URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA
ORANJESTAD
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR
ORANJESTAD
ARUBA
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Department of City + Regional Planning CPLN 760 Urban Design Studio Fall 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 1. INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS 19 2. CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
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3. WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
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4. DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN 87 5. NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN DETAIL
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6. CONCLUSIONS + RECOMMENDATIONS
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PENNDESIGN
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STUDIO FACULTY + PARTICIPANTS
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Urban Design Vision Plan for Oranjestad was prepared by students in an Urban Design Studio at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of City and Regional Planning during Fall Semester 2010. Students in the Departments of City Planning and Landscape Architecture were responsible for the production of the studio work, with guidance from their instructor team of Michael Larice, Gary Hack and Jonathan Fogelson. A team of students, recent graduates, and instructors were responsible for producing this document, which was largely designed and laid out by Ben Bryant. Special thanks to Sarah Marks and Hannah Bryant, who helped edit and proofread the documents. The studio was jointly funded by the Government of Aruba, the American Planning Association, and the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. We are grateful to these institutions and their staffs for their generous support of the studio, as well as their assistance in public charrettes, site tours, client meetings, and public presentations. We are particularly thankful for the tireless work of Daphne Every from the Aruba Monuments Bureau and John Reinhardt from the American Planning Association without whose help the studio would not have been possible. We appreciate the guidance of the many Aruban residents, business owners, and officials who took the time to engage us in the Aruba workshops and final presentation in Philadelphia. We are grateful to the Oranjestad Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center for their hospitality and accommodation. The students and faculty would like to thank the following people and organizations who contributed to the success of the studio:
GOVERNMENT OF ARUBA
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Mr. Mike Eman
Prime Minister
Mr. Oslin (Benny) Sevinger
Minister of Integration, Infrastructure and Environment
Ms. Jocelyne Croes
Minister Plenipotentiary
Mr. Emil Herde
Advisor to the Minister, Infrastructure Advisory Team Member
Mr. Fredric Every
Chief of Staff, Ministry of Integration, Infrastructure and Environment
Ms. Daphne Every
Landscape Architect, Aruba Monuments Bureau
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION
STUDIO CRITICS
Mr. Paul Farmer
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Patty West
Landscape Designer, Andropogon Associates, Ltd.
Mr. John Reinhardt
Program Manager
Ms. Susan K. Weiler
Partner, The Olin Studio
Mr. Thomas Bassett
Program Associate
Prof. Harris Steinberg
Director, Penn Praxis, PennDesign
Prof. John Landis
Chair, City and Regional Planning, PennDesign
Prof. Laura Wolf Powers
Assistant Professor, PennDesign
Prof. Domenic Vitiello
Assistant Professor, PennDesign
Prof. Michael Nairn
Adjunct Instructor, PennDesign / Urban Studies
Mr. John Robinson
PhD Candidate, PennDesign
Prof. David Gouverneur
Assistant Professor, PennDesign
Prof. Witold Rybczynski
Professor, PennDesign & the Wharton School
Ms. Catherine Bonier
PhD Candidate, PennDesign
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - PENNDESIGN Ms. Marilyn Jordan Taylor
Dean, School of Design
Mr. Chris Cataldo
Director of Finance and Administration
Ms. Christine Reid
Business Administrator
Ms. Kate Daniel
Dept. Coordinator, City and Regional Planning
Ms. Roslynne Carter
Admin. Assistant, City and Regional Planning
Ms. Stacy Ritchey
Operations Assistant, Office of Operations
Mr. Karl Wellman
Director of Operations, Office of Operations
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
Unclear Parking Strategy – Once arriving in downtown
This Urban Design Vision Plan is the result of
unless you know the unmarked territory of back alleys
collaboration between an urban design studio at the
and surface lots. No clear parking strategy is in place
University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design, the
to guide drivers to parking spaces within close walking
Government of Aruba, and the American Planning
proximity to shopping areas.
Oranjestad, finding a parking space can be very difficult
Association. The primary objectives of the studio were educational; to expose and engage students in urban
Limited Pedestrian/Transit Mobility – Central Oranjestad
design issues and skills building exercises that could help
suffers from a lack of transportation choice.
prepare them for future careers in urban design and planning. The team from UPenn toured the island and then broke into two groups; with 8 students focusing on San Nicolas and 13 students focusing on Oranjestad. They took the results of two Renobacion Urbano workshops and charrettes and began their analysis of the two cities. After collecting data and meeting with key stakeholders they returned to Philadelphia to produce the Vision Plan you see in front of you. Through first hand observation and experience, research, and interviews the following challenges and opportunities were identified for the central areas of Oranjestad. Retail Troubles – The economic life of central Oranjestad is threatened from lack of customers and declining sales.
Neglected Public Realm – Along the waterfront, in the neighborhoods, and in the downtown area, Oranjestad’s public realm suffers from lack of intention and design effort. Difficult Wayfinding – From a visitor’s perspective, wayfinding between downtown Oranjestad, the waterfront and neighborhoods is lacking. When cruise passengers exit the terminal area, their welcome to the city is remarkable for its unattractiveness. Flooding – Stormwater infrastructure to deal with even moderate rain events is poor. When it rains, many of central Oranjestad’s shopping districts and neighborhoods flood.
Difficult Circulation – Travel is difficult in central Oranjestad. Movement is made difficult by a confusing series of one-way streets that provide indirect access to many downtown areas.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Lack of Neighborhood Amenities – Oranjestad’s central neighborhoods suffer from neglect. Parks exist in the neighborhoods, but they are not publically owned. Other issues of poverty, poor streetscapes, and declining housing conditions impair the neighborhoods. Barriers to the Waterfront – Access to the waterfront for residents living in Oranjestad is inhibited by an unattractive light industrial district, the inhospitality of L.G. Smith Boulevard, hurricane fencing, obsolete tank yards, and the defunct free-trade zone. Insufficient Cruise Ship Capacity and Unwelcoming Arrival – The cruise ship terminal in Oranjestad is over capacity and must expand if Aruba wants to increase its tourist base. For an island that depends so much on tourism, its physical facilities do not promote visiting its capital city. Relocating Container Shipping / Remaking the Waterfront – The container shipping facility in Oranjestad is moving south to the older port facility at Barcadera near the airport. Government has indicated the desire for a multi-use public park facility on the land that was previously occupied by the container shipping use, the free trade zone, and the obsolete tank farm.
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
VISION 2 – CONNECTED CITY: Oranjestad will be an
Several vision statements and design principles emanated
2.1 A well-connected street network improves direct
out of the analysis of Central Oranjestad and are
access throughout the city. 2.2 A well-coordinated
supported by the results of the Renobacion Urbano I
parking system can help bring customers close to
workshop. These Vision Statements should be the guiding
downtown destinations. 2.3 Streetscape amenities
direction of future planning and implementation, while
provide comfortable, safe, and enjoyable pedestrian
Design Principles provide educational ideas for achieving
experiences – and encourage walking over other means
the visions. Five vision statements guide our work in
of transport. 2.4 A balanced multi-modal transportation
Central Oranjestad.
system can help reduce auto-congestion and provide
accessible and well-connected city that helps visitors and residents navigate the city with ease. Design Principles:
access choice. 2.5 Integrated wayfinding systems can Each of these vision statements is supported by several
help users navigate the city.
related design principles. The Central Oranjestad Vision Plan applies each of these to the various urban
VISION 3 – VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY: Oranjestad will
components that make up the plan’s proposals.
have a more vibrant and diversified local economy that
Collectively these proposals are presented in a Citywide
benefits visitors seeking the flavor of Aruba and residents
Structure Plan diagram.
fulfilling everyday needs. Design Principles: 3.1 A diversified downtown land use mix provides tourists and
VISION 1 – MEMORABLE DESTINATION: Oranjestad will be
locals with a variety of entertainment, retail, and service
a memorable Aruban destination for visitors to the island
options, and helps businesses survive the off-season. 3.2
and local residents who value its contribution to Aruban
Strengthening local business supports a vibrant economy
identity. Design Principles: 1.1 Historic preservation can
and helps to minimize economic off-island leakage. 3.3
help to retain local character and manage the future of
Providing diverse spaces for new startups, workforce
the downtown area. 1.2 Design guidelines can contribute
development, business incubation, and educational
to creating a consistent and resonant urban character.
opportunities can help support economic development.
1.3 Iconic buildings and innovative urban design can help to create new and exciting place identity. 1.4 Public spaces can provide opportunities for special events, festivals, and cultural exchange.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
VISION 4 – SUSTAINABLE ORANJESTAD: Oranjestad will
The Oranjestad Citywide Structure Plan is a physical
be a more environmentally sustainable city – a place
diagram that shows the arrangement of key proposed
that can become an example of green leadership for the
elements of the city organized collectively into a plan.
larger Caribbean community. Island ecology can be very
The structure plan includes all proposals suggested in
difficult to sustain for a growing population and urban
this studio and shows how they interconnect and support
development base. Design Principles: 4.1 Sustainability
each other. Their aim is to connect and invigorate
planning can help reduce the ecological footprint of
three distinct regions in the city: the downtown, the
new development and provide suggestions for more
residential neighborhoods, and the waterfront.
appropriate design solutions. 4.2 Green infrastructure can offer low impact alternatives that can effectively
CREATING CONNECTIONS: Inherent in the Oranjestad
manage resources and reduce negative externalities.
Citywide Structure Plan is increased connectivity
4.3 Healthy marine and terrestrial ecosystems improve
between people, places, and destinations. Creating the
environmental quality and can act as attractive
connections between the different nodes throughout the
destinations. 4.4 The use of native and drought resistant
city will help to unify the city’s distinct places.
plant species can help conserve water resources and reinforce the natural identity of the island.
CREATING DESTINATIONS: For Oranjestad to be a
VISION 5 – STRONG COMMUNITIES: Oranjestad will
destinations for both residents and tourists. Both small
be home to strong and livable communities that
and large-scale destinations are proposed for Oranjestad
provide a better quality of life for its residents. Design
through the downtown, waterfront, and neighborhoods.
Principles: 5.1 Physical improvements to neighborhood infrastructure and community spaces can help make Oranjestad’s neighborhoods more livable. 5.2 Attractive public spaces create opportunities for community gathering and encourage pride of place. 5.3 Public participation allows individuals and community groups to take ownership of projects. 5.4 Improving access to social services helps to ensure a greater quality of life
desirable destination for visitors it will need memorable
CREATING IMPROVEMENTS: At the heart of these proposals are efforts to design for a future Oranjestad, one that celebrates its people and evolving cultural heritage. In addition to leveraging the many unique assets of the island, these design proposals also aim to mitigate some of the city’s problems by improving existing streets and infrastructure.
and helps to respond to society’s impenetrable ‘wicked problems.’ URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
meter bulkhead extension along the existing waterfront,
This structure plan presents a diagram of four distinct
on the existing docking strategy but merely lengthens
components designed collectively as one spatial
it to allow for additional capacity. The second proposal
experience. The four components are: a new cruise ship
includes an extended cruise terminal detached from
terminal; a realignment and residential development
the existing Port Authority land at the waterfront.
along L.G. Smith Boulevard; a new waterfront park;
This terminal will be located in the middle of the
and new cultural and research facilities adjacent to the
existing channel as a floating terminal. This maximizes
historic downtown core. At the behest of Government
uninterrupted waterfront access for both the park and
the lands of the relocated container shipping facility will
cultural center and keeps the coastline public at all
be transformed into a waterfront park to serve the needs
times. Regardless, both scenarios account for security
of Oranjestad residents. This park will be funded, in part,
setbacks, tram access to the welcome plaza, bus and
by new residential development and research facilities
taxi loading, and supporting development around the
that help to transform L.G. Smith Boulevard into a better
terminal.
located adjacent to the park site. This alternative builds
entry sequence into the city. The site also presents opportunities for environmental reclamation. The site
A REALIGNED L.G. SMITH BOULEVARD WITH NEW
was built on fill that extends well beyond the original
RESIDENTAL DEVELOPMENT - L.G. Smith Boulevard is
Aruban coastline. The extent of toxicity and stability
currently dominated by cars and acts as a barrier to the
of this fill is not known. Much of the edge is lined by a
waterfront and neighborhoods to the north. The redesign
bulkhead up to 2 meters above sea-level, without access
for L.G. Smith Boulevard is based on the concept of
to the water. A new park presents an opportunity to
connecting the waterfront to the city, both physically
reclaim coastal habitat and protect the reef.
and visually. By curving the boulevard, dynamic views are created while varying the experience and establishing
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TWO CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL ALTERNATIVES - One of
new development opportunities. The realigned street is
the main opportunities for increased tourism is the
designed as a full boulevard with higher speed traffic in
Port Authority’s desired increase in cruise ship and
the center lanes and median-separated side access lanes
port capacity. The structure plan presents two design
for tram functions, cycling, and pedestrians. Twelve new
alternatives, each accommodating four megaships (the
development blocks are created along the redesigned
desired capacity). The first proposal requires a fifty-
L.G. Smith Boulevard. The majority of land use is
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
proposed as medium to high density residential to help
NEW CULTURAL AND RESEARCH FACILITIES - Following
finance the public waterfront park. A small percentage
the example of other cities like Baltimore, Sydney, and
of mixed use commercial is proposed however on the
Chicago that have made public institutions an important
ground floor at strategic corners and intersections to
part of their successful waterfronts, Oranjestad would
entice pedestrian movement from the neighborhoods
benefit from including anchor institutions within the
to the waterfront park. Parking is provided throughout
port redevelopment. The best implementation of this
the proposal: at the interior of residential blocks, on
strategy would be to encourage institutional uses that
side streets, and in a zone between the residential
have both entertainment and research components. On
development and the park. To improve the experience
the southern side of L.G. Smith Boulevard, the major
of walking to the waterfront from the neighborhoods, a
attraction is the Aquarium of the Caribbean, which
green streets and infill strategy will be used.
stands apart from other such cultural attractions by allowing visitors to have an interactive experience with
A NEW WATERFRONT PARK - With newly available
marine life. The adjacent community water garden, tide
waterfront land, the government of Aruba has expressed
pools, and mangroves further emphasize this point by
interest in a new park for the Aruban people. The park
providing outdoor spaces for interacting with the natural
design presented here intends to provide three things:
environment and learning about local marine ecosystems.
recreational spaces that celebrate Aruban culture,
On the north side of L.G. Smith Boulevard is a productive
ecological habitat for Aruba’s unique flora and fauna,
landscape that is driven by an emerging technology,
and beautiful, dramatic spaces to welcome tourists to
Seawater Greenhouses. A Seawater Greenhouse creates
the island. The new waterfront park is designed both
an ideal growing condition for all types of crops, from
as a layered system or right-of-ways, development, and
vegetables and fruits to flowers, producing fresh water in
transition spaces from L.G. Smith Boulevard to buffer
the process. As such, the entire site is envisioned as both
the park, and nodal development along the length of
a production and research facility. An elaborate version
the park – similar to a string of pearls. Within the park
of this Seawater Greenhouse system, placed in front of
itself, pavement and planting areas separate oval shaped
the aquarium, can provide a public exhibition space.
recreation and water park spaces.
At the coastal edge,
a series of beaches, islands and mangroves provides a restored natural edge to the park as it meets the sea. A waterway system between the coast and the islands is a prime area for kayaking and boating. URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN
would be located behind new development within a half
Five key issues and constraints helped shape the design
is a successful pedestrian circulation strategy that will
interventions for the Downtown Structure Plan: a poor
attract foot-traffic throughout downtown.
block walk of downtown shopping. No less important
pedestrian environment; vehicular congestion; an unclear parking strategy; difficulty in wayfinding; and neglected
DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE STRATEGY AND INITIATIVES
or underutilized amenities. Fundamentally, the structure
- The primary function of the Streetscape Plan is to
plan for Downtown Oranjestad is about enhancing
make downtown Oranjestad a more pleasant place
circulation and increasing amenity. To this end, four
for pedestrians while still accommodating cars and
major proposals are offered for the downtown area.
other modes of transit. This plan is in addition to
Three of these, a re-imagining of the area surrounding
the ongoing design and planning for Main Street. The
the lagoon as a sculpture garden, the redesign of the
Downtown Streetscape Plan includes four streetscape
relationship between downtown and the marina, and
typologies that can be used across the downtown as
new plaza spaces to welcome visitors and celebrate the
needed. Each typology can serve a different function: 1.
island’s native flora are site-specific. The fourth proposal
Wilhelminastraat as a key historic corridor and vehicular
is a set of streetscape typologies and modified circulation
artery; 2. Restaurant Row as a street dedicated to
patterns that improve vehicular access, pedestrian
outdoor dining, cafes and hanging out; 3. Feeder Streets
comfort, and safety for all users of the public realm.
that have wider sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians, as well as curbside parking; and, 4. Service Streets that
To be an accessible city, downtown Oranjestad will need
are narrow improved alleyways.
to provide for both automobile and pedestrian access.
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Ensuring a well populated downtown means providing
TRAM AND PLAZA INITIATIVES - The current entry
access for multiple modes of transportation, including
sequence from the cruise ship terminal into the city is
automobiles and pedestrians. In addition to efficient
less than ideal. Cruise ship passengers pass through an
traffic circulation, downtown Oranjestad will also need
inelegant barbed wire security gate before arriving at
an adequate parking system to accommodate cars. While
an unappealing taxi drop off. Signage and wayfinding to
several parking lots currently exist in the downtown
direct visitors to the downtown is non-existent. This is
area, many drivers also use empty and vacant property
not an experience that Aruba deserves and it endangers
as informal parking lots. Several proposed parking lots
the economic livelihood of downtown shopkeepers and
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
the city as a whole. This proposal finishes the tram
while cafes, bars and restaurants can face the marina.
streetscape from Plaza Daniel Leo to the cruise ship
On the northwest part of the site next to the currently
terminal, including a Welcome Plaza at the intersection
abandoned condo building, a large market hall can be
of L.G. Smith Boulevard and the cruise terminal street,
constructed serving fresh food products. Lastly, the
and a national botanical garden at Museum Plaza. The
space in front of the Parliament building can be utilized
streetscape between the plazas will utilize the strategy
in such a way to create a multi-purpose public gathering
of heavily planted street trees to provide a shade canopy.
space as well as call attention to the Parliament’s place in Oranjestad. The semi-circular plaza will extend from
DOWNTOWN MARINA INITIATIVES - The Oranjestad
the front door of Parliament in a radiating pattern to the
downtown marina site extends along L.G. Smith
boardwalk.
Boulevard from the lagoon to the new Welcome Plaza. The final design of the downtown marina site highlights
LAGOON INITIATIVES - The re-envisioning of Oranjestad’s
four key contributions that could make this area into
lagoon as a landscaped sculpture walk is designed
a vibrant place and most importantly, into an Aruban
to provide a new cultural amenity for residents and
destination. These four design interventions are: 1.
visitors alike, while improving pedestrian access
streetscape enhancements along L.G. Smith Boulevard;
between downtown and adjacent neighborhoods. The
2. a continuous and uninterrupted boardwalk around the
streets around the lagoon will be redesigned to give
marina; 3. new commercial venues between the street
increased priority to non-motorized traffic and improved
and marina; and, 4. a large radial plaza spanning from
streetscapes. Running the length of the lagoon itself,
the Parliament building to the water’s edge. L.G. Smith
a new series of paved pathways will guide pedestrians
Boulevard is the most heavily trafficked road in Aruba
along a series of well-placed sculptures, which are
and needs traffic calming through signalization, improved
carefully placed in the landscape. The parkland
crossings and better lighting. Lining the boulevard with
surrounding the lagoon will be shaped into distinct spaces
a dramatic row of date palms closely planted on each
using both the natural topography of the site and varying
side can provide needed shade and structure to the
levels of native vegetation. A series of grand lawns at
street. The plan calls for the boardwalk to be expanded
the southwestern end of the site invite residents to
and continued around the entire marina. The design
engage in informal play and relaxation.
also recommends new double-sided buildings to be constructed, where retail shops can face L.G. Smith
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN
Green Necklace is another major initiative that addresses
Playa Pa’ Bao is a region located directly adjacent
the area. Building on an existing stormwater-course
to downtown Oranjestad that is comprised of four
that begins on the eastern boundary of the site, the
discrete neighborhoods: Rancho, Socotoro, Madiki, and
Green Necklace proposal will be a continuous bioswale
Santa Helena. While each neighborhood has different
and pedestrian boardwalk that bisects the east-west
characteristics, they function together as a system
axis of Playa Pa’ Bao. The circulation strategy aims
connected physically, economically, and socially. On
to make the streets of Rancho, Socotoro, Santa Helena
the regional scale, the two primary networks impacting
and Madiki more accommodating to all users including
Playa Pa’ Bao are the transportation and environmental
pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit
systems. There are a number of problems with the street
riders. The biggest change to proposed circulation is
network in Playa Pa’ Bao, which promotes a culture of
to make Driemasterstraat and Weststraat alternating
auto-dependence and discourages other modes of travel
one-way roads. This is done to accommodate a one way
within, between, and outside of the neighborhoods. In
tram on Weststraat and a green bio-swale corridor on
terms of environmental systems, Playa Pa’ Bao is central
Driemasterstraat. In Rancho, Dutch style woonerfs will
to the natural ecology of the Oranjestad region. The
create shared spaces for motorists and pedestrians.
the hydrologic, public space, and ecological needs of
area lies on some of the flattest land in Aruba and suffers from serious flooding during heavy rain. Altogether, the
HYDROLOGIC INITIATIVES - To help mitigate the
projects of the structure plan address these issues, but
stormwater problems faced by the neighborhoods of
are not necessarily a demonstration of neighborhood
Playa Pa’ Bao, we propose developing an integrated
improvement which will work everywhere but
approach to stormwater management. Instead of
illustrations for how to approach neighborhood planning
expanding sewer capacity, we propose a system of
in general.
green infrastructure that will reduce the volume of water entering existing sewers. At the center of our
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Playa Pa’Bao will be connected to the waterfront
hydrological plan is a green necklace, a recreation and
initiative as well as the downtown area by a proposed
stormwater management system which runs through
tram loop. The tram also brings potential mixed use and
the heart of the neighborhoods from east to west. This
commercial development along Weststraat, enhancing
hydrologic system includes the following elements:
residents’ economic opportunity and retail choices. The
stormwater bioswales, recreation trails, retention sites,
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
rain gardens, and underground cisterns. Madiki Square is
historic connection to the sea and has the potential to
an example of how new gathering points can be plugged
create a high-value product with benefits for community
into the corridor. The square would include a basketball
residents. A Queen Conch farm pays for itself through the
court, chess tables, and a new playground for Madiki.
potential generation of 2.5 million in revenue annually,
The planted swale running through the square would
creates jobs, and funds a community center. While
retain water and create a place where people can rest
several different species can be farmed in a maricultural
and relax
operation, the Queen Conch is most suitable. It has long been part of traditional cuisine on the island and is
STREETSCAPE AND WOONERF INITIATIVES - The plans
locally available. Next to the conch farm, plans call for
approach neighborhood streets on two levels: 1. as an
a restaurant that serves traditional and innovative conch
integrated network within Playa Pa’ Bao; and, 2. on a
dishes.
site level that includes the complete detailing of the urban design changes needed to create a woonerf system
XAVIER UNIVERSITY PARK EXPANSION - The Xavier
in Rancho. The first major proposal is for a tram to run
University Park proposal includes the expansion of
north on Weststraat, southwest along Belige Straat,
academic facilities on the vacant residential lots
and back to the existing bus station. The second major
adjacent to the current medical school as well as a
proposal is for a green street along Dreimasterstraat to
central park easily accessible to nearby residents. The
assist with water management issues. The third proposal
park would not only establish the University as an
is for a more defined network of streets that streamlines
exciting new anchor for Oranjestad, but would also
traffic movement. The Rancho woonerf plan provides a
create much-needed public spaces and help manage the
detailed proposal for how the street can be redesigned as
city’s stormwater.
a single surface space that integrates traffic calming and social space within the public realm of the street. Simply put, a woonerf is designed as a shared street. THE CENTER FOR SEA AND COMMUNITY - The Center for Sea and Community is a neighborhood based economic development project that is sensitive to the history and traditions of Playa Pa’ Bao. This project re-establishes a
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CONCLUSIONS + RECOMMENDATIONS
LOCAL PLANNING: Currently, no localized city
This Urban Design Vision Plan for Oranjestad focuses on
City of Oranjestad. By far this is the most significant
the specific challenges and development opportunities
shortcoming in moving forward with the implementation
of Oranjestad’s central area districts: the downtown,
of a comprehensive vision plan for the city. The
the waterfront, and adjacent neighborhoods. It provides
Government should establish a local planning office in
a series of citywide and area structure plans that
each of the primary cities of the island and staff it with
provide diagrammatic organization of key infrastructure
at least a person serving in the role of a City Manager. A
interventions and project development suggestions. Most
small staff of junior planners can assist this City Manager
of the designs are illustrative in nature and suggest a set
in the short term until some key documents, plans and
of ideas about how to approach developing the city or
implementation processes have been established to
specific project sites. To achieve the visions detailed in
get Oranjestad moving in the direction of achieving its
this plan a set of strategies is recommended as a means
visions.
