Finding Stability in Instability by Daniel B. Cedillo

T H E S I S S TAT E M E N T Today we live in the anthropogenic age, where the human prisence has the strongest influence on our geology. Humans no longer adapt to their surrodnings instead now the environment struggles to adapt to human life ng more landslides than are natural geological forces,

o longer adapt to their surrodnings instead

ore landslides than are natural geological forces,

TROPIC OF CANCER

0 N OR S EQUATOR

TROPIC OF CANCER

TROPIC OF CAPRICORN

0 N OR S EQUATOR

key:

Number of deaths caused by landslides:

Equator

All Landslide locations

1 - 10

11 - 25

26 - 50

51 - 100

101 - 5000

TROPIC OF CAPRICORN

27 4

6 key:

Number of deaths caused by landslides:

41 Equator

116

All Landslide locations

1 - 10

11 - 25

26 - 50

51 - 100

101 - 5000

Silt Soil 8

Clay Soil

Fertile soil fairly well drained and hold more moisture than sandy soils, but are easily compacted.

Chalky soil

Loam soil Comprised of a mixture of

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are all responsible to and for shaping conditions for multispecies flourishing in the face of terrible histories, and sometimes joyful histories too, but we are not all response-able in the same ways. The differences matter - in ecologies, economies, species, lives.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Donna J. Haraway

F i ndi ng S t ab i l i ty i n I nstabil ity Today we live in the Anthropocene age, where the human presence has the strongest influence on our geolog y. The Natural and un-natural factors causing landslides have resulted in enor mous fatalities in many susceptible regions around the world. The human desire to build and not properly cultivate their terrain strains the environment while it tries to adapt to human life. The effects of human inter ventions to accommodate urbanization on mountainous terrains has trig gered more landslide disasters than our natural geological forces. By simply restraining the terrain with bandage-like features only promises further programmatic instability on landslide-prone terrains. Living in a landslide-prone area has prevented r ural communities from experiencing modern life outside of the City. So how do we provide r ural areas of Cuenca with programmatic infrastr ucture and physical infrastr ucture while at the same time understanding that nature will do what it wants? How can physical infrastr ucture be an occupiable space that brings the human experience closer to nature, that infor ms the visitor about engaging with the landscape in conscientious ways, and behaves like an element that provides stability in fragile terrain and aids in its healing while avoiding further destr uction?

A UP

REF.

ADMIN. OFFICES

REC.

OFFICES WAITING AREA UP

WAITING AREA

WORKSHOP

COMPUTER

CAFE

QUITE READING AREA

CLASSROOM

WORKSHOP

CLASSROOM

MULTI-PURPOSE

YOUNG ADULT READING AREA

CLASSROOMS

WORKSHOPS

BUILDING SERVICES

DWELLINGS

RAVEAN AMENITIES

OPEN INTERACTION

POPULAT 400 THO

ESMERALDAS LANDSLIDE REPORT

11 - 25

1 - 10

26 - 50

All Landslide Heavy rain, floods and landslides destroyed locations ESMERALDAS LANDSLIDE REPORT

C UrAeD O R ’ S H um a n n aE tu ECUADOR’S LANDSLIDE

ESMERALDAS

2007 - 2015

Landslide MEDIUM

Landslide 2 MEDIUM

LANDSLIDE TYPE: LANDSLIDE SIZE:

LANDSLIDES

2007 - 2015

LANDSLIDE TYPE: LANDSLIDE SIZE:

LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS P RaOresponse N E A R EtoA Sthe fragile situation As 2

