Emma McHatten's Portfolio by Emma McHatten

PORTFOLIO

CITY + REGIONAL PLANNING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

EMMA McHATTEN MCRP ‘16 BLA ‘15

EMMA McHATTEN MCRP– 2016 BLA – 2015 Environmental Planning Emphasis

emmakatmac@gmail.com

phone

559.824.2329

address

2304 G Street Apt 24 Sacramento, CA 95816

EDUCATION Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture 2015 California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo

Master’s in City and Regional Planning 2016 Environmental Planning Emphasis California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo

WORK EXPERIENCE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INTERN, SACRAMENTO COUNTY Sacramento, CA June 2016-Present - Performed plan reviews for improvement plans focusing on landscape and water conservation - Processed applications for current planning projects

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER, BROUSSARD ASSOCIATES Clovis, CA June 2015-September 2015 - Developed digital renderings for schematic design plans - Developed planting plans, construction documents, and water efficiency calculations - Designed small and large scale developments

NATURAL RESOURCE INTERN, CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO San Luis Obispo, CA June 2015-September 2015 - Developed renderings for conservation plans and historical site restoration - Performed site visits and public outreach - Performed research and developed site plans to present to local committee members 4

PROJECT EXPERIENCE City of Weed Strategic Economic Development Plan Weed, CA – 2016 - Performed economic researched, analyzed data, and developed economic development measures for the City of Weed. City of Weed General Plan Weed, CA – 2015-2016 - Performed background research, engaged in public meetings, and developed a background report for the safety and conservation elements of the general plan - Developed the safety and conservation elements for the city’s general plan update CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT: FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE Senior Capstone Project– June 2015 - Developed a set of guidelines for the process of conservation development as it pertains to the process of policy development and project implementation

SKILLS + ABILITIES COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Office Suite iWork Suite Adobe Suite SketchUp AutoCAD GIS iMovie

TECHNICAL ABILITIES Site Planning Written Communication Grading + Drainage Hand Drawing Drafting

OTHER SKILLS + TRAITS Public Speaking Presentation Efficient + Resourceful Represents Others Verbal Communication Project Management

AWARDS + HONORS

America Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award– 2015 Design Process Award Landscape Architecture Senior Show– 2015 Landscape Architecture Foundation Courtland Paul Scholarship Recipient– 2015

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

....................................

To respond to a need for environmental justice

To merge nature into the human experience

To transform streetscapes for people and the environment

To better engage in conservation through the practice of development

To build water conscious communities

....................................

.............................. OTAY BAYFRONT PARK

p. 8-11

.............................. HUMAN-NATURE REVITALIZATION

p. 12-15

LIVING .............................. MARGARITA STREET

p. 16-17

TOOLKIT FOR CONSERVATION .............................. ADEVELOPMENT

p. 18-21

RANCH LOW IMPACT .............................. HARLAN DEVELOPMENT

p. 22-25

O TAY B AY F R O N Y PA R K C H U L A V I S TA , C A

The Otay Bayfront Park project included the development of a business and commercial district, multi-use residential and residential housing, a hotel and convention center, and recreational sports fields and trails. The design was developed for the Watermarks Competition, a design competition outlining the effects of floods and sea level rise.

RIBBONS OF RESILIENCE The Ribbons of Resilience is a monument meant to signify the predicted impacts of climate change. The yellow “ribbon” represents the expected sea level rise in 50 years and the red “ribbon” represents the expected sea level rise in 100 years. The ribbons span across the entire site creating a bold statement of the impacts of climate change. The “ribbons” create trail and exhibit spaces throughout the site before cascading upward over the bay and creek in an artful display.

Chula Vista Parks CHULA VISTA PARKS

To the right is a map depicting all of the public parks in Chula Vista. This map and the maps to follow provide a spatial understanding of where public parks are located as well as an analysis as to how these parks and their location within the city correlate to the socioeconomic levels of the population. This study aided in determining that the Otay Bayfront Park was a good location to develop more park lands. At first glance, Chula Vista seems to have a great number of parks that are fairly well distributed.