2. CREATE THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR planning institutions or functions exist within the
of advancing an implementation process. The most crucial and path-dependent strategies are listed first,
3. CREATE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES &
followed by more discrete and independent strategies
DECLARE A SPECIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT: In addition
that can happen concurrent with other efforts.
to the need for a local planning agency, the downtown would benefit greatly from a set of guidelines that could
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1. DECIDE THE ROLE AND CHARACTER OF THE
help in directing future development decisions. These
DOWNTOWN BRAND: What is the identity of Oranjestad?
guidelines could also be part of the regulatory package
And how can we shape its brand through well-considered
associated with the establishment of a special Downtown
policies and planning action. This first strategy will
Historic District. A special downtown Historic District
require that government and community leaders come to
designation would help in coordinating the many design
the table to decide on the city’s role in the future of the
and planning initiatives underway and avoid some of
island, establish a brand for the city, and determine goals
the neglect that other areas are experiencing in the
that move beyond the general vision.
downtown.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. WORK DIRECTLY WITH PARTNERS AND OTHER
7. DETERMINE THE DESIRED EXTENT OF THE TRAM
COMMUNITY LEADERS: The importance of community
SYSTEM: Connecting the new tram system to the
participation has proven itself valuable in the two
neighborhoods and waterfront will help bring people to
Renobacion Urban conferences and must be maintained.
downtown shopping with no added pressure on parking.
Government should be partnering closely with two
However, this will require study, financial analysis,
agencies in particular to help in redeveloping both the
funding, and design investigation. Implementing an
physical and economic structure of the downtown: the
expanded tram system is a big decision on the part of
Aruba Port Authority, and the Downtown Merchants
Government and will require a good deal of social and
Association.
economic capital.
5. COMMUNICATE THE VISION REGULARLY TO CREATE
8. PRIORITIZE AND IMPLEMENT DISCRETE PROJECT
AN AIR OF OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY: To be
PROPOSALS: Even before key infrastructure systems
owned by the community and public officials, the visions
are planned and implemented, several of the design
suggested in this (or any future vision plan) should be
proposals within this vision plan could be constructed,
communicated and reiterated on a regular basis.
since they have marginal dependency on these larger systems.
6. SEQUENCE THE ESSENTIAL CATALYSTS AND PLANNING NEEDED FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE: Many
9. START WHERE IT’S EASIEST: To create support for
of the proposals included herein depend on other
later large scale developments, government leaders
actions prior to their construction. If not phased and
should try to complete some of the simpler projects that
sequenced properly, subsequent investments may be used
can let people see the vision for Oranjestad coming to
inefficiently. These 4 planning and infrastructure efforts
life.
are not to be taken lightly and include: 1. a Stormwater Management Plan; 2. a Circulation and Transportation Management Plan; 3. a. Downtown Parking Plan; and, 4. a Public Realm Improvement Plan.
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
17
1
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
URBAN DESIGN STUDIOS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA THE ARUBA URBAN DESIGN STUDIO INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNTRY AND CITY CITYWIDE CHALLENGES + OPPORTUNITIES
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDIO
A group of professionals from the June 2010 conference and workshop tour Oranjestad
URBAN DESIGN STUDIOS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
The academic studio setting can provide our clients
This Urban Design Vision Plan is the result of
to avoid potentially uncomfortable airing of issues and
collaboration between an urban design studio at the
design discussions in public. Studio products from UPenn
University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design, the
typically consist of formal presentations to the client,
Government of Aruba, and the American Planning
coupled with a printed document that summarizes
Association. The studio was comprised of 21 city
studio outputs. Clients have the right to use the final
planning and landscape architecture students, two
documents produced by the students as they see fit, with
professors, and two assistant instructors. The primary
no restriction on the right of UPenn or its students to
objectives of the studio were educational; to expose
reproduce or use the work for personal or institutional
students to urban design issues and skills building
purposes. UPenn has a long history of client-funded
exercises that could help prepare them for future careers
studios, which helps to differentiate it from other U.S.
in urban design and planning. Other than a handful of
urban design programs. As an academic studio, the
students with undergraduate design experience, most of
project had a final end date in December 2010, after
the course participants had little previous experience in
which the students departed and were not expected to
studio project design. They came to this introductory
further engage in the studio project and deliverables.
studio with prerequisite design knowledge, including
This is different from standard project consulting, where
courses in design computing, urban design research
consultants can be retained over an extended period.
methods, neighborhood planning practice, and other
Several students, however, continued to work on the
foundational city planning and landscape courses. In
project documentation and presentations in Aruba.
with an opportunity to explore options and urban design issues in a low-pressure / low-key manner that helps
parallel to these educational objectives, design goals in our urban design studios typically take a pragmatic and real-world approach to addressing challenges and solving problems presented by our clients. Our studios incorporate a wide variety of professional perspectives, including development, economic and political concerns. Urban design at UPenn is typically explored through an expansive sustainability filter, looking at the full panoply of social, economic and environmental issues.
20
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
THE ARUBA URBAN DESIGN STUDIO
The studio delegation from the University of Pennsylvania
In June 2010 the American Planning Association and the
during the second week of September 2010. After
Government of Aruba coordinated a conference and
touring the island on the first day, the team participated
workshop on a vision for the future of several areas
in the Renobacion Urbano II Conference in San Nicolas,
of central Oranjestad. The conference was attended
which was held in a government building in the center
by academics and planning professionals from around
of town. Students and faculty presented on a variety of
the world, government officials, and members of the
topics, including: downtown entertainment districts,
public. Two days of presentations on various urban
neighborhood planning, sustainable environmental
design and planning topics were followed by several
issues, and industrial redevelopment. Within these
days of public workshop and presentation. At the
presentations, case study examples pertinent to
end of the conference, a set of recommendations
the issues of San Nicolas were presented to provide
was made by the professional consultants about how
inspiration and possibility. Conference attendees from
Aruba should move forward in planning the central
the community and government joined the students and
area of Oranjestad, including the development of a
faculty in lively discussion. On the second day of the
coordinated vision and structure plan. In discussion
conference a public charrette was held with conference
with the Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure
participants to discuss key issues of interest, approaches
after the conference concluded, representatives from
to any future planning efforts, and design directions for
UPenn´s School of Design agreed to hold a fall semester
several geographical areas of San Nicolas. The results of
urban design studio to address the production of this
the charrette were presented to the public in San Nicolas
document for Oranjestad, in addition to participating
(after a dramatic rain delay) a couple of nights later.
in a 2nd Renobacion Urbano Conference and Workshop,
Compared to the earlier Oranjestad conference, the San
this time focusing on the town of San Nicolas. As with
Nicolas event was better attended by local residents and
the Oranjestad conference, the American Planning
was much livelier, with impassioned debate and historical
Association took the lead on coordinating the Renobacion
frustrations rising through discussion. Despite early
Urbano II conference and producing a summary document
skepticism on the part of local participants, they left the
of that event, while UPenn took the lead on producing
event with some degree of hope that the studio’s effort
the Urban Design Vision Plans for the cities of Oranjestad
would prove fruitful. Over the next week, those students
and San Nicolas. This document is the vision plan for
assigned to the San Nicolas Vision Plan toured a variety
arrived in Aruba for a 12 day orientation and site visit
Community members sharing thoughts and ideas during the San Nicolas charrette
Studio instructors, students and community members during the September trip to Aruba
Oranjestad. URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
21
CHAPTER 1
of local sites, including the Valero Refinery, valued
capacity. Extensive site reconnaissance visits allowed
environmental resources, neighborhoods, and business
other students to map downtown and neighborhood
areas. The data, context analysis and vision plan for San
areas, chat with locals, and discuss strategy. Throughout
Nicolas will be presented in a separate document from
the week, the studio was able to witness firsthand the
this one, which focuses on central Oranjestad.
effects of heavy rain events on the city – seeing the effects of rapid flooding, standing water, and ineffective
While 8 students continued to focus on San Nicolas
stormwater drainage. For both the San Nicolas and
during the second week, 13 students were assigned
Oranjestad students, the visit to Aruba helped foster a
to Oranjestad and met with local officials, toured
change in the minds of some of the students. No longer
various sites, and discussed the future of the central
was this merely a studio about tourism opportunities on a
area with local stakeholders. Students were divided
posh Caribbean island, but instead it became an exercise
into three groups and focused their attention on the
in representing the needs of residents, solving real
historic downtown area, the port facility waterfront,
problems on the island, and providing a workable vision.
and the adjacent neighborhoods to the northwest (Rancho, Madiki, Santa Helena, and Socotoro). They were instructed that their work must be integrated with ongoing efforts in the central area, including incorporation of the Main Street urban design and tram projects, Parliament expansion, and the relocation of the port facility. The studio worked in the city’s history Students from the University of Pennsylvania touring Aruba in September 2010
and archaeology museum with the assistance of officials from the Aruba Monuments Bureau. Meetings were held there with representatives from the Infrastructure Team and the downtown merchants association. A small group of students toured the port facility under the guidance of the Port Authority leadership. After getting soaked by a torrential downpour, they were able to learn about failed efforts to redevelop the port, as well as future desires to build a new cruise terminal and expand cruise ship
22
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
On returning to Philadelphia, the real work of the studio
The final presentation took place in mid-December
began. In the first weeks back, students undertook
in Philadelphia. It was attended by many of the
a site and context analysis of both cities, identifying
government officials who participated in both Renobacion
key issues and challenges that would become the
Urbano conferences, along with UPenn faculty, invited
prioritized problem statements for the studio. This was
guests and design critics from around Philadelphia. The
presented to a small group of faculty at the University
presentations took place over two days. The first night
of Pennsylvania, who provided comments and suggested
of the presentation provided a summary of the work
clarifications. This effort was then used as the base
over the semester, highlighting both the process and the
information for creating vision statements and design
products of the studio. This presentation was incredibly
principles that would guide later design efforts. These
well attended, and began with comments from School
two exercises took the greater part of four weeks in
of Design Dean Marilyn Taylor, APA Director Paul Farmer,
the studio, before the students began work on group
Minister Benny Sevinger, and the studio instructors.
structure plans for the various geographical areas where
Lively discussion was followed by a reception and dinner
they had previously chosen to work. Students worked in
for invited guests. During the next day, the work from
these groups for the rest of the semester, breaking off
San Nicolas was presented in the morning, followed
to work individually on specific sites within each group
by Oranjestad in the afternoon. Coming into this
area. Each student worked circularly between the group
presentation, a good degree of skepticism existed on the
structure plan scale and the individual site scale for a
part of the client, with respect to the ability of students
couple weeks. At the midterm review in late October,
to provide professional level urban design suggestions
the students presented their structure plans for each of
that would be taken seriously back on the island. Closing
five geographical areas in the two cities. The structure
comments suggested the studio had easily overcome
plans for each city showed the collective changes
these worries and that the students had far exceeded
suggested by each group, and indicated the design
expectations and surprised our client. In early 2011, the
direction of their individual projects as well. For the
work was hung in an exhibition space in Oranjestad prior
remainder of the semester, groups and individuals worked
to a UPenn delegation returning to Aruba to present the
with their instructors to refine their ideas and designs.
work in March 2011.
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Studio instructors and critics discuss student work from the final review
The Aruban delegation, studio instructors and invited critics review final student projects at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
23
CHAPTER 1
SITE + CONTEXT ANALYSIS
Imported Curaçao style architecture in downtown
INTRODUCTION TO THE ISLAND + CITY
settings. Compared to other Caribbean islands, Aruba
Located 27 kms north of Venezuela, the island nation
comes from tourism, with the rest coming from oil
of Aruba is one of a string of islands that make up the
refining, services, and local products. Concerns about the
Leeward Antilles with Curaçao and Bonaire. As part of
quality of urban life, a desire to diversify the economy
the larger Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba is a 33 km
and increase domestic incomes, a need for infrastructure
long island stretching roughly in a northwest to southeast
upgrading and stormwater control, water resource and
direction. The southern coast is anchored centrally by
desalinization issues, and the reinforcement of local
the capital city of Oranjestad, with multi-national tourist
place character in new project design are some of the
development on the northwest coast and industrial
key challenges faced by the island.
has a particularly high standard of living with low unemployment. Nearly ¾ of its gross national product
refinery development at the southeast around the city of San Nicolas. The island has an arid landscape dominated by various species of thorn tree and cactus, along with a hot and humid climate. The written history of Aruba dates back to its first contact by the Spanish in the late 15th Century. Dutch administration of the island began in 1636 under Peter Stuyvesant and continues today, although it enjoys special status as an independent country. Typical native landscape and vegetation
Aruba has a hybrid culture formed by its history of settlement and colonization, including influences by the indigenous Arawak, the Spanish, Dutch and English, immigrants from South America and other Caribbean islands, and a large non-permanent tourist base. Part of this mixed culture can be seen in its two official languages: Papiemento and Dutch, with English being spoken widely in business and government
24
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
Aruba
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
Located in the southern Carribean Sea, the island is part of the Leeward Antilles and sits just off the coast of Venezuela. The two major cities are the capital of Oranjestad and San Nicolas.
Oranjestad
San Nicolas 10km
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
25
CHAPTER 1
Downtown Oranjestad
View of downtown Oranjestad
Established as Fort Zoutman in the late 18th Century,
homelessness, poverty, and an ineffective public
Oranjestad has grown into the island’s port of entry for
infrastructure system that regularly floods. Several
air and cruise ship travel. For the majority of the nearly
recent decisions will help to catalyze new opportunity
700,000 annual visitors to Aruba each year, downtown
for the city: moving the container shipping facility to
Oranjestad is their first glimpse of the island. The town
the east at Barcadero, a new tram system that will carry
was officially given the name Oranjestad in honor of
cruise ship passengers to a new welcome center and Main
the royal Dutch House of Orange in 1820. In addition
Street shopping area; new streetscape and plaza designs
to being Aruba’s administrative capital, Oranjestad
for downtown, and an expansion of the parliament
has grown from a modest port and fishing town to a
buildings. Together with the suggestions made in this
sprawling low density service city that reaches far into
vision plan, these change-making projects will provide a
the interior of the island. Today, Oranjestad is home to
new context for central Oranjestad.
about one third of all Arubans. Landfill at the water’s edge has enabled the city to expand from its original town center along Wilhelminastraat, adding land where L.G. Smith Boulevard and the most active part of the marina and hotel zone are now located. Over time the primary shopping district along Main Street has lost its customer base, which has shifted closer to the cruise ship terminal to catch foot traffic. Along with a lack of repair and regular upkeep, this has left the downtown’s public realm as a rather vacant and under-utilized area. Oranjestad today is a city of contrasts: wellCommercial Activity
Retail storefronts often lack place-based design elements and a character that builds a healthy and strong sense of place
preserved colonial and art-deco architecture stands aside inauthentic Curacao-style buildings and midcentury tear-downs; an increasingly busy cruise ship calendar transports thousands of visitors, yet the city’s primary shopping district goes begging for customers. In addition to economic and identity issues, the city is home to neighborhoods with troubling drug problems,
26
CITYWIDE CHALLENGES + OPPORTUNITIES Through first hand observation and experience, research, and interviews the following challenges and opportunities were identified for the central areas of Oranjestad. Several meetings were held with business owners, public officials, key stakeholders, and residents to identify the key issues vexing the city. Some of these were physical in nature, others were functional, and yet others were management oriented. Some of the key problems we identified were applicable on a citywide basis, while others were isolated to specific locations. The outline below summarizes these issues in a clear and concise manner, but has not been prioritized. To respond to these challenges will require a coordinated strategy that can build a stronger central Oranjestad holistically over time.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
The proposals that come later in this vision plan will
7,924
7,688
7,819
provide both catalytic and systemic solutions to these
7,449
6,902 5,116
challenges. In this section, the key challenges across the
5,121
5,057
5,140
5,128
7,417
cruise ship passengers
5,925
city are presented, along with opportunities where they workers
might exist. Retail Troubles – The economic life of central Oranjestad is threatened from lack of customers and declining sales. Two solutions are suggested here: 1. Building an enlarged customer base to provide for greater sales; and 2. Building a more diverse retail base that customers might find interesting. With respect to the
residents JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
Fluctuating Population
The average daily population in Oranjestad is made up of a high percentage of workers relative to residents, and fluctuates throughout the year due to visitors from the cruise ships
first goal, tourists from cruise ships are often intercepted before reaching main street businesses and many of the attractions that used to be downtown have moved
for the downtown to become an attraction for visitors.
to the northern end of the island. Parking is difficult,
Retail in the public realm which reinforces retail
which encourages shoppers to go where vehicular
synergy, such as cafes, kiosks, food carts, and vendors,
access is more convenient. Pedestrian connections
is non-existent (except for a single batido kiosk at
to the neighborhoods are ill-defined and discourage
Plaza Commercio). And most importantly, the whole of
local shoppers from accessing much of the downtown.
downtown is not perceived as a desirable destination,
The second goal of improving retail mix, however,
neither in terms of design, retail content, or experience.
is the greater issue. A number of problems hinder this. Retail shopping hours need to be extended, so that those working during the day can access shops after 6 pm. The retail mix needs to be expanded to offer retail experiences that will attract tourists to
Vacant Streets
Retail streets devoid of pedestrians in downtown Oranjestad
downtown, including local Aruban craft and art sales. The downtown is not a fun place. Few food, beverage, and entertainment venues exist in great enough number
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
27
CHAPTER 1
Land Use
The land use plan for downtown Aruba shows a strong commercial core with the potential to add transit, capitalize on proximity to the cruise ships, and better serve the needs of local residents
Retail Commercial Government Religious Historic Residential Food + Beverage Arts + Entertainment Hospitality Parking Vacant Buildings Vacant Lots
28
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
Difficult Circulation – Travel is difficult in central
addition, the construction of a parking structure near the
Oranjestad. Movement is hindered by a confusing series
new Welcome Plaza will alleviate the parking situation
of one-way streets that provide indirect access to many
somewhat, and provide parking for employees so they
downtown areas. Vehicles are sometimes forced to drive
don’t park in valued customer parking areas.
much longer distances to arrive at destinations because of these one-way streets. In addition, the circulation
Limited Pedestrian/Transit Mobility – Central Oranjestad
network depends on the use of narrow back alleys and
suffers from a lack of transportation choice. While
streets to access parking and properties in mid-block
serving downtown in an ad hoc manner, public transit
areas. The few streets entering the capital city are
does not directly serve neighborhood residents very
heavily congested, especially on L.G. Smith Boulevard
well. Rather, bus stops are located along the periphery
and Main Street. Since Aruba has very few controlled
of neighborhoods, with long distances to walk from
street intersections, crossing the street for pedestrians
residential streets. Sidewalks in both the downtown area
can often be very difficult and sometimes dangerous.
and the neighborhoods are a mixed bag: sometimes non-
Poor viewsheds at intersections are dangerous for both
existent, at other times cracked and poorly maintained,
pedestrians and vehicles.
at most times dirty and in need of cleaning. An
Parking
Ad hoc parking can be found on many sidewalks within the City, as no clear parking strategy exists
unbelievably wide variety of pavement materials in the Unclear Parking Strategy – Once arriving in downtown
downtown muddles its physical identity. More troubling
Oranjestad, finding a parking space can be very difficult
are the lack of marked crosswalks anywhere in the city.
unless you know the unmarked territory of back alleys
Cycling facilities in the form of bike lanes or bike parking
and surface lots. No clear parking strategy is in place
are non-existent. Given the flatness and close proximity
to guide drivers to parking spaces within close walking
of neighborhoods and destinations in Oranjestad, cycling
proximity to shopping areas. In addition, ad hoc parking
could provide a fast and direct means of access for many
overwhelms pedestrian space in some areas, with cars
residents to the downtown and waterfront area.
parking on sidewalks and any available vacant land in the city. While the parking situation is currently difficult,
Pedestrian Experience
Many streets in the downtown area do not have adequate accomodations for pedestrians
sufficient land exists in mid-block areas behind shops to create a clearly marked and efficient parking system. In
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
29
CHAPTER 1
Neglected Public Realm – Along the waterfront, in the neighborhoods, and in the downtown area, Oranjestad’s public realm suffers from lack of intention and design effort. While attention is being paid to the improvement of Main Street, most other central areas require renewal as well. Pedestrian space is deteriorated; parks are few in number; the city’s tree canopy is inconsistent and disconnected. The public realm is poorly outfitted with street furniture, such as benches, lighting, trash receptacles, bollards, kiosks, and signage. Vacant
Public Realm Maintenance
Sidewalks that are poorly maintained in neighborhoods can become impassable as nature reclaims the concrete
parcels provide areas for dumping, litter and the proliferation of parked cars. Trees lean dangerously in some areas with their roots damaging sidewalks. Maintenance of previous urban design efforts in the downtown is poor, and can be witnessed in a number of broken benches, cracked planters, broken lights, and damaged trees. Most problematic is the lack of shade in Aruba’s hot and humid climate. Trees and awnings are not used effectively to create a continuous canopy to provide shade and comfort for pedestrians, on sidewalks or in plaza areas. Cafes and other places to socialize in public are non-existent. Intentional streetscapes, particularly on L.G. Smith Blvd and other key downtown
Vacancies
A vacant lot in Oranjestad, where lack of maintenance and care provides a canvas for graffiti
streets, could help to make the city more walkable and attractive. Aging Public Realm
Poorly maintained public realm elements can be found throughout the city.
30
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
Difficult Wayfinding – From a visitor’s perspective,
neighborhood areas, standing water pools and turns
wayfinding between downtown Oranjestad, the
stagnant over time. Most damaging is the surface
waterfront and neighborhoods is lacking. When cruise
drainage that empties in outfalls directly to the harbor,
passengers exit the terminal area, their welcome to the
lagoon, and waterfront. This untreated stormwater
city is remarkable for its unattractiveness: a barbed
damages water quality and endangers marine and reef
wire control point, shacks that sell tourist trinkets,
life along Aruba’s southern coast. To protect future
taxis and shuttles elbowing each other for space, a
investments from flooding and damage, a comprehensive
fast moving and ugly urban arterials, and no clear
stormwater infrastructure system is a priority for the
signage to reach downtown. Getting to Main Street is
city.
difficult not just for its lack of signage, but also for
Flooding
A lack of a comprehensive stormwater infrastructure system causes flooding that impedes circulation, and damages private property and the public realm
the difficulty in negotiating L.G. Smith Blvd. If a visitor should find downtown, no signage exists to orient visitors to attractions, plazas, or historic sites. The city of Oranjestad is difficult to understand for the visitor. Poor signage, a lack of information, an unclear welcome sequence, and ineffective wayfinding does not help this.
