MEDIATED PACE
Adapting to the Rhythm of Upstate New York
Design Studio Spring 2010
I
MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010
I
KULeuven Belgium
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
3
LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
INTRODUCTION
1850 1810-40
fort calstop
foet cals
1800
top tran
sect 25
00miles
1790 erie canal
2600miles erie canal
s ile 0m
20 t1 ec tra ns
santa fe
st.louis
ns
sec
n fe tra
ne
w
sandiago
santa
rans
uis t
st.Lo
or le
sand
0miles
ct 250
anse iago tr
es 0 mil t 175
s
mile
00 ect 9
new orleans
accelarted advancement to the west facilitated by the introduction of the canal.
4
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
1700 New york
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
Looking at the Erie Canal today, the remnant infrastructures of a fast developing industrial corridor are still apparent. This particular piece of infrastructure made it possible to comfortably cross the barrier of the Appalachians and continue the colonizing march to the West. Thereby facilitating the growth of the young colony predominantly on the eastern coast. The Erie Canal connected New York City to the trade centres in the interior, leading indirectly to the Louisiana Purchase,
which doubled the size of the colony and 10 years later the nation extended from east to west coast. The location of the Canal was determined by the presence of a corridor, known as the Mohawk Valley, created by the slow geological processes and glacial transformation that shaped the region and left particular traces on the landscape like the Mohawk Valley and the Fingerlakes.
slow geological processes and glacial transformation leading to a peculiar geomorphology of the upstate NY region
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
5
LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
1850 1810-40
1810-40
1790
1800
fort calstop
1700
-7.4% -10.8% -8.3%
1980
-22.7%
1970
-13.1%
1960
-8.2%
_ +
1950
Buffalo
s ile m
00 12 ct se lens
or w ne
-2.1%
132%
80.3%
80.3%
110%
67.3%
55.3%
_ +
The rhythm of travelling over the canal greatly influenced the urbanisation patterns in the upstate region of NY; cities sprouted where ships had to wait inside locks, slowing down the flow of goods and people, and therefore providing an ideal location for economical transactions. This flourishing economy made it possible Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
New York
26.3%
2
32.4%
km
92%
.4
53.1%
14
20.3%
1,2
70.2%
43.2% 29.4%
64.8%
2
49.8%
31.8% 45.1%
Historical populations Year Pop. %± 1790 3,498 — 1800 5,289 51.2% 1810 10,762 103.5% 1820 12,630 17.4% 1830 24,209 91.7% 1840 33,721 39.3% 1850 50,763 50.5% 1860 62,367 22.9% 1870 69,422 11.3% 1880 90,758 30.7% 1890 94,923 4.6% 1900 94,151 −0.8% 1910 100,253 6.5% 1920 113,344 13.1% characterized by shrinking 1930 127,412 12.4%
Albany
$0
-3.7% -8.7%
