data Centers Research: Phase One and Two Deliverables

Phase One Deliverables

1) Description of research methodology (250 words)

2) Research study (no more than 3,000 words), including:

• Integrative research analysis with the most significant findings
• Key best practices from reviewed projects and research
• Relevant regional highlights, using U.S. government organization of regions (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northern Great Plains, Southern Great Plains, Northwest, Southwest, and U.S. Caribbean, Alaska, Hawai‘i & U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands)
• Synthesis of best practice approaches from allied disciplines (engineering, architecture, planning, ecology, etc) when relevant for landscape architecture
• Identification of unknown best practices, key knowledge gaps, and priority future research areas

3) Plain language executive summary weaving together the research evidence into an op-ed-style narrative argument for external policymaker and public audiences (no more than 1,000 words at 11th grade reading level) 

4) List of all research studies, case studies, projects, and other sources cited, including links. The research can include:

• Published project information and case studies
• Interviews with data center developers and technology companies and their planning and design teams 
• Federal, state, and local government research 
• Local planning department records 
• Financial & banking industry research 
• United Nations, international organization, and non-profit organization research
• Research by landscape architecture academics
• Research by academics in related professions (ecology, engineering, planning, public health, medicine, architecture, urban studies, etc.) 

5) 5-10 relevant high-resolution images with 1-2 sentence captions, along with image credits to illustrate the research. Image sources can include:

• Conceptual designs, diagrams, and infographics created by the grantee (non-AI generated)
• Project and research images (if license secured)
• Creative Commons license images from Wikipedia, Flickr
• istockphoto.com 

Grantee is responsible for developing original graphics or securing image licenses using ASLA’s license form. 

Phase Two Deliverables 

1) Outline of practice guide for landscape architects working on data center developments (250 words)

2) Data center practice guide for landscape architects (no more than 4,000 words), with guidelines for:

• Community engagement
• Planning / siting
• Design
• Operations
• Maintenance 

3) 5-10 relevant high-resolution images with 1-2 sentence captions, along with image credits to illustrate the guidelines. Image sources can include:

• Conceptual designs, diagrams, and infographics created by grantee (non-AI generated)
• Project and research images (if license secured)
• Creative Commons license images from Wikipedia, Flickr
• istockphoto.com

Grantee is responsible for developing original graphics or securing image licenses using ASLA’s license form.