Stormwater Flow
Flood water passes through Playa Pa’Bao, eventually dumping into the ocean, as a result of regional topography and a lack of stormwater infrastructure
Flooding – Stormwater infrastructure to deal with even moderate rain events is poor. When it rains, many of central Oranjestad’s shopping districts and neighborhoods flood – causing mobility, health, and sanitation problems. In the downtown area, surface drainage to the waterfront translates to fast moving water that builds rapidly at too few drainage inlets. At times this flooding damages both shops and residences that are located at grade. While some areas of downtown, Rancho and Madiki are outfitted with sub-grade drainage systems, these facilities are ad hoc and not integrated into a comprehensive citywide system. In the outlying
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
31
CHAPTER 1
Make-Shift Public Realm
An example of make-shift public space, assembled from discarded furniture under trees on vacant lots
Lack of Neighborhood Amenities – Oranjestad’s central
zone to the north of the arterial provides no pedestrian
neighborhoods suffer from neglect. Parks exist in the
amenity and is an unpleasant walking experience with
neighborhoods, but they are not publically owned. A
few creature comforts. The land uses are auto oriented
desire for public park space is evident from dumped
and surface parking lots dominate this zone. Crossing
furniture arranged in the shady areas of vacant lots
L.G. Smith Boulevard itself can be a death-defying
by local residents in order to congregate. The public
feat of traffic negotiation and timing. No controlled or
realm of the neighborhoods is poorly outfitted with few
marked pedestrian crossings exist. Drivers are known
amenities. Sidewalks, street trees, sitting areas, lighting,
to be unforgiving to pedestrians trying to cross the
and the basic features of the public realm are missing.
street to the waterfront. Access to the waterfront
Places to come together as a community are not evident.
is currently controlled at only two points along the
The lack of a community center for events, education,
kilometer long stretch of road, and public access is not
and public meetings is a noticeable shortcoming.
allowed. Breaking down these barriers will require a
While some residents take pride in maintaining their
reconceptualization of the L.G. Smith Boulevard along
properties, urban poverty and vacancy has reduced other
the waterfront, and may require new land uses that
properties to unacceptable disrepair. The pathologies
improve the quality of pedestrian experience. While the
of poverty can be seen in drug dealing, homelessness,
light industrial uses are necessary to the economic health
and a nascent sex trade forming in some places. Lack
of the city, they can be buffered and supplemented
of physical connections between the neighborhoods,
with other development that extends the city and
surrounding areas, university, waterfront and downtown
provides a more attractive edge for any new waterfront
only deepens this divide.
improvements.
Barriers to the Waterfront – Access to the waterfront for residents living in Oranjestad is inhibited by a series of physical barriers. Between the neighborhoods and Open Space
Much of Oranjestad’s downtown and inner neighborhoods are under-served by open space
a potentially renewed waterfront are: an unattractive light industrial district, the inhospitality of L.G. Smith Boulevard, hurricane fencing, obsolete tank yards, and the defunct free-trade zone. The light industrial
32
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
Roads as Barriers
L.G. Smith Boulevard acts as a barrier to pedestrian movement
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Commercial
Squatter Housing
Institutional
Industrial
Vacant
Light Industrial
Sea
Parks
Shallow Reefs
Residential
Waterfront Land Use
Current land use patterns along the waterfront and surrounding blocks are dominated by industrial uses and vacancies
33
CHAPTER 1
Insufficient Cruise Ship Capacity and Unwelcoming Arrival – The cruise ship terminal in Oranjestad is overcapacity and must expand if Aruba wants to increase its tourist base. Currently the cruise ship terminal turns away ships every year because there is not enough room to dock more than a few cruise ships along the current bulkhead. Once the container shipping port relocates, the Port Authority of Aruba would like to develop a docking strategy that would allow four upgraded Cruise Ship Arrival
A gateway dominated by asphalt and fencing is the first impression of Oranjestad for many visitors
Cruise Ship Terminal Retail
Make-shift tourist shops line the road next to the cruise ship terminal entrance
passenger cruise ships to dock at once. In addition to the capacity of cruise ship docking, a new cruise ship terminal building will need to be designed and constructed that can clearly direct and process visitors to various sites around the island, including visitors to the downtown area. The welcome sequence for over half a million cruise ship passengers per year involves a series of unattractive passages, parking lots and turnarounds from LG Smith Boulevard that are congested
Visual Blockage by Cruise Ships
After disembarking from the ships, an unwelcoming 100 meter asphalt lot, drop off area, multi-lane boulevard, and vacant properties must be crossed by the pedestrian before stepping foot in downtown Oranjestad. The scale of the cruise ships docking in downtown Oranjestad dwarfs the adjacent city and port facilities
with buses, taxis, and coaches when ships dock. Visitors are inundated with vendors selling tourist trinkets form crudely built shacks. The entrance to town is currently blocked by a government public works yard. For an island that depends on so much of its livelihood from tourism, its physical facilities do not promote visiting its capital city.
34
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION + ANALYSIS
Relocating Container Shipping / Remaking the Waterfront – The container shipping facility in Oranjestad is moving south to the older port facility at Barcadera near the airport, which will be rebuilt for container shipping use. This will leave a significant stretch of waterfront vacant along the central coastline of Oranjestad. While container shipping will move, cruise ship activity will continue to function on site in a newly designed facility at the southeast end of the development parcel. At the northwest end of the parcel, a new hotel has been designated on the beach adjacent to the low-rise hotel zone. Government has indicated the desire for a multi-use public park facility on the land that was previously occupied by the container shipping use, the free trade zone, and the obsolete tank farm. Public officials have suggested a desire for a local serving park that addresses the passive and active recreational needs of Oranjestad residents, rather than catering to the needs of the tourist class. Providing a financially feasible public park will be challenging for the Port Authority, which manages this land. Any new park will require some
but can also provide opportunity. Alternatives exist
amount of development that can underwrite any park
for both a redesigned vehicular welcome into the city,
investment. A number of development proposals have
increased pedestrian, cycling and vehicular access to the
been rejected by government in the past because they’ve
park, and new housing that addresses market gaps. The
included too much retail that would compete with
move of the container shipping facility and development
downtown business. Finding the right development mix
of a new park and housing district could provide the key
along L.G. Smith Boulevard that can be used to finance
catalyst for redeveloping the entire city.
Container Shipping Area
Remaking the container shipping area as a public amenity would open up prime waterfront land to provide a unique park experience to both locals and tourists
the public components of the park will be challenging,
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
35
2
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
VISION AND DESIGN PRINCIPLES CITYWIDE STRUCTURE PLAN + FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 2
VISIONS + DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Design principles, on the other hand, should be
Urban Design Vision Plans present a future goal and
they function quite differently. Rather than suggesting
direction for a place. Visions are strongest and most
goals, they should educate implementers, developers,
implementable when they are ‘owned’ by both the
and beneficiaries about ideas for achieving the vision.
officials who are responsible for seeing them through,
Design principles don’t tell us what to do explicitly – that
and the stakeholders who are most likely to benefit from
is the role of the design guideline. Design principles are
them. They must be firmly grounded in the pragmatic
mere ideas. They provide thoughts that help justify
realities of the place, but reach beyond what is
the larger vision, show options, and introduce notions
conceivably possible. They should help the place become
that might not have been considered previously. Think
what it is destined to become from the seeds that are
of a design principle as the roadmap that gets us to the
currently planted there. Good vision plans must be clear
destination.
embedded directly within the larger vision plan – but
and unambiguous – imageable and inspirational. They should be based in wide-spread desire for improvement and change – rather than be advocated by only a select few. For visions to be effective they must be communicated easily and regularly – they must remain active policy that guides future development decisions. Successful vision implementation builds an increasingly larger platform for implementation – including those who would come along later to interpret and provide new energy for their manifestation. As broad policy statements about the future, successful vision planning should be synonymous with a deep understanding of the current situation – innovative development – enlightened place-making – and inclusive transformation. Think of visions as the destinations we are trying to reach.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
VISION 1 – MEMORABLE DESTINATION
clubbing, for shopping and celebrating. And in turn, the city will welcome visitors to share in this experience,
ORANJESTAD WILL BE A MEMORABLE ARUBAN
rather than catering directly to them at the expense of
DESTINATION FOR VISITORS TO THE ISLAND AND LOCAL
the local-serving character. Oranjestad can achieve this
RESIDENTS WHO VALUE ITS CONTRIBUTION TO ARUBAN
memorability by improving its physical character – by
IDENTITY.
implementing public realm improvements that produce
While many places in the Caribbean have the benefit of centuries of urban history, Oranjestad is a relative newcomer to the Caribbean experience. Places like San Juan, Santo Domingo, Havana and Cartagena have several centuries of urban development history behind them to help in creating their destination value. Largely a 20th Century city, Oranjestad must preserve what remains of its local history and look after what is authentic about the place so that it can continue to emerge as a valued destination. To capture an increasing share of the visitor traffic through the Caribbean, and
a consistent urban image – by highlighting its culture and expressing the diverse identity of island residents. Focus on what is great about this city and build on it: historic colonial buildings, an amazing collection of Art-Deco architecture, a great waterfront location, a huge amount of visitor traffic, a walkable scale, an active merchant
Historic Preservation
An example of how historic preservation efforts have already helped solidify Oranjestad’s local place character
group, a government willing to invest in the public realm. Just think about the possibilities of what this city is, and what it might become. The city will stand with the natural beauty of the island as one of the major reasons why people return to Aruba.
continue to reap return visits to the island, Oranjestad
Design Principle 1.1 Historic preservation can help to
can help Aruba by becoming a greater experience
retain local character and manage the future of the
amenity. In the future, Oranjestad will be a place that
downtown area.
tourists remember for its aesthetic qualities, memorable experiences, and expression of local identity. It can
Aruba’s historic buildings, landscapes, and monuments
do this by becoming more Aruban; by nurturing local
are assets that help to showcase the islands diverse
flavor; by championing what is special about the city, the
cultural identity and character. Supporting historic
island, its landscape, its architecture. Oranjestad will
preservation and conserving distinctive landmarks will
become a more memorable city by offering experiences
both preserve Aruba’s history and energize the cultural
that are more fun – more active – more exciting. It
economy. Already this strategy is beginning to pay
will become the city where locals go for nightlife and
off in Oranjestad. The historic buildings that have
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Restoration
A kunuku house, representative of traditional Aruban architecture
39
CHAPTER 2
Public Space Opportunities
The current design of Museum Plaza suffers from a lack of sun protection, immature vegetation, and few pedestrian comforts.
already been saved and preserved provide a physical
and a sense of energy. Buildings, streetscapes, parks,
and visual connection to the island’s history. Downtown
statues, and public art can serve as a medium for
Oranjestad would benefit greatly from a broader use
representing the cultures and communities living in
of preservation in the shape of a Downtown Historic
Oranjestad. Successful examples of this strategy include
District. Management of this district could help establish
Millennium Park in Chicago, Highline Park in New York
façade improvement guidelines, new signage regulations,
City, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain, and
awning controls, and public assistance in design
the Pompidou Centre in Paris France. Moreover, these
recommendations.
icons can help residents develop a sense of pride in the accomplishments of their city.
Design Principle 1.2 Design guidelines can contribute to creating a consistent and resonant urban character.
Design Principle 1.4 Public spaces can provide opportunities for special events, festivals, and cultural
Design guidelines coordinate development by insuring
exchange.
that all projects contribute to a safe, comfortable, and attractively scaled urban environment. They seek
The public realm is often the stage on which people
to guide architectural and urban design character,
express themselves. Oranjestad should have flexible
regulate parking, and create a public realm to support
spaces that hold cultural events including concerts,
the larger urban ensemble. Successful guidelines align
markets, and festivals. When well-designed, these
development patterns with future visions while providing
spaces create increased interaction among strangers,
flexibility for creative interpretation. They can also help
create stronger community identities, and enhance the
to control design outcomes in the face of insensitive
city’s attractiveness to tourists.
projects and low-end development practices. Design Principle 1.3 Iconic buildings and innovative urban design can help to create new and exciting place identity. In the process of place making, cultural icons, such as buildings and recognizable open spaces, help to create symbols that represent new place identities
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
VISION 2 – CONNECTED CITY
as an integrated public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian network. Imagine a city that guides visitors
ORANJESTAD WILL BE AN ACCESSIBLE AND WELL
effortlessly and intuitively through a renewed cruise ship
CONNECTED CITY WHERE VISITORS AND RESIDENTS
terminal facility – and encourages them to walk along a
NAVIGATE THE CITY WITH EASE.
well-marked path or catch a tram to downtown shopping
A number of accessibility and connection problems confront visitors to central Oranjestad. If you were a first time visitor to Aruba, you would disembark from a cruise ship or airplane and be confused about your next destination. Most likely you would be whisked away to a hotel or a tour. If you wanted to explore Oranjestad however, you would have little information to guide your path. The welcome sequence into town is difficult to navigate – no clear wayfinding system exists – no intuitive path connects visitors to the downtown. On the other hand, if you were driving to central Oranjestad from
and dining. The future Oranjestad will welcome visitors to the city by means of an information center that can highlight visitor options and direct people to valued amenities. It will offer local tram service to valued places throughout the downtown area – delivering visitors to museums, plazas, shopping, and entertainment. A future Oranjestad will provide cycling options for local residents, and an evident parking strategy for Arubans
L.G. Smith Boulevard
The boulevard moves traffic across the city, but does not provide many places for pedestrians to cross. Sidewalks are narrow and few pedestrian amenities exist.
from across the island. Most importantly, the future of Oranjestad depends on rationalizing and clarifying the street network to guide drivers into the city.
another part of the island for an afternoon of shopping,
Design Principle 2.1 A well-connected street network
you would find difficulty not only with direct road access
improves direct access throughout the city.
due to the poor circulation network, but also with uncoordinated parking options that force drivers to waste
A well-organized street network makes navigation
time hunting for parking. If you are a local resident
more efficient while improving connections between
trying to get downtown, few transport options exist for
amenities and attractions. A strong hierarchy of streets
you to get to destinations quickly and efficiently. Transit
gives pedestrians clearer direction and improves the
in the downtown area is virtually non-existent. In the
experience for tourists and residents alike. A strong
future, Oranjestad will be city where residents and
street signage system can help guide drivers to
tourists can access services and amenities through a well
destinations and parking.
developed transportation network. This will include a well connected and maintained street system, as well
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CHAPTER 2
Oranjestad’s Downtown Bus Station
Improved multi-modal transit systems are needed in order to improve circulation around the island
Design Principle 2.2 A well-coordinated parking
Design Principle 2.4 A balanced multi-modal
system can help bring customers close to downtown
transportation system can help reduce auto-congestion
destinations.
and provide access choice.
Instituting a rationalized parking system will help drivers
Public transportation, bike networks and pedestrian
access the downtown and desired shopping destinations.
pathways can reduce auto-congestion and provide a
This strategy can include new structured parking, new
degree of choice for local and island-wide visitors.
surface lots, and wayfinding signage that directs drivers
An integrated transportation system allows drivers,
to parking. Because of Aruba’s regular heat and sun,
commuters, bikers and pedestrians to travel safely
parking should be located no more than a block from
and easily throughout the city. This will mean the
primary retail and service destinations to shorten walking
establishment of an expanded tram network, a
distances. This will mean a series of inter-connected
new system of marked bikeways, sidewalk amenity
parking options that allow drivers to find parking with
investment, and improved bus routing across the island.
ease from any point of access into the city. Design Principle 2.5 Integrated wayfinding systems can Design Principle 2.3 Streetscape amenities provide
help users navigate the city.
comfortable, safe, and enjoyable pedestrian experiences – and encourage walking over other means of transport.
Consistent signage and wayfinding devices improve navigation and help people locate public services, tourist
Well-designed streetscapes are one of the most effective
attractions and shopping areas while highlighting the
place-making strategies and enhance economic viability,
positive aspects of the city. Typical wayfinding elements
attractiveness, and environmental health. Improved
include: information centers, regular and coordinated
street design should be seen as part of the larger
pedestrian level signage, a resonant public realm design
economic development strategy for the city. Street trees
that allows visitors to follow a clear path of access, and
provide for shade and improved human comfort in the
coordinated lighting that shows visitors where to go. An
walking environment. Benches provide opportunities to
integrated wayfinding strategy can also provide a degree
rest and socialize. Pedestrian-scale lighting improves
of design resonance that assists in place-making.
safety. Sign regulations help create a consistent urban character.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
VISION 3 – VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
need to improve both its tourist offerings and its local serving retail and service base. A vibrant economy with
ORANJESTAD WILL HAVE A MORE VIBRANT AND
locally owned businesses and a diverse array of retail,
DIVERSIFIED LOCAL ECONOMY THAT BENEFITS VISITORS
office and work spaces can provide residents with
SEEKING THE FLAVOR OF ARUBA AND RESIDENTS
services and employment opportunities and tourists with
FULFILLING EVERYDAY NEEDS.
a host of interesting downtown destinations. Imagine
The central shopping area of Oranjestad is beset by a diversity of challenges – both physical and economic: under-performing revenue expectations; a poor retail mix with an emphasis on low-end products; inadequate dining, beverage and entertainment options; a deteriorating public realm; inhospitable pedestrian accommodations; and ill-performing infrastructure systems. For the tourist, central Oranjestad offers few memorable experiences: a lack of local flavor in food and craft products; too few public spaces for relaxing and socializing; some unattractive and unimproved facades; and a public realm pock-marked with vacancy, lack of maintenance, and under-regulated signage. Main Street frequently feels empty – the marina is often lifeless – the waterfront is defunct – vendors offer imported and unremarkable products to tourists. On
a central Oranjestad where locals and tourists relax together in expansive plaza cafes listening to local music into the night – where merchants strive to keep shops open later to capture increasing sales opportunities – where a wide variety of shops and kiosks provide new ownership opportunities for startups and local jobs– where the local economy doesn’t struggle nearly so much during the off-season. The future of central Oranjestad will be built not just on physical improvement, but also on improved maintenance, extended operating hours, event programming, and entrepreneurship. Diversifying the retail and service base of central Oranjestad will also contribute to a more resilient and sustainable economy that begins to supplement its tourism base with an everincreasing local retail foundation, and hopefully new
The Local Tourist Economy
Local markets are an important part of advancing a sustainable economy, but often sell goods that are not representative of the Caribbean or Aruban culture
production opportunities.
the other hand opportunities exist for improvement.
Design Principle 3.1 A diversified downtown land
Wilhelminastraat offers a few exciting clubs and
use mix provides tourists and locals with a variety of
restaurants – notable preservation efforts have saved
entertainment, retail, and service options, and helps
colonial gems – and the city’s access to the coastline
business survive the off-season.
offers a number of alternatives for development. To create a more vibrant local economy, Oranjestad will
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CHAPTER 2
A mix of entertainment, retail, and services can create
material. More attention could be paid to the city’s
vibrancy at different hours of the day and year and
oceanfront location – providing support to a nascent
ensures commercial activities can fulfill the needs of
fishing industry, seafood production, and other maritime
both Arubans and tourists. Greater retail diversity helps
industries. At the least, the art, craft, food, and
insure that businesses don’t cannibalize each other by
entertainment offered on the island should be a local
offering too much of the same product, and that each
product. Central Oranjestad could become the locus for
place forms its own expanding customer niche. Retail
this local production.
diversity and more attractive shopping places can also Local Economic Drivers
Local businesses put money directly into the local economy and help spur employment and production on the island
help guard against economic decline during the off-
Design Principle 3.3 Providing diverse spaces for new
season, when the island must rely on Aruban residents to
startups, workforce development, business incubation,
keep shops busy. Moreover, greater and more interesting
and educational opportunities can help support economic
retail choice is a proven strategy in building a vital
development.
economy.
Government, schools, and merchant associations can
Design Principle 3.2 Strengthening local business
help expand opportunity for an expanded workforce. This
supports a vibrant economy and helps to minimize
can include both education opportunities as well as the
economic off-island leakage.
supply of more varied retail and office spaces at various scales. Offering diverse retail spaces of different sizes
44
Locally owned business re-circulates more money back
can help reduce the rents and overheads paid by those
into the economy, supports community events, and
just starting out in business. Community centers, schools
links local residents in a network of economic and
and other government buildings can provide space
social relationships. Local ownership ensures decisions
where the next generation of Arubans will be educated,
are made by those who will experience their complete
helping to grow local business and a more capable
impacts. Most importantly local ownership helps to avoid
workforce. Local universities and vocational colleges
the departure of economic benefits to multi-nationals
can help in this effort by offering workshops and courses
and off-island interests. Given that Aruba imports so
in small business entrepreneurship and business skills
much of the goods sold on the island, support to local
development. Government can help lubricate this process
business can begin by creating production opportunities
by providing incentives, tax-breaks, and assistance to
to substitute some of these imports with locally produced
those wanting to invest in the island’s economic future.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
VISION 4 – SUSTAINABLE ORANJESTAD
regional land base is often insufficient to supply the resources and buffering necessary for daily survival –
ORANJESTAD WILL BE A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY
let alone sustainable development. Recent efforts and
SUSTAINABLE CITY – A PLACE THAT CAN BECOME AN
interest in the Aruban environment suggest hope for
EXAMPLE OF GREEN LEADERSHIP FOR THE LARGER
a more resilient and sustainable future. Already the
CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY.
island is increasing energy production with wind power
Island ecology can be very difficult to sustain for a growing population and urban development base. As the Aruba population and visitor base continues to expand, additional pressures are placed on the resources necessary to sustain this growth. We need to face the realization that Aruba has degraded its natural environment by unchecked and ill-advised development decisions that might have enhanced the short term economic life of the island, but may have threatened its long term sustainability. The environmental challenges of expansive urban development can be seen in a variety of impacts: increased urban stormwater runoff that outfalls into coastal areas and damages maritime ecosystems; increased energy and potable water requirements; loss of natural habitats with land transformation; increasing solid waste volumes; and the environmental costs of importing ever greater amounts of goods into the island – with all their indirect transport, energy use,
on the east side of the island. However, other efforts are needed as well, including water conservation and other new technologies to increase the potable water supply. In the future, Oranjestad will be an exemplar of sustainable development in the Caribbean and play an important role in improving the island’s environment. Physical interventions, public transportation and land use policy will reduce Oranjestad’s ecological footprint. New infrastructure will capture, reuse and manage rainwater while protecting sensitive habitats. Sustainability in technology and urban development, including the use of drought resistant landscape materials and climatologically appropriate building techniques can all assist in this effort. Beyond the benefits to Aruba itself,
Wind production at the eastern edge of Aruba is leading to more sustainable energy use
the island and its sustainability program could become a strategic initiative to marshal attention and interest on the part of other Caribbean islands to learn from the Aruban experience.
pollution, and distribution impacts. In most continental
Design Principle 4.1 Sustainability planning can help
cities, the region surrounding cities can help to offset
reduce the ecological footprint of new development
and buffer the impacts caused by urbanization. On an
and provide suggestions for more appropriate design
island these impacts are even more evident, as the
solutions.
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Clean Energy Production
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CHAPTER 2
Strategic sustainability planning (including: energy
Design Principle 4.3 Healthy marine and terrestrial
production, progressive water desalinization, stormwater
ecosystems improve environmental quality and can act as
management, sewage and solid waste reduction, and
attractive destinations.
improved transportation options) can effectively manage resources as the island continues to develop. Managed
Protecting and restoring Aruba’s native ecosystems should
networks of natural lands and open spaces can offset
be a priority in all development decisions. Often these
the environmental impact of development and preserve
environmental initiatives have little immediate economic
Aruba’s natural habitat base for future generations.
rationale. Over the long term however, their cumulative
Quantifiable sustainability metrics such as greenhouse gas
benefits will result in additional economic possibilities,
emissions or a specialized island rating system can help
as well as healthier and more attractive places for both
control and evaluate the impact that projects will have
local residents and tourism. Along the coastline of
on the overall environment. Any sustainability initiative
central Oranjestad, generations of dredging, industrial
will require a champion in the Government structure,
activity, and maritime development have degraded reef
who can monitor progress and enforce efforts.
systems, wetland buffers, and maritime ecologies. In the past, wetlands and mangrove habitats along the coast
Over-Taxed Infrastructure
Traditional gray infrastructure systems can be costly and difficult to maintain, and are not selfsustaining
Design Principle 4.2 Green infrastructure can offer
served as defenses against ecosystem failure and damage
low impact alternatives that can effectively manage
– serving as effective filters for stormwater runoff and
resources and reduce negative externalities.
tidal impacts. The coastline of Aruba can be enhanced by new beaches, restored wetlands, and mangroves – all
Status quo infrastructure systems are insufficient to
of which can help reduce shoreline erosion and protect
improve environmental conditions and make positive
water quality. Efforts to enhance reef ecosystems can
moves toward a more sustainable future. Green
help remediate past impacts and provide settings for
infrastructure systems, such as innovative stormwater,
eco-tourism and increased fish stocks. In inland areas,
water conservation, and localized energy production can
restoration and preservation of natural riparian corridors
have a direct and immediate impact on the environment.
can help control erosion and provide habitat settings.
