Taylor Ranch Analysis and Synthesis

TAYLOR RANCH SITE ANALYSIS

CAMERON SAVOIS URBAN SYSTEMS 2011

CONTEXT SITE . EXISTING CONDITIONS

SYSTEMS

NATURAL . PHYSICAL

TRANSPORTATION BUS . ROADS. PATHS.

FUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS DESIGN IDEAS

CONTEXT

SITE. EXISTING CONDITIONS.

SITE DESCRIPTION

N FIGURE GROUND

This site resides on the west side of Albuquerque at the intersection of Montano and Taylor Ranch Rd. The West Side of Albuquerque is predominately laid out at a bedroom community with a sprawling development pattern and no strong cultural or social anchors. This area is no different.

As one crosses the river the dynamics of the urban condition dramatically change and the divergent growth pattern are made apparent.

Big lot developments are the rising trend with enormous parking lots and commercial strip retail. This type of development spans the entire length of Coors Blvd. broken up with entrances to sub divisions. As you continue west up Montano more housing development arise, mostly in the form of large subdivisions existing from the expansion of Albuquerque. Large guardian walls contain the housing developments and line Montano until Taylor Ranch Rd. As you approach the intersection it opens up a lot but into a big box development (including a community center + daycare center) surrounded on three sides by residential area.

The site is very green, having lots of vegetation which is not very representative of Albuquerque. Taylor Ranch Rd. is quite aesthetically pleasing, lined with trees on the side walks and in the median. This green corridor leads to Mariposa Basin Park which is the largest entity on the site and is responsible for most of the activity in the area. This is one of the most alluring parks in the entire Albuquerque Metropolitan area. It contains three trail loops, playgrounds, and sports fields. It is also the main source of drainage for the entire area and is connected to the Mariposa Drainage Channel that cuts through the entire site running as far south as Unser Blvd.

There are many types of land uses in the area which are all represented in contrasting ways. Residential separated by large walls, large lot development with poor parking, and open/recreational space. The site if designed correctly can be very accessible and unique, creating a true social center on the West Side of Albuquerque.

EXISTING CONDITIONS The conditions that exist on the site are very characteristic of the West Side of Albuquerque.

First the residential areas located off of Montano and Taylor Ranch Rd are very unifrom, but not repretative. The housing is quanit and secure, the neighborhoods are full of children playing and residents working outside. The downfall is the aspect of accesibiltuy, the residential areas are not easily accesible to the community center and the park, except with automobile travel. The shopping center on the corner of Montano and Taylor Ranch Rd also includes a commuity center and some daycare and dental services. The needs that are existant in the shopping center are vital for a healthy community but poor parking and fast moving traffic hamper the potential of the area. The main acitivity center is Mariposa Basin Park which is directly North of the shopping center and is very nicely integrated into the neighborhood and provides many ways of multi modal entry by car, walking, and biking. It is defintiely the most active center this area has and provides many recreation services promoting the helath of the surrounding citizens. One problem is since the area in not condusive to walkability most visitors of the park drive and then enjoy the ammenities. The sidewalks however are wide and are integrated within one of the walkign paths of the park. There is a lack of activity in the shopping center that encompasses much of the site, which if it is not working succesfully than it is waisting space. Also the site has a feeling of segregation, all of the differnet land uses are partitioned and clearly dileanted. Disregarding this feeling the area is one of the greenest in Albuquereque and is a place where people want to be, the well maintained landscaping leads you into an amazingly serene and peaceful part of town.

The downfall is the West Side is automobile dominated, so only residents in close proximity can enjoy its amenities.

SECTIONS

N

N The first section cuts through a view of Taylor Ranch Rd showing the shopping center at elevation view, looking at this section you are able to view the built form from groung level. This section shows the contrast between the big box developemtn and the residential area on the left .

The second section cuts through the main shopping center looking North. at elevatoin view. This section shows the interaction between the residnetial and commerical area and how close in proximity they are but they are actually very segreated by natural and manmade obstructions.

LAND USE + CONTOURS

N

SYSTEMS NATURAL. PHYSICAL.

There are many systems, natural and man made that exist on the site. First the most obvious systems in place are the road networks. One of the busiest roads in all of Albuquerque transects the site delivering most of the traffic to and through the area. The traffic flow of Montano I believe is one of the reasons this park was developed. The up and coming area of Taylor Ranch and the West Side as a whole demanded open space and recreational areas, so planning to but a park in close proximity to a main arterial was a wise choice. The second most apparent physical man made system is the drainage basin that services the entire area. This feature of the site is the focal point and the reason why the Mariposa Basin Park was even developed. Within the park there are damns and flood plains to accommodate the drainage areas also spots of marshland exist. The outlet for the drainage water flow is the Mariposa Drainage Channel, which connects with the drainage basin at the southern most point. The channel then turns into concrete lined arroyo and carries water down to Unser Blvd. The integration of this natural system works cohesively with the surrounding environment.

