Porfolio
Zhuoxing (Amy) Jiang
Porfolio Directory
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GIS Work Samples Areas with Growing Home Values in Buffalo, NY 2014 Pedestrian Volume in Peak Hours, Buffalo NY, 2014 3D Modeling Samples
Studio Work Samples A Study of Redeveloping the Shoreline Complex, Buffalo NY, 2014
Writing Sample Memo
Other Work Design Guideline for Shoreline Complex Redevelopment
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Introduction The following pages contain a selection of coursework and projects I have worked on in my graduate study. Thank you in advance for taking time to go through it. Most of the coursework or projects I worked on were usually as a part of a team or a studio. I have always been a major contributor in the teams, and my research, mapping, and design skills have helped me to do so. All the maps, graphics, models and writings have been generated by myself.
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GIS Work Samples
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Areas with Growing Home Values in Buffalo, NY 2014 The map (left) shows the areas in Buffalo that have good growth potential of property investment. The research considered many criteria including social-economic factors, access to public services, transportation modes, and living style trends.
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Social-economic Factors 1 Median income by block group 2 Population change by block group 3 Population density by block group 4 Intra-metropolitan and Intercity Hardship
Index by blcok group index by block group
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Land Use & Accessibility Analysis 5 Land use by parcel 6 Access to bus stops 7 Access to subway stations 8 Park distribution 9 Services areas of hospitals (/min) 10 Service areas of clinics (/min)
11 Access to the closest supermarkets 12Service areas of elementary schools (/min)
13Service areas of schools (/min)
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14Service areas of high schools (/min)
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Pedestrian Volume in Peak Hours, Buffalo NY, 2014 The map in next page illustrates the volume of pedestrian in some selected streets during peak hours. It can works as an indicator to evaluate the property values in those streets. The data samples were collected at 200 locations, and each sample was taken in 10-15 minutes.
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3D Modeling Samples The images in the following 2 pages show the models of apartments in Commodore Perry District, Buffalo. The models are created based on geographically related data, and can be used for transportation analysis, shadow analysis, etc..
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Studio Work A Study of Redeveloping the Shoreline Complex Buffalo NY, 2014
I worked in a team of 15 students, and completed historic research and analysis of urban renewal process the context of historic neighborhood; Shoreline Complex and its neighborhood conditions; local policy, and infill designs to draft a framework for redevelopment of the site. Each team member including myself participated in every part of the study.
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Individual site plan: the infill design follows the rules of public housing policies and fit in its surrounding historic neighborhoods. Individual design guideline can be found in the last section.
Samples of home values in West Historic Village, Buffalo NY
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Writing Sample This is a coursework in a memo format. It provides regional economic development strategies to help the leaders understand the economic development in the new economy, and the role of the County in the new economic development prardigm.
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MEMO To: Honorable Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Executive From: Zhuoxing (Amy) Jiang Cc: James J. Allen Date: December 10, 2014 Re: Economic Development Strategies for Erie County, NY Executive summary This memo outlines the economic development strategies for Erie County in the context of new economy. It briefly describes the impacts of globalization and advanced technology, and introduces the characteristics of new economy. The memo mainly emphasizes the importance of regional thinking, and discusses how to take advantage of existing opportunities to develop clusters and foster entrepreneurs. In the end, it explains the necessity of building the regional stewardship and framework. Introduction In the context of economic globalization, regional development provides good opportunities for the County to address some complex challenges and enjoy the prosperity of regional economic growth. Therefore, the County should develop a regional thinking, and participate in the regional development. To revitalize the County’s economy, it is important to learn successful experiences, however, it is more important for the County to recognize and take advantage of its existing opportunities. It is also essential to participate in building a regional stewardship and framework to provide strategies and guide economic development. Context Western New York (WNY) is the westernmost region of the state of New York that consists of 12 western counties including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Orleans, Niagara, Wyoming, Monroe, Wayne, Livingston and Ontario. After WWII, the economy in this region was hit by global competition, high technology, and was threatened by the rise of Sunbelt cities. Most counties including County of Erie and Niagara have experienced a dramatic decline in manufacturing
