Keyi Chai Urban Design Portfolio 2023

KEYI CHAI

I am an Urban Design, Planning, and GIS professional with over 5 years of higher education experience. My education has encompassed GIS mapping, urban spatial analysis and visualization, community design, land use and urban environmental research. Additionally, I have gained professional experience in the field of urban design and planning. During the past 2 years at Carnegie Mellon University, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with interdisciplinary research and design teams. These collaborations have ranged from remote sensing analysis to the implementation of environmental justice initiatives, as well as community-based design and marketfeasible urban design.

I am dedicated to making a positive impact on natural and built environment by integrating strategies for sustainability, and economic growth.

SKILLS

Spatial Analysis&Cartography: ESRI

ArcGIS Software Suite( Vector, Raster, ModelBuilder, Pro, Online, Insights, Desktop), MapBox, QGIS

Graphic Design:

Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro), AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, Sketch up, Vray, Figma

Programming Languages:

Python, Pandas, Numpy

EDUCATION

Carnegie Mellon University, School of Architecture

Master of Urban Design (QPA: 3.8/4.3)

Huaqiao University, School of Architecture

B E in Urban and Rural Planning (GPA:88/100 Rank:1/49)

Chung Yuan Christian University, College of Design

Certificate in Landscape Architecture (Exchange Program)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Carnegie Mellon University, Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics

Graduate GIS Research Assistant for Smart Surfaces for Climate and Health Project

Advisors: PhD Candidate Suzy Li, Prof. Vivian Loftness

· Mapped land surface temperatures (LST) for 3 case cities using remote sensing techniques and ModelBuilder

· Collaborated with a team to create a urban heat correlation model with other social environmental variables

Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz College

Graduate Teaching Assistant, 94802-A Geographic Information Systems

· Partnered Prof. Kristen Kurland and the TA team in hybrid teaching course with 40 graduate students

· Graded weekly assignments and quizzes, and provided regular feedback to students during 3 hours of office time

· Fostered in-person atmosphere through one-hour small group sessions every Wednesday

Climate Change and Respiratory Health

Volunteer GIS Research Assistant

Advisors: Dr. Albin Leong (California Northstate University), Prof. Kristen Kurland

· Collected project-related data, including air quality, weather, disease prevalence, etc., for geospatial data analysis

· Self-learned tools to predict the future of respiratory health under the impact of climate change

S&J Design Consultants Co., LTD

Design Intern

· Assisted senior architects with site analysis, including data collection for commercial mixed-use design projects

· Converted free-hand sketches into foam models manually and produced digital diagrams of conceptual design

Jiangshan Architectural Design Institute Co., LTD

Urban Planning Intern

· Assisted the planning project for Hushan community in Jiangshan City and organizing community meetings

· Honed my communication ability and problem-solving skills

Pittsburgh, PA

2021.9-2023.5

Xiamen, China

2016.9-2021.6

Taiwan

2018.9-2019.1

Pittsburgh, PA 2022.9 - 2023.5

Pittsburgh, PA 2022.9 - 2022.12

Pittsburgh, PA 2022.6 - 2023.1

Guangzhou, China 2020.11 – 2021.1

Jiangshan, China 2020.1 – 2020.2

01 REENVISIONING GREENVILLE

CMU COMMONING THE CITY THESIS

Location

Mentors

Skills

Greenville, CA, USA

Jonathan Kline, Stefan Gruber

ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustratior, Adobe Indesign, Rhino, Grasshopper, Handsketch

ABOUT THE PROJECT

This thesis project explores new approaches to rebuilding Greenville, a town that was leveled by the Dixie Fire in 2021. By integrating modified Wildland-Urban Interface patterns, firesmart landscapes, and incremental cooperative housing, the project will foster shared resources and a thriving ecosystem.

Through a collective commitment to resilience and a deep connection to the land, Greenville can rise again – stronger and more beautiful than ever before. With its unique identity and enduring spirit, Greenville is a beacon of hope and renewal for communities facing similar challenges.