ESMERALDAS

1 -20

LANDSLIDES

1 -20

many houses, roads and forced over 140 familiesdestroyed to flee their homes. Meteorogical office, Heavy rain, floods and landslides the Ecuadorian authorities have many houses, roads and forcedtogether over 140with famisince created lies to flee their homes. Meteorogical office, a specal emergency plan for the 122 cantons in 10 provinces. together with the Ecuadorian authorities have since created a specal emergency plan for the QUIJOS 2007 - 2015 122 cantons in 10 provinces. LANDSLIDE TYPE: Landslide CHONE LANDSLIDE REPORT QUIJOS 2007 - 2015 LANDSLIDE SIZE: MEDIUM Chone is the most heavily destructed regions LANDSLIDE TYPE: Landslide 3 LANDSLIDES 1 -10 CASUALTIES CHONE LANDSLIDE REPORT affected by landslides triggered by earthLANDSLIDE SIZE: MEDIUM quake activity. Chone is the most heavily destructed regions Many roads and bridges have Continuous Rain 3 LANDSLIDES 1 -10 CASUALTIES been significantly damaged by the landslide, affected by landslides triggered by earthquake activity. Many roads andmaking bridgestravel have in and out of the area impossiContinuous Rain prevented humanitarian aid carrying been significantly damaged byble. theThis landslide, URBANIZED and food from entering. making travel inAREA and out of thewater area impossible. This prevented humanitarian aid carrying water and food from entering. MACARA LANDSLIDE REPORT

CITY OF CUENCA, ECUADOR

CURREN

URBAN/RURAL LANDSLIDE ISSUE

CASUALTIES

Continuous Rain

CASUALTIES

101 - 5000

51 - 100

in landslide-prone regions, I am proposing a case study for occupying these territories by inserting both man-made and organic infrastr ucture that strategically engages the earth through inter ventions that stabilize the soil using metal stilts, gabion walls and reforesting parts of the territor y with a combination of indigenous trees and shr ubs. This will help hold the soil in place while the Heavy rain for weeks triggered RURAL landslides and MACARA LANDSLIDE REPORT flooding of rivers in areas near Macara. Main above growth creates a cover that protects the soil surface from direct AREA connecting Heavy rain for weeks triggeredroads landslides and to the canton Sozoranga is rain. Lifted volumes connected by pathways that lead from the city below QUITO 2007 - 2015 due to the soil and rock debri left flooding of rivers in areas near blocked Macara. off Main Landslide CHONE - 2015along with the buildallow urban dwellers to meander through the2007site bySozoranga the landslide. roads connecting to the canton is QUITO 2007 - 2015 LOW Landslide ings. An Institute of natural disaster, risk and resilience will respond blocked off due to the soil and rock debri left Landslide CHONE 2007 - 2015 4 LANDSLIDES 1 -10 CASUALTIES VERY HIGH by the landslide. to the lack of programmaticLandslide infrastr ucture in these territories. The InLOW 3 LANDSLIDES 1 -20 CASUALTIES Continuous Rain QUIJOS LANDSLIDE REPORT stitute will educate studentsVERY inHIGH agriculture, arborist culture, sustainable 4 LANDSLIDES 1 -10 CASUALTIES FLOOD PRONE AREAS SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHY AREAS Landslide along with a forest fire destroyed a Earthquake soil culture, and horticulture. This connection reintroduces man with 3 LANDSLIDES 1 -20 CASUALTIES Continuous Rain QUIJOS LANDSLIDE REPORT large area in the Quijos area. Bad weather proper methods of cultivating our earth. Students will also learn skilled TheLandslide expansion of the city begins indestroyed the center complicated the situation, because in the along with a forest fire a which Earthquake Floods are linked mainly by the overflowing of trades, disaster training, and ethical constr uction methods for building afternoon theremarked was a further landslide in the large area inof the Quijos area.historical Bad weather is the location the current center rivers during the winter season where rain is more area leading bursting into flames complicated the situation, because in the in dark grey. Finally the last expansion is in to allhomes sides of and training in the hazardous territor y. Courses in mechanical engineerfrequnt and intense. The diagram above is of high setting near by shrubs on fire. afternoon there was of a further landslide in people the Cuenca. With the help major road ways are CUENCA 2007 2015 ing, biomechanical engineering, industrial design, and architecture will flood locations in the city of Cuenca. Landslides area leading to homes bursting into flames able to continue expanding while staying interconLandslide enrich the r ural territor y with upcoming technologies. This facility would are triggered by these natural occuring events. setting near by shrubs on fire. CUENCA 2007 - 2015 VERY HIGH nected with other local areas seen in grey. QUITO LANDSLIDE REPORT then include living quarters for faculty and student researchers. They will 1 -10 CASUALTIES Landslide 4 LANDSLIDES Multiple landslides are reported in the Quito VERY HIGH only be allowed to stay during the school season unless they sign up to a QUITO LANDSLIDE REPORT area. The strong movement of mass causes a Continuous Rain 4 LANDSLIDES 1 -10 CASUALTIES program that is aimed at educating r ural dwellers only. Researchers will huge cloud of dust in the hills. AlthoughLOW Multiple landslides reported in70% the Quito HIGH URBANare AREA of thesea steep hills are landslide prone area. The strong movement of many mass causes have access to the facilities to conduct their classes. 2007 Each - 2015dwelling will be Continuous Rain MACARA URBAN AREA 40.50% many poverty stricken families still build huge cloud of dust in the hills. areas Although located near the top of the Guzho raven elevated highLandslide above the tree line. on these ravens. many of these steep AREA hills are landslide 2007 - 2015 MACARA RURAL AREA 59.50% RURAL 30%prone A typical living quarter will be shared between two orHIGH three researchers. areas many poverty stricken families still build 1 -10 CASUALTIES Landslide 4 LANDSLIDES This adjustable infrastr ucture will continue to provide r ural communities on these ravens. HIGH CUENCA LANDSLIDE REPORT ESMERALDAS LANDSLIDE REPORT Continuous Rain with additional workshops, community centers, libraries, and other pro4 LANDSLIDES 1 -10 CASUALTIES With the arrival of the heavy rain season, resiHeavy rain, floods and landslides destroyed CUENCA LANDSLIDE REPORT many houses, roads and forced over 140 famigrammatic infrastr uctures. Continuous Rain dents of Guzho and Turi are concerned. LandContinuous Rain