Historical populations Year Pop. %± 1698 4,937 — 1712 5,840 18.3% 1723 7,248 24.1% 1737 10,664 47.1% 1746 11,717 9.9% 1756 13,046 11.3% 1771 21,863 67.6% 1790 33,131 51.5% 1800 60,515 82.7% 4.4% 1810 96,373 59.3% 9.4% 1820 123,706 28.4% 3.5% 1830 202,589 63.8% -10.4% 1840 312,710 54.4% 1.5% 1850 515,547 64.9% -1.4% 1860 813,669 57.8% 1870 942,292 15.8% 1880 1,206,299 28.0% 1890 1,515,301 25.6% 1900 3,437,202 126.8% 1910 4,766,883 38.7% 1920 5,620,048 17.9% 1930 6,930,446 23.3% 1940 7,454,995 7.6% 1950 7,891,957 5.9% 1960 7,781,984 −1.4% 1970 7,894,862 1.5% 1980 7,071,639 −10.4% 1990 7,322,564 3.5% 2000 8,008,288 9.4% 2008* 8,363,710 4.4%
km
$50,000
-6.3% -10.1% -13.7%
the ‘rust-belt’ a region formerly known for its manufacturing industries now
6
New york
Historical populations Year Pop. %± 1790 3,498 — 1800 5,289 51.2% 1810 10,762 103.5% 1820 12,630 17.4% 1830 24,209 91.7% 1840 33,721 39.3% 1850 50,763 50.5% 1860 62,367 22.9% 1870 69,422 11.3% 1880 90,758 30.7% 1890 94,923 4.6% -1.6% 1900 94,151 −0.8% -5.4% 1910 100,253 6.5% -0.6% 1920 113,344 13.1% 1930 127,412 12.4% -12.1% 1940 130,577 2.5% -10.7% 1950 134,995 3.4% -3.9% 1960 129,726 −3.9% 1970 115,781 −10.7% 1980 101,727 −12.1% 1990 101,082 −0.6% 2000 95,658 −5.4% 2007* 94,172 −1.6%
new orleans
.6
$200,000
tran
56
$150,000
s st.Loui
Syracuse
$100,000
st.louis
2
$450,000
miles
km
$500,000
sect 1750
fe tran
.4
$400,000
santa
2
km
$350,000
2500miles
santa fe
66
.8
$250,000
transect
Rochester
92
$300,000
sandiago
sandiago
New york
Historical populations Year Pop. %± 1840 20,191 — 1850 36,403 80.3% 1860 48,204 32.4% 1870 62,386 29.4% 1880 89,366 43.2% 1890 133,896 49.8% 1900 162,608 21.4% -5.9% 1910 218,149 34.2% -5.1% 1920 295,750 35.6% 1930 328,132 10.9% -4.2% 1940 324,975 −1.0% -18.4% 1950 332,488 2.3% -7.0% 1960 318,611 −4.2% -4.2% 1970 296,233 −7.0% 1980 241,741 −18.4% 1990 231,636 −4.2% 2000 219,773 −5.1% ``2008* 206,886 −5.9%
Buffalo
1830
2 km
1850 1840
1700
miles
Syracuse
6.0
1860
Rochester
900
13
1890
sect
tran
en w ne
2008
1990
1870
erie canal
orl
orl en w ne
new orleans
2000
1880
erie canal
miles 0 mi
st.Lou
120
st.louis
900
is trans
les
ect
miles
nse
santa
t 1750
s tra
120 s tra
nse
ct
santa fe
fe transec
new orleans
Historical populations Year Pop. %± 1830 8,668 — 1840 18,213 110.1% 1850 42,261 132.0% 1860 81,129 92.0% 1870 117,714 45.1% 1880 155,134 31.8% 1890 255,664 64.8% 1900 352,387 37.8% 1910 423,715 20.2% 1920 506,775 19.6% 1930 573,076 13.1% 1940 575,901 0.5% 1950 580,132 0.7% 1960 532,759 −8.2% 1970 462,768 −13.1% 1980 357,870 −22.7% 1990 328,123 −8.3% 2000 292,648 −10.8% 2008* 270,919 −7.4%
Albany
1800 iles
2600miles
New york
New Amsterdam ct
miles les
900
0 mi
ect is trans
st.Lou
ct 2500m
1790
1700
st.louis
p transe
1790
1700 New Amsterdam
foet calsto
4.6%
28%
30.7%
15.8%
11.3%
57.8%
22.9%
64.9%
50.5%
54.4%
39.3%
63.8%
population numbers
to fully recover the initial investment of 7 million dollars for the construction of the canal within merely 8 years. When this flow of transaction carried by the Erie Canal slowed down, so did the development of these cities and in many of these locations life took on a slower pace.