New stormwater infrastructure should take the form of
More compact development patterns, and perhaps the
permeable pavers, green roofs, cisterns, rain gardens
use of urban growth boundaries, can help control sprawl
and bioswales. This green infrastructure protects
and diminish the loss of the native landscape.
natural landscapes and is more cost effective than gray infrastructure.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
Design Principle 4.4 The use of native and drought
rather than tropical palms. As most of the plant materials
resistant plant species can help conserve water resources
for Aruba are imported from North and South America,
and reinforce the natural identity of the island.
Aruba would benefit from the establishment of nurseries and tree farms that can supply this vegetation, while also
As a hot and humid climate, not every plant species can
providing economic development opportunity. The use of
be planted in Oranjestad without adverse sustainability
local plant materials and rock will also help to reinforce
impacts and extensive water consumption. To survive
a local landscape identity for Oranjestad.
into the future, innovative irrigation strategies will need to be used for urban plant life to establish itself and grow to maturity. These should combine stormwater and irrigation strategies into a mutually reinforcing system. But beyond survivability, trees and other
Aruban Landscapes
Native plants provide both aesthetic beauty and a sense of place that can be utilized in urban areas without taxing irrigation systems
vegetation are necessary for creating an attractive and comfortable public realm. The need for shade from street trees is a priority in increasing walkability for central Oranjestad. Street trees that form a continuous canopy over pedestrians will require closer-than-normal spacing, structured soils, and innovative drainage systems given the shallow soils of the city. Rather than planting non-native species inappropriate to the climate, a list of climate appropriate landscape materials should be devised to guide planting decisions. This may mean selecting non-native species from other parts of the world that are conducive to the Aruban climate; a good example of which might be the planting of desert palms
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CHAPTER 2
VISION 5 – STRONG COMMUNITIES
and will demand long-term monitoring, consultation, funding and time. The neighborhoods of Oranjestad can
ORANJESTAD WILL BE HOME TO STRONG AND LIVABLE
only be improved by this type of long term physical and
COMMUNITIES THAT PROVIDE A BETTER QUALITY OF
social planning. In the future, Oranjestad’s inner ring
LIFE FOR ITS RESIDENTS.
neighborhoods will be physically improved to include
Strong communities are the foundation of a strong city. Achieving this requires attention to both physical livability and well-matched social services. While most Neighborhood Development
Infrastructure, vacant land, and open space need to be developed and maintained in order to strengthen neighborhoods and provide a higher quality of life to residents
communities in Aruba provide the basic conditions to enable urban living (potable water, access to
places for public interaction, playgrounds and parks, improved walkability and stormwater infrastructure, and valued community centers. Residents will be able to access a strong support network that encourages participation in government and access to services.
food, shelter, electricity, sanitation), other higher
Design Principle 5.1 Physical improvement to
level livability conditions are sometimes challenged
neighborhood infrastructure and community spaces can
(safety, economic health, choice in housing/retail/
help make Oranjestad’s neighborhoods more livable.
transportation, walkability, and adequate public spaces). To make Oranjestad’s communities more livable
The challenges to neighborhood infrastructure are
will require attention to these higher level physical
easily viewed from a short walk through any of the
concerns. In addition to the physical, social services
neighborhoods adjacent to the downtown area.
are also required for strong communities. Some of
Pedestrian facilities, stormwater systems, community
Oranjestad’s inner ring communities are besieged by
parks and recreation amenities all need attention.
social problems, including poverty, joblessness, drug
Transportation systems are limited – so is local serving
addiction, homelessness, and low-level educations.
retail. At the center of the neighborhood, government
Services such as these are not only the responsibility of
should coordinate the provision of community centers
government. Local community organizations must also
that can serve as the public meeting grounds, community
assume some of this responsibility. However, the physical
education spaces, and outreach programs necessary to
infrastructure for these services could be planned
elevate quality of life for Oranjestad residents.
and implemented by better government oversight and coordination. Neighborhood planning is not for the weakhearted however. It requires more than plan-making
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
Design Principle 5.2 Attractive public spaces create
Community involvement is essential in the planning
opportunities for community gathering and encourage
and implementation of projects. Partnerships between
pride of place.
government, NGO’s and neighborhood organizations open up communication and allow residents to have
Public spaces that are comfortable throughout the
impacts on projects. Such collaboration also encourages
year, are well-maintained, and have a strong aesthetic
continued participation and long-term investment.
image encourage constant use and ownership by the public. Usable public places need to be flexible to
Design Principle 5.4 Improving access to social services
host different types of events, meetings, and festivals.
helps to ensure a greater quality of life and helps to
Strategically located community centers and plazas
respond to society’s impenetrable ‘wicked problems.’
allow for formal and informal gathering. These areas permit residents to interact with neighbors and enrich
A ‘wicked problem’ is a term for those societal issues
local community. Space should be provided for social
that don’t have easy answers and where people
service programs, community outreach programs,
cannot easily come to consensus over what to do to
and interest group functions. Beyond the provision of
combat them. Investment in local social services and
space however, creating a memorable design character
community institutions is a first step in laying the
across the neighborhood is also important in creating a
groundwork for quality of life improvements, and may
sense of ownership. When residents are proud of their
help to battle ‘wicked problems.’ These investments
neighborhoods they protect them, care for them, and
answer the specific social challenges associated with
monitor activity. Equal-access community amenities and
particular places, enhance neighborhood cohesion, and
formal opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities
spur community involvement. Oranjestad’s inner ring
increase satisfaction and use.
neighborhoods suffer from a host of social pathologies that can be helped by focused and long term attention.
Design Principle 5.3 Public participation allows
Issues of homelessness, poverty alleviation, the sex
individuals and community groups to take ownership of
trade, drug dealing, and various addictions are best dealt
projects.
with by ongoing treatment and counseling programs, in addition to more formal education and training. All of these will require physical space and government funding.
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CHAPTER 2
CITYWIDE STRUCTURE PLAN + FRAMEWORK
CREATING CONNECTIONS - Inherent in the Oranjestad
The Oranjestad Citywide Structure Plan is a physical
connections between the different nodes throughout the
diagram that shows the arrangement of key proposed
city will help to unify the city’s distinct places.
Citywide Structure Plan is increased connectivity between people, places, and destinations. Creating the
elements of the city organized collectively into a plan. The structure plan includes all proposals suggested in
The plan aims to improve accessibility between the
this studio and shows how they interconnect and support
downtown, neighborhoods, and waterfront. In addition
each other. Their aim is to connect and invigorate
to the Main Street Tram line, which will bring people
three distinct regions in the city: the downtown, the
from the waterfront through downtown, there is
residential neighborhoods, and the waterfront. Though
a second proposed tram line that will run through
each area invokes unique design proposals, collectively
the neighborhoods and down the waterfront. The
they achieve a unified vision for a future Oranjestad.
neighborhood tram provides much needed public
The goal of the Citywide Structure Plan is to present a
transportation for Oranjestad residents. A large portion
physical design framework that supports the visions and
of L.G. Smith Boulevard has been redesigned as a multi-
principles set forth in the previous section. This structure
modal boulevard.
plan aims to create a memorable, unified, and lively city for both visitors and island residents.
Pedestrian connections have also been a target of the Oranjestad structure plan. Streetscape improvements
The Citywide Structure Plan was designed under a
in downtown, the neighborhoods, and the waterfront,
number of assumptions. First, the plan builds off
have been designed for more enjoyable, convenient,
the proposed Main Street Tram line that will begin in
and safe pedestrian-oriented routes. These streetscape
front of the Cruise Ship terminal and loop down Main
improvements will both beautify the street and attract
Street. In tandem with the Main Street Tram line is a
more people to walk. Improved pedestrian access will
streetscape proposal and a number of new plazas along
increase foot traffic and decrease automobile traffic.
the route. The second assumption is that the waterfront shipping container facility will soon move south towards the airport. This move opens up a large space on the waterfront for activity and development.
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CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
Oranjestad Citywide Structure Plan 250m
Proposed Projects Proposed Streetscape Improvements Green Street Tram Line URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
51
CHAPTER 2
Finally, the citywide structure plan aims to reconnect
incoming cruise ship passengers and Oranjestad visitors.
the city back to the waterfront. The connection will
The botanical garden in front of the Archeology Museum
be made at both the boat harbor downtown, which is
will be both a transit stop and a destination. The garden
redesigned for better water access and views, and at the
will showcase the island’s native plant life and provide
shipping container facility, which has been designed as an
shaded leisure space that can accommodate lingering
active recreational park and cultural center. In addition
and gathering. A newly designed Lagoon Park will become
to the waterfront park, the cruise ship terminal will be
a sculpture garden that highlights local art and the
redesigned to accommodate more cruise ships and create
history of the island. The park will frame the southern
a better welcome entrance for visitors and tourists.
edge of Oranjestad’s downtown, providing a link to the waterfront from Downtown and a peaceful place to rest.
CREATING DESTINATIONS - For Oranjestad to be a more
Finally, an improved design for the waterfront harbor
memorable place, it will need imageable destinations for
will help to unite the beautiful waterfront with the
both its residents and the tourists who visit. Both small
rest of the city, celebrating the Parliament with a new
and large-scale destinations are proposed for Oranjestad
plaza that can provide space for ceremonial events at
through the downtown, waterfront, and neighborhoods.
the capital. All of these destinations together will help
The waterfront park that will replace the shipping container facility offers a unique experience for
to create a unique and memorable experience for both residents and visitors.
recreational activity and leisure for the residents of
CREATING IMPROVEMENTS - At the heart of these
Oranjestad. It celebrates the city’s beautiful waterfront
proposals are efforts to design for a future Oranjestad,
and still allows for new development and entertainment
one that celebrates its people and evolving cultural
that would help to pay for the infrastructure changes
heritage. In addition to leveraging the many unique
and park development. In the neighborhoods, the
assets of the island, these design proposals also aim
proposed Madiki Square, Community Center, and Xavier
to mitigate some of the city’s problems by improving
University Park will act as anchor destinations for their
existing streets and infrastructure.
surrounding communities, providing meeting spaces
52
and places for education. The Welcome Center design
Stormwater run-off is a major issue during the rainy
located along L.G. Smith Boulevard is proposed as
season, as it causes frequent flooding that damage
a downtown transportation and information hub for
property and make travel difficult. New streetscape
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CITYWIDE VISIONS + STRUCTURE PLAN
strategies on downtown and neighborhood streets use drainage strategies, bio-swales, and landscaping to assuage the runoff and reduce flooding. Further, additional streetscape planting will beautify the streets, incorporate permeable surfaces and water-accessible tree wells, but also add much needed shade during Aruba’s hot weather months to make sidewalks more comfortable. Enhancing and celebrating the island’s native plant and wildlife is important to reinforcing Aruba’s culture and protecting its shoreline. The Waterfront Park will use mangroves along its water’s edge that, in addition to protecting the city from tidal flux, will help to create beautiful places of refuge for fish and birds and help to increase the biodiversity of the island’s fish habitat. Likewise, plant materials used for streetscapes, plazas and parks will be chosen from both indigenous plant lists, but also from similar geographical locations around the world to expand the slim vegetation choices emanating directly from the island. Similar tropical-arid ecosystems in South America, the Gulf States, California, and the Mediterranean can all be useful additions to Aruba’s plant-life base. All of these designs will be described in further detail
A Waterfront Park for the Future
The proposed projects celebrate the people and culture of Oranjestad, and are meant to benefit future generations.
throughout this book. The purpose of the Citywide Structure Plan is to provide an overview of how these proposals fit together into a unified design vision for the city. URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
53
3
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
CURRENT SITE, KEY ISSUES + CONSTRAINTS WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN STRATEGY CRUISESHIP TERMINAL INITIATIVES L.G. SMITH BOULEVARD DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES WATERFRONT PARK RESEARCH PARK + CULTURAL CENTER
CHAPTER 3
CURRENT SITE, KEY ISSUES + CONSTRAINTS
Aruba’s cruise tourism industry is growing, as are the
The waterfront site consists of approximately 35 hectares
in size by over 100 meters in length. These ships
and extends for a kilometer along the sea northwest
continue to grow and Oranjestad is seeing more annual
of downtown Oranjestad. The site contains the cruise
passengers than ever before. At present, the port can
ship terminal, shipping container facility, and a free
accommodate 2 mega ships and one standard-sized ship.
trade zone industrial area. With the exception of
The desired capacity is 4 mega ships and one standard-
the cruise port facility, the site will be vacated when
sized ship. The site provides the opportunity for a new
the industrial uses relocate south of the Airport. The
docking strategy, which will be limited by the boundary
Aruban Port Authority must also respond to the growing
of the coral reef to the west, the marina to the south,
size of cruise ships and needs to provide space for
and private lands to the north.
ships the port needs to accommodate increasing tourist traffic. In the past 20 years, cruise ships have increased
more and larger cruise ships at this location. At the behest of Government, the site will be transformed
There is also the opportunity to improve the welcome
into a waterfront park to serve the needs of Oranjestad
sequence of tourists visiting the island. At present,
residents. This park will be funded, in part, by new
visitors must walk over 100 meters across an asphalt
residential development and research facilities that
parking lot from the terminal to a gated entrance,
help to transform L.G. Smith Boulevard into a better
only to find an unwelcoming barbed wire fence and
entry sequence into the city. Lastly, the new waterfront
the uncomfortable calls of vendors and tour operators
site must be visually and physically connected to the
yelling for attention. The existing cruise ship port space
downtown and neighborhoods to ensure access for
is underutilized, out of scale, and poorly connected to
pedestrians and vehicles alike.
the rest of Oranjestad. The cruise port should be more visually attractive to entice passengers to leave the cruise ship. A more welcoming, efficient, and pedestrian friendly sequence should greet cruise ship passengers after they exit the ship.
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With the newly available waterfront lands, the Aruban
At present, the waterfront site has limited accessibility
government has identified the opportunity for a public
and an extremely busy L.G. Smith Boulevard is a barrier.
park that can serve Aruban residents. Public spaces in
Blind turns, inadequate crossings, and the lack of shade
the adjacent neighborhoods are limited but informal
make the pedestrian experience uncomfortable and
reuse of unoccupied space gives evidence that they
dangerous approaching the waterfront. L.G. Smith
are desired. The new park must be financially feasible.
Boulevard was designed as a multiway boulevard and
New development can help raise the funds, but the
offers opportunities for more efficient traffic movement
Aruban government has made clear with regards to past
and pedestrian spaces. Stronger connections should be
proposals that there should be no competition with
established to the downtown and neighborhoods from
the downtown. Residential development is preferred
the waterfront with wayfinding, designated paths, and
while commercial development should be limited to a
visual connections. Land uses along L.G. Smith Boulevard
minimum.
are also of serious concern. As much as 40% of buildings are vacant. Land use controls and zoning could be
The site also presents opportunities for environmental
implemented to control future uses that complement
reclamation. The site was built on fill that extends well-
proposed improvements.
beyond the original Aruban coastline. The extent of toxicity and stability of this fill is not known. There is almost no vegetation to protect the site from the winds and sun. Much of the edge is lined by a bulkhead up to 2 meters above sea-level, without access to the water. In addition, the adjacent reef is threatened by habitat
Opening Up The Waterfront
A new waterfront park will transform the coastline from a center of industry to a cherished public amenity
loss and stormwater run-off from the island. This reef is important for providing wave protection for the ships as well as a valuable asset for its fish. A new park presents an opportunity to reclaim coastal habitat and protect the reef.
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
57
CHAPTER 3
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN STRATEGY
The structure plan presents a diagram of the larger
The Aruban government challenged students at the
cruise ship and port capacity. Thus, the structure plan
University of Pennsylvania to re-envision Oranjestad’s
presents two design alternatives, each accommodating
waterfront to better accommodate Aruba’s social,
four megaships (the desired capacity). The first proposal
economic, and environmental needs. The structure plan
requires a fifty-meter bulkhead extension along the
for Oranjestad’s waterfront proposes a redevelopment
existing waterfront, located adjacent to the park site.
of the existing Port Authority Terminal and L.G. Smith
The second proposal displays an extended cruise terminal
Boulevard, along with a new Recreational/Ecological Park
off the existing Port Authority waterfront (located in
and Institutional Center for Aruba’s people.
the middle of the existing channel). This maximizes
moves combined together. One of the main concerns addressed is the Port Authority’s desired increase in
uninterrupted waterfront access for both the park and The structure plan for Oranjestad’s waterfront provides
cultural center. Regardless, both scenarios account for
opportunity at various levels, while accounting for
security setbacks, tram access to the welcome plaza, bus
the primary function and feasibility of the proposed
and taxi loading, and supporting development around the
site. Physical connections between buildings, streets,
terminal.
landscapes, water, and so forth strengthens Aruba’s social and interactions between multiple populations.
The design for L.G. Smith Boulevard corresponds
Additionally, access to public amenities along
to another key challenge presented by the Aruban
Oranjestad’s waterfront affirms Aruba’s identity and
Government. As a primary commercial street in
supports local businesses within the area. Our goals for
Oranjestad, L.G. Smith Boulevard is currently congested
Oranjestad’s waterfront entails: enhancing the welcome
with vehicular traffic and lacks crosswalks, speed limits,
experience for cruise ship visitors, improving on market
streetlights, sidewalks, and further accommodation
potentials through development, and supporting cultural,
for pedestrians. Additionally, the boulevard acts as
institutional and ecological amenities for the public.
a barrier to the waterfront and neighborhoods in its
Likewise, the proposal addresses key challenges by
current state. The redesign for L.G. Smith Boulevard
offering stormwater management strategies and better
L.G. Smith Boulevard provides better access and
vehicular and pedestrian access.
connections between the city and its waterfront. By physically curving the boulevard and providing side-street
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WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
access, the proposed plan affords dynamic views, new
The proposed institutional and cultural center functions
development opportunities, and local-serving business
as an iconic gateway for disembarking cruise tourists.
infill. Adjustments in land use controls combined with
As a synergetic hub for people to experience, learn,
adjacent, residential/ mixed-use development and public
grow and innovate, the proposed design capitalizes
amenities address the high-degree of vacancies (that
on other waterfront investments in residential
are located in the light industrial area northeast of L.G.
development, parks, and the cruise ship terminal. The
Smith). The physical and visual display also accounts for
anchor institution, the Aquarium of the Caribbean,
parking, public transportation, street frontage, improved
and the productive landscape exhibition center, the
pedestrian mobility, and green streets.
Seawater Greenhouse, are both cultural attractions that allow visitors to interact with the existing natural
The waterfront park design integrates a flexible, public
ecology and marine life. These places not only enrich
space that supports the Aruban identity by enhancing
the Aruban identity, but also incorporate technology
the existing culture and natural ecology. Movement
with sustainable strategies in order to support local
is choreographed by a connected ramping system,
economies. Commercial office and mixed-use retail
essentially five ovals structurally integrated to create
buildings connect with development along L.G. Smith
a variety of public places, dynamic views, and modes
Boulevard and provide employment opportunities and
of mobility. Urban development terraces into storm-
financial feasibility. The adjacent community water
water gardens and public plazas, which then joins
garden, tide pools, and mangroves further provide public
with waterfront beachside. Interstitial spaces are
amenities that serve as educational and social places of
programmed to create special moments, germane
interaction.
to the Aruban culture. These places allow for social interactions between diverse populations. At the water’s edge, a multi-mode pathway system extends across the site area, linking with the adjacent cultural center. Mangroves frame the waterfront, supporting Aruba’s natural ecology while physically forming passageways for kayaking and row-boating. Combined, these elements bring water closer to the Arubans and allow them to enjoy its natural beauty.
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
59
Oranjestad Waterfront Structure Plan (Cruise Ship Terminal Alternative 1 Shown)
100m
L.G. Smith Boulevard Development Initiatives
Waterfront Park
Research Park and Cultural Center
Cruise Ship Terminal Initiatives
CHAPTER 3
CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL INITIATIVES
With each comes its own unique challenges and
A NEED FOR INCREASED CRUISE SHIP CAPACITY - With
providing these alternatives, we hope that the Aruba
both the demand for cruises to Aruba on the rise and
Port Authority and the Aruban Government might better
the physical size of cruise ships also growing, the cruise
understand their own priorities and desires for a terminal
ship terminal in Oranjestad is in need of expansion and
redesign project.
constraints, but also opportunities and advantages. By
upgrade. With the container shipping facility moving from its current location adjacent to the cruise terminal,
CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL ALTERNATIVE 1: The first
the timing is ideal for moving forward with a terminal
alternative takes advantage of the bulkhead that already
project. The following recommendation for a new cruise
exists as part of the shipping facility. It requires an
ship terminal for Oranjestad is not limited to one design.
extension of only 50m to the north to accommodate
Here we have conceived of two alternatives that might
the desired four megaships. Passengers disembark
work for the city.
on the long, linear bulkhead and enjoy a pleasant, shaded walk between raised planters and palms on a
Each design alternative focuses on functionality,
walkway that follows the same curvilinear movement
technical feasibility, cost effectiveness, security
of the proposed park to the terminal’s north. Cruise
concerns, pedestrian comfort, as well as connectivity
ships are accommodated by a 30m security setback
within the site and to the downtown, adjacent
along the length of the bulkhead so they can tie down
neighborhoods and newly proposed redevelopment at the
as necessary. This has been left rather flexible in the
harbor. Each design intends to entice cruise passengers
design. The passengers then reach the multi-leveled,
to get off their ships and experience the island. This is
teardrop-shaped terminal that separates the secured
done with attractive architecture, an emphasis on the
and non-secured zones. The terminal is designed with
pedestrian experience, increased connections, including
a seating area and a desert roof garden complete with
a new tram line, to downtown Oranjestad, and increased
drought tolerant and native plantings. Both terminal
opportunity for shopping, dining and recreation on the
amenities are accessible to the public. Because the
waterfront.
water acts as a natural buffer to the north, the need for unsightly fencing is greatly reduced. The need for fencing is further reduced by building residential condominiums that abut the 30m security setback to
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WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
Cruise Ship Terminal Plan - Alternative 1 Detail
the east. These units get ocean and harbor views as well as act as de facto security buffers without the need for unsightly fences. Issues associated with this alternative are fairly minimal and include: extension of the existing bulkhead, the coordination of public use of the terminal facility during off-season when ships are not at dock, and security coordination where the bulkhead meets the waterfront park. This alternative is seen as very achievable with the least cost and disruption to ongoing ship activity, while providing an improved aesthetic experience along the bulkhead.