Chula Vista Park Quality

Chula Vista Park Density ! Chula Vista Park Density ! !

! !

!! !

! ! ! !! ! ! ! !

! !

After locating all of the publicly owned and maintained parks in the City, I performed a ! park density analysis. This helped to identify what neighborhoods had the greatest access and the least access to parks. Through this analysis it can be noted that Chula Vista has a fairly equal distribution of park lands throughout the City. There is a Overall Park Quality heavier distribution in the southern portion of the city designated by the red and Park Density Bad !blue None areas of the map. Furthermore, there!is aPoor Park Density Very Low gap in the western end of the city with Fair ! no None Low parks. ! Good Very Low

! !! ! !

CHULA VISTA PARK DENSITY

0.5

! !

Medium

Excellent Low

High

0.5 0 1 0.5

1 2

Medium High

3 Miles

0.5

¯¯ ¯

3 3 Miles Miles 3 Miles

ChulaVista Vista Park Quality Chula Park Quality

PARK QUALITY

In addition to the park density analysis, I performed a park quality analysis. This park quality analysis rated the quality of the parks on a subjective scale based on available park amenities, vicinity to schools or neighborhoods, and how well the park is maintained. From this analysis I found that a great majority of parks in Chula Vista are of good or excellent quality. A number of parks in the south-west region however are of fair, poor, or bad quality. The locations of these parks also coincides with the areas of least and most park density.

! ! !

! !

!! !

! !

! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! FINAL ! !!

Bad

The Findings

Poor

Fair

Good

! !

ANALYSIS ! !

After identifying the parks based on quality I was ! Excellent ! then able to take my findings and compare them to demographic information on income Overall Park ! Quality levels in Chula Vista. The blue shaded areas consist of homes with income levels below Bad NextperI decided identify $36,000 year. This alsoto happens to behow where the findings the hot spot for high density park sites is located. Poor The Findings from the park density analysis and the After identifying At first this is exciting, especially through the the parks based on quality I was ! then able to take my findings and compare park quality Justice analysis related to income! Fair scope of Ecological where, in general, them to demographic information on income levels in Chula Vista. The blue shaded! areas Good findings show that lower income neighborhoods levels in Chula Vista. The light-blue shaded consist of homes with income levels below usually have fewer parks. However,$36,000 whenperwe year. This also happens to! be where Excellent portions of the tothethe left represent hot for high density park sites is located. analyze the quality of themap these parks wespot also At first this is exciting, especially through the find that the “bad” rankedwith parks household are focused in Justice neighborhoods income scope of Ecological where, in general, findings show lower income neighborhoods this area as well. We also see that the gap inthat park levels less than $36,000. It is clear usually have fewer parks.that However,the when we sites is located along the edge of this low income analyze the quality of the these parks we also poorer quality parks are located near to find that the “bad” ranked parks are focused in neighborhood. These findings help to rationalize this area as well. We also see that the gap in park thethe need for revitalization efforts and possibly sites is located along the edge of this low income lower income neighborhoods. Parts These findings help to rationalize new parks in the Chula Vista area. Itneighborhood. also the need for revitalization efforts and possibly of this my shaded have a high rationalizes project inarea Chula Vista to create a density new parks in the Chula Vista area. It also bayfront park on the western edge of thelimited town. rationalizes my project into Chula Vista to create a of parks while other have no

! !

Overall Park Quality Bad

Poor

! ! !

! !! !

! !!

! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! !

! !! !

Bad

3 Miles

! ! !! ! !

0 ! 0.5

! !

Fair

Good

Excellent

3 Miles

! !

!! !

Fair

Bad ! Excellent

Overall Park Quality Good

!!!

Income Level is less than $36,000

0.5

Poor Overall Park !Quality

!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !

! !!!!

! !

! !! !! !

! !! ! !!! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !

Overall Park Quality

! !