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
rome
river trade post pop. < 100
Erie Canal development pop. < 5,000
Barge Canal development pop. 26, 331
canal relics shrinking city? pop. 34,950 8.5 % vacant
Barge Canal development pop. 295, 750
canal relics shrinking city? pop. 219,773 6.97% vacant
Barge Canal development pop. 506,775
canal relic shrinking city? pop. 292,648 8.22% vacant
rochester
river settlement pop. 15
Erie Canal development pop. 2,500
buffalo
lake/river trade post pop. <1,000
Erie Canal development pop. 2,400
the ‘rust-belt’ a region formerly known for its manufacturing industries now characterized by shrinking population numbers
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
7
LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report day 1
DAYCYCLE CURRENT TRAVEL TIME
4,5 hours
day 2
5 hours
7 hours
6 hours
CANALSCAPE
RHYTHM (0,5 h) buffalo
rochester
lockport
newark oswego
.8
92 2 km fulton
6 13 .0
spencerport
rochester
2
km
fairport tonawanda buffalo
100
travel on the erie canal and the related experience of a varied arrey of paces 0 feet
8
baldwinsville
north tonawanda
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
2
brockport
km
albion
.4
medina
66
lockport
clyde macedon
jordan newark
port byron auburn
syracus
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY day 3
5 hours
day 4
2 hours
rome
syracuse
3 hours
utica
day 5
5,5 hours
9,5 hours
amsterdam
little falls
albany
rome
oriskany canastota little falls st.johnsville fonda
amsterdam
2
fort plain
km
illoin
canajoharie
.6
fayetteville
56
utica
se
schenectady
troy
albany
10 0 miles Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
9
100
LIQUID URBANISM I
0 feet
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
Apart from illustrating this relation between the unique pace of the Erie Canal and the location of settlements and key cities, travelling on the Erie Canal today also shows this shift in pace from high speed development to a location for people that want to take a step back. It also reveals the natural cycles that have always greatly affected the pace in this region, like the drastically
10
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
changing seasons with a difference in temperature averaging over 40 degrees Celsius, and related to that the fluctuating flow of water and the agricultural cycles. Natural to the process of fast development is the creation of abandoned buildings, infrastructures and open spaces. The Erie Canal, in a way, acts as a datum that structures the distribution of these industrial remnants and wasted
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY 10
spaces in Upstate New York, creating what is now known as part of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rust Beltâ&#x20AC;?, a region formerly focused on manufacturing industries and now characterised by shrinking cities.
0 miles
also holds the potentiality of having a wide range of alternative modes and paces of mobility.
The pace of development in the region was also accompanied by competing infrastructures, which has led on the one hand to these wasted spaces, but
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
11
LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
Montreal
Minneapolis
Toronto
Boston
Buffalo Milwaukee
Detroit
NEW YORK THE GREAT LAKES MEGA-REGION 2050
CHICAGO
Cleveland
Pittsburgh Philadelphia
Omaha
East Coast Megaregion Great Lakes Megaregion
Cincinnati
Kansas City
Great Lakes Megaregion (Canada extension)
WASHINGTON
urbanisation High Speed Rail
3 million + metro
St. Louis
250,000 +
Incrimental Speed Rail
50,000 +
Bus Connection
0
50
100
150
200
250 km
proposed HST conectivity network
In the current trend of globalization, the creation of strong transnational regions and providing fluid connectivity is crucial to drawing and facilitating flows of transaction. This idea of mega-regions changes our perspective on upstate New York completely. The east with New York City as its main node is part of the East Coast Mega-region; in the west Buffalo is envisioned as the new gateway to the Great Lakes Megaregion, whereas the rest of the hinterland is turned into an â&#x20AC;&#x153;in-betweenâ&#x20AC;? space. The mega-regions are linked by a high speed rail project which reinforces this idea. On the other hand one of the major cyclical processes affecting both mega-regions and the hinterlands are the seasonal changes with cycles of freezing winters and warm comfortable summers. Adapting to these natural processes has been one of the assets of the region and continuing to do so will be crucial in its sustained development. 12
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
Our research position argues that mediating between fast processes of development and slower processes and cycles of change contributes to the unique landscape character and regional identity of upstate New York and therefore should be sustained with strategic urban and environmental interventions.
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
seasonal frost phenomenon affectin the whole of the great lakes region Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
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LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
selected sites
SPRING THAW 2009
April 20-30
April 10-20
ROCHESTER
lake ontario tributaries
BUFFALO
niagra falls/lake erie oswego river/finger lakes genesse river
chemung river
To advance this investigation, we have selected two sites: one situated in Buffalo, which will develop in the coming decades as the gateway to the Great Lakes mega-region and as an important node in the newly proposed HST system. And one in the Mohawk Valley, the hinterland â&#x20AC;&#x153;in-betweenâ&#x20AC;?, characterised by its long hard winters, rugged terrain and inaccessibility. We deliberately chose two sites of apparently contrasting paces, but the project will show that this opposition of fast and slow pace is only apparent at first sight, and that the projects should mediate between different paces locally to be able to adapt to the rhythm of Upstate New York in a contextualized, non-generic way.
