READINGS The readings are a intended to act as a conceptual foundation and stepping stone for the exploration of concept development. The readings focus on urban design, offering numerous concepts, strategies, and platforms upon which to build a design framework for the studio design project, “The Metabolism of Vernon and the Los Angles River� MAT Urbanism (Stan Allen) Defining the Urbanistic Project (Joan Busquets) Study Areas, Sites and the Geographic Approach to Public Action (Peter Marcuse) Where and How does Urban Design Happen (Alex Krieger) Biomorphic Intelligence (Lootsma)
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Defining the Urbanistic project by Joan Busquets
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Joan Busquets looks at ten contemporary approaches that are re-defining urban planning.
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3. Tactical Maneuvers: tactical decisions where funding or large scale development is improbable, small scale improvements begin to redefine the urban fabric, “there is always something to be improved”
4. Reconfigured Surfaces: Reconfigure/reprogram underutilized spaces, the aggregation of smaller scale RTQLGEVU VJCV EQPPGEV VQIGVJGT CPF UVTGPIVJGP VJG larger open spaces.
5. Piecemeal Aggregations: An intermediate scale, 16-24 city blocks, used to change the urban configuration of a city. This scale is used to determine city needs. It also provides services and communal spaces.
6. Traditional Views: A continuance of 19th and 20th century urban design approach but fulfilling the functional needs of today.
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8. Core Retrofitting: Retrofitting traditional and historic fabrics, these places are to function as the core of the city or urban design.
9. Analog Compositions: A large master plan is not the best method for development, look for small and KPVGTOGFKCVG UECNG RTQLGEVU CPF VJG EQPPGEVKQPU DGVYGGP these create an urban fabric.
10. Speculating Procedures: Innovation in the field of urban design is influenced by theory based disciplines such as philosophy, thermodynamics, hydraulics, computer‌ it is viewed as an experimental investigation.
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study areas, sites, and the geographic approach to public action by Peter Marcuse
Peter Marcuse criticizes and investigates a new way to look at planning. Current Planning Strategy: 1. Site : a bounded piece of property 2. Study Area: a geographical unit of study such as a neighborhood, street, or zoning district. 3. Area of Concerns: concerns that arise from or influence the study area The approach is looking at the inside out; working at the issues and concerns that are directly related, physically or not, to the site. It limits the scope of work, neglecting possible issues that are not visible from this perspective Proposed Planning Strategy: 1. Area of Concern 2. Study Area 3. Site Peter Marcuse suggests working from the outside in. Larger issues such as pollution and poverty are starting points that contribute in defining a study area. Example: Pollution in a Neighborhood is the study area, source of pollution is determined as the site for action. The study area should also not be defined by geographic political borders because this leads to a wall. What happens outside this defined border? The issues are neglected and can result in assumptions that lead to unexpected consequences. Some areas of concern to consider when determining an area of study: Ĺ? 2J[UKECN VJG CFLCEGPV CTGCU UWTTQWPFKPI VJG UKVG Ĺ? *KUVQTKECN NQQM CV VJG JKUVQT[ QH VJG UKVG DGIKP VQ FGVGTOKPG YJKEJ KU the most significant. What can the site be a monument, museum‌ Ĺ? 2NCPPKPI NQQM CV VJG EWTTGPV RCUV HWVWTG RNCPU VJCV KPHNWGPEG VJG UKVG Ĺ? /CTMGV NQQM CV VJG LQDU CPF VJG RGQRNG VJCV JCXG CPF YKNN YQTM QP the site, where do they commute from. The real estate value of the site, how far will this site influence that market. Ĺ? 5QEKCN RTQITCOU QHHGTGF D[ VJG UKVG YJQ YKNN DGPGHKV HTQO VJGUG programs? Ĺ? &GOQETCVKE YJQ JCU CEEGUU VQ VJG RNCPPKPI RTQEGUU QH VJG UKVG 6JG planning should encourage the participation of all that are willing to participate. Ease of access to planning.