! !! ! Chula Vista Park Quality !

bayfront park on the western edge of the town.

immediate access to parks. The Otay ! Badon Bayfront Park project site is located ! Poor the most western edge of the City. These Fair ! findings help to justify the need for the Otay Good Bayfront Park and help to signify!it as an Excellent ! environmental justice project.

0.5

! ! PARK QUALITY! FINAL ANALYSIS ! !

! !! ! !

Chula Vista Park Quality Chula Vista Park Quality

!! Chula Vista Park!!Quality ! ! ! Overall Park Quality

! !! !

!!!

! !

! !! ! !

! !!

!! ! !

! ! !

PARK! QUALITY

INCOME ANALYSIS

! !

0.5

Income Level is less than $36,000 0

0.5

¯ 3

¯ 3 Miles

H U M A N - N AT U R E R E V I TA L I Z AT I O N LOS OSOS, CA

The Human-Nature Revitalization project located in a Los Osos neighborhood provides an 8 block long park and recreation space. The project improves the environmental quality of the neighborhood by developing a constructed wetland to handle seasonal flood impacts and incorporating native plant habitat. The project site provides walking and bike trails with various small play parks throughout.

1 East Entry

8 Amphitheater

2 Pre-Sedimentation Pond

9 Open Play Park

3 Walking Trail

10 Final Basin

4 Two-Way Bike Trail

11 West Entry

5 Play Structure 6 Natural Play Park 7 Picnic Overlook 12

[constructed wetland]

! !

! ! ! !! ! ! ! !

! !

Overall Park Quality

Bad

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Â¯ 0

0.5

3 Miles

11 8

7 6

5 3 4

2 1 13

EXISTING MODEL

The existing model provides a baseline to aid in determining impacts. This model is a zero-change model that maintains the Los Osos neighborhood as is. The site as is includes single family residential homes, dirt roads that connect to paved roads, roads that experience seasonal flooding, and no park or trail space.

HUMAN-NATURE MODEL

The human-nature model attempts to blend natural processes into the traditional neighborhood. This model involves the removal of multiple single family homes, the implementation of a constructed wetland to handle flood impacts, and the development of park and trail space. This model is meant to meet the needs of both the neighborhood community as well as the environmental needs of the area.

ECO-RESTORATIVE MODEL

The eco-restorative model attempts to reintroduce historical, natural processes to the Los Osos neighborhood. This model includes the removal of multiple single family homes, the introduction of a constructed wetland to handle the flood impacts, habitat restoration, and trail space. It is meant to be less of a public park and more of a nature reserve or habitat corridor. 14

EVALUATING ALTERNATIVESâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; NATURAL CAPITAL

The models provide a tool to analyze the environmental benefits of each model. Using these models, one can gauge if one model would provide better or more environmental services than the next model. Below is an analysis of a number of environmental goods and services, or natural capital as the relate to each model.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

ACTIVE RECREATION

AIR QUALITY

PASSIVE RECREATION

HOME VALUE

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

WATER QUALITY

PLANT AND ANIMAL HABITAT

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

FLOOD CONTROL

M A R G A R I TA L I V I N G S T R E E T SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

Margarita Street in San Luis Obispo is largely a car dominated street. This project aimed to revitalize the streetscape and make it more bike and pedestrian friendly. The Margarita Streetscape is largely wasted space. The design for this street creates safer, more active streets for pedestrians and cyclists traveling through the community.

B E F O R E

TRAIL FIXTURES PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

SHADE TREES

STREET CROSSING TEXTURE

BIKE SHARROWS

A F T E R

G U I D E L I N E S F O R C O N S E R VAT I O N SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

Throughout my education at Cal Poly, I had the opportunity to do a great deal of design work. Much of this design work is strongly guided by policy, public perception, and of course- money. For my senior design studio, I developed a set of guidelines for conservation development. These guidelines highlighted the social, economic, and environmental benefits of developing while implementing conservation practices. Its aim was to develop policy and design guidelines to further this design and development practice at the city level.

conservation element - Primary Conservation Area - Secondary Conservation Area - Theme Specific

recreation elements - Active Use Trails - Passive Use Trails

18 