Wildfire Risk in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) in California

The desire to live closer to nature, surrounded by peaceful and green environments, is growing among Californians. However, it is important to acknowledge the risks associated with residing in wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. Historical data indicates that around 80% of California wildfires have been caused by human activities. Recent devastating fires in the state have served as stark reminders of how these idyllic locations can quickly turn into scenes of loss and devastation.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) defines the WUI as the transitional zone between wilderness and human-developed land, where the built environment merges with the natural environment. Human settlements in the WUI face a significantly higher risk of experiencing catastrophic wildfires.

Constructing homes in WUI areas increases the vulnerability of these structures to wildfire destruction. As more individuals are attracted to these regions for residential purposes, it becomes increasingly crucial to address housing flammability, density, and spatial arrangement within the WUI. These areas should be taken into consideration during the planning processes of urban and regional development to mitigate the risks associated with wildfires.

Life after the Dixie Fire

In 2021, the Dixie Fire burned 963,309 acres and destroyed over 1,300 structures in northern California, which becomes the second-largest wildfire in California’s history.

Greenville, located in the middle of the WUI areas, is the most affected town during the Dixie fire. Even though there were no casualties, the town lost infrastructure such as the post office and pharmacy to ensure daily life. People were forced to move away towards other nearby towns, mainly Chester and Quincy. And some could not afford to pay rent, so they had to live in makeshift tents or trailers. It was still unclear that how mant people are able to return.

The center of the town sits on flat land in a valley, with state owned highways, railroads and a creek running through the foothills, squeezing the town’s development.

Issue 1 - Constraints of existing wildland-urban systems in Greenville

Issue 2 - Zoning district needs to be radically revised

However, the fire destroyed the historic downtown, wiping away more than a century of buildings along the Main Street as well as residents being displaced. One year later, the land was cleared and all dead trees were removed from the roads to ensure the traffic. And the daily life in the town was slowly returning by the effort of people from all aspects. Current zoning code allows houses in the woods, in order to protect forests and accelerate the recovery of ecosystems. In the long run, zoning need to be revised to protect natural ecosystems rather than being used for development.

Current Actor Networks

Issue: Transition from Wildland to Urban Center

The transition from the wildland to the urban center, the interface between the wildland and edge area was all privately owned, with little buffer zones.

Before wildfire (2020)

Proposed Actor Networks

Immediately Post-fire (2021)

The new community clustered layout and landscape pattern offer a solution for growth away from the forest, reducing the fire hazard. This allows for greater residential density and promotes mixed-use development in the town center. While community preparedness efforts have focused on response tactics, reducing hazardous fuels, and resident education, it is crucial to expand solutions to include land-use planning. These measures not only reduce wildfire risk in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) but also protect both forests and residents. By connecting each family to the larger ecosystem through shared open spaces and utilizing a similar building typology, the community fosters a sense of unity. Additionally, the creation of firelines in the buffer space between the national forest and properties adds an extra layer of protection.

Incremental Mutual-Aid Construction

In terms of the new construction methodology, this approach offers an affordable solution that allows people to return to live in their communities while also expediting the construction process. By enabling residents to selfbuild their own houses, this methodology provides a level of flexibility and empowerment.

Under this approach, contractors take responsibility for completing the most energy-efficient unit, which serves as the foundation for basic living facilities, akin to a studio unit. This ensures that residents have a functional living space from the outset.

To complete the remaining parts of the house, a collaborative effort takes place among COOP memberships, architects, and contractors. Through mutual-aid construction, residents receive guidance and support from professionals, enabling them to actively participate in the construction process and contribute their skills and labor. This not only creates a sense of ownership and pride but also fosters a strong community bond.

1 First-half constructed by contractors 2 Constructed through mutual-aid process

02 ECOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATIONS

CMU URBAN SYSTEMS STUDIO S22

Location

Mentor Skills

Braddock and North Braddock,Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Nida Rehman

Community Engagement, GIS Mapping, ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustratior, Adobe Indesign

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project aims to enhance the resilience of the Braddock waterfront and riparian space by softening the water and the city’s edge, attracting people and other species to the river. At the core of our vision is the provision of a clean and open riverside space for all residents of Braddock, North Braddock, and nearby communities. The proposal builds upon existing efforts in riverfront restoration and trail development in the Pittsburgh area, such as the Great Allegheny Passage and Three Rivers Heritage Trail. It involves transforming the railroad into an ecological corridor to bolster resilience against climate change, while also creating spaces for recreation and conservation along this corridor. Native species will be planted along the river to reshape the plant community’s diversity, filter pollutants, absorb stormwater, enhance the landscape’s beauty, and provide habitats for birds and other river animals.