Outside In
Inside Out
Where and how does urban design happen ? by Alex Krieger Alex Krieger has described the ten spheres of urbanistic action that people calling themselves “ Urban Designers� have assumed to be their professional domain, though not all at once, nor even unanimity about the different sub-spheres overall.
Needless Land Consumption Settlement Pattern
S
Zoning Control Sprawl
Resource Allocation
Framework
Min. Environment Harm Architecture
Conser Open Sp
Planning
Smart Growth Bridge
Urban Design
Visiona Urbanis Infrastructure
Engineered Architecturalized
Theorist
Modern Lifestyle
Convenience
Overall Quality
Sustainability
Traditional Forms
Resource Distributiom
Urban Problem Solving
Green Space Future Oriented Human Intended
rve pace
Newer Approach
Local Issues
Placemaking
Shaping Forms
Community Advocacy Influence on future
Architecture of the city Restorative Urbanism
ry sm
ts
Rational Process
Public Policy
Landscape Urbanism
Conservation
Predecessors Evaluation
Permits
Infrastructure Ecology
Public Opinion Softscape / Landscape Shapes
Aesthetics Codes
Local Setting
BMP’s
Mappings The mapping and analysis phase is part of an initial investigation into the site and its conditions. The findings are intended to sprak further investigation and exploration of issues at the subsurface. This initial phase of design is critical to understanding the systems in place and the gaps that may be found in those systems. This investigation serves at identifying those critical issues while also forming the basis of new frameworks. HISTORY: Shifts in Vernon PLANNING: City With An Edge VERNON: Public Service Combined Mappings
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1000
The shifts in
The history and culture is to research these catego The city of Vernon is not important events that hav The created map is a syn
500
growth Vernon, f trial city.
Before 1905: The city of Vernon was farmland and used for agricultural purposes 1905: Vernon was incorporated by ranchers James J. and Thomas J. Furlong and John B. Leonis.
1919: The city of Vernon returned to being exclusively industrial and many companies opened up in Vernon after.
1907: on the land leased from Leonis, the founders of the city marketed Vernon as a "Sporting Town." Jack Doyle, an entrepreneur, opened the Vernon Avenue Arena, where 20-round world championship fights were held starting in 1908.
1909: Peter Maier, a meatpacker, built the Maier Park Baseball stadium for the Vernon Tigers. The Vernon Tigers won three consecutive league pennants and played from 1909 through 1925.
1913: Construction of the first Los Angeles Aqueduct is completed.
1920: Two giant stockyards were opened and meat packing quickly became the city's main industry. 27 slaughterhouses eventually lined Vernon Avenue until the late 1960s.
1930: Mines Field (LAX) is opened as the official airport for Los Angeles.
19 Ve po he
1920 - 1960: In the 1920s and 30s, heavy industries such as steel U.S. Steel and Bethlehem automobile production Studebaker sprung up in the city. The 1940s and 50s ad turers, and food processors General Mills and Kal Kan. Giant meat packers Farm
n
VERNON
s an integral part of any city or a place and it is essential ories in order to understand all dynamics of the place. t very rich in its history, however, there have been many ve led to a change in the culture, industrial growth and population growth. thesis of these dynamics of Vernon and helps understand the effect of industrial
on the population of the city. It also evidently shows the tipping points in the history of from being an agriculture city to a sporting city and later on developed into an exclusive indus. Many aspects have changed because of these shifts and the question that arises is; . When will be the next tipping point for Vernon? Pollution regulations, Environment awareness and the need to maintain city status has evoked a need to change in the near future which could be another shift to an environment healthy / partly residential city.
931: ernon gets its own ower plant to support eavy industries.
1938: The Los Angeles River is paved with concrete to stop flooding.
1945: WWII - Shipbuilding becomes the primary business of the Port of Los Angeles, employing 90,000 workers. One-third of U.S. warplanes manufactured in Los Angeles.
m Steel, aluminum Alcoa, glass Owens, can-making American Can and dded aerospace contractors Norris Industries, box and paper manufacmer John and Swift flourished.
1990-2000: The city of Vernon discontinued 2 railway lines and made developments to roads to accomodate heavy truck traffic.