water es, and home regula

SAN JOAQUIN

Stones were de the top of the m rolled about 40 the road. The st pickup trucks b

LANDSLIDE TYPE: LANDSLIDE SIZE:

LANDSLIDE TYPE:

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

LANDSLIDE TYPE:

LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

CITY OF CUENCA

Landslides occur at the center and bottom of the slope. The mass movement in the slope is caused by various elements such as the type of soil, water management, and construction types.

LANDSLIDE TYPE:

LANDSLIDE TYPE: LANDSLIDE SIZE:

E Key: CUADOR’S LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS All Landslide locations

ESMERALDAS

2007 - 2015

locations LANDSLIDE TYPE:

Landslide MEDIUM

All Landslide

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

1 - 102

LANDSLIDES

11 - 25

1 - 10

111 -20 - 25 CASUALTIES

QUIJOS

Landslide MEDIUM

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

CITY OF CUENCA, ECUADOR C I T Y O F C UU ER BNACNA/ ,R UERCAUL AL DA NODRS L I D E I S S U E Continuous Rain

home damages water management, poor agricultural practic- and pedestrians are affected regularly by these landslides. es, and poor soil sturabilty. Road accidents, CHONE LANDSLIDE REPORT MIDDLE CLASS are affected 60.80% MIDDLE CLASS home damages and pedestrians Chone is the most heavily destructed regions regularly by these landslides.

2007 - 2015

LANDSLIDE TYPE: 101 - 5000

51 - 100

26 - 50

EXTREME POOR slides 7.35% EXTREME POOR lies to flee their homes. Meteorogical are reported to be caused by poor With theoffice, arrival of the heavy rain season, resitogether with the Ecuadorian authorities have water management, poor agricultural practicdents of Guzho and Turi are concerned. Landsince created a specal emergency plan for the es,by and poor soil sturabilty. Road accidents, POOR slides are reported poor POORto be caused 24.50% 122 cantons in 10 provinces.

101 - 5000

51 - 100

26 - 50

S O CPOPULATION I ATHOUSAND L S TAT U S 400

Key:

3 LANDSLIDES

1 -10

affected by landslides triggered by earthquake activity. Many roads and bridges haveUPPER CLASS been significantly damaged by the landslide, making travel in and out of the area impossible. This prevented humanitarian aid carrying water and food from entering.