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Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
April 20-30 April 30-May 10
May 10-20
after May 30
May 10-20
May 20-30
April 20-30
April 10-20
black river upper hudson river
lake champlain
ROME
UTHICA
SYRACUSE
Mohawk river
SCHENECTADY
TROY ALBANY
susquehanna river
lower hudson river 0
5
15
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
15
LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
Buffalo :adapting to a a fast pace In the context of the proposed development of megaregions in the US (by 2050) as a continuation of its fast pace of development, we argue that the plan for the Great Lakes Mega-region and the HST should extend over the national borders to Canada, as it is equally part of the Great Lakes economic and ecological rhythm. The fast process of suburbanisation in the Greater Buffalo metropolitan area has extended across the Canadian
border towards the metropolitan area of Toronto. Together, the cities of Toronto and Buffalo could become the new commercial and cultural gateway to the Great Lakes Mega-region. Slightly adjusting the proposed highspeed rail connection for the region would facilitate this global vision and partnership.
Montreal
Minneapolis
Toronto
Boston
Buffalo Milwaukee
Detroit
NEW YORK THE GREAT LAKES MEGA-REGION 2050
CHICAGO
Cleveland
Pittsburgh Philadelphia
Omaha
East Coast Megaregion Great Lakes Megaregion
Cincinnati
Kansas City
Great Lakes Megaregion (Canada extension)
WASHINGTON
urbanisation
St. Louis
Incrimental Speed Rail
50,000 +
Bus Connection
0
Buffalo used to be one of the main commercial nodes and distribution ports for goods going to and coming from New York City via the Erie Canal. Its industrial activities were mainly located around the Buffalo River, which acted as an extension of the Canal. Therefore it is currently also the location of many waste-spaces, disconnecting the suburbs (to the south of the river) from the shrinking city centre. Locating the new HST 16
High Speed Rail
3 million + metro 250,000 +
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
50
100
150
200
250 km
station just south of the Buffalo River, close to the waterfront, will not only connect the city of Buffalo to the global network, but the proposed development could also generate a new impulse in this part of the city. 4. These waste-spaces are the result of the rhythm of industrialisation and deindustrialisation. But some of these industrial relics, caught in a pace of decay, still hold esthetical value and great potential for reuse.
7 CN Tower 25 km
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY 7 6
6 Misssissauga Distance
Toronto Waterfront
30 km TORONTO
Hamilton
5
Time (min)
OTTAWA
20 km Oakville
Pickering
Living Arts Centre
20 km
Beamsville Winery
3
Stoney Creek
7
24 km
CN Tower
Beamsville
25 km
20 km
7 6
5
4 Niagara Falls
Thorold
6
15 km
Living Arts Centre Niagara Falls
20 km
24 km
4
3
Oakville 30 km
North Tonawanda
Peace Bridge
2
Hamilton
5
20 km
Beamsville Winery
1
Misssissauga
3
Stoney Creek 24 km
24 km
Beamsville
2 Gate to the west? Niagara Falls
Thorold
15 km NYC
BUFFALO Lockport
1
?
20 km
4
Niagara Falls 24 km
4
BUFFALO - TORONTO METRO
3
North Tonawanda
Peace Bridge
2 1
24 km
2 Gate to the west?
highway 20
ferry line rivers/canals
1
?
BUFFALO NYC
light rail
metropolitan area station
Lockport
high speed rail
urbanisation
BUFFALO - TORONTO METRO 0
10
But since the site is located in and around wetlands any future development should also take the critical slower processes of seasonal flooding and freezing into account, giving them room to happen and using them as assets if possible.. To be able to reintroduce a new urban pace in this location we not only need to connect it to the global network, but also reconnect it to the city centre. . Extending the existing mobility network and 30
40
50
km
urbanisation
metropolitan area
station
high speed rail
strategically placing new transportation nodes will help facilitating this. Together the pace of wetlands, cultural heritage and alternative modes of transportation can generate a wide range of interrelated programs on this particular location.