2008: The Exide battery company is sued for leading toxic waste in the Los Angeles river.
2013 and later: Los Angeles river revitalization plan in process and proposed addition of more residences to increase population of the city.
planning
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“VERNON: CITY WITH AN EDGE” Vernon is a one of the most unique cities in all of Los Angeles. From its inception, the city of Vernon has operated on its own terms. Initially the city was a envisioned as a sporting town, but its true character was born from its initial growth in the meat packing industry. The early success of this industry led the early business community to begin envisioning a city that would operate as an exclusively industrial city. With the arrival of the early rail system within the town, Vernon was uniquely poised for industrial growth. It has since developed to become the heart of the industrial core of Los Angeles. The industrial evolution of Vernon has perhaps reached its peak. As a purely industrialized city, various issues related to environmental sustainability and local resources has presented new challenges for the city to face. The spread of pollutants and potential toxins to local communities has many questioning whether Vernon has reached a tipping point. At present, Vernon is at a crossroads. The city has a hard edge to its boundaries, has no plans for parks or open spaces, and has modest plans for adding residents. Does the city invest in it’s neighboring communities to offset its impact upon the local communities or does it turn inwards and invest in itself. In a city with few residents but surrounded by a swelling populations and limited resources, the city faces crucial choices as to the direction it should take. Will the city become an industrial wasteland.......Or could it be evolve into something more? 01
Tehachapi, CA Area: 9.9 Sq. Mi.
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03 03
04
06 Vernon, CA Area: 5.2 Sq. Mi.
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THE EXCLUSIVELY INDUSTRIAL Vernon prides itself as the “Exclusively Industrial” city. There are no current plans for parks, open spaces, or light rail.
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INVESTMENT AT THE EDGE A “Environmental & Community Benefit Fund” of nearly $60 million has been established to fund projects in the neighboring cities of Bell, Huntington Park, East LA, and Maywood.
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05
TEHACHAPI (KERN COUNTY) The city of Vernon has purchased 30,000 acres of land in the Tehachapi mountains. Initial plans are for the construction of wind turbine farms to produce 33% of the city’s energy from renewable resources.
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GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY An investment of nearly $5 million per year is planned for recreational, social, and environmental programs in adjacent communities over the next 10 years.
INDUSTRIAL EDGES Various industrial edges border the city of Vernon, creating a seemless transition of the industrial core of Los Angeles.
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Urban River Edge lacks habitat and vegetation
HOUSING AT THE EDGE An affordable 50 unit housing development is currently planned. The development will be located at the edge of the city near adjacent Maywood residential housing.
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Pre-Urban River Edge dominated by a variety of plant and wildlife species.
THE RIVER EDGE Vernon sits adjacent to over 3 miles of the LA River. The scope of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan extends only to boundaries of the city of Vernon, leaving a critical part of the LA River absent from planning.
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Project One: MAPPING
Public
Police Department Fire Department Post Office Schools
“VERNON: PUBLIC SERVICES” This map expresses the public services that the city of Vernon offers. The services mapped include the fire department, police department, post office and schools. Due to the major industrial aspect of Vernon, the fire department is required to have experience in handling hazardous material. It is critical for the Fire Department to reach their destination in a matter of minutes. Each fire department has a specialization; the fire station on Fruitland Ave. specializes in training, the one on Santa Fe Ave. specializes in hazardous materials, the one on Soto St. specializes in life support, and the one on Bandini Blvd. specializes in wildfires. The Vernon Police Department, City Hall, and the only School found in Vernon are also located on Santa Fe Ave. The concentration of civil and institutional buildings has made this portion of Vernon significantly different when compared to the rest of the city. The buildings and landscaping in this portion of the city are well maintained. Fire stations, police departments, and schools located to adjacent neighborhoods have also been identified. All stations identified are only a short distance to the border of Vernon. No parks or public open space exist within the boundaries of Vernon. The city of Vernon does not see the need for this type of open space. It has, however, identified the Los Angeles River as a potential public open space site for the future. However, it relies on the Los Angeles River Revitalization plan in order for this to happen. The adjacent neighborhoods are primarily residential and have public parks. Another public entity identified in this map is the average street width sizes. The smallest average street size identified is 43 feet while the largest is 100 feet. All the streets are wide enough to allow large vehicles to transit through the city comfortably.