Water Ecology

Fish Hotspot - Braddock Ramp

Shoreline Lexicon

The riverfront area was occupied by industries and isolated by the railroad for a long time, so it is hard for people in Braddock and North Braddock to get access to the water and ecosystem. By analyzing and representing the four typical sections of the existing shoreline along the Mon River, we noticed that shorelines are hardened by human activities and structures, decreasing the biodiversity and habitat.

Drawings by Ruoyu Li

Waterfront properties

Sensing ecology and contamination map of Braddock and North Braddock Group Work with Ruoyu Li, and Xiao Xu

Community Workshop

Mapping ecology, vancancy and environmental experience

This semester, an important component of the studio was a public workshop aimed to build conversations about Braddock and North Braddock residents’ accounts about their neighborhoods. The workshop was hosted by the Braddock Carnegie Library, at the Braddock Battlefield History Center where we set up a series of stations and activities with maps and other visual materials through which participants could share and document narratives about place and spatial experience.

The map on the following pages was produced to understand and make visible the ecological context of the two boroughs, providing a foundation for the project’s proposals. Each lot that was listed as “vacant” by the lotstolove.org map (produced by Grounded Pittsburgh based on Allegheny County’s property assessments) was mapped and then categorized by what was taking place there, ranging from gardens and mowed lawns to rewilded woods.

Poster by Nida Rehman

Photo by Michael Lawlor

The proposal is based on community collaborations with organizations such as Friends of the Riverfront, which will facilitate discussions with waterfront landowners to open up the riverfront. In terms of development intensity, priority should be given to ecological and recreational functions, allowing residents to have relaxed and enjoyable interactions with nature.

Taking into account the ecological restoration process of the riverbank and the challenges associated with site development, a phased approach with a limited degree of development should be adopted.

Expansion of US Steel Edgar Thomson Works

Phased Riverfront Trail System Development

03 REFRESH ZONE

Urban Design (2023 ULI Hines Competition)

32 ha

North Charleston, SC, USA

Stephen Quick, Valentina Vavasis

2023.1.3-2023.1.23

Leader, Group project with Linyue Luo, Dennis Brick, Michael Maffaire

Responsible for all the visualizations, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Urban, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustratior, Adobe Indesign, Excel (for Proforma)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Refresh Zone will revitalize the former naval base of North Charleston, transforming it into a vibrant riverside community. People of all generations will come together in this space, engaging in business and research activities, receiving skills training and retraining, and enjoying affordable housing and meaningful recreational experiences.

The city of North Charleston stands to benefit greatly from the Refresh Zone. The provision of veteran housing, retraining programs, and skills training centers will reduce unemployment rates and decrease crime, while simultaneously boosting economic activity. Additionally, the Buzz Zone, research areas, and offices will serve as a catalyst for job creation and local business development.

The Refresh Zone has been designed with a focus on ensuring long-term economic stability and vitality for North Charleston's diverse population and future generations. Each phase of financial development takes into account the need for diverse partnerships, ensuring that no group— whether veterans, students, seniors, or the disadvantaged—is left behind during the area's revitalization. The allocation of funding and resources ensures a holistic economic plan that revolves around the key principles of retraining, workforce growth, and affordability.

Water Joy Zone

Transportation Strategy

The next generation will embrace technology and sustainable practices through a joyful innovation hub experience while making rentable micro-mobility vehicles accessible to them.

PHASING SUMMARY

PHASE 1: Begins 2024

begins with a specialized experimental district, combining the best in mixed development.

PHASE 2: Begins 2027

expands economic growth via expansive partnerships with local organizations and private companies

PHASE 3: Begins 2030

capitalizes on growth by ensuring the creation of permanent affordable units.