industry, and a consistently drop in population over the past decades. Today in the urban areas in WNY, a knowledge-based economy, such as education, business, advanced manufacturing and tourism, has replaced the heavy industrial manufacturing. Outside the cities, agriculture has always been a major factor in the economy, especially farming. Regional thinking matters Regional integration is considered as an economic capacity of a regional area to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. In regional economic development, it is found that firms and workers often find one another through the intersection of their regional social networks. Also, they can access to the full range of services and assistance available in the region. For Erie County, it is necessary to participate in regional economic development through a regional planning board. A regional planning board can offer an economic development blueprint, and help address regional planning and development issues. However, the ErieNiagara Counties Regional Planning Board (ENCRB) was cancelled in early 1990s and never replaced. As a result, this region’s economic vitality has been seriously challenged. According to Brookings Institute, Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is “one of the only two metro areas among the 50 largest (along with Pittsburgh) that lost population during the 1990s.” The major cause to cancel the ENCRB was a lack of power and political support to implement regional planning. Under the context of the state’s Municipal Home Rule, the counties’ direct influence on the region’s development pattern is limited, as they do not have the authority to approve or disapprove proposals. Nevertheless, they have the ability to review and comment on many local land use decisions. This helps to evaluate the impacts of local decisions. Local decisions and initiatives influence and are influenced by the actions of other regional actors. If a county is experiencing a decline in economy, it is likely to bring negative impacts on its surrounding counties’ economies. Therefore, it is important to think regionally and build a bicounty planning board to orient policy and practice toward regional economic development. Also, understanding Buffalo Niagara’s location in the bi-national region is important. It is well known that the status of WNY is a hub of the country’s Northeast Mega-Region. It enjoys the access within a half-day’s drive of three-fifths of the Canadian and two-fifths of the US population. However, less common knowledge is that Buffalo Niagara is located in one of North America’s strongest economic engines. Further understanding of the role of Buffalo Niagara in the WNY will assist to harness the advantage of a bi-national region in a globalized world. Targeted investments in transportation and infrastructure, such as high-speed rail connecting Buffalo Niagara to Toronto, allows new markets for cross-border employment, trade and cultural exchange.
New economy The new economy emphasizes that knowledge is the major influence driving the economic growth. Key factors that help to create knowledge include education, entrepreneurship and the diversity and tolerance. To revitalize the County’s economy, it should fully utilize its strengths to develop clusters, foster and support entrepreneurs. Developing clusters Many economists have recognized the importance of talent and industrial clustering in spurring innovation and economic growth. The power of agglomerations can generate job opportunities that attract both talent and technology, produce regional specialization that fosters efficiency and innovation, and enhance the regional competitiveness. A successful clustering model is California’s Silicon Valley that comprises a number of world-wide top hightech corporations, which have brought great wealth to that region. However, not every place can or should become another Silicon Valley. The rise of Silicon Valley is largely based on the high technology contributed by Stanford University and other research institutions. Different regions have different sets of economic development opportunities. The regions should identify and build on their own unique strengths rather than try to copy other regions. For Erie County, it is time to take advantage of its strengths: • The presence of industry leaders in information technology and data process, banking and financial services, automotive manufacturing, and food processing. The existing leading industry can offer technology, financial resources, and business networks to build the foundation for clustering. Due to the differences in these leading industries, the region may develop different industry clusters. Special attention should be paid when developing strategies for different clusters. Clusters vary from industry to industry and operate in many different dimensions, and thus, have different needs. There is no one set of policies that will meet the needs of all clusters. For example, a biotechnology cluster may require help with biological research or capital, while an automotive industry cluster may require assistance with job training or technology deployment. • A strong base of professional knowledge and skilled workforce. Erie County is home to a number of higher educational institutions, including the world-class Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus. The research capacity of these educational institutions helps to attract and accelerate the development of industry clusters. Researchers have found that talent is the key factor in developing successful clusters, and thus, a continuous supply of high-skill workers is needed. According to a 2011 report on the regional labor market, the County’s well-educated workforce has shared a large proportion of the whole workforce in New York State. These skilled workers can serve the industry clusters, especially those specialized advanced manufacturing subsectors.