Paramedics Life Support
Hazardous Materials Fire Department
Fire Department #2 Law Enforcement and City Hall Vernon City School
Post Office
Crime Incidents (2010) Aggravated Assault Arson Burglary Forcible Rape Larency and Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Murder and Manslaughter Robbery Total Incidents
7 7 43 1 191 82 0 18 364
Public Street Widths
43’ 8’
30’
Seville Ave. 10
5’
L.A. River
#3
Wildfires
SUBTITLES MAPPINGS Textual content of mappings
Fire Department #4
Fire Department #1
Headquarters and Training
100’ 45’
50’
55’ Variable
8’
Atlantic Blvd.
18.5’
23.5’
2’
Distric Blvd. 10
Project One: MAPPING
Mapping LOS ANGELES
“VERNON: HISTORY, PUBLIC, PLANNING NING
POPULATION:
Always has been exclusively industrial....
3.858 million
Vernon is a one of the most unique cities in all of Los Angeles. From its inception, the city of Vernon has operated onn its own terms. Initially the city was a envisioned as a sporting town, own, but its true character was born from its initial growth in the meat packing industry. The early success of this industry led the early business community to begin envisioning a city that at would operate as an exclusively industrial city. With the arrival val of the early rail system within the town, Vernon was uniquely poised for industrial growth. It has since developed to become thee heart of the industrial core of Los Angeles.
Top 5 Cities of Residence for Vernon-based Employees: 1. Los Angeles 2. Huntington Park 3. Bell 4. South Gate 5. Maywood
The industrial evolution of Vernon has perhaps reached its peak. As a purely industrialized city, various issues related to environted new mental sustainability and local resources has presented challenges for the city to face. The spread of pollutants ants and estioning potential toxins to local communities has many questioning whether Vernon has reached a tipping point. At present,t, Vernon unded by is at a crossroads. In a city with few residents but surrounded a swelling populations and limited resources, the city faces es crucial choices as to the direction it should take. Will the city become ecome an industrial wasteland.......or could it be evolve into something omething more?
history . . . 1905
In 1905, the city of Vernon was founded by Thomas Furlong, James Furlong, and John Leonis. They envisioned this stretch of grassland to be developed into an exclusively industrial city.
The city was once promoted as a major sporting city that hosted boxing and baseball while also being identified as the place for Los Angeles nightlife with some of the world’s famous bars.
1907 - 1910s
public plan
FUTURE . . .
The LA River Revitalization Corp. proposed a continous 51 mile greenway adjacent to the LA river to be completed by year 2020. The public greenway will consists of parks, gathering space, biking trails, and dining amenities. It is still to be seen whether Vernon will be in the masterplan or not.
VERNON POPULATION: 114 maywood POPULATION:
SSUBTITLES SU UBBTTIT TIT ITLLEES M MA MAPPINGS APPIN APP PPIN PP NGGSS TTextual Te exxttu tuuaal cco content onnten ntteennntt of of m mappings apping ap piinggs
27,659 HUNtington park POPULATION:
bell POPULATION:
58,673
35,477 South Gate
A section of the LA river bicycle path is cut-off in Vernon at Atlantic Blvd. Bikers and Pedestrian traffic are forced to reroute into the city streets.
POPULATION: 95,304
1920s - 1930s
From 1980s and on, Vernon has completed its transformation into an exculsively industrial city. The city plays an crucial role as a job creator in the region and offers plenty of job opportunity to the surrounding cities.
After the period of entertainment faded, the city was back on track to becoming exclusively industrial and many industries such as steel, aluminum, glass, food processing, meat packer came in and flourished. A disel power plant was even constructed to supply the electricty use within Vernon
1980s - 2000s
NOW -
Today, as trying to achieve becoming a good and responsible civic neighbor. Vernon intent to pass more reforms and policies to regulate pollution problem and provide more benefits and a clean environment to the local community Project One: MAPPING