light rail
highway
ferry line
rivers/canals
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
17
LIQUID URBANISM I
18
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
19
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
Mixed-use Commercial Entertainment Retail Leisure Regional Transportation
Local Transportation Eco Tourism Mixed-use Housing
Social Housing
Educational Heritage Eco Tourism
Retail Winter Sports Entertainment Mixed-use Commercial Educational Global Transportation
Winter Sports Tourist Accomodation Leisure Local Transportation
Eco Tourism
20
Winter Activities
Retail Leisure Housing
Commercial Heritage
Leisure Entertainment
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
Low Density Housing
Leisure
Heritage
Commercial
Housing
Retail
Winter Activities
Winter Activities
Heritage
Commercial
Retail
Leisure
Housing
LIQUID URBANISM I
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
In plan this basically translates into three strips working on a different pace. The strip linked to the HST station represents the fast pace development in the context of Buffalo as gateway for the Great Lakes mega-region and node in a global network. On the waterfront we have development sfocussing on a slower pace of leisure, but also providing an ideal location for related commercial development. Between these two is a strip working on a
slower pace, where industrial relics stand in a landscape of wetlands revealing the rhythm of the seasons. A possible spatial translation of this is shown in the following sections, which represent the location of specific programs and an envisioned development they could bring.
Ferry Stations Water Taxi Station Water Taxi Path Bicycle and pedesterian path Grain elevators Grain elevators
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
21
LIQUID URBANISM I
22
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
23
LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
The next collages show we can mediate between these different paces. By for example reinforcing them through confrontation as shown here in the HST station. Or by recycling the industrial heritage to facilitate a new urban cultural program along a pedestrian ecotrail consisting of reused rail tracks.The waterfront development is organised around the skyway (highway),
24
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
which we downgraded and turned into a linear park and providing a safe connection to the city centre for pedestrians and cyclists.This last image shows the seasonal transformation and how this can influence the pace in the station development area by drawing the water system in and using its rhythm of change as an asset.
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
25
LIQUID URBANISM I
New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report
MOHAWK VALLEY :adapting to a slower pace
26
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
27
LIQUID URBANISM I New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report MOHAWK VALLEY adapting to a slower pace This shift in pace brings us to the Mohawk valley, which in essence is emblematic of what we identified as being a slower pace, characterized by subtly changing landscape textures, dense vegetative masses and dramatic rolling hills that buffer the interior region of New York State from the accelerated urban conditions found the port cities as New York City and Buffalo. SPRING in THAW April 20-30 2009
The Native American tribe of Mohawk from which the Valley inherited its name were also known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keepers of the Eastern Doorâ&#x20AC;?, as they protected their nation from invasions from that direction. We believe that this area- secluded as it may be- is once again under indirect pressure induced by the future development of these mega-regions on either side, April 10-20
ROCHESTER
lake ontario tributaries
BUFFALO
niagra falls/lake erie oswego river/finger lakes genesse river
chemung river
secluded despite abundance of infrastructure 28
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
since it is a continuum of the same regional network and ecological corridor. Though bundles of infrastructure are packed together in this valley, this area acts mainly as a corridor of flows (both literally and figuratively) and thus offers a condition which is in sharp contrast from the character associated with mega city-regions April 20-30 April 30-May 10
May 10-20
after May 30
Mohawk valley is also characterised by its long and harsh winters, which in combination with its rugged terrain and inaccessibility gives the area its slow paced dynamics, highly regulated by cyclical natural processes to which it is continually exposed. May 10-20
May 20-30
April 20-30
April 10-20
black river upper hudson river
lake champlain
ROME
UTHICA
SYRACUSE
Mohawk river
SCHENECTADY
TROY ALBANY
susquehanna river
lower hudson river 0
5
15
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
29
LIQUID URBANISM I New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report MOHAWK VALLEY adapting to a slower pace Frost generally stays longer in the Mohawk Valley, lasting on average from mid November until beginning of Aprilrendering this part of the region literally dormant during this period . The rate of the water flow also affects the speed of the frost-and-thaw-cycle, as the fast flowing water in rugged terrain freezes later and thaws faster. SPRING THAW 2009
A direct consequence of this is the seasonally recurring problems of ice jams and continual swelling of the Mohawk River posing a seasonal threat to the settlements downstream. To address this reoccurring problem we propose to enhance the existing wetlands in the floodplain of the
April 20-30
April 10-20
ROCHESTER
lake ontario tributaries
BUFFALO
niagra falls/lake erie oswego river/finger lakes genesse river
chemung river
an area subject to cyclical micro climatic conditions 30
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
valley segment between Little Falls and St Johnsville, as a sample of the area. This intervention could be implemented in parallel with the rearrangement of settlement patterns in the valley, as is shown in the sequence of valley sections below, by properly programming it and moving settlements and April 20-30 April 30-May 10
May 10-20
after May 30
crop-yielding fields further uphill on the south facing side of the valley and dedicating the north facing one mainly to a less demanding productive landscape.