View of Alternative 1 Docking Area and Bulkhead
25m
Area of Detail URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
63
CHAPTER 3
Cruise Ship Terminal Plan - Alternative 2
50m
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WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL ALTERNATIVE 2: The second alternative proposes the new cruise ship terminal facility sits in the middle of the channel to free up the coastline along the terminal for public use. In this scenario, the 30m security setback is accounted for by the mere fact that the terminal is separated from the land and no noticeable securitization is required along a water edge. The passengers disembark onto the second floor of the terminal and can either enjoy the terminal’s roof park or cross the channel by way of a hinged pontoon bridge (similar to one in use in Willemstad) to the tram plaza and waterfront promenade on the other side. Here the passengers might elect to sit at a cafe before boarding the tram that will take them straight to the welcome plaza where they will receive all the information they need to enjoy the island. The passenger might also elect, instead, to walk along the waterfront promenade to arrive at the proposed waterfront park or the cultural center. Issues associated with this alternative include: possible need for re-dredging and reef protection, the construction of the water-based terminal, ship docking and passage, pontoon bridge operation and ship coordination, and security issues with a water-based system. The alternative is innovative and may provide a great example for other cruise terminals around the
View to the Alternative 2 access bridge and cruise ship terminal from the shore
world.
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
65
CHAPTER 3
L.G. Smith Boulevard
Dominated by cars and industry, L.G. Smith Boulevard blocks the neighborhoods of Oranjestad from the Waterfront
L.G. SMITH BOULEVARD DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
tram will run and return to its current configuration.
The design for L.G. Smith Boulevard and surrounding
neighborhoods. Two side streets split from the boulevard
development responds to existing key issues. L.G. Smith
between Rockefeller Straat and Belgie Straat to serve
Boulevard is dominated by cars and acts as a barrier to
the waterfront park and residents and existing businesses
the waterfront and neighborhoods in its current state.
on either side of L.G. Smith Boulevard. The horizontal
The boulevard is often congested with truck traffic,
curvature of the boulevard allows for a maximum
speeding vehicles, and cars parked everywhere. The
design speed of 65 kilometers per hour for thru traffic.
existing light industrial area is populated with low
However, a slower speed limit of 55 kilometers per hour
density warehouses, car dealerships, and distribution
is recommended. The boulevard itself is designed as
facilities. A high degree of vacancy was also observed.
five lanes with two vehicular thru streets and a central
The redesign for L.G. Smith Boulevard was based on
alternating left-hand turn lane. Two public transit lanes
the concept of connecting the waterfront to the city,
are separated from the central thru way by vegetated
both physically and visually. By curving the boulevard,
medians that carry bus and tram traffic only. The trams
dynamic views are created while varying the experience
will be traveling much slower than thru traffic, around
and establishing new development opportunities.
30 kilometers per hour, and were therefore separated
The major elements of the redesigned of L.G. Smith
for safety and to enhance the street level experience.
Boulevard are outlined below.
The public transit only lanes could utilize pervious
After 0.9 kilometers at the roundabout intersections with Belgie Straat the tram begins to loop east into the
pavers to discourage vehicular use, allow for stormwater A REDESIGNED L.G. SMITH BOULEVARD WITH LOCAL
infiltration, and augment the pedestrian sidewalk area
ACCESS STREETS – This realignment of L.G. Smith
adjacent to it. Because trams and buses will be moving
Boulevard is one of the primary design interventions
slower in the public transit only lanes, these lanes would
suggested in the Waterfront Structure Plan. Its curving
also be ideal for bicycles.
and sinuous alignment will provide for interesting and
66
changing views along the street and to the water as
NEW RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT –
drivers meander its length. The proposed realignment
Twelve new development blocks are created along the
of L.G. Smith Boulevard begins at the Welcome Plaza,
redesigned L.G. Smith Boulevard. The majority of land
south of Paarenbaaistraat, where an extension of the
use is proposed as medium to high density residential
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
3
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
L.G. Smith Boulevard Master Plan Key
traat
Belgie Str aat
Arends
Paardenbaaistraat
Existing Businesses
Local Serving Business Infill
3
1
Residential and Mixed Use Development LG Smith Blvd
C
2 B
Parking Street
A
100m URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
67
CHAPTER 3
to help finance the public waterfront park with limited commercial activity that might compete with downtown Oranjestad businesses. A small percentage of mixed use commercial is proposed however on the ground floor at strategic corners and intersections to entice pedestrian movement from the neighborhoods to the waterfront park. This retail is envisioned as local food and beverage businesses or park-serving retailers such as kayak or bicycle rentals. The proposed residential development ranges from 2 to 4 stories with an occasional taller
Wate P
building at key intersections. The waterfront park facing buildings should be restricted in height where possible to allow for upper story water views from buildings behind them. Building typologies are comprised of stacked townhouses, condominiums, and apartments. Desired architectural character is comprised of plentiful windows and doors to allow for air movement. Private outdoor space should be provided in almost every unit in the form of balconies or a raised patio. The overall scale of the View Along the Redesigned L.G. Smith Boulevard
development and its relationship to the existing context reinforces the curved boulevard from the roundabout looking south. These design opportunities allow a formal gateway to Oranjestad to be created and encourage a more prominent scale of architecture. PLENTIFUL ACCESSIBLE PARKING – Both local residents and visitors to the park will need space for parking. Where blocks are wide enough, alleys are encouraged to provide ground floor rear parking spaces for at least
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Water Pa
erfront Park
rfront ark
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
Section A
Section through proposed development from the waterfront park to existing businesses
Pervious Local Street Park Parking
Resident + Park Parking
Condominium/Stacked Townhouses
Alley
Residential with Ground Floor Commercial at Intersections
Bus + Two Lane Thru Street Trolley with Alternating Turning Lane Lane
Bus + Trolley Lane
Condominiums with Ground Floor Commercial on LG Smith
Local Two Way Local Serving Street with On Commercial Street Parking
10m
Section B
Section C
Section through L.G. Smith Boulevard and the parking street
Pervious Park Parking
Local Street
Pervious Park Bio Parking Swale
Bus + Trolley Lane
Two Lane Thru Street with Alternating Turning Lane
Bus + Trolley Lane
Condominiums/ Stacked Townhouses
10m URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Section through Green Street
Residential Condos
Bioretention Planting Box
Franklin Straat (Two Way)
Bioretention Planting Box
Residential Condos
10m
69
CHAPTER 3
one space for 90 percent of units. Where blocks are less
GREEN STREETS TO THE NORTHERN NEIGHBORHOODS
wide, a ground floor parking garage that is accessed from
– To augment connections between the existing
a local street behind the building is recommended. On
neighborhoods to the north and the waterfront park,
street parking is provided on both local side streets. Park
green streets are proposed on all east-west cross streets
parking is provided off the eastern local street. Because
from the park to Arendstraat behind the light industrial
residents’ parking needs will mostly be met within or
uses to the northeast of the new development. Green
behind the building, the park parking areas will be used
streets will not only provide safe connections for people
less frequently and could be pervious by being paved
and vehicles, but will help to convey and infiltrate
with gravel, reinforced lawn, or pavers. Where this
cleaner stormwater from inland to the sea. The green
parking abuts residential properties, vegetated buffers
street idea provides different street design alternatives
and raised patio areas can be used to separate private
that include: bioswales, pervious paving, rain gardens,
spaces from the public sidewalk.
tree well infiltration, and increased vegetative planting. They have been used in a number of progressive planning
LOCAL SERVING INFILL IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA –
cities such as Seattle, Portland and Vancouver where rain
With the high degree of vacancy observed in the light
events have a propensity to cause short-term flooding.
industrial area northeast of L.G. Smith Boulevard and the anticipated increase in property values once the waterfront improvements are complete, land use controls that require a higher density along L.G. Smith Boulevard are recommended for the light industrial area. This will ensure that infill in this area supports and enhances the adjacent waterfront investments and develops in a pedestrian-friendly manner. The design depicts what an increase in density might look like if such land use controls are implemented. Off-street parking is removed from the front of businesses and provided in lots in the interior of the block behind the street frontage.
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WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
View From Roundabout Looking South
The curvature of the redesigned boulevard creates interspersed viewsheds along the rightof-way, and additionally serves to calm traffic
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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CHAPTER 3
WATERFRONT PARK
recreation spaces. At the south end of the park, cultural
PARK DESIGN- With newly available waterfront land,
provide an integrated design experience. At the coastal
the government of Aruba has expressed interest in a
edge, a series of beaches, islands and mangroves
new park for the Aruban people. A new park is a great
provides a restored natural edge to the park as it meets
opportunity to reconnect the city of Oranjestad to
the sea. Within this zone, pathways allow visitors to
its long forgotten waterfront. A park can serve many
access this natural area for hikes and lingering on the
functions; most importantly, the design presented here
beaches with family or friends. A waterway system
intends to provide three things: recreational spaces that
between the coast and the islands is a prime area for
celebrate Aruban culture, ecological habitat for Aruba’s
kayaking and boating.
facilities adopt the design lead of the oval shapes to
unique flora and fauna, and beautiful, dramatic spaces to welcome tourists to the island.
PARK PROGRAM - First and foremost, the success of the park depends on the ease of wayfinding and travel.
The new waterfront park is designed both as a layered
The availability of multimodal transit and walkability
system or right-of-ways, development, and transition
to the site will be the ultimate tests. This design
spaces from L.G. Smith Boulevard to buffer the park, and
offers an integrated parking strategy; extension of
nodal development along the length of the park – similar
the downtown tram, bus, and taxi access; and new
to a string of pearls. The park is integrated closely
pedestrian improvements to ensure the park will be a
with the L.G. Smith Boulevard development proposal
convenient destination. Green streets to the northeast
described previously. The sinuous curves of the newly
serve as connectors for people coming from the
aligned boulevard work to help provide a variegated
neighborhoods, offering views to the park and pleasantly
edge condition to the park. Behind the new residential
shaded sidewalks. Along the southern edge of the park,
development can be found: a planted sidewalk area,
pathways connect to the cultural center and cruise ship
parking zone for park visitors, and another well-planted
terminal.
pedestrian edge up against the park edge. Within the park itself, pavement and planting areas separate oval shaped recreation and water park spaces. At times these ovals serve as active recreation and festival fields, at other times they become water parks and passive
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
Park Programs + Services Plan
1.2 1.4 2.3 4.7
Services/ Bicycle Rentals
Sports Fields
Water Gardens Entry Plazas
Market + Festival Space
km Waterfront Promenade km Cycling Trail km Kayaking km Walking Paths
Water Playscape
Service Kiosks
Skate Park Stormwater Gardens
B
Elevated Walkway
C
D
A
Kayak Launch
Cycling Trail Beach Services
Ecology Trail Outdoor Theatre
Fish Feeding
Beach
Waterfront Promenade
Active Recreation Passive Recreation Connectors
100m
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Hydrological Rehabilitation Design
At the park entrances, visitors will be greeted by linear plazas which will direct them to the various programs Tidal Flushing
Bulkhead
Tidal Flushing
Land Mass
within the park as well as provide a straight pathway to the sea. The plazas are also a place for rest and refreshment. They provide seating, food, kiosks, restrooms, and other park services. Alongside the street, the bordering edges of the plazas terrace into gardens
Water Depth/Substrate Height
that treat stormwater runoff from the streets when it rains. These gardens also provide welcoming spaces through all seasons. High Tide Low Tide Substrate
The park is a flexible public space that supports Aruban identity by allowing for social interaction among diverse populations. Programming includes, but is not limited to: soccer, tennis, festivals, concerts, and skateboarding.
High Marsh
Berm
Low Marsh
The park also includes water gardens, children’s playgrounds, beaches, nature trails, and an outdoor movie theatre. Bicycles can be rented at the sports center to the north and kayaks can be rented along the
Planting/Slope Stabilization
docks to the south. The park is a place for activity as much as a place for respite and retreat. Circulating around the park activities is a continuous walkway. As it ramps above the plazas, the walkway reveals 360 degrees of views across the park and the ocean.
Revetment/Embankment
Encasement Artificial Bottom at Water Level
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Coir Log
Coconut Fiber Biodegradable Netting
“Comp Pillow”
Coconut Fiber Wire Mesh Container Polypropylene
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
Sections (Refer to Park Programs + Services Plan for Location) A
Mangrove Restoration
Ecology Trail
Sea Grass Beds
B
Skate Park
Walkway
Food + Beverage
Plaza
Bike Path
Elevated Walkway
Amphitheatre
C
Stormwater Gardens
Plaza
Bike Path
Stormwater Gardens
10m
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At the water’s edge, the plazas transition into bicycling
islands by boardwalk and see the unique breathing
paths and a promenade, which run parallel to each other,
roots along a viewing platform that is below sea-level.
at times separated by a vegetated median and park
Mangroves are also a fantastic opportunity for bird-
benches. These paths run along a public beach that runs
watching.
the length of the park. Docks provide opportunities for people to sit and feed fish, launch a kayak, or just relax
Mangroves, which saved lives in the 2004 tsunami
and sunbathe.
disaster in Southeast Asia, have been valued at US $3.5 million per square kilometer in Thailand. These trees
PARK ENVIRONMENT - A unique experience for visitors is
calm coastal waters, acting as a natural storm barrier. In
the opportunity to interact with mangroves, the world’s
Aruba, mangroves can protect the park from sea winds
most threatened ecosystem. Mangrove forests are
and cruise ship wakes. This ecosystem can provide a
disappearing more quickly than the Amazon rainforest
range of habitats for several native species including
and, according to the journal Science, are likely to be
birds, crustaceans, and juvenile fish. Mangroves can play
destroyed entirely by the end of the century. Mangrove
a key role in rehabilitating the adjacent reef. Studies
forests create dramatic experiences of prospect and
have shown that fish are as much as twice as abundant on
refuge and make popular tourist attractions. Kayakers
reefs near mangrove forests. Some species, such as the
can paddle up close to their roots and even venture along
rainbow parrotfish, cannot survive without mangroves. It
trails between them. Hikers can access the mangrove
is important that seagrass beds are also rehabilitated, as the three systems rely on each other mutually.
Urban to Waterfront Transect (Refer to Park Programs + Services Plan for Location) D
Parking
10m
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Plaza
Waterfront Promenade
Beach
Kayaking
Mangroves
Cruiseship Disembarkment
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Waterfront Park Renderings
The following renderings of the Waterfront Park show the environmental, connective and cultural highlights of the park
Park Plaza
Mangroves URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Walkway System
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Mangrove rehabilitation is very technical but fortunately it is a subject that has been well studied in recent years. First, hydrology of nearby swamp should serve as a model. Channels should not be straight but should meander like natural streams and enable tidal flushing. Next, the substrate levels are extremely important. Though the tidal fluctuation in Aruba is minimal, high tide should be above the substrate level whereas the low tide should be below. The floor of the substrate must not be flat but should have variation as one might find in a natural environment. Finally, planting mangroves must be done with great care. For areas with high erosive potential, revetment/embankment techniques, coir log plantings, and the “comp pillow� technique (developed by the Forest Institute of Malaysia) may secure the plantings. Successful rehabilitation projects have been completed across the world including the United States, Ecuador, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and many other places.
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Amphitheatre, Plaza, Water Garden + Fishing Docks
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CHAPTER 3 100m
Education Center
Research Park + Cultural Center
Experience Seawater Greenhouse
Productive Landscape
Learn
Seawater Greenhouse
Natural Science Museum
Innovate
Aquarium
Grow
A
80
B
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
WATERFRONT STRUCTURE PLAN
RESEARCH PARK + CULTURAL CENTER
Seawater Greenhouse
Redeveloping Oranjestad’s port provides the opportunity to reconnect residents to the water, construct important public amenities, unleash the untapped market potential of the land, and improve the welcome experience for cruise ship visitors. Following the example of other cities like Baltimore, Sydney, and Chicago that have made public institutions an important part of their successful waterfronts, Oranjestad would benefit from including anchor institutions within the port redevelopment. The best implementation of this strategy would be to encourage institutional uses that have both entertainment and research components. The National Archives can serve as an example of such an institution. The archives play an important governmental role, preserving and storing important documents, as well as a social role, creating exhibitions that inform Arubans about their history. THE AQUARIUM OF THE CARIBBEAN – A NEW CULTURAL CENTER - The proposed institutional spaces are a hub of learning and innovation that capitalize on the other investments in residential development, park, and cruise ship terminal. On the southern side of L.G. Smith Boulevard, the major attraction is the Aquarium of the Caribbean, which stands apart from other such cultural attractions by allowing visitors to have an interactive
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Fresh Water Collection
Condenser Deep Seawater Intake
Second Humidifier
Crops
Humidifier
Permeable Front
Surface Seawater Intake
Step 1 - Wind
Step 4 - Second Humidification
Wind brings warm air through front of seawater greenhouse.
Air passes through section seawater evaporator and is further humidified to saturation points.
Step 2 - Water Evaporation
Step 5 - Condensation
Surface seawater trickles down the front wall evaporator. Wind passes through evaporator. Dust, salt and pollen are trapped and filtered out. Air exits humidified and cool.
Fully saturated air passes through condenser, filled with cold deep sea water. Pure desalinated water condensates and is collect for use.
Step 3 - Cooling Air passes over plants and keeps the Seawater Greenhouse cool, where crops can grow in cool, highlight conditions.
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experience with marine life. Instead of a simple “come
producing fresh water in the process. The system mimics
and see� encounter, the proposed aquarium will be a
the hydrological cycle where the sun heats seawater
place to touch, swim with, and experience the magic of
which later cools and returns to the earth as freshwater
marine life. The adjacent community water garden, tide
rain.
pools, and mangroves further emphasize this point by providing outdoor spaces for interacting with the natural
Through this technology, Aruba will be able to produce
environment and learning about local marine ecosystems.
water more sustainably and cheaply than conventional reverse-osmosis desalination plants. As such, the entire
Such a dynamic space also provides the opportunity
site is envisioned as both a production and research
for the aquarium to be more than just a cultural
facility. Thus the proposal recommends an educational
attraction. It should also have a research component,
space, a warehouse, and a storage facility to support
possibly related to mangrove establishment and costal
production located on the north side of the street.
restoration. In this way, the aquarium will be more financial viable, incubate investment in the country
An elaborate version of this Seawater Greenhouse
and create research jobs. The important idea for
system, placed in front of the aquarium, can provide a
the waterfront is not necessarily the presence of an
public exhibition space. The large glass building will be
aquarium, per se, but any viable cultural institution that
a major attraction for both Arubans and tourists alike.
can hold the interest of both tourists and residents alike
Moreover, it provides a venue to educate people about
over the long-term. With sufficient programming and a
the important role that water plays in the ecosystem and
pan-Caribbean focus, we think a regional aquarium can
economy of Aruba.
avoid some of the issues of past aquarium attempts in Aruba. NEW SEAWATER DESALINATION GREENHOUSE RESEARCH - On the north side of L.G. Smith Boulevard is a productive landscape that is driven by an emerging technology, Seawater Greenhouses. A Seawater Greenhouse creates an ideal growing condition for all types of crops, from vegetables and fruits to flowers,
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Section A
Section B
100m
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BOULEVARD ORIENTED OFFICE SPACE - Directly adjacent to L.G. Smith Boulevard are buildings that provide important office and ground floor retail space. These buildings allow for the continuation of the street wall along L.G. Smith Boulevard. Moreover, they capitalize on the valuable land along L.G. Smith Boulevard and the park, providing much needed office space that is currently unavailable in the downtown. In conjunction, these projects create a synergetic hub where people come to experience, learn, grow and innovate. Through strategic public investments, Arubans will be more connected to the water and have access to a better means of producing the fresh water. The city and country will have a new iconic gateway that will encourage tourists to disembark from the cruise ships. Finally, Arubans will have new cultural spaces that help to develop and strengthen the national identity.
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Perspective View of the Proposed Aquarium
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4
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN
KEY DOWNTOWN ISSUES + CONSTRAINTS DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN STRATEGY CIRCULATION + PARKING STRATEGY STREETSCAPE STRATEGY + INITIATIVES TRAM + PLAZA INITIATIVES DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT INITIATIVES LAGOON INITIATIVES
CHAPTER 4
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN KEY ISSUES + CONSTRAINTS
remaking the downtown. However, an additional strategy
The downtown area of Oranjestad presents itself with
20 different paving materials and patterns are evident in
incredible opportunities for revitalization but there are
the downtown area. This is not the way to build a visually
issues and constraints that must be addressed. Through
resonant public realm.
is also required for the other downtown streets. Over
site analysis, our team came up with five key issues and constraints that helped shape our design interventions:
Due to the high volume of cars in the city, parking is
a poor pedestrian environment; vehicular congestion;
a major problem in the downtown area. Since most
an unclear parking strategy; difficulty in wayfinding; and
Arubans commute or run errands by car, it is necessary to
neglected or under-utilized amenities.
provide adequate and easy-to-find parking while at the same time making sure the downtown becomes a vibrant,
View down a reimagined downtown street
A lack of shade, poor pavement maintenance, and little
walkable place that does not feel like one big parking
seating in the downtown area, combined with the hot
lot. Starting from the idea of making parking easy to
and humid climate of Aruba, make for a sometimes
locate, it is important for the city’s many attractions to
uncomfortable pedestrian environment.
be easy to locate as well. Navigation and wayfinding are
Many locals
relayed this message in describing Oranjestad as having
keys issues facing the downtown. Superblocks and one
an “indoor air-conditioning culture” rather than one
way streets throughout the downtown make it difficult
of livelier street activity. Combined with these issues,
to get through the city on car and foot alike, especially
Oranjestad is heavily dominated by the automobile.
for those unfamiliar with the city. Additional signage
Traffic and congestion is high in the downtown area,
that directs visitors to key attractions and amenities is
increasing noise and pollution levels while making
needed to bridge this gap.
sidewalks feel less safe and streets harder to cross.
88
While Oranjestad has a special car “cruising” culture
Due in part to the previously mentioned issues and
that we wish to preserve, additional actions must be
constraints, our final issue and constraint for the city
taken to make the city feel hospitable to all forms of
of Oranjestad is neglected and underutilized amenities.
transportation, whether it be walking, biking, transit,
Aside from the multiple cultural attractions like
or automobile. The public realm of the downtown is
museums, parliament buildings, and historical sites,
disjointed and incoherent. The proposed streetscape
other amenities such as the marina waterfront are also
program and tram along Main Street will go a long way in
vital to the growth and development of Oranjestad.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN
Currently, the marina and city waterfront area are
Each of these proposals builds upon the tram and
underutilized but provide a tremendous opportunity for
plaza project slated to help bring cruise ship visitors
development. These cultural and physical attractions
to Oranjestad’s ‘Main Street’, Caya G.F. Bettico Croes.
should be both highlighted and better connected. They
If implemented individually, any one would serve to
are near each other but fairly disjointed at present
improve conditions for a large area of downtown. When
and tackling this through design can only add to the
viewed as a set, however, they form the powerful vision
attendance and use of these amenities. Cities worldwide
of a new way to experience Oranjestad for residents and
are remaking their waterfronts to attract visitors, induce
visitors alike.
economic development and provide a memorable identity for visitors.
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN STRATEGY
To understand how these projects interact with one another, consider the experience of a visitor to Oranjestad from any one of the hundreds of cruise ships that visit Aruba every year. Upon disembarking their ship, passengers will be presented with an attractive
Fundamentally, the structure plan for Downtown
public space featuring visitor information, small-
Oranjestad is about enhancing circulation and increasing
scale retail, light food, restrooms and a free tram to
amenity. To this end, four major proposals are offered
the downtown commercial district. En route to the
for the downtown area. Three of these, a re-imagining
commercial district, the tram will pass through an
of the area surrounding the lagoon as a sculpture garden,
urban botanical garden framing the Museo Arqueologico
the redesign of the relationship between downtown and
Nacional.
the marina, and new plaza spaces to welcome visitors and celebrate the island’s native flora, are site-specific.
Passing down Oranjestad’s Main Street, visitors will have
The fourth proposal is a set of streetscape typologies
a number of stops at which they can get off the tram and
and modified circulation patterns that improve vehicular
stroll or stop for a cool beverage at an umbrella-shaded
access, pedestrian comfort, and safety for all users
table. Upon reaching the end of the tram line, visitors
of the public realm. Though this proposal focuses on
will be able to choose from any number of experiences.