The walkways are built up like levees to protect the adjacent neighborhoods form any potential storm effluent that might result. Some of the other natural systems that spawned from the park are open space and a few ponds on the north side of the park. Some of these natural elements of the site are direct products of the drainage basin, so naturally this area would be more lush with vegetation and in turn be maintained at a higher level than our otherwise arid landscape that is Albuquerque. The third no so clear system is the land use pattern within the site, and there are many, as seen in the graphic (left). The various land use types creates many opportunities for areas to develop in ways that will most suit the area. On this site most of the land use options are represented: commercial retail, commercial service, drainage/flood control, multi family, parking, parks/ recreation, institutional, single family, transportation/utilites, and some vacant land. All of these land uses are advantageous and necessary to the development of a vibrant community. The variety creates many opportunities for the land and if the potential is maximized a very unique place may arise. Another key aspect of the area is the topography. The topography of this area has a high degree of slope up to the intersection of Montano and Taylor Ranch Rd but levels out from there. Knowing the topography of an area is advantageous for development in many ways such as designing for accessibility, visibility, circulation possibilities, and physical barriers. (In the graphic the contour lines are 1 line: 2 ft.) All of these aspects of systems are very prominent when analyzing a site and knowing how the site functions provides for a better understanding of how it is engrossed in the larger urban fabric.

TRANSPORTATION BUS STOPS. ROADS. PATHS.

N BUS STOPS

PEDESTRIAN PATHS + MAJOR ARTERIALS

Due to the unsustainable development of sprawl communities, alternate forms of transportation where not focused on in the design of the subdivision. Like most West Side developments the residential areas of the site are not easily accessible and do not condone any alternate forms of transportation than the automobile. There are attempts to correct this mistake with bus routes and walking and biking paths though.

There are seven Albuquerque Ride bus stops in the area but all are on the main arterials where pedestrian traffic is not utilized. There is no easy way to get to or from a bus stop the neighborhoods are repetitive labyrinths. Activating the residential areas with walkways straight to bus stops would be ideal.

The other multi modal forms of transportation are accommodated well, with walking and bikeways along the Mariposa Channel and throughout the park itself. There are three different trail loops that accommodate bikers and walkers; these trails are nicely integrated in the park, raised above the ground as if you were walking on the top of a levee. The only problem is the accessibility by bike and on foot to the park, if you take the channel trail its no problem but otherwise you have to cross heavy traffic.

FUNCTION I view the function of this site as a social and community center for people to interact with their environment and each other. The area is built for this purpose; there is an amazing park, a retail center, and a community center. All of these features lend to the idea of a social center. The problem is the culmination of all the elements into a cohesive unit. The residential areas are inactive due to the confusing layout, the commercial area is burdened with large unused parking lots, and Mariposa Park is trying to bring these features together but without success. Besides the physical characteristics this site has many advantages. The sensory qualities are extremely prominent. Views of the East Side and the Sandia Mountains is a desired and cherished aspect of Albuquerque living, and living on the West Side there are no obstructions of that scene. Being one of the greener areas of town certain smells arise from the presence of trees, grass, and water culminating in a lush aroma. These sensory qualities add to the sense of community you feel when you’re outside walking the trails. I can sense the value that is placed on the park and community center by the residents, and that’s promising considering the physical layout isn’t hindering the process. There are many stakeholders that all have invested interests of the site and wish to see it utilized to the best of its capabilities. This area has the potential to be the social center for the community and will attract not only residents but also passersby. The commercial center is located on the corner of two main arterials and accessibility would be no problem at all. This corner thrives on automobile traffic, so why not provide entertainment and services big commercial strips cant.

IMPROVEMENTS DESIGN IDEAS

DESIGN IDEAS Many design ideas arise whilst trying to address the problem of poor circulation and accessibility of the community center. Another aspect that needs to be addressed as well is the walk ability of the entire site, promoting multi modal transportation is imperative.

Seeing how there isn’t many social services that the commercial center provides currently, I propose implementing more retail, in the form of cafes and shops oppose to big corporations. With this new development in place it will bring more foot traffic and jobs so I then propose to create a multi purpose civic center in front of the shops and community center. This space will have plenty of seating incorporated with a water feature at the west end. The center will be easily accessible from the parking lots and the surrounding neighborhoods. Walking paths will be integrated throughout the area so wherever you’re walking form its easy to get to. This will create more social interaction for people and it can be used by the multiple entities that reside nearby. This center will hopefully also get the residents to walk more since the space would be similar to an outdoor mall. Events can also be held here so the community can share it amenities with everyone and bring more attention on the community, showing other projects can be possible down the line.

BEFORE

AFTER

N

N