May 10-20
May 20-30
April 20-30
April 10-20
black river upper hudson river
lake champlain
ROME
UTHICA
SYRACUSE
Mohawk river
SCHENECTADY
TROY ALBANY
susquehanna river
lower hudson river 0
5
15
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
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LIQUID URBANISM I New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report MOHAWK VALLEY adapting to a slower pace The next slides show a simulation of how we propose to slow down the seasonal and exceptional water fluctuation, by letting the river seasonally claim part of the agriculture land temporarily increasing the natural wetland areas. The existing infrastructures in this valley could act as dikes on the edge of this widened floodplain. This would then decrease the speed of the water flow and thereby reducing the risk of flooding further downstream of the Mohawk River. As a continuation of this slower water strategy- we add a second absorptive layer of forest on the steep slopes and along the creeks feeding into the river. Reforesting certain strategic locations could contribute over time to the enhancement of existing ecological corridors. Next we zoomed in on a sample site of this particular area, containing strips of various contextual conditions, changing at their own pace, that can be found here: ranging from creeks to forest and wetlands, to the little urbanisation there mainly linked to agricultural activities.
32
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
Valley cross section study
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
1
Mohawk Valley
Little Falls - Saint Johnsville
Small urban node
2
A
located in anarrow steep corridor, developed near lock, subject to seasonal flooding
1
3
Wetlands
located in Mohawk flood zone, ecological value,
2
down river run-off Mohawkslows Valley
Little Falls - Saint Johnsville Agricultural land mostly pasture land, developed on milder slopes, greatly affecting run-off
3
Mohawk Valley
Small urban node
Little Falls - Saint Johnsville
B
Forest in anarrow steep corridor, located located on steep slopes, developed lock, mostly alongnear creeks, subject to seasonal slows down run-off flooding
1 4
Mohawk Valley
Small urban node
Little Falls - Saint Johnsville 1
Mohawk Valley
1
Small urban node 1
located in anarrow steep corridor, developed near lock, subject to seasonal flooding
Wetlands
proposed located forestincover extention Mohawk flood zone,schemes 2
ecological value, slows down river run-off
3
Agricultural land 3
mostly pasture land, developed on milder slopes,
located in anarrow steep corridor, developed near lock, subject to seasonal flooding
2
located in Mohawk flood zone, ecological value, slows down river run-off
4
3
located in Mohawk flood zone, ecological value, slows down river run-off
mostly pasture land, developed on milder slopes, greatly affecting run-off
located in Mohawk flood zone, ecological value, slows down river run-off
2 0
3
1
2
3
Agricultural land
4 km
mostly pasture land, developed on milder slopes, greatly affecting run-off
Forest 4
located on steep slopes, mostly along creeks, slows down run-off
Forest
Agricultural land
mostly pasture land, developed on milder slopes, greatly affecting run-off
Forest
Wetlands
Agricultural land
Wetlands 2
located in anarrow steep corridor, C developed near lock, subject to seasonal flooding
Wetlands
Small urban node
Little Falls - Saint Johnsville
4
4
located on steep slopes, mostly along creeks, slows down run-off
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU0 2009-2010 I 2KULeuven 4 km 3 Belgium 1
located on steep slopes, mostly along creeks,
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LIQUID URBANISM I New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report MOHAWK VALLEY adapting to a slower pace Agriculture has been one of the most important activities in the Mohawk Valley ever since people started inhabiting the area. Even today it is the main occupations of its inhabitants, but the locally slower pace of agriculture is under pressure of accelerated conditions in the megaregions as mentioned before. The pace of the local agricultural facilities follows the cyclical processes of the seasons. This graph represents how these processes affect the growth and distribution of various kinds of pasture grasses. Since the economy of the valley is highly dependent on pasture based animal rearing practices and dairy-farming consideration of these processes is of paramount importance.