Wilhelminastraat and adjacent streets, the typologies
If they are looking to relax, they will have the option of
can be extended to the entire downtown street network.
walking along the calm waters of the lagoon, viewing sculpture by Aruban and international artists. If they are
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CHAPTER 4
looking for more excitement, they will have the option of
Downtown Structure Plan
walking down to a revitalized dining and entertainment
New Streetscaping
district along Wilhelminastraat. As they return to the
Plazas
port, the new parliament plaza and redesigned marina
Tram Line
waterfront along L.G. Smith Boulevard provides them one
New Structured Parking
last unforgettable brush with Aruban culture. This adaptable circuit of diverse sightseeing and retail
New + Enhanced Buildings
50m
experiences is well-suited to the cruise ship tourist who frequently has only 6-8 hours to visit the island before reboarding their ship to head to the next port of call. However, the strategies of this structure plan offer numerous benefits for the Aruban people as well. Adjusted traffic circulation patterns will make it easier to get to, and get around, the downtown area. The creation of a new, comprehensive parking strategy will ease the pressures of finding a parking spot while respecting some of the established parking practices of Oranjestad. Each of the proposals addresses some of the infrastructure issues that face downtown Oranjestad, with a specific focus on improved stormwater drainage. This is an issue of special note, because flooding is an issue of public safety (as streets are made nearly impassible), but also an issue of private property risk as well. Finally, each proposal is targeted with an eye toward improving economic conditions for the Aruban people. By diversifying the scale of retail opportunities and increasing pedestrian access, it is thought that new, smaller, locally-owned enterprises might flourish.
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CIRCULATION + PARKING STRATEGIES
In addition to efficient traffic circulation, downtown
To be an accessible city, downtown Oranjestad will
lots currently exist in the downtown area, many drivers
need to provide for both automobile and pedestrian
also use empty and vacant property as informal parking
access. Ensuring a well populated downtown means
lots. This circulation map proposes a number of new
providing access for multiple modes of transportation,
parking lots, including current vacant lots, which should
including automobiles and pedestrians. The Traffic
be incorporated into a formal and integrated parking
Circulation Map illustrates the current and proposed
system. Several of these proposed parking lots would be
traffic circulation strategies for ensuring an efficient flow
located behind new development with street driveway
in and around downtown. In its current state, there is
access.
Oranjestad will also need an adequate parking system to accommodate cars. While several existing parking
limited northbound access for automobiles. Cars must take either Wilhelminastraat or L.G. Smith Boulevard to
No less important is a successful pedestrian circulation
circumnavigate the downtown. The design proposal for
strategy that will attract foot-traffic throughout
Wilhelminastraat may further limit northbound traffic
downtown. The Pedestrian Circulation Map indicates the
flow. As such, we propose turning John G. Eman Straat
main pedestrian routes that should be priority streets for
into a bi-directional road to alleviate the northbound
downtown streetscape improvement strategies. These
congestion on L.G. Smith Boulevard.
demonstrate a pedestrian loop that will bring people in and around downtown, pulling people past Oranjestad’s main streets and attractions, including Main Street, the Lagoon, Wilhelminastraat, Parliament, Fort Zoutman, and the waterfront.
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Circulation + Parking Diagram Proposed New Circulation Routes Major North/East Circulation Routes Minor North/East Circulation Routes Major South/West Circulation Routes Minor South/West Circulation Routes Proposed Parking Existing Parking
25m
Pedestrian Circulation Diagram Major Pedestrian Circulation Routes
25m
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DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE STRATEGY + INITIATIVES
Street Typologies Downtown Plan Wilhelminastraat Restaurant Row
Streets are the lifelines of Downtown Oranjestad, and
Feeder Street
provide critical functions in a thriving and livable city.
Service Street
The Downtown Oranjestad Streetscape Plan will support the Visions and Design Principles outlined earlier in this
25m
document. The primary function of the Streetscape Plan is to make downtown Oranjestad a more pleasant place for pedestrians while still accommodating cars and other modes of transit. The Downtown Streetscape Plan includes four streetscape typologies, each serving a different function. These street design typologies can be applied to different streets throughout downtown Oranjestad depending on the use, location, and size of the street
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Wilhelminastraat
Restaurant Row
Wilhelminastraat
4m
2.13m
3m
3.35m
Public Realm
Flex Space
Traffic Ln
Public Realm
Kruis Weg
Restaurant Row Kruis Weg
Wilhelminastraat
5m
96
1.75m
2.13m
3m
2.5m
Ped Zn
Flex Sp
Shared Ln
Ped Zn
5m
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN
WILHELMINASTRAAT - Wilhelminastraat serves as one of the main travel arteries through downtown Oranjestad. Unlike Main Street, which is primarily a shopping street, Wilhelminastraat serves a different function for locals and tourists: it has more service-oriented businesses, restaurants, and historic sites. As Oranjestad becomes a more well-connected city and memorable destination, the Wilhelminastraat streetscape guidelines will help to bolster the street’s unique assets. Most notably, the streetscape improvements seek to widen the sidewalks to provide more room for walking, sidewalk furniture, and café seating. Parking spaces will be located at sidewalk grade in-between street trees, which will provide much needed shade from Aruba’s hot climate. A center drain will help to alleviate stormwater run-off. This will require coordination of a citywide stormwater strategy to connect all the disparate parts of the Downtown. RESTAURANT ROW - Downtown Oranjestad is ripe for a lively restaurant scene. Already populated with a handful of great restaurants, a street dedicated to outdoor dining is a terrific opportunity to create a memorable and unique destination for both locals and tourists. Restaurant Row will be a woonerf (a single-grade, shared street for cars and people), and will accommodate outdoor dining and entertaining while still providing room
Restaurant Row
View of enhanced streetscape, pedestrian, retail, and circulation conditions
for through-traffic and occasional parking. Trees wells, benches, and umbrellas will demarcate parking spaces. This shared space will force drivers to drive slowly and cautiously. URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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Feeder Street
Feeder Street
Colombus Straat
Service Street
Colombus Straat
2.9m
3m
2.13m
2.9m
Public Realm
Traffic Ln
Parking Ln
Public Realm
Oude School Straat
Service Street
Oude School Straat
1m
2.13m
Ped Zn Flex Sp
3.2m
1m
Shared Ln
Ped Zn
5m
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FEEDER STREETS - Feeder Streets are primary thoroughfares in the circulation hierarchy of downtown Oranjestad. Similar to the other street typologies, Feeder Streets will have wider sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians. Car parking will be available in between curb bulb-outs. These bulb-outs provide two functions: 1. as traffic calming devices; and 2. to increase sidewalk space for furniture or other outdoor activities. Sidewalks will be on a higher grade than the car traffic lane. The street will be lined with trees and light fixtures, which will provide shade and light. SERVICE STREETS - The Service Street typology was initially designed for Klip Straat, but can be applied to many of the side streets throughout Downtown Oranjestad. Similar to Restaurant Row, Service Streets will be single-surface, shared streets. Paving materials and trees will demarcate protected pedestrian-only space. Car parking will be located on one side of the street, which will alternate every block. The trees will line one side of the street and will also alternate every block, which will help to slow car traffic. Wilhelminastraat
View of integrated pedestrian and vehicular space, enhanced retail conditions, and flexible parking/public realm areas
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TRAM + PLAZA INITIATIVES
ship passengers directly from the terminal facility,
The current entry sequence from the cruise ship terminal
Street at Plaza Commercio. From there, the battery-
into the city is less than ideal. Cruise ship passengers
operated bi-directional tram will loop around the Plaza
pass through a “Checkpoint Charley” type of barbed
Commercio block and return to the cruise ship facility.
wire security gate before arriving at an unappealing taxi
The Downtown Structure Plan delineates the route the
roundabout filled with broken down vendor’s shacks,
tram will travel through the downtown. A first phase of
where they can buy inexpensive tourist trinkets. The
streetscape and plaza design includes only the area from
first view of the city is the wall to a government public
Plaza Daniel Leo up Main Street to Plaza Commercio.
works yard. Signage and wayfinding to direct visitors to
The streetscape design utilizes a strategy of closely
the downtown is non-existent. This is not an experience
planted street trees in large at grade planting beds
that Aruba deserves and it endangers the economic
to provide a continuous canopy for purposes of shade
livelihood of downtown shopkeepers and the city as a
delivery to pedestrians. The street will be continuously
whole.
paved from building line to building line with permeable
across L.G. Smith Boulevard, to the end of Main
pavers and a storm drain system that incorporates the COMPLETING THE DOWNTOWN TRAM SYSTEM - Over
tree wells and planting beds to infiltrate water. The
the past year, decisions were made by Government to
design of four plazas is also incorporated into the
build a downtown tram system that will carry cruise
streetscape design, including two mid-block plazas
Welcome Plaza Section
5m
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at the Aruba Trading Company and near the Bon Bini Department Store. The plazas will be treated as special design moments along the tram line to punctuate a rather simple streetscape strategy. Festival lighting will be strung from street lights to enable different seasonal lighting patterns. As currently phased, the tramscape stops at the western edge of Plaza Daniel Leo. This proposal will complete the tram and streetscape from Plaza Daniel Leo to the cruise ship terminal. As currently designed the tram will loop to the south of Plaza Daniel Leo to the Welcome Plaza on a dedicated one way rail before coming together on a single rail when crossing Daniel Leo to the cruise ship terminal. On its way to Main Street, it will have a dedicated one-way rail down Schleppestraat from the Welcome Plaza until it becomes a bi-directional rail on Main Street near Plaza Daniel Leo. STREETSCAPE DESIGN - This western portion of the tramscape includes two new plazas and the streets between them that connect to the Phase 1 tram: a Welcome Plaza at the intersection of L.G. Smith
Bollards and granite edged planters will separate through
Boulevard and the cruise terminal street, and a plaza at
traffic from pedestrian areas. Behind the Welcome
the national archaeological museum. These two plazas
Plaza, the street pattern will be reconnected to provide
will each have a separate design that reinforces different
throughput from downtown to the new Desalination
use objectives. The streetscape between the plazas will
Greenhouse Research Facility. Across the street from the
continue the strategy of heavily planted street trees to
plaza, a significant new multi-story parking garage will
provide a shade canopy. The streetbed will again run
be constructed as the lynchpin in the larger downtown
continuously across the street from building edge to
parking strategy. With the tram running adjacent to this
building edge without raising the sidewalks to curb level.
parking, employees of downtown shops can park and ride
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Rendering of landscaped passage to Museum Plaza
the tram to jobs, without parking in spaces valued by
station and help to define it as a space. The bus station
shoppers directly off Main Street. A series of new retail
parking area will be newly buffered by an alee of trees to
buildings will be located around this parking structure,
the west and north. The return route for the tram runs
as well as embedded into the ground floor of the parking
directly to the north of the bus parking area, which runs
structure facing the street. The tram to Schleppestraat
directly across the north end of the Welcome Plaza to a
will run in a reconfigured straight line in the pedestrian
‘car barn’ where the tram cars can be parked at night
area between an alee of trees behind the bus station and
and be repaired when necessary. In all likelihood this
two new buildings, until it meets the downtown street
will need to be a new building designed specifically for
grid. From the intersection with Westraat, the tram
this purpose. The Welcome Plaza itself will be designed
follows Schleppestraat directly until it connects with the
with a canopy of trees and planters around the edges
Phase 1 tram at Plaza Daniel Leo.
in a diamond fashion to shape a space at the center, and provide a pavement pattern emanating from the
A NEW WELCOME PLAZA – The Welcome Plaza on
Welcome Center. This place will be a multi-use plaza that
L.G. Smith Boulevard will focus on the tram station
can accommodate the tram, comfortable seating, special
at the center of the plaza, providing a heavily shaded
market events, and a memorable entry sequence into the
tree canopy for tram riders waiting for the train to
city.
arrive. The plaza will be bounded at its edges by new
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buildings that frame the plaza. At the west will be a
REDESIGN OF MUSEUM PLAZA – The final piece of
signature Welcome Center with a glass façade. This
this entry sequence is Museum Plaza at the National
will serve as the information and tourist visitor center
Archaeological Museum. Currently the plaza is a stone
for the downtown. It will provide wayfinding and tour
paved semi-circle, scorched with sun, with under-sized
information as well as bathrooms for downtown visitors.
and struggling plant life. The driving programmatic
Across the plaza will be a market hall that re-houses
idea is for this plaza to become the national botanical
the vendors who will be relocated from the existing
garden. It will feature the indigenous plant life of the
market area at the other side of L.G. Smith Boulevard.
island, including trees, thorn brush, cactus, grasses,
This market hall will be designed to evoke the profile
and flowering groundcovers. Two requirements were
of Aruba’s historic kunuku houses. It will provide
necessary in the design of this plaza: 1. maintaining a
permanent vendor space that opens to the outside. This
clear view to the museum across the plaza to adequately
building will also help provide a new edge to the bus
see the historic buildings; and 2. maintaining the small
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN
surface parking lot to the east of the plaza with vehicular access across the plaza. This accessway is located parallel and abutting the buildings, and paved flush with plaza materials. The new plaza is designed with a semicircular water feature at the center. Both pavement and walkway lines radiate out from the center of this pool to structure the planting areas, perimeter trees, pathways, and furniture. The plaza has a semi-circular alee of palms around its perimeter, between which are urban chaise lounges for relaxing in the shade or sun. At the edges of the plaza and in the interstitial planters around the plaza, the botanical garden is planted in an organic manner, punctuated by local stone boulders, and labeled with the names of the plant life. Two primary pathways access the garden: 1. radiating from the center to
Museum Plaza
10m
Museum Plaza Section
5m
the parking lot at the grocery store across the street and connecting to Havenstraat; and 2. radiating from the center and pointed toward Schleppestraat in the direction of Plaza Daniel Leo. These two radiating paths provide a formal access structure to the plaza. The botanical garden provides a nice synergy with the nature of the archaeology museum – providing educational spaces both inside and outside the buildings.
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DOWNTOWN MARINA INITIATIVES
tight spacing is necessary to make palm trees into a
The Oranjestad downtown marina site extends along L.G.
decorative. Intersections within the downtown area
Smith Boulevard from the lagoon to the new Welcome
should be signalized with variable timing to allow control
Plaza. Site analysis indicated that L.G. Smith Boulevard
during different traffic loads. Adding a planted median
was becoming a barrier to waterfront access. Trying to
to the street (where possible) will narrow the road for
understand how the two sides of the street could be
drivers thus slowing traffic. In addition, new crosswalks
unified helped to guide the structuring of the waterfront
should be added at intersections and mid-block locations
experience and shape ways of thinking about how this
to encourage pedestrian safety and comfort. These
space could be better used. The final design of the
moves will not only make the pedestrian environment
downtown marina site highlights four key contributions
more comfortable by providing much needed shade and
that could make this area into a vibrant place and most
lighting, but they will also form an imageable means of
importantly, into an Aruban destination. These four
shaping the street. L.G. Smith Boulevard is the most
design interventions are: 1. streetscape enhancements
heavily trafficked road in Aruba. Giving it the look of
along L.G. Smith Boulevard; 2. a continuous and
a more formal boulevard will be eye-catching and alert
uninterrupted boardwalk around the marina; 3. new
people to the importance of the street.
continuous shade canopy – otherwise they are merely
commercial venues between the street and marina; and, 4. a large radial plaza spanning from the Parliament
EXTENDING A CONTINOUS BOARDWALK AROUND THE
building to the water’s edge.
MARINA - One of the great amenities of the current marina is the boardwalk that runs along part of it, but
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DESIGNING A DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE FOR L.G.
is incomplete around certain parts. The boardwalk can
SMITH BOULEVARD - The L.G. Smith Boulevard
become a greater destination because it helps to connect
streetscape plan calls for one consistent sidewalk
people to the water on a much more comfortable scale
spanning the length of this site on both sides of the
than a concrete bulkhead can generate. This plan calls
street.
for these boardwalk successes in Oranjestad’s marina to
The sidewalk will be widened (especially on
the northern side) to include 4m of pedestrian right-
be expanded and continued around the entire marina.
of-way and 2m for trees and pedestrian-level light
This will create more public space along the waterfront
standards. Together with this sidewalk, date palm trees
and become an important way for tourists and locals to
will be planted every 5.5m along the length of the street
move around the harbor. The current bridge over the
with up-lights that highlight the under-canopy. This
Renaissance Hotel’s boat inlet is narrow and pinches UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
DOWNTOWN STRUCTURE PLAN
pedestrian flow; it should be replaced with a wider, more generous crossing. And if any visitor decides to take a break from walking, stone planter benches should be provided along the boardwalk to allow lingering and respite under shade trees. The use of memorable shade trees such as bright orange flamboyants or pink barba di joncumans would provide great imageability for the
B
A
boardwalk. NEW SHOPPING AND RESTAURANT VENUES ON THE WATERFRONT – Currently, on the southwest side of L.G.
A`
B`
Smith Boulevard, there are many small retail shops that sell primarily imported tourist souvenirs. While these shops are an important part of the marina experience for tourists, this plan envisions this prime waterfront space as one that can be shared by tourists and Arubans alike. By remaking the unsightly and pedestrian unfriendly parking lot in front of these buildings, space is freed to do something much more exciting with this space. This plan calls for new double-sided buildings to be constructed, where retail shops can face L.G. Smith Boulevard while cafes, bars and restaurants can face the marina. On the northwest part of the site next to the currently abandoned condo building, a large market hall can be constructed serving Arubans looking for fresh meats and produce as well as tourists looking to
Downtown Oranjestad / L.G. Smith Boulevard and Marina Plan
50m
experience local flavors. The market hall is fronted by a significant cafĂŠ and dining space along the boardwalk. Also within this area will be public bathrooms maintained by a new business improvement district created by this URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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development. There is certainly a lack of comfortable
in Oranjestad. While traffic will be able to pass along
outdoor food and beverage culture in Oranjestad and
L.G. Smith Boulevard, paving and planting schemes will
many people (especially tourists) travel north to the
extend outward from the Parliament building’s entrance
hotel areas for food and drinks. The buildings will
until reaching the boardwalk, creating a unified public
feature a plant-covered pergola along their length on
space able to accommodate anything from large political
both sides to shade shoppers and restaurant patrons.
gatherings to intimate conversations under the shade of
On the water side, built in planters form protected café
trees. Bollards will protect pedestrians walking along the
areas with stone double-sided seating that addresses
street, and channel people to an easy mid-block crossing.
both café and water. The second floor of these buildings
The semi-circular shape of this space will resonate
can become additional club and restaurant spaces
with other public plazas throughout the downtown,
with great views of the marina and water. Rather than
including the new Museum Plaza. Those on foot or car
object buildings that call attention to themselves, these
will notice the alee of palms running along L.G. Smith
buildings should become part of the waterfront fabric,
Boulevard open up to a wide paved and planted space.
providing backdrops for waterfront activity. This prime
The semi-circular plaza will extend from the front door
waterfront location in the heart of Oranjestad could
of Parliament in a radiating pattern, cross the street in
become the most popular restaurant and bar destination
an unbroken manner, and be bordered by a continuous
in Aruba and signal a major economic shift back to the
half-circle of shade trees. A central feature of the plaza
city.
is a raised perimeter planting bed landscaped with boulders and native species that abuts the boardwalk.
A PLAZA WORTHY OF PARLIAMENT - Not only is the
A pedestrian path winds through the 1m high planter,
National Government of Aruba housed in Oranjestad, it is
allowing visitors to experience some of the native Aruban
situated within the bounds of this waterfront site. As it
landscape up close while still in a shaded environment. A
sits now, members of Parliament have a great view……of
small cabana in the northwest of the plaza (tucked away
a parking lot. While the Parliament building itself is only
near the bridge) can serve anyone looking to eat and
about 60 meters from the ocean’s edge, it is separated
take respite in the plaza. The Parliament Plaza takes
by a large parking lot, a busy L.G. Smith Boulevard,
this portion of Oranjestad’s downtown waterfront from
and then a small lawn. This space can be utilized in
parking lot to vibrant and memorable cultural destination
such a way to create a multi-purpose public gathering
and key piece in the city’s marina redevelopment.
space as well as call attention to the Parliament’s place
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Section A
A redefined retail experience and public realm along the Marina
RETAIL
L.G. SMITH BLVD
COMMERCIAL
BOARDWALK
10m
Section B
A plaza at the Parliament building with improved public realm conditions connecting to the Marina
PARLIAMENT + PLAZA
L.G. SMITH BLVD
PLAZA + NATURE WALK
BOARDWALK
10m URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
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LAGOON INITIATIVES
and increasing amenity for pedestrians. To this end,
This re-envisioning of Oranjestad’s lagoon as a
This will allow space for additional services for motorists
landscaped sculpture walk is designed to provide a new
and pedestrians alike. Along the streets the new and
cultural amenity for residents and visitors alike, while
widened sidewalks and the provision of shade trees will
improving pedestrian access between downtown and
create a pleasant environment in which to walk, either
adjacent neighborhoods. One key goal of the proposal
for pleasure or as a commuter.
vehicular travel lanes will be narrowed to slow traffic.
is to increase pedestrian traffic through the area by the creation of new amenity, spurring the redevelopment of
Part of the revised streetscape will include formalized
the vacant buildings at either end of the project area.
on-street parking areas along the length of the lagoon.
Currently the lagoon serves as a necessary landscape
This new approach to parking along the lagoon should
finger into the city. Its banks are steeply sloped to a
help prevent residents parking informally on the interior
tidal waterway that also serves as a storm drainage
of the site when parking facilities at nearby offices and
outfall. Little programming is currently situated along
businesses are full. While these spaces are intended to
its banks and it seems like a potential amenity that is
be free to users on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis, they
under-designed and under-utilized; also known as a lost
could easily be adapted into metered spaces as part of
opportunity.
a citywide parking strategy. Additionally, reworking the streetscape will enable the inclusion of an integrated
FRAMING THE LAGOON WITH IMPROVED STREETSCAPES
stormwater management system. This will help protect
- The streets around the lagoon will be redesigned
both the proposed landscape from the intense surface
to give increased priority to non-motorized traffic
erosion it now suffers and alleviate some of the flooding problems common to adjacent streets and properties.
Section A - Near L.G. Smith Boulevard
10m
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Lagoon Park
This re-envisioning of Oranjestad’s lagoon as a landscaped sculpture walk is designed to provide a new cultural amenity for residents and visitors alike.
A NEW SCULPTURE GARDEN ALONG THE LAGOON -
new crossings of the canal itself: two ‘stepping
Running the length of the lagoon itself, a new series of
stone’ pathways across the water and one elevated
paved pathways will guide pedestrians along a series of
pedestrian bridge. This will provide easier pedestrian
well-placed sculptures, which are carefully placed in
access from neighborhoods to the southeast of
the landscape. These sculptures, commissioned by both
downtown that, previously, might have felt somewhat
Aruban and international artists, will be placed into the
disconnected from the amenities and opportunities of
landscape based on the topography of the site and will
the commercial core of Oranjestad.
B
act as totemic markers, drawing pedestrians through the site.
There are several under-utilized or abandoned
B’
structures along the project area. Each of these, The parkland surrounding the lagoon will be shaped into
given some modest rehabilitation, could serve well
distinct spaces using both the natural topography of the
as incubators for locally-owned businesses. As public
site and varying levels of native vegetation. A series of
investment in the park space begins to draw additional
grand lawns at the southwestern end of the site invite
visitors to the lagoon, these sites will become
residents to engage in informal play and relaxation.
attractive for rehabilitation. Their relatively small
In areas with more natural variation in topography,
size, and the fact there are buildings extant on each
different levels of vegetation create the play of shadow
site, makes them particularly attractive for adaptive
and light across pathways of the sculpture walk, creating
reuse as either locally-serving retail or small-scale food
an engaging and diverse experience.
and beverage enterprises.