• An increasing number of young people in urban areas According to an article in recent NYTimes, more and more college graduates choose to live in cities like Buffalo and Cleveland. In the context of regional development, there is a continued need for the creative class. It is found that the creative class comprises an increasing number of young people who prefer to live in denser, livelier, less car-dependent, and more affordable cities that have more open and richer culture. Buffalo enjoys a relatively high walk score, diversity and tolerance, and its living costs are relatively low. The Elmwood Village and Allentown are specially favored by young people due to their nightly restaurants, bars, and dance clubs. Fostering and supporting entrepreneurs Entrepreneurial capacity depends on many factors including a concentration of new ideas, local education and talent, affordable sites, and local capital to support new startups. The County needs to identify the opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs, and develop a culture of entrepreneurship. Recent researches show that high-tech development, startup activity, and venture investment have begun to shift to urban centers and close-in, mixed-use, transit-oriented walkable suburbs. It is documented that, in the 1980s, venture capital flowed out of urban financial centers to suburban centers of high tech industry like Silicon Valley. But recently, the data shows that high-tech startups have shifted to denser city centers, especially the newest and most innovative developments tend to emerge from urban and urban-like locations. The major reason is that denser cities are more efficient, especially for the startups. Older buildings in urban areas are much more affordable for small startups with limited assets. Besides, high-tech industry has become less dependent on hardware, and therefore, needs much smaller factory footprints. The good news is that there are many available properties with low prices in the County’s urban centers. The challenges for entrepreneurs lay in the County’s aging suburban communities that were developed after WWII. Those suburban neighborhoods are experiencing declining population, aging residents, and deteriorating infrastructure. The County needs to find ways to transfer the suburbs from low-density, auto-oriented to compact and transit-oriented patterns of development. Yet, the shift to urban tech does not mean the end of suburban high tech. with the development of the startups, some companies require large floor plates and campuses remain in the suburbs, where land is cheaper and more available. Also the established companies that need large footprints will continue to occupy suburban campuses. In addition to strengthen urban centers and develop mixed-use suburban areas, the County should encourage initiatives, for example, offer direct funding, tax breaks, and cheap power to support and fund entrepreneurs. A good example is the “Tax-
Free NY” that encourages the growth of startups by establishing tax free zones on SUNY and community college campuses. Companies that locate on campus will be able to grow their businesses without paying sales, property, business, or corporate taxes. As discussed above, the County has a strong base in research and industry. Therefore, the startups can bring great benefits if they can transit technology from the lab to the marketplace, turning ideas into products. Regional stewardship and framework are necessary The WNY region is facing with many complex regional challenges, such as job growth, racial and economic disparity, and even quality of public services. These challenges are unlikely to be addressed by traditional political boundaries and jurisdictions, which focuses more on the local level. They need to be examined on a regional level, where economic, environmental, and social concerns all come together. The regional stewards cross boundaries of jurisdictions, sectors, and disciplines to generate integrated and efficient solutions. The potential regional stewards can be found in the educational institutions with a rich history of commitment to the places where they exist. Given to the strong connection between education and regional development in Erie County, it is likely to find regional stewards in the educational institutions like UB. Based on the collaborative regional governance, the region can create a regional framework to guide the region’s future growth and development. In general, the regional framework works as a blueprint to support the actions of county and regional agencies relating the area’s physical development. In a regional framework, it identifies the challenges faced by the region, and offers policies and principles to facility regional development. It also informs the public, private, and civic sectors about the process and actions the counties can undertake when making decisions affecting the region’s development. Conclusions Facing with the globalization competition and high technology, the possible solutions for Erie County to address the challenges are focusing on building upon its own strengths, and developing a regional stewardship and framework. Most importantly, the County should take advantage of its opportunities, such as the strong base in research and industry, an increasing number of young workforce, and affordable urban centers to encourage the development of clustering and entrepreneurs.
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Other Work Design Guideline for Shoreline Complex Redevelopmen
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Guidelines
1.3 Parking & Alley Individual garages and carports are not permitted. Alley access are not recommended to be used for parking pad locations. . The width of alley should be the similar dimension of the alleys in neighboring blocks. Parking should be provided behind apartments with access from alley.
1.2 Sidewalks The width of sidewalk should be consistent with the width of existing sidewalk on the block. A width of 5 feet is recommended. Attention should be paid to the walking experience, mature trees, and flat and uniform sidewalk helps to create pedestrian orientated streets.