Our intervention on this scale consists of the implementation of the earlier proposed densification of the existing forest patches along the creeks, and also use it to mediate between this ecological intervention and the little development there. Small wooden cabins could exist within these forests, but they will focus on the experience instead of ownership. On the other hand we try to adapt the local agriculture to the current pace of development to be able to sustain their pace of living. By promoting and facilitating agro-tourism for people that want to take it slower, by constructing terraces and smaller parcels to facilitate this and suggest a more sustainable use of soils and water.
9 ave. annual snow fall stockpiles tall fescue
summer seeded brassicas
AVAILABILITY
summer seeded brassicas
feb
mar
apr
seasonal land surface texture change patterns 34
legume
2 ave. annual precipitation
kentucky blue grass unimproved
jan
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
may
5 4 3
kentucky blue grass improved
tall grasses 150 lb
8 7 6
warm season grasses
1 0 in
jun
jul
aug
sep
oct
nov
dec
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
woodland 0
100
woodland
200
woodland
wetland area
higher surface run off
west Canada lake
woodland
creek
woodland
increased percolation
woodland
wetland area
higher surface run off
farmland farmland
west Canada lake west Canada lake
woodland
woodland
woodland
creek
woodland
woodland
wetland area
woodland
wetland area
higher surface run off
e
wood land
e wooded wetland
Pature land
ee ee e ee e ee e e ee ee e ee e
e
wet dry
run off
e
raised foot path
crops
0.00
crops
0.00
infiltration
infiltration
infiltration
foot path
infiltration
crops foot path crops
crops
1.60
crops
run off
1.60
irrigation channel infiltration
irrigation channel 0.00
0.00
wet dry
infiltration
ee
1.60
infiltration
run off
wet dry
ee ee
ee
infiltration
infiltration infiltration
infiltration
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
r
resized and terrac
irrigation channel
1.60
raised foot path
wet dry
Pature land
crops
irrigation channel
infiltration
wet dry
ee
resized and terraced agricultural plots
resized and terraced agricultural plots
foot path
crops
run off
ee
foot path
raised foot path
wet dry
Pature land
wooded wetland Pature land
raised foot path
wet dry
creek
creek
higher surface run off
ee ee
e
wood land
wooded wetland
e e e e
farmland farmland
higher surface run off
wooded wetland
e e ee e
hig sur
farmhouse farmhouse
increased percolation
ee
wood land
pasture land
increased percolation
creek
wood land
pasture land
increased percolation
pasture land
creek
higher surface run off
wet dry
pasture land
500 m
35
LIQUID URBANISM I New York Region Erie Canal Studio : Design Report MOHAWK VALLEY adapting to a slower pace
More concretely this could translate into introducing walkways in the forests and wetlands for people to experience the rhythm and changes of this landscape as depicted in the sections above. a scematic detail showing the agricultural terraces with a rethought irrigation system on these steep slopes that slows down the runoff, and with increased accessibility for both owner and visitor can also be found above . The maps immediately above suggest the seasonal cycle of drastic change and its effect on the textures, the experience, and the use and pace of the landscape.
36
Dagnachew G. Aseffa [s0205505]
We adapt the area to the rhythm of the region by reinforcing existing ecological systems that also structure the landscape and urbanisation, and by introducing new seasonal programs of a different pace to help sustain the existing pace of life and recycle historical (industrial) relics. In this sense we not only try to mediate between the different paces on a local level, but also on a regional level mediate between the accelerated development in the coastal and port cities of the mega-regions and the hinterland of Upstate New York in a contextualized, non-generic way.
MEDIATED PACE I Adapting to the rhythm of upstate NY
Design Studio Spring 2010 I MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010 I KULeuven Belgium
37
DESIGN STUDIO REPORT: Dagnachew G. Aseffa, Miguel Vanleene, Payam Tabrizian STUDIO CRITICS: Amaechi Raphael Okigbo + Ward Verbakel INFO: MAHS / MAUSP / EMU Master programs, Department ASRO, K.U.Leuven Kasteelpark Arenberg 1, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium, Tel: +32 (0) 16 321391 Fax: +32 (0) 16 321984
Design Studio Spring 2010
I
MaHS-MaUSP-EMU 2009-2010
I
KULeuven Belgium