The new spaces created along the lagoon will also
A
serve the adjacent neighborhoods by providing three
A’ Section B - Near Irenestraat
10m URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
50m
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5
NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN DETAIL
DESCRIPTION OF NEIGHBORHOODS, KEY ISSUES + CONSTRAINTS NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN STRATEGY CIRCULATION STRATEGY LAND USE + INFILL STRATEGY HYDROLOGIC INITIATIVES STREETSCAPE + WOONERF INITIATIVES NEW NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER INITIATIVES NEW CAMPUS ANCHOR
CHAPTER 5
NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF NEIGHBORHOODS, KEY ISSUES AND CONSTRAINTS OVERVIEW OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND PLAYA PA’ BAO - Playa Pa’ Bao is a region located directly adjacent
Rendering of an open space created on a vacant neighborhood lot, providing green space, stormwater infrastructure, and the centerpiece of an expanded Xavier University
safety, and public health. Despite these challenges, the area has a strong identity and many people strongly associate with the neighborhood after they move away. Socotoro was originally an agave plantation and is now
to downtown Oranjestad and separated from the
a continuation of Rancho with a mix of older homes and
port by a light-industrial district. On one scale Playa
businesses. Madiki is rapidly being developed despite
Pa’ Bao is a region, on another it is a series of four
problems with flooding when it rains. Many of the roads
discrete neighborhoods, Rancho, Socotoro, Madiki, and
have not been paved but new housing is filling all the
Santa Helena. While each neighborhood has different
available spaces, accounting for much of the region’s
characteristics, they function together as a system
population growth. There is a high demand for more
connected physically, economically, and socially. To fully
public and recreational space in the area. People
address the key issues and constraints it was necessary to
have resorted to moving their own patio furniture into
plan at both the regional and neighborhood scale.
the vacant lots to create spaces for gathering. Santa Helena is a middle class residential neighborhood and
Though Playa Pa’ Bao functions as a region, there are
is characterized by wide streets and well kept houses
unique patterns of development that differentiate each
buffered from the street by walled off front yards.
neighborhood. Rancho is the oldest neighborhood in
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Playa Pa’ Bao and has fine-grained development with
PHYSICAL NETWORKS - On the regional scale, the
small historic houses, irregular lots, narrow roads, and
two primary networks impacting Playa Pa’ Bao are the
pedestrian walkways that cut between the blocks. Since
transportation and environmental systems. There are a
the neighborhood abuts the downtown, there are also a
number of problems with the street network in Playa Pa’
variety of businesses from restaurants to grocery stores
Bao, which promotes a culture of auto-dependence and
used by both locals and visitors. More recently, many
discourages other modes of travel within, between, and
of the homes have fallen into disrepair and the area is
outside of the neighborhoods. Sidewalks are too narrow
known for an association with drugs that spills into the
to allow comfortable pedestrian travel. Pedestrian
surrounding neighborhoods and the downtown. Rancho
movement is further hindered by people parking on
has a general lack of social amenities, and a reputation
the sidewalks on residential streets. Finally, there is no
for rampant public drug use. Rancho’s drug-related
bus service within the neighborhoods further enforcing
reputation adversely impacts the local economy, street
auto-dependence. In terms of environmental systems, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN DETAIL
Playa Pa’ Bao is central to the natural ecology of the
More recently, Playa Pa’Bao’s immigrant population
Oranjestad region. The area lies on some of the flattest
grew by almost 20% between 1991 and 2000 while
land in Aruba and suffers from serious flooding during
overall unemployment simultaneously grew. In spite of
heavy rain. Water from surrounding areas of Oranjestad
population growth the economy has not kept pace, nor
flows through the neighborhood on its way to the sea.
have government services. In general, there is a lack of
Runoff carries with it trash and pollutants that seriously
access to public facilities and services, as schools and
harm the health of reefs along the Oranjestad coast.
recreational facilities are inaccessible to many residents.
As the neighborhood runs out of room to expand, new
There are also few public spaces, resulting in a lack of
housing is being built on critical natural habitats,
public life and social opportunities. Despite the area’s
reducing the area’s ability to absorb floodwaters.
challenges, there are also important opportunities to
Further complicating the problem is the concentration
consider. The neighborhoods are characterized by strong
of stormwater infrastructure in older areas like Rancho.
community networks. Close-knit inter-generational ties
These systems are unable to handle the runoff from
and strong political participation mean that residents
outlying areas like Santa Helena or Madiki. Without
have built-in social support systems. Such strong
redundancy in the system, the aging systems are easily
community networks facilitate the implementation and
overwhelmed and do not connect the people to the
ownership of future community-oriented projects.
environmental processes so important to sustaining Aruba.
Altogether, the projects we designed to address these issues are not necessarily a demonstration of
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS - Playa Pa’ Bao has
neighborhood improvement which will work everywhere
been transformed over time as spatial and economic
but a model for how to approach neighborhood planning.
development patterns have shaped and reshaped the
At times, our ideas may not be typical but they
area. The first industry in the area was fishing. The
demonstrate innovative problem solving and how a single
neighborhood of Rancho was previously located much
project can simultaneously provide numerous benefits.
closer to the water than it is now. This was succeeded by a chalk kiln and then light industry. As the economy of the neighborhood became less dependent on the sea, the area also lost the spatial connection to the waterfront as the natural harbor was filled.
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NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN STRATEGY
The Green Necklace is a major initiative that addresses
Playa Pa’Bao boasts an adjacency to the ocean and
that begins on the eastern boundary of the site, the
downtown, historically significant structures, and strong,
Green Necklace is a continuous bioswale and pedestrian
lively communities. Despite such assets, however,
boardwalk that bisects the east-west axis of Playa
the area lacks adequate public spaces for meaningful
Pa’Bao. The linear boardwalk and water-course continue
social gatherings, adequate infrastructure to manage
west until Dreimasterstraat, where the pedestrian
flooding, and access to social services and amenities.
pathways lead to a neighborhood park and eventually
The initiatives for Playa Pa’Bao directly target the
to the first ring road. Meanwhile, a series of swales
area’s needs in an interconnected and comprehensive
and culverts absorb and carry the stormwater to a
manner, with a mind towards social and environmental
large natural retention area to the northwest. The
sustainability.
Green Necklace works in conjunction with a proposed
the hydrologic, public space, and ecological needs of the area. Building on an existing stormwater-course
green street along Dreimasterstraat. Green streets are The neighborhood structure plan emphasizes continuous
also proposed on a small neighborhood street on the
connectivity and access to various sites and amenities
northwest of the neighborhood and the southwestern
across Oranjestad. Playa Pa’Bao is connected to the
end of the ring road, connecting the Necklace to the
waterfront initiative as well as the downtown area by
waterfront. The Green Necklace also connects to the
a proposed tram loop. The tram would travel from
Madiki Square initiative, a redesigned neighborhood park
the Welcome Plaza, up Weststraat, down the first ring
that incorporates the watercourse and offers activities
road and the redesigned L.G. Smith Boulevard, and
for residents.
back again. The loop connects residents and visitors to proposed and existing amenities throughout Oranjestad, and creates a physical and perceptual unity between the city’s diverse neighborhoods. The tram also brings potential mixed use and commercial development along Weststraat, enhancing residents’ economic opportunity and retail choices.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
Stormwater Retention Site
NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN DETAIL Tram Green Street
Xavier University Park
Green Necklace Madiki Square Green Street Westraat Upgrade + Tram
Tram
Green Necklace
Playa Pa Bao Community Center Rancho Woonerf Network
Neighborhood Structure Plan and Project Map 250m
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The Rancho Woonerf Network connects the residents to
responds to the neighborhood’s need for active public
the downtown and waterfront areas by improving the
spaces, a vibrant cultural institution, and adequate
accessibility and imageability of Rancho. A woonerf
infrastructure to manage heavy floods.
system allows roads to be shared by pedestrians, automobiles and cyclists while allowing for adequate
While the proposals for Weststraat’s tram and the
drainage during the rainy season. Such a system will
Green Necklace offer axial connections across Playa
allow pedestrians greater access to various parts of
Pa’Bao, recommended street enhancements along
the neighborhood, promote a healthy public life, and
the first ring road, Venezuelastraat and Boliviastraat
enhance community networks.
will further strengthen the connections between sitespecific initiatives and existing amenities. Overall, Playa
The Playa Pa’Bao Community Center is strategically
Pa’Bao’s plan responds to Oranjestad’s vision of being a
located off Weststraat’s proposed tram and the Rancho
connected, sustainable city with a vibrant economy and
Woonerf initiative. The proposed community center
strong communities.
features a public swimming pool, a Queen Conch farm, and a restaurant. The initiative would function as an important cultural and economic asset for the community, generating jobs and revenue for residents while offering a lively destination for all. The proposal calls for an environmentally and economically sustainable local industry that empowers the local community and creates a vibrant neighborhood destination.
CIRCULATION STRATEGY The circulation strategy aims to make the streets of Rancho, Socotoro, Santa Helena and Madiki more accommodating to all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit riders. The road system loosely creates a cellular grid throughout the neighborhood, with clusters of residential streets
Continuing north on Weststraat is Xavier University Park,
surrounded by busier roads that accommodate through
which works in conjunction with the larger hydrological
traffic.
initiatives. Connected by Weststraat’s bioswales and tram, the proposal for Xavier University’s expansion includes additional academic facilities as well as an ecological park, plaza, retail hub, and a comprehensive stormwater/greywater management scheme. The plan
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NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN DETAIL
Proposed New + Extended Transit Service Downtown Tram Playa Pa’Bao Tram Existing Bus Service
250m
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The biggest change to proposed circulation is to make
motorists and pedestrians. While woonerfs allow two
Driemasterstraat and Weststraat alternating one-
way access, they will be narrow enough to discourage
way roads. This is done to accommodate a one way
motorists from cutting through. In other parts of the
tram on Weststraat and a green bio-swale corridor on
neighborhood, residential streets will remain two way.
Driemasterstraat. Weststraat will become northbound
The existing street grid is such that only a handful
for much of its length, while Driemasterstraat will run
of focus streets create paths for through traffic. The
southbound. The Weststraat tram will form a one-way
majority of residential roads only run for a few blocks
loop running from the Welcome Plaza up to Belgiestraat
and motorists use them to access local houses and
ring road, and the waterfront. The loop will provide a
businesses. Finally a new recreation corridor will run
stronger link between downtown and the neighborhoods.
through the neighborhood from East to West. Part of the
Though it will be one way, we estimate the tram loop
“green necklace” hydrological scheme, this path will
will take only 20 minutes to complete. While the tram
connect the neighborhoods to surrounding recreation
is a long term proposal, in the short term a reworked
facilities and the waterfront. At select points in Madiki,
Weststraat could accommodate a new bus line along the
intersection roadways will become woonerfs to ease
future tram right of way. Weststraat will also feature a
pedestrian movement along the paths.
number of streetscape updates to solidify its position as the main link across the neighborhood. Planted swales will alternate with parking to provide shade and better manage stormwater. Along Driemasterstraat a new continuous swale will channel water toward the sea and provide stormwater relief for the overwhelmed stormwater sewer underneath the street. The sidewalk along the bioswale will be widened to 2 meters, providing space for bicyclists and pedestrians, and linking to the east west greenway.
LAND USE + INFILL STRATEGY Playa Pa’Bao is a region composed of four neighborhoods Rancho, Socotoro, Madiki, and Santa Helena. While they compose a region, their varying physical characteristics have a direct impact on future land use and infill strategies. Specifically, Rancho has a fine-grained character with small houses and narrow roads and a mix of retail, commercial, and residential uses. It is also has a concentration of historic Kunuku houses. Socotoro is
Along residential streets, changes to circulation reflect
in many ways similar to Rancho but was developed after
a desire to discourage through traffic. In Rancho,
Rancho and is generally more residential with pockets
Dutch style woonerfs will create shared spaces for
of retail development. Madiki has been developed most recently and as a result many blocks are incomplete
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NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE PLAN DETAIL
Proposed Circulation Major Arterial Local Streets Woonerf Pedestrian / Bike Path
250m
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and roads unfinished. Santa Helena is a middle class
Historic designations and subsidy for historic
residential neighborhood and is characterized by wide
redevelopment are another way to promote
streets and well kept houses. Any proposed infill or land
reinvestment. This type of program could be especially
use strategies should address these local differences.
successful in areas where a number of Kunuku homes are located around each other, such as in Rancho.
INFILL SITES AND GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN
Historic programs are just one example of public/private
REDEVELOPMENT - While a specific infill program was
partnerships. Through the formation of partnerships
not created as part of this project, the opportunities and
between government, NGO’s and neighborhood
constraints map shows the parcels that are most in need
organizations, a formal basis for community participation
of assistance or most prone to change. In addition, within
can be created. These open lines of communication
the Rancho Woonerf Plan, sites/properties that should be
allow residents to have impacts on neighborhood
targeted for redevelopment are highlighted in grey.
specific projects and will result in greater ownership of
The most important aspect of any infill development is to
completed projects.
focus investments around areas that are already active
LAND USES - Land uses should complement one another
or have the most potential to become active. An example
and support local cultural, retail, and commercial areas.
of such sites would be vacant land along a new tram line.
They should contribute to a complete and interconnected
Concentrating investments is these areas will help create
system. Sites that are the only vacant or undeveloped
complete districts or support the growth of the critical
parcel on a block should be targeted first. Investment
market that will encourage private development. As
in local serving social services, cultural amenities,
investments are made overtime, land uses changes and
and community institutions lay the groundwork for an
selection of infill sites should address and complement
improvement in the overall improvement in quality
this activity. In addition, vacant lots, especially those on
of life. Overtime these investments will result in a
the periphery of the neighborhood, can be used as water
greater connection to Playa Pa’ Bao and will result in
retention areas during the rainy season.
more community involvement and social interaction, and subsequently, the long-term reinvestment by and permanence of residential populations.
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Land Use Residential Commercial Institutional Vacant
250m
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HYDROLOGIC INITIATIVES
The stormwater that does exist in newer areas frequently
EXISTING HYDROLOGICAL SYSTEM - The neighborhoods
Flooding can cause a chain of effects that impact all
of Playa Pa’ Bao sit on some of the lowest laying land in
neighborhoods along the way to the sea. Development
Aruba. During heavy rain events, stormwater flows into
has further reduced the area’s capacity to handle
the neighborhood. Modern urban development and the
stormwater. As more parts of the neighborhoods are built
construction of the port have blocked the natural outlet
upon, there are fewer areas where water can collect
for water to reach the sea. Furthermore urbanization has
and percolate into the ground. Today, two sink holes in
reduced the capacity of the land to handle stormwater,
Madiki play an important part in managing stormwater
with fewer undeveloped acreage, stormwater pools on
by providing a space for the water to seep into the
streets and private property.
limestone ground.
The existing stormwater infrastructure is concentrated
GREEN NECKLACE PROPOSAL - To help mitigate the
in the neighborhoods closest to downtown and stretches
stormwater problems faced by the neighborhoods of
out into Santa Helena and Madiki. Rancho and much of
Playa Pa’ Bao, we propose developing an integrated
Socotoro have storm sewers underneath most streets.
approach to stormwater management. Aruba experiences
Furthermore, these parts of Playa Pa Boa are located
heavy rains at certain times of the year, but for the most
along a gentle slope, allowing for good sheet drainage
part is a dry climate. To expand the storm sewer capacity
to the ocean. Running along the border of Socotoro and
to meet present needs, the government would have to
Santa Helena is an open air stormwater channel. This
spend large sums of money for infrastructure that would
channel runs from the eastern periphery of Oranjestad
remain unused most of the year. Furthermore, expanding
and through the neighborhoods to a storm sewer along
sewers would have little effect on the coastal pollution
Driemasterstraat. The newer developed portions of
caused by stormwater.
overwhelms the older stormwater system in Rancho.
the neighborhoods, Madiki and Santa Helena, have less stormwater infrastructure. Furthermore these areas have poorer drainage to the sea. In Madiki, water runs parallel to the coast and pools in significant quantity. In Santa Helena stagnant water collects behind the Xavier Medical School.
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The Green Necklace Trail Plan
The Green Necklace is an integrated stormwater and recreation system that handles excess stormwater while providing recreation areas for residents
SANTA HELENA Community Center+ Bushiri
Madiki Square
MADIKI Sports Facilities Waterfront Community Gardens
SOCOTRO
RANCHO 250m
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Trail Typologies Roadside Trail Boardwalk Trail
Rain Garden Trail Channelside Trail
Instead of expanding sewer capacity, we propose a system of green infrastructure that will reduce the
SECTION
volume of water entering existing sewers. This green infrastructure would act as a multifunctional investment; while during heavy storms it would mitigate flooding, but during other times of the year, the infrastructure would serve as a recreation space, leisure space and natural habitat. SECTION
At the center of our hydrological plan is the green
SECTION
necklace, a recreation and stormwater management SECTION
system which runs through the heart of the neighborhoods from east to west.
Hydrological System Typologies Sinkholes Sewer
Roadside Swale Raingarden Swale
Stormwater Channel Underground Culvert
The green necklace begins east of the project area, at a large soccer field on the edge of Oranjestad. Between its eastern terminus and Driemasterstraat, the corridor runs along the existing storm channel. The channel will be deepened to handle greater volumes of water, while also being greened with grasses and plants which can preserve the soil, while slowing down the stormwater and filtering out some pollutants. During the rainy season the corridor will act as a vernal pool, while during other times of the year it will be mostly dry. The recreation trail will run alongside the channel for most of the channel’s length. In places where the corridor is too narrow to accommodate a trail and
250m
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channel, the trail will become a lofted boardwalk that
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
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Trail Typologies
allows people to more intimately experience nature. At Driemasterstraat the water that hasn’t been retained and absorbed along the way will enter the storm sewer
Community Garden
and run out to sea.
Bioswale
Raingarden
Raingarden
West of Driemasterstraat, the corridor will become a series of bioswales that helps channel water away from streets and property to retention sites and sewers. The corridor will begin along vacant land between houses. Alongside the swale and trail will be space for community gardens, irrigated by rainwater. For some of its length, Roadside Bioswale
the swale will run alongside the street, with one sidewalk
Roadside
widened to a trail width. The green necklace will connect to multiple retention sites. Alongside the corridor vacant land can be repurposed as community gardens or landscaped rain gardens that hold stormwater. The sinkholes will also be integrated into the corridor to enhance their rainwater capture potential. West of Belgiestraat, between Bushiri
Stormwater Channel
Channelside
and Madiki, there are low lying vacant areas that can act as major retention sites. Underground cisterns could also hold water that would later be used for irrigation.
Biofiltration
Boardwalk
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Plan View of Proposed Madiki Square
The green necklace provides opportunities for new public spaces. Madiki Square is an example of how new gathering points can be plugged into the corridor. The square would include a basketball court, chess tables, and a new playground for Madiki. The planted swale running through the square would retain water and create a place where people can rest and relax The green necklace will be the center of a larger A
neighborhood wide water strategy. Connecting north to south along Driemasterstraat will be a continual bioswale. The swale will channel water toward the sea and help reduce the strain on the Driemasterstraat sewer. The Driemasterstraat green street will link the Xavier University stormwater system to the larger sewer system and the green necklace. Throughout the neighborhood, streetscape improvements will include water retaining planters and swales to further reduce the amount of water draining into sewers.
15m
B
4.4m
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Trail System
Madiki Square
Typical view of the lofted boardwalk
Perspective rendering of the new Madiki Square
Section A
2m
2m
10m
4m
9.5m
12.5m
1.5m
Section B
7.0m
2.0m
10m
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10m
15.5m
1.5m
2m
3m
6m
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Typical Neighborhood Street - Before
STREETSCAPE + WOONERF INITIATIVES
for a green street along Dreimasterstraat to assist with
A street is not simply a means for automobile travel
movement.
water management issues. The third proposal is for a more defined network of streets that streamlines traffic
but is a defining aspect of a neighborhood that should
Typical Neighborhood Street - After
support multiple modes of travel, contribute to the
A woonerf is a type of street design that originated in
character of the place, and efficiently move people
the Netherlands. Generally, woonerfs combine multiple
though and within it. The plans below approach the
modes of transportation and public spaces, promote
street on two levels: 1. as an integrated network within
walking and biking, introduce uncertainty for drivers as a
Playa Pa’ Bao; and, 2. on a site level that includes the
way to decrease auto speeds, and encourage community
complete detailing of the urban design changes needed
activity on the street. Simply put, a woonerf is a shared
to create a woonerf system in Rancho.
street.
The focus of the plans and street sections are to
The Rancho woonerf plan provides a detailed proposal for
suggest changes to the existing street that capitalize on
how the street can be redesigned. The goal of this type
opportunities and address major challenges, on both a
of street is to encourage pedestrian movement, better
regional and street level. Specifically, these proposals
structure the system of parking, and provide outdoor
address future infrastructure investments and how these
community spaces on the street. The reason Rancho was
investments can change the structure and use of the
selected as the site for the first phase of infrastructure
streets.
investments is because it is very close to downtown, abuts a new proposed community center, has a number
On a regional level, the proposal provides plans and
of streets in disrepair, and was the site of Renobacion
sections for a defined hierarchy of streets. The purpose
Urbano 1.
is to create a more structured system of streets that efficiently moves traffic, provides access to mass transit, alleviates flooding issues, and creates a defined network of use. The first major proposal is for a tram to run north on Weststraat, southwest along Belige Straat, and back to the existing bus station. The second major proposal is
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Local Streets
Collector Streets
Arterial
Local
Collector
Ped. Path
Green Street
Trolley
Woonerf
Site Plan
Driemasterstraat
Street Hierarchy and Typologies
Belgie Straat
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Rancho is the starting point for reimagining what the street can be. It begins to allow people to come outside of their homes and use the street as a public space. Some of the important aspects of the woonerf system will be access to pocket parks with benches, outdoor BBQ’s, or other amenities for residents to use. Woonerfs
Overall, the two distinct plans are part of a project that focuses on creating comfortable streets that support pedestrian life. Any project must address the rhythm of the place both day and night. Key aspects of street design include lighting schemes, tree planning and natural shading, parking, outdoor seating, and modal choices. The goal of all these improvements is to increase the livability of the street and provide improved connectivity through and between neighborhoods and
Weststraat
downtown. The timetable for this development will be determined as funding becomes available. The focus should initially be on Rancho but further investments should be made on a case by case basis or together with larger infrastructure investments such as the tram.
Pedestrian Paths
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Woonerf - Variable Paving Street Lights Planters URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Trolley
Streets as Public Spaces 20m
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NEW NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER INITIATIVES THE CENTER FOR SEA AND COMMUNITY - The Center for Sea and Community is a neighborhood based economic development project that is sensitive to the history and traditions of Playa Pa’ Bao. This project re-establishes a historic connection to the sea and has the potential to create a high-value product with benefits for community residents. A Queen Conch farm pays for itself through the potential generation of 2.5 million in revenue annually, creates jobs, and funds a community center. On the island of Aruba, where land is at a premium and the environment is best suited for growing cactus, there are few opportunities to provide a local supply of food that is both cost effective and can generate revenue. Mariculture is an alternative to ocean fishing that uses available seawater rather than fresh water (which in Aruba requires an energy intensive desalination process), and judiciously preserves land. While several different species can be farmed in a maricultural operation, the Queen Conch is most suitable. It has long been part of traditional cuisine on the island and is locally available. As an endangered Community Center Public Amenities
The new proposed community center acts as an engine of local economic development while providing a recreational space for neighbors and visitors
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species, it is important to international research. Moreover, due to declining numbers, it is an increasingly valuable commodity around the world.
