Abstract The way New Orleans suffers and ultimately will survive depends on the city’s topography and typologies. The majority of New Orleans is below sea level so the way the city was built had a lot to do with finding new ways of pushing the water out of the city, finding the best ways to keep that water out and building stable buildings to with stand against the possibility of water coming back into the city. Based on the history of the city it is clear that the way the city was designed and built is not effective. The method used to the keep the water out has failed again recently so it is now time to design a better system and city. My idea for where the city should be, is based on finding ways to place opposites affect each other to create a new world in between. The opposites that deal with the topography of the city are high/ dry land and low/ wet land. The high/dry land can avoid the chance of the water re-entering the city altogether, this therefore allows for a different type of typology compared to the low/ wet areas that is always at risk of flooding. These opposite types of land should not only have different typologies in order to with stand natural occurrences or not but also, have ways to connect the two worlds. This can be done above, below or on the surface, so as the city water level rise or lower a different connection would be in place to move with the city, program was also studied to look past topologies, in order to find a new way to changing these programs. 1
High/Dry Areas + Low/Wet Areas = Topography How can Topography affect Typologies? Advantages High/Dry Areas -Avoid flooding - Good Views
Low/Wet Areas -Easier access to commercial and other programs
Disadvantages High/Dry Areas -Hardier communute/access to commercial and other programs
Low/Wet Areas
Topography Map
-Floods -No views
2
3
High/Dry Areas + Low/Wet Areas = Topography How can Topography and Water Flooding affect Typologies?
Flooding Map
4
5
Program How can Cities grow based on water flooding and topography to create Typologies?
City Growth
Grew from water out 6
Grew around deep flooded areas
Expand from transportation network 7
Program
Housing
How can Program, topography and water flooding affect Typologies?
Neighborhoods
9th Ward Neighborhood
Highway Development
Highway Splits Neighborhood 8
Neighborhood Viewed by People 9
Program Housing Renewal District
Ranch
Mid-Century Modern
Modern Era Single Family
10
1 story
setback 8-20
1-2 stories
setback
1-2 stories
setback 5-20
porch
porch, driveway , balconies
porch, driveway , balconies
brick & wood
wood & iron balconcies
elevated 4-8, usable space under grade 11
Program Housing Woodwork District
Craftsmen Bungalow
1-1.5 stories
setback 2-10
exposed wood beams
yard
gable roof
brick & wood
Early Suburban
1-2 stories
setback 2-10
yard
garage
detached
brick,wood & stucco 12
13
Program Housing Second Faubourgs District
Gunshot Single & Double
1-2 stories
setback 2-6
2-3 stories
setback 3-8
yard
wood
Spanish & Colonial Eclectic
yard
garage
brick & wood
Victorian Era Styles
2-3 stories
14
setback 5-8
yard
brick & wood
15
Program School
By Highway Advantage -Easy access to other areas - Close to Housing
Disadvantage
next to green highway
next to highway & green space
yard
brick & stucco
between to highways
2-3 stories
-Not safe for children
By Water Advantage -Close to park for children outdoor activities - Good View of Water - Close to Housing
next to water and green space
next to water & on green space
between to highway & water
2-3 stories
Disadvantage
yard 16
brick & stucco 17
Program Commercial
By Highway
Advantage - Easy access/ commute to other programs and areas
commercials together
middle of schools
between water & highway
1-2 stories
setback
between water & highway
1-2 stories
setback
Disadvantage
yard
brick & stucco
By Water
Advantage - Good View of Water - Close to Housing and other porgrams
commercials together
middle of schools
Disadvantage
yard 18
brick & stucco 19
Program Opportunity How can the knowledge of Program, topography, and past Typologies create a new city? Housing
Blight/Vacant Schools
Commercial In-Use
Vacant
Blight
Commercial
In-Use
Vacant
Blight 20