PHASE 4: Begins 2033

After ten years, when the DOD parcel is available, the development will extend downwards to meet the WaterJoy Zone with affordable housing and mixed development housing, further increasing the size of the residential community.

FINANCIALS

REINVENTING CONNECTIONS

Type Location

Size

Mentor

Date

Role

Skills

Community-based Urban Design; Placemaking East Liberty, Pittsburgh, USA

31 Acres

Stefani Danes (sl47@andrew.cmu.edu)

2021.9-2021.12

Group project with Linyue Luo and Ritika Narang, mainly responsible for sketch perspectives, axon diagrams. Rhino, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, laser-cutting physical model

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Our design approach encompasses both the site and the surrounding community, aiming to transcend the site's singular and isolated function. Our goal is to restore the connection between the site and the neighboring residents while incorporating historical elements of the area -- the past commercial core and the old train station.

The project's purpose is to envision potential futures for the site, guided by East Liberty's Community Plan and ecological urban design principles. We aspire for this project to stimulate discussions and generate ideas regarding the future of East Liberty's Eastern Gateway—an essential entrance to the neighborhood and an opportunity to enhance amenities for existing neighborhoods while revitalizing the Penn Avenue corridor.

Summer: Outdoor Movie Night

Winter: Children Ice Rink

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

The part of plan near the existing bus station is an entertainment hub (connected to a historic park) which attracts people into our site. The eastern side has offices and other commercial places (for the residents of the neighborhood and adjacent ones) surrounded by a park.

MIXED-USE AXON DIAGRAM

PennAvenue

Eastside Square

COMMUNITY RESCUE PROGRAM

Type Location

Size

Mentor

Date

Skills

Urban micro-regeneration

Zhangzhou City, Fujian, China

32 ha

Xiang Lin

2020.5-2020.6

SketchUp, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustratior

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The main goal of the project is to prevent the disconnection of the community's residents due to the construction of new roads. The rejuvenation of the Shimei Community employs a method known as "acupuncture therapy," wherein specific critical sites are carefully chosen for intervention to prevent the fracture of the social structure and spatial fabric. By utilizing this design approach, the project is implemented at various scales, establishing a connection between two main lines: the commercial line along the old street and the ecological line along the river.

This method ensures that the intervention respects the existing community and its unique characteristics. By strategically selecting key sites for improvement, the project aims to preserve the community's social cohesion and spatial continuity.

Average Land Surface Temperatures by Neighborhoods (2010-2019)

Heat Inequity in the City of Pittsburgh

Accessing Land Surface Temperature Data from 2010 to 2019

View Live Dashboard

Average Land Surface Temperatures in June, July and August (2010-2019)

Relationship between Level of Disadvantage and Land Surface Temperature

Build on Pittsburgh Neighborhood Disadvantage Map, from the scatter plot matrix above, there is no direct relationship between surface temperature and neighborhood disadvantage, and the correlation between population density and LST is very low.

Relationship between Historical Zoning Policy and Land Surface Temperature

Relationships between LST and Surface Cover

Historical racist housing policy and zoning regulation continue to have a disparate impact on today's heat inequity issue, where we could tell from the series of histograms that the distribution of high LSTs in Redlined zones (HOLC grade D) is more than in the non-redlined areas.

The hottest neighborhoods from 2010 to 2019 in Pittsburgh are Chateau, South Side Flats, East Liberty, Strip District, Manchester, and Central Northside.

Other Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization with ArcGIS Insights

Dashboard of the DEA database analysis in the USA

Dashboard of the Fatal cycling incidents analysis in Ottawa, Canada

Density Ratio of cycling collisions

Distribution paths between distributors and pharmacies, and dosage unit statistics for each path

Climate Change and Respiratory Health

Type Location Instructor

Date

Skills

Percentage Changes of Adult Patients (2015-2019)

Research Project (Teamwork with Sean Xu) Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Kristen Kurland, Dr. Albin Leong 2022.6- 2022.12

ArcGIS Pro Forcast Toolsets

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Environmental allergens such as pollen and mold are common triggers. Changes in the weather can affect asthma and allergies. Temperature changes, humidity changes, thunderstorms, rain and wind can inflame the airways, leading to flare-ups. People with respiratory conditions tend to breathe through the mouth and doing so brings weather-related irritants directly to the lungs. It also doesn’t allow your nose to regulate the humidity and air temperature.

Rates of Adults with Current Asthma in 2030 (by States)

MAP1: Forecasted cases 1 / Projected population 2

MAP2: Forecasted Asthma Rates

Source:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Asthma Surveillance Data 2000-2020

2. University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group. National Population Projections (2018)

Better Bike Lanes Planning in Pittsburgh

An evaluation system to the continuity of the bicycle system and the impact factor contributing to it in Pittsburgh

Type Location Instructor Skills

Date

Role

GIS Term Project

Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Kristen Kurland

ArcGIS Pro, StoryMaps

2021.11- 2021.12

Leader, Teamwork with Linyue Luo and Ruoxi Xie

Bike Lanes Network Analysis

6 key bike corridors - Kernel Density

Topography Analysis

Mountainous topography is not friendly to bicycle drivers - Raster GIS

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Better bikeways can help Pittsburgh become a healthier and more sustainable community. A Colorado-based bicycle advocacy organization has ranked Pittsburgh as its 20th most bike-friendly city in the U.S. However, Pittsburgh earned three stars out of five overall in bike friendliness.

We encourage an active lifestyle and when more people travel by bike we get a quieter, cleaner and greener city. While Pittsburgh has vastly expanded its bicycle infrastructure in the last decade, many potential riders are still concerned about cycling on the street, even in designated bike lanes. Better bikeways can make bicycling in Pittsburgh safer for everyone, from experienced cyclists to children and older riders.

Road Slope Analysis

Riding environment - Raster GIS

Buffer Zone of Schools and Parks

Areas where bike lanes are needed - Network Analysis

Tree Canopy Analysis - Raster GIS

Riding environment

Based on the information we analyzed, the city of Pittsburgh has a diverse distribution of bike lanes. Some of them are in good condition and are friendly to cyclists to use, while some of them are in poor conditions.

The final presents of the mapping are interactive for people to discover the bicycle-friendly communities and also provide information for the relevant institutions to plan and improve the bike lanes in the community to create better bikeways for everyone, from experienced cyclists to children and older riders.

StoryMap Link: https://arcg.is/1Hy9yn

Other Works

Commoning the City

Location Instructor

Field Trip; Travel Exhibition Montevideo, Uruguay; Buenos Aires, Argentina Stefan Gruber 2022.10 - 2022.11

Interview with residents in COVICIVI 1+2 (coop housing)

Atlas of Commoning Exibition

Energy Reuse in Braddock and North Braddock

Possibilities of vertical farming in environmental justice areas

Type Location Instructor

Date

Role Software

Urban Design Media Term Project Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Nicolas Azel 2022.3- 2022.5

Teamwork with Ruoxi Xie ArcGIS, Grasshopper, Rhino, Adobe Photoshop

SITE SELECTION

The project focuses on the City of Pittsburgh as a research area to examine energy consumption and potential causes of environmental pollution resulting from energy facilities. The primary goal is to address air pollution by investigating the utilization, distribution, and environmental impact of renewable energy sources.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Pittsburgh area suffers from one of the highest levels of air pollution in the nation, posing a severe risk to the health and lives of its residents. This situation is unacceptable, as clean air should be a basic right rather than a privilege.

A significant portion of the industrial air pollution in Allegheny County can be attributed to just 10 industrial facilities, responsible for a staggering 83% of the reported toxic air pollution in the region. Air pollution has a direct impact on individuals struggling with asthma, significantly increasing the likelihood of asthma attacks. It is disheartening to note that nearly everyone knows someone—a friend or family member—affected by this condition. Furthermore, research indicates that Allegheny County ranks in the top 2% of counties nationwide for cancer risk related to pollution. In response, we are exploring innovative approaches to clean energy through data analysis. This endeavor aims to mitigate environmental pollution and represents a step towards a new era of cleaner energy sources.

KEYI CHAI

Master of Urban Design '23

Carnegie Mellon University