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Playa Pa’Bao Community Center
Professor Lorentz Straat
Brazilie Straat
Westraat
Driemasterstraat
10m
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Vocational Training
Community Building
International Research
Using data from the world’s only conch farm on the Turks and Caicos Islands, estimates for the specific project site (that contains 26 pools) project that it generates: $900,000 annually through the sale of the meat, $600,000 for the sale of shells, and close to a million dollars from tourism. Each one of these activities creates local jobs, a new identity for the area, and ultimately pays for the creation of community services for the neighborhood. By placing the conch farm and community center in close proximity, there is a cumulative benefit, as the area becomes a nexus of innovation that is active and engaging at all times. The Queen Conch farm provides the financing for community services on the site, including a community center and pool. The community center includes classrooms for ongoing education about the conch and flexible spaces for everything from art shows to performances. The pool and supporting concessions provide a pleasant place for swimming and other aquatic exercise at any time of day. It is an activity that easily accommodates the recreational needs of everyone from youth to elderly residents, physically connecting them to the water. The farm not only provides an economic asset but also
Community Center Economic Benefits
The Community Center provides economic benefits directly to residents of the surrounding neighborhood, improving the local economy through job training, research, and tourism
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a physical one. Walkways and fountains that aerate the seawater double as pleasant places for residents to gather and observe the growth of the conch. These areas serve as meeting points. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
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Next to the conch farm, plans call for a restaurant that serves traditional and innovative conch dishes such as conch shooters. Residents and tourists can come taste the fruits of local labors and celebrate the area and the contemporary Aruban connection to the sea. The economic and social benefits of the project extend well beyond the borders of the site. The project
A Sustainable Community Center
The Queen Conch Farm will provide a place for children to learn about marine ecosystems and sustainability
site was chosen for its location at the intersection of several neighborhoods, and is located just off the main neighborhood economic corridor of Westraat. Jobs from the conch farm increase the profitability of existing restaurants and support new businesses that cater to workers, residents, and tourists alike, adding to the strength of the neighborhood. The pool and the
Phase 1 Development
community center, meanwhile, will bring residents together and help foster positive interactions between neighbors. Moreover, the Center for Sea and Community increases resources in a renewable way while building on the pride of the residents of Playa Pa’ Bao to help move the area away from drugs towards a new social and economic future.
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Site Conditions
The current site is largely vacant, and suffers from excessive flooding and waste dumping
XAVIER UNIVERSITY PARK EXPANSION - Xavier University is currently a single building surrounded by vacant residential lots, including a large vacant parcel that is predisposed to flooding during the rainy season. The Xavier University proposal includes the expansion of academic facilities on the vacant residential lots as well as a central park easily accessible to nearby residents. The park would not only establish the University as an exciting new anchor for Oranjestad, but would also create much-needed public spaces and help manage the city’s stormwater. The site for the proposed park currently has severe flooding issues, and is not ideal for traditional development. As such, we propose a slightly sunken park, approximately 100 meters wide, 50 meters long, and a maximum depth of 2.5 meters. The park plays on the idea of the site as a natural detention area for stormwater while creating unique opportunities for visitors to explore various contours, sightlines, and elevations. The park will be accessible from the west by Weststraat and from the east by Emma Straat. Each side will have a series of stairs with shade awnings, creating a passive recreational area that leads users into and across the park. “Sitting” and “walking” steps allow
Stormwater / Greywater Cycle
Integrated within the public space of the site is a comprehensive system for treating excess stormwater and reusing greywater
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for ease of access and a diversity of uses. In addition, a shaded bridge allows visitors to walk across the park, maintaining the north-south axis of the campus.
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Xavier University Park Site Plan 50m
A
A’
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Xavier University Integrated Drainage System Graywater Irrigation Lines Primary Channels to Cisterns Secondary Culverts Neighborhood Filtration/ Detention Tanks
The park will incorporate strategically planted native vegetation, including indigenous and adapted succulents, cacti, and shrubs. Such diverse plantings would increase the area’s biodiversity, attracting migratory birds and various fauna. The proposed park also features large boulders to climb and play on. A pebbled path leads visitors across the park, inviting them to explore the natural environment. The space not only becomes a meaningful gathering area, but also creates opportunities for ecological education, promoting increased environmental stewardship and local pride. The proposed expanded campus is connected to the larger vision of a more connected Playa Pa’Bao. The University project is adjacent to the proposed Weststraat tramline, and would work in conjunction with the broader hydrological plan for the Playa Pa’Bao neighborhoods. Underneath the sunken park, we propose a large cistern that filters, collects, and stores stormwater runoff from the campus as well as from surrounding residential units. The cistern absorbs water from the sunken park, and also collects water from gravity-fed underground culverts from
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Section A
10m
Underground Cistern Components Detail
Top Soil Permeable Pavement Loose Aggregate Geogrid Geotextile Filter Fabric Geomembrane Liner Pre-treatment Filtration Rainstore Modular Units Pump Outlet Pipe Geogrid Overflow drain to ground
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CHAPTER 5
adjacent buildings. Additionally, each residential block is equipped with a filtration and storage device that collects stormwater/greywater from each unit. The device then feeds into the cistern, which can store up to 1,200 cubic meters of water. This water can then be used for irrigation purposes, or even pumped back and reused in individual homes. Any overflow from the cistern would resupply the water-table. As a result of the high capacity of the cistern, the garden above would Bird’s Eye View of Park
never fill with standing water. The neighborhood-wide water management system would greatly reduce flooding conditions in the area, limit stormwater runoff into the ocean, and provide a sustainable greywater source for Oranjestad’s residents. In addition to the ecological and recreational benefits of the park and cistern, the proposed campus includes not only academic resources and classrooms, but also features a small retail hub, a community center, and additional housing. The proposal for the expansion of Xavier University would create a much-needed community anchor, promoting enhanced social, economic, and educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
Plaza Perspective
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Perspective Rendering of Xavier University Park
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6
CONCLUSIONS + RECOMMENDATIONS
MOVING FORWARD ON THE VISIONS ACHIEVING THE VISIONS - 9 STRATEGIES UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA STUDIO FACULTY + PARTICIPANTS
CHAPTER 6
MOVING FORWARD ON THE VISIONS
public realm, improve its economic performance, and
Imagine Oranjestad in the future: a city on the sea
development. These vision statements must be owned
that celebrates itself with festivals and activities in its
and nurtured by Aruban officials and members of
new waterfront park; a place with a downtown that has
the public if they are to have any power in providing
rebuilt itself to become the primary tourist attraction on
direction. These visions are:
create new opportunities for waterfront and downtown
a heavily visited island; a downtown that has conquered the issues of heat and humidity to provide shaded
1 - Oranjestad will be a memorable Aruban destination
sidewalks where pedestrians stroll and visitors window
for visitors to the island and local residents who value its
shop for local craft products; a marina where you can
contribution to Aruban identity;
grab a bite off the boardwalk and have a drink while the sun sets over the water; a place where you can board a tram and take a tour of the city’s shopping areas, neighborhoods and parks. All of this is very alluring, but also very achievable. To get to this position will require concerted planning and action that focuses consciously on implementing the visions, design principles, and proposals detailed in this report. This Urban Design Vision Plan for Oranjestad has focused on the specific challenges and development opportunities of Oranjestad’s central area districts: the downtown, the waterfront, and adjacent neighborhoods. Visiting the city and meeting with local stakeholders allowed the UPenn design team to identify a series of visions and design principles that helped to focus subsequent project design efforts. What you have seen in this report are a series of visions that can help to lead the future
2 - Oranjestad will be an accessible and well-connected city that helps visitors and residents navigate the city with ease; 3 - Oranjestad will have a more vibrant and diversified local economy that benefits visitors seeking the flavor of Aruba and residents fulfilling everyday needs; 4 - Oranjestad will be a more environmentally sustainable city – a place that can become an example of green leadership for the larger Caribbean community. Island ecology can be very difficult to sustain for a growing population and urban development base; and, 5 - Oranjestad will be home to strong and livable communities that provide a better quality of life for its residents.
direction of the capital city – provide it with an improved
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This Urban Design Vision for Oranjestad provides a series of citywide and area structure plans that provide diagrammatic organization of key infrastructure interventions and project development suggestions. Most of the designs are illustrative in nature and suggest a set of ideas about how to approach developing the city or specific project sites. Most of the proposals are not mutually exclusive and can be mixed and matched depending on the political and financial will of the Government for accomplishment. At other times, alternatives and options show how you can achieve the vision through different methods, e.g., the alternatives for cruise ship docking, or the downtown streetscape hierarchy. What is clear throughout this report is that discussion is needed to prioritize these proposals and plan their implementation of these visions.
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ACHIEVING THE VISIONS 9 STRATEGIES To achieve the visions detailed in this plan a set of strategies is recommended as a means of advancing an implementation process. The most crucial and pathdependent strategies are listed first, followed by more discrete and independent strategies that can happen concurrent with other efforts. While it would be rather simplistic to merely provide recommendations about the design proposals themselves, e.g., build this or design that, these strategies pose challenges and questions for the Government of Aruba in moving forward on any comprehensive city development agenda. 1. DECIDE THE ROLE AND CHARACTER OF THE DOWNTOWN BRAND As outlined in the first section of this document, Oranjestad faces a number of challenges both physical and economic. Beyond solving some of the direct physical problems, a more crucial issue for the city’s future is determining what its role will be and how its brand will be shaped. All successful cities are known by their identity markers. What is the identity of Oranjestad? And how can we shape its brand through well-considered policies and planning action. This first strategy will require that government and community leaders come to the table to decide on the city’s role in the future of the island, establish a brand for the
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city, and determine goals that move beyond the general vision. For example, Oranjestad might become the island’s center for nightlife and dining. Or conversely, it might become known as a place of culture and the arts. Acknowledging that it can’t do everything, Government might select 2-4 identity goals for the city to help build this brand. 2. CREATE THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR LOCAL PLANNING Currently, no localized city planning institutions or functions exist within the City of Oranjestad. By far this is the most significant shortcoming in moving forward with the implementation of a comprehensive vision plan for the city. Most physical planning and decisionmaking functions for day to day operation of the city reside within the Ministries of the national government bureaucracy. While experienced planning professionals are in place, they are spread thin in their task work and nobody has the mantle of caring and guiding the city of Oranjestad specifically. This should be changed. Too many loose ends are left unattended in managing the city; too little coordination between stakeholders is occurring; ongoing maintenance and care for the city is marginal at best; concern for citywide systems and infrastructure planning is under-developed; not enough institutional memory is retained to plan conscientiously and holistically. As a parliamentary system of government, the establishment of a stable civil service
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CONCLUSIONS + RECOMMENDATIONS
system beyond the fluctuations of politics can help local
redevelopment strategy. They could also be part of the
places create greater continuity of function without
regulatory package associated with the establishment
disruption, even during times of political change. The
of a special Downtown Historic District. The Aruba
Government should establish a local planning office in
Monuments Bureau has done a fine job in declaring
each of the primary cities of the island and staff it with
monuments and aiding in the preservation of several
at least a person serving in the role of a City Manager. A
historic properties in the downtown area. Expanding
small staff of junior planners can assist this City Manager
their physical area of coverage and responsibilities to
in the short term until some key documents, plans and
a larger demarcated downtown district could help in
implementation processes have been established to
the coordination and planning of this area. The District
get Oranjestad moving in the direction of achieving its
should encompass the full downtown area from Rancho
visions. We are not talking about a planning function for
and Emanstraat to the waterfront and lagoon area.
the city as a watchdog or regulation enforcement agency,
As a special district, the agency could impose design
but rather a coordinating office for the various efforts
guidelines on properties within the area, helping to
and development projects the city needs to undertake.
coordinate the overall materiality and identity of the downtown district. A special downtown Historic District
3. CREATE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES &
designation would help in coordinating the many design
DECLARE A SPECIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
and planning initiatives underway and avoid some of
In addition to the need for a local planning agency, the
the neglect that other areas are experiencing in the
downtown would benefit greatly from a set of guidelines
downtown.
that could help in directing future development decisions. A number of efforts are currently underway to
4. WORK DIRECTLY WITH PARTNERS AND OTHER
improve the public realm. Without the tools in place to
COMMUNITY LEADERS
guide the private realm accordingly, investments in the
While the importance of community participation has
public realm may be wasted. Guidelines for downtown
proven itself valuable in the two Renobacion Urban
development could include: street design standards,
conferences sponsored by Government and the APA,
façade improvement recommendations, signage and
these efforts must be maintained. Keeping clean
awning controls, building envelope recommendations for
and open lines of communication between the larger
vacant properties, and a public realm materials palette.
community and Oranjestad’s ongoing planning efforts is
These guidelines should be at the heart of any downtown
crucial in building a sense of downtown responsibility and
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ownership for all. It can also help build support for future
be communicated and reiterated on a regular basis. This
improvement projects. Participation should be perceived
might happen in a variety of forums and over the course
as an opportunity to expand the core of those taking
of time. It will help in creating ongoing partnerships
responsibility for the city. More importantly Government
and stakeholders who take these visions seriously, and
should be partnering closely with two agencies in
may hold elected officials to the implementation of
particular to help in redeveloping both the physical and
the visions. Reinforcing the visions through all that
economic structure of the downtown: the Aruba Port
Government does, without contradiction, is important
Authority and the Downtown Merchants Association.
in building consensus over future directions. A clear
Both of these groups will serve valuable roles in the
presentation of the visions will help to inspire those
redevelopment of a future Oranjestad. Government
building the city, and add new participants to an ever-
should be direct in helping to guide the redevelopment
increasing platform of support.
of the container shipping lands with a series of recommendations and design guidelines with respect to
6. SEQUENCE THE ESSENTIAL CATALYSTS AND PLANNING
desired outcomes. Rather than waiting for the perfect
NEEDED FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE
development proposal to land on their desk for approval,
Many of the proposals included herein depend on other
Government should work with the Port Authority to
actions prior to their construction. If not phased and
develop a scheme from which the Port Authority can then
sequenced properly, subsequent investments may be
move forward. In a similar manner, Government should
used inefficiently. To avoid infrastructure disruption
help to maintain and organize the Merchants Association,
or replacement, these path dependent actions are the
particularly in the formation of a Business Improvement
crucial first moves in preparing for larger development
District (BID) that can be responsible for area wide
initiatives later. These catalytic moves will require
maintenance, programming, cafĂŠ functions, and plaza
extensive coordination with other systems, and may
activities. The BID can be a crucial partner in helping to
require significant investments of time and manpower.
operate an improved and redesigned downtown.
Planning for these large-scale interventions will require extensive study of phasing, sequencing, and coordination
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5. COMMUNICATE THE VISION REGULARLY TO CREATE
with other projects, properties, and stakeholders. Each
AN AIR OF OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY
of them is also an important planning task in the larger
To be owned by the community and public officials, the
remaking of the downtown area, including the waterfront
visions suggested in this (or any future vision plan) should
and neighborhood areas. Most of them require highly
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CONCLUSIONS + RECOMMENDATIONS
technical engineering, quantitative study, and advanced
CIRCULATION AND TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
planning. These catalytic plans and infrastructure
PLAN: A second planning effort will entail examination
systems are key steps in the efficient and long-term
of the circulation network and transportation system
sustainability of central Oranjestad. These 4 planning
design and management of central Oranjestad. As the
and infrastructure efforts are not to be taken lightly.
character of the downtown is slowed to encourage tourist
They are necessary foundations for most other project
and visitor comfort, traffic will need to be calmed and
and redevelopment efforts, including current projects
made more pedestrian friendly. Traffic signalization
for Main Street, Parliament expansion, and plaza
is assumed as one of the key major changes along the
redevelopment.
length of L.G. Smith Boulevard. With the construction of the new bypass road around the city, opportunities
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN: No other system in
for reduced traffic loads can begin to influence current
Oranjestad is in need of greater attention and serves a
circulation management, which means that the nature
greater catalytic role than the stormwater infrastructure
of major urban arterials might change their function.
system. As stated time and again, areas throughout the
Planning for slower traffic, pedestrian comfort and
city are subject to periodic flooding from rain events.
access, clarified parking, and rationalized one-way
Coordinating a system of subterranean stormwater mains
couplets through the downtown is crucial for encouraging
and local reticulation of stormwater inlets will help to
the rebirth of the downtown retail core. We would
lay the foundation for other systemic planning tasks,
expect that any circulation plan would provide guidance
including: circulation, public realm improvements, and
on improved pedestrian crossings, traffic calming,
parking. In addition to traditional piping, newer green
single surface right-of-ways, improved lighting, and
infrastructure techniques should also be considered,
other streetscape amenities. In addition to basic street
especially for an island that desalinates the bulk of its
functions, however, attention to multi-modal access is
potable water. Green infrastructure techniques and
also crucial to the vision of this plan. Accommodating
water collection can be used for both drinking water
cycling, pedestrians, and other forms of transit will
and as irrigation for the public realm. A stormwater
change the nature of street life. Expanding the tram
management plan for the full city is the next step in
system from Main Street and Cruise Ship Terminal will
planning for Oranjestad.
also help to provide greater benefit to the city. All of these varied efforts require coordination and will require a full circulation and transportation study.
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DOWNTOWN PARKING PLAN: A third catalytic system, which
will require a coordinated design and implementation
requires attention for central Oranjestad’s success, is a
plan. The public realm of Oranjestad could also use an
coordinated downtown parking plan. It is unlikely that the
improved wayfinding system to channel visitors from the
downtown will see much investment without consideration
Cruise Ship Terminal to downtown, and to guide drivers
of improved parking. Visitors and residents alike require
entering the city. Public realm investments in key
convenient parking to access shops and services in all areas
plazas, wayfinding routes, streetscapes, and destinations
of downtown. Shop patrons are unlikely to walk significant
will be most effective if coordinated and joined together
distances in Aruba’s hot climate without parking and a
into a larger system of accessible urban places.
climate-calmed street network. While we encourage a shift to other more sustainable modes of transport, the pragmatic
7. DETERMINE THE DESIRED EXTENT OF THE TRAM
need to supply parking within close proximity to shops is
SYSTEM
essential. A coordinated parking strategy is required to
The introduction of a tram system on Main Street
study quantitative parking need, new structured and surface
between the Cruise Ship Terminal and Plaza Commercio
parking lot locations, and a linked system of parking access
is a great first step in improving the accessibility and
roads. This parking plan will also need to look at parking
economic success of the downtown area. To continue
access and wayfinding from key city arterials.
expanding this system to other areas adjacent to central Oranjestad is a next step. Within this document,
PUBLIC REALM IMPROVEMENT PLAN: Although efforts are
suggestions have been made to extend the tram to the
currently underway to improve the public realm associated
northwest neighborhoods and to the new waterfront
with Main Street and several key urban plazas, the rest of
development along L.G. Smith Boulevard. Connecting
the downtown street and open space network now needs
the rail-based tram system to the new and existing
attention. A public realm improvement plan for the long-
neighborhoods will help bring people to downtown
term development of streets, plazas and parks in the central
shopping with no added pressure on parking. This will
area needs to be developed to guide coordinated design and
help to further integrate these areas into the larger
material selection for the incremental upgrading of the public
success of the downtown area. However, this will
realm over time. The typological design proposals within this
require study, financial analysis, funding, and design
document is a good first step in discussing the public realm.
investigation. Implementing an expanded tram system is
However, applying this hierarchy as a set of street design
a big decision on the part of Government and will require
guidelines, prioritizing first projects, and implementing them
a good deal of social and economic capital to get off the ground.
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CONCLUSIONS + RECOMMENDATIONS
8. PRIORITIZE AND IMPLEMENT DISCRETE PROJECT
9. START WHERE IT’S EASIEST
PROPOSALS
While nothing is truly easy in city-making – given
Even before key infrastructure systems are planned and
the number of agencies and stakeholders involved in
implemented, several of the design proposals within
implementation, comment and critique – several smaller
this vision plan could be constructed, since they have
and more modest projects could be started quickly.
marginal dependency on these larger systems. These
To create support for later large scale developments,
projects can add immense public realm value to central
such as the waterfront park or the realignment of L.G.
Oranjestad and be constructed in a piece-by-piece
Smith Boulevard, government leaders and the larger
manner as budgets and planning capacity becomes
community should try to ascertain a list of quick and
available. They can become an incremental means
simple implementable projects – even those that might
of improving the city that occurs on a regular basis,
be part and parcel of other larger projects. An example
allowing steady movement toward the end vision.
of this might be the renovation of vacant buildings next
Some of the projects that might be included herein
to the lagoon and their conversion to cafes. Another easy
are: neighborhood initiatives like community centers,
policy change would be the extension of shopping hours
university expansions, plazas, parks and housing infill;
in the downtown shopping district. Another might be
downtown plaza, park, and preservation efforts. A list
the construction of the Parliament plaza at the marina.
of all such projects should be compiled, prioritized
These projects could be very visible and let people see
and scheduled for implementation across a phased
the vision for Oranjestad taking shape. These might be
calendar. The range of implemented ideas and projects
framed as pilot projects to test designs, garner public
should match temporal contexts for internal project
support, and provide a list of accomplishments for
management, community need, and ongoing problem-
government. Projects such as public art, tree planting,
solving and funding options.
pavement improvement, cross-walks, park enhancement, playground construction and façade improvement programs can create visible and immediate benefits within a short period of time. Let people see the vision plan coming to fruition.
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CHAPTER 6
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PENNDESIGN The University of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest
The School’s Department of City and Regional Planning
universities in the United States, founded in 1740 and
(PennPlanning) was recently ranked as one of the top
located in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In
five planning schools in the country. Within the Masters
keeping with the innovative example of the University’s
Program, students can concentrate in Urban Design,
founder Benjamin Franklin, it is a place where teaching
Community and Economic Development, Public/Private
embraces both theory and practice. The educational
Development, Land Use & Environmental Planning, or
experience at Penn is both intellectual and utilitarian;
Sustainable Transportation & Infrastructure Planning. The
education that explores not only why, but how. Penn’s
Urban Design concentration at PennPlanning is one of
School of Design is dedicated to improving the quality
the oldest and most progressive programs in the United
of life through the design and preservation of artworks,
States. The School is noteworthy for the history of its
buildings, landscapes, cities, and regions. The School’s
distinguished faculty and graduates, including: Lewis
distinctive contributions to this effort lie at the
Mumford, Ian McHarg, Louis Kahn, Herbert Gans, Robert
intersection of the disciplines of architecture, landscape
Venturi, Allan Jacobs, Edmund Bacon and Jonathan
architecture, fine arts, city and regional planning, and
Barnett. Education at PennDesign is directed under the
historic preservation. The design arts are the common
leadership of Dean Marilyn Taylor.
intellectual core of the School, but PennDesign’s work is equally rooted in knowledge from technologists, historians, and social scientists. The School creates an environment in which students are challenged to consider the wider implications of their work. Professional master’s degrees are offered in architecture (M.Arch), city planning (MCP), fine arts (MFA), historic preservation (MSHP), urban spatial analytics (MUSA) and landscape
PennDesign at the University of Pennsylvania 210 South 34th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6311 USA (215) 898-3425 www.design.upenn.edu
architecture (MLA). The Ph.D. is offered in architecture and city planning. The University is consistently ranked in the top ten universities in the United States.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | FALL 2010
CONCLUSIONS + RECOMMENDATIONS
STUDIO FACULTY + PARTICIPANTS INSTRUCTORS Prof. Michael Larice Prof. Gary Hack
STUDENTS Associate Professor of Urban Design and
Rachel Ahern
Landscape Architecture
City Planning
Adam Amrhein
City and Regional Planning
Professor of Urban Design and City
Chris Bleakley
Landscape Architecture
Ariane Burwell
City and Regional Planning
Raman Gardner
City and Regional Planning
Keyleigh Kern
Landscape Architecture / City and
Planning
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS Jonathan Kol Fogelson
Urban Designer - Michael Singer Studio
Ben Bryant
Planning Analyst – Group Melvin Design
TEACHING ASSISTANT Anthony Riederer
City and Regional Planning
URBAN DESIGN VISION PLANS FOR ARUBA - ORANJESTAD
Regional Planning Emily Leckvarcik
City and Regional Planning
Jae Kyung Lee
City and Regional Planning
Yumi Lifer
City and Regional Planning
Anjuli Maniam
City and Regional Planning
Jillian Nameth
City and Regional Planning
Marie Park
City and Regional Planning
Michael Parkinson
City and Regional Planning
Allen Penniman
City and Regional Planning
Anthony Riederer
City and Regional Planning
Alexandra Sweet
City and Regional Planning
John Tatum
City and Regional Planning
Adam Tecza
City and Regional Planning
Karen Thompson
City and Regional Planning
Matthew Vanoosten
City and Regional Planning
Andrew Zalewski
City and Regional Planning
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Department of City & Regional Planning