CASUALTIES

Continuous Rain

QUITO

URBANIZED AREA

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

LANDSLIDES

LANDSLIDE TYPE:

Landslide

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

CITY OF CUENCA

VERY HIGH 1 -20

Earthquake

4 LANDSLIDES

RURAL AREA

CASUALTIES

MACARA LANDSLIDE REPORT Heavy rain for weeks triggered landslides and flooding of rivers in areas near Macara. Main roads connecting to the canton Sozoranga is blocked off due to the soil and rock debri left by the landslide.

2007 - 2015

URBANIZED AREALANDSLIDE TYPE:

Landslide LOW 1 -10

Continuous Rain

CUENCA

LANDSLIDE TYPE:

SAN JOAQUIN

2007 - 2015

Landslide VERY HIGH 1 -10 CASUALTIES

AREA

1 - 10 RURAL AREA

AREA

URBAN AREA All Landslide locations

70% RURAL AREA

11 - 25

70% LOW 30%

26 - 50

30% EXTREME POOR

LOW

URBAN AREA

51 - 100

40.50%

RURAL AREA

59.50%

7.35%

101 - 5000

EXTREME POOR

40.50% LOW 59.50%

6.30%

2007 - 2015

RURAL AREA

75.5%

6.30%

EXTREME POOR

10%

20.90%

POOR

25%

69.70%

MIDDLE CLASS

60%

3.10%

UPPER CLASS

POPULATION 2.67 MILLION

HIGH URBAN AREA HIGH RURAL AREA

LOW

URBAN AREA

24.50%

RURAL AREA

75.5%

POPULATION 400 THOUSAND

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

4 LANDSLIDES

Continuous Rain

URBAN AREA

24.50%

LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS

QUITO LANDSLIDE REPORT LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS Landslides occur at the center and bottom of the Multiple landslides are reported in the Quito Floods are linked mainly by the overflowing of slope. The massarea. movement in the slope is caused by is the location of the current historical center marked The strong movement of mass causes a Rain rivers duringContinuous the winter season where rain is more elements such as the typeinof in dark Finally the last expansion is in all sides of Landslides occur at the center various and bottom of the The expansion of the city begins in thegrey. center which huge cloud of dust thesoil, hills.water Although and intense. The diagram above is of high Floods are linked mainly by thefrequnt overflowing of management, and construction types. Cuenca. center With the help major road ways people are slope. The mass movement in the slope is caused byof these steep is the location of the current historical marked many hills are landslide prone 2007of - 2015 MACARA locations in the city of Cuenca. Landslides rivers during the winter seasonflood where rain is more ableLANDSLIDE to continue expanding while staying interconvarious elements such as the type of soil, waterareas many poverty stricken families still build in dark grey. Finally the last expansion isTYPE: in all sides of Landslide are above triggered these natural occuring events. frequnt and intense. The diagram is ofby high on these ravens. with other local areas seen in grey. management, and construction types. Cuenca. With the help of majornected road ways people areHIGH LANDSLIDE SIZE: flood locations in the city of Cuenca. Landslides LANDSLIDES 1 -10 CASUALTIES able to continue expanding while4 staying interconare triggered by these natural occuring events. nected with other local areas seen in grey. CUENCA LANDSLIDE REPORT

Key:

URBAN AREA

BEFORE RANDOMLY INSERTING DESIGN PROPOSALS I SHOULD IDENTIFY DANGEROUS LAND BEFORE RANDOMLY INSERTING AREAS TO REMEDIATE! DESIGN PROPOSALS I SHOULD IDENTIFY DANGEROUS LAND AREAS TO REMEDIATE!

the road. The stone complicated the situation, because in thestruck two pickup trucks before stopping. afternoon there was a further landslide in the area leading to homes bursting into flames setting near by shrubs on fire.

FLOOD PRONE AREAS

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHY AREAS The expansion of the city begins in the centerFLOOD which PRONE AREAS

UPPER CLASS

HIGH

Stones were detached from SAN JOAQUIN 2007 - 2015 the top of the mountain and QUIJOS LANDSLIDEStones REPORTwere detached from rolled about 400 meters onto Landslide along with a and the road. The stone struck two thea forest top offire thedestroyed mountain large area in the Quijos area. Bad weather rolled about 400 meters onto pickup trucks before stopping.