1.1 Setbacks & Front Yards Setbacks of infill houses should match the existing setbacks in neighboring blocks. A distance of 13 feet is recommended. The porches and habitable portion of infill house should be about the same distance from the sidewalk as the existing houses in neighboring blocks. A walkway should be provided from the sidewalk to the front door. Along grid streets, the walkway should be perpendicular to the street. Setback and front yard along Niagara Street are not permitted.
1. Streetscapes
Design Guidelines for All Housing Design Guidelines for Single‐ and Multi‐Family Housing Design Guidelines for Rowhouse
—Shoreline, Buffalo, NY
Infill Housing Design Guidelines
2.1 Massing & House Orientation To maintain urban experience with off‐street parking, the infill house should be proportional to the dimensions of the lot and the existing houses in neighboring blocks. A scale of 30‐ to 55‐ foot lots is recommended. The front elevation should be designed to be similar in scale to other houses along the street. The front facade of infill houses should be about the similar width as the existing houses in neighboring blocks. The infill housing is recommended to be incorporated with bay windows. New foundations should be about the similar height as the existing houses in neighboring blocks. A minimum of 2 stories is recommended. The front facade of infill house should face the street. A design of flat front facade of infill rowhouse is not recommended.
2. Structures
1.4 Street Trees & Lamps Healthy trees that are outside the building footprint should be preserved during construction. In addition to the tree in planting strip, one native or naturalized shade tree should be planted in the front and near yards of infill lots with about 20 feet in depth to front of house.
2.4 Windows & Doors Windows should be oriented vertically (1:2 width to height ratio is preferred) at elevations, and using trim around the windows is recommended. Contemporary windows such as “picture windows” should not be used. It is suggested to group several vertical windows to retain the traditional pattern. Find ways to celebrate the details of the windows and doors, such as Italianate cornice and brackets. In building new housing, the window and door styles should be similar to the historic housing in neighboring blocks.
2.3 Roof Pitch Infill house’s roof pitch should be designed to be consistent with the range of slopes of to the existing houses in neighboring blocks, and align elevation elements‐roofline, molding line, porch line, and entrance line. For roof pitches of two and one‐ half story houses, a range from 9: 10 to 11:12 is recommended. The mansard roof style is not recommended in the design of infill rowhouse.
2.2 Porches and Stoops Porches should be part of the infill housing design to provide seating areas for social interaction and provide easy supervision of exterior spaces. Porches should be proportional to the porches in neighboring blocks, and porches should extend into the front yard setback. A scale of 6 feet deep and 12 feet wide – the full width of the house when possible, is recommended. The porch should open to the street, and consistent in details with the existing houses in neighboring blocks. Small stoops are suggested to be used on one side of the porches.
To retain the pattern along Niagara Street, a large rowhouse placed on the corner is recommended.
4. Architecture Styles
Fencing and hedges should not exceed 42 inches in height in front yards. Attention should be paid to planting dense. It should not be so dense as to create places to hide. No grass land in front of infill rowhouse.
3. Landscape
2.5 Siding & Materials Brick or wood, or combinations of brick and wood are preferred materials retain a mix of architectural styles in neighboring blocks. Non‐historic materials, like vertical siding, are not suggested in building new houses. Contemporary materials, like Vinyl, are not recommended to be used. If used at all, should be used on the back and the sides of the house. Concrete foundation materials should be restricted. Brick with brownstone trim or brownstone facade is recommended.
Window level, size, pattern, and location should relate from one house to the next. The windows and doors of an infill house should be located on the front facade in similar proportion and position as the existing houses in neighboring blocks. In the design of front facade, the use of bay windows and dormers is recommended.
If senior citizen housing is designed, an elevator should be included. Play areas for children of all ages should be designed. The design of internal road network should not provide criminals with easy ways for escaping. Storm water management area should be fenced or designed to ensure safety.
5. Common Space
The infill housing is recommended to have a mix of historic architecture styles that are consistent with the existing houses in neighboring blocks, such as Italianate and Queen Anne. The Tudor style is not recommended. The infill rowhouse style should be consistent with the rowhouse along Niagara Street, such as Italianate.