CASUALTIES

RURAL AREA

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHY AREAS

7.35%

LOW

CURRENT LANDSLIDE DISASTERS CURRENT LANDSLIDE DISASTERS

URBAN/RURAL LANDSLIDE ISSUE CHONE

POPULATION 400 THOUSAND

POPULATION REA 2.67 A MILLION

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

POPULATION 2.67 MILLION

LANDSLIDE SIZE:

LANDSLIDE TYPE:

With the arrival of the heavy rain season, resiHIGH dents of Guzho and Turi are concerned. Land-

1 1 GUZHO

2007 - 2015

The rainy season has affected slides are reported caused by poor URBAN AREA 24.50%to beGUZHO 2007 - 2015 the fast track Cuenca azogues. HIGHwater management, poor agricultural practicRURAL AREA 75.5% es, and poor soil sturabilty. The Road rainyaccidents, season has affected The highway was blocked by the fast track Cuenca azogues.large boulders and other land home damages and pedestrians are affected The highway was blocked by debri. regularly by these landslides.

EXTREME POOR

large boulders and other land debri.

10%

SITE GUZHO

TURI

2007 - 2015

A mixture of sandstone and TURI 2007 - 2015 rock debri cover both sides of A mixture of sandstone and thefast track Cuenca azogues rock debri cover both sides of highway. thefast track Cuenca azogues highway.

SITE GUZHO

GUZHO

The rainy se the fast trac The highwa large boulde debri.

DWELLING

WALKWAY

WORKSHOP

WALKWAY CLASSROOM

ROOF. EL. = + 60'

PATHWAY EL. = + 47'

1ST FL. EL. = + 35'

EL.= 0'

BEDROCK EL.= -68'

GROUND FL. EL.= 0'

DETAIL A - 2 SCALE 1/2” = 1’-00”

DETAIL A - 1 SCALE 1/2” = 1’-00”

ou ca n see i ts f ea tu r es fr om a distance, Shining h i gh ab ove th e tr ee lin e. T he str uctur e plays hide and se e k a m on g th e tr ees. T he vegetation cloaks the imp o r ta n t a n d coh er en t p ar ts of the site as if the build i n gs h ave g r own h er e a nd ther e. W hile walking up the f a c e of th e raven you can see people and natur e in a l ivel y ch or eog ra p h ic sequence. T his draw s man closer to th e s ea son s, to live with the climate, w inter, au tu mn , to live in th e moment. I pause and think f or a m o men t th a t th i s la n d scape existed bef or e me. If the l a n dsca p e is sa d i t wa s alr eady sad bef or e me. So to d a y i ts f or m a n d mood wer e her e waiting f or me long b e f o r e I existed . C a r m en de Guzho has been waiting f o r m e on th e ou tskir ts f or me f or everâ&#x20AC;Ś Fr o m wh er e Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sta n d ing I can see the boundar y of th e city. T h e su n i s f ixed in the center and the clouds ga llop i n g over th is m a jestic mountain. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hidden am on g th e r oots of th e str uctur e huddled w ithin a sp ace. I cou ld n o lon ger discer n the origin of any th i ng. I a m n o lon ger a spectator. I have become the d weller of th e raven th a t functions as a cav ity into w h ich I a sp i r e to d isa p pear. Awakening fr om this ex p e r i en ce I sp ea k of a p r oud oak that is the connec ti o n of a ll my a sp i ra ti ons of purity using ima gination an d th eir ju stif ica tion f or the wor ld. T he connections ar e n ever p la ced i n con sistent spaces and times but i n r ela ti on s h i p s to th eir ter ritor y. Her e the pr oud oak c an su r r ou n d a ma n with indeter minate spaces that p r ovoke f eeli n gs a n d experiences once un- indulged. A l thou g h th e eyes of m en r est on things w ithout at te mp tin g to p en etra te them these connections ar e m o dels of ou r h ea r t. T his thing I call hear t encr usts u s j u d ges u s a n d en su r es our salvation f or ever.

Daniel Cedillo (516)-474-7904 danielcedillo.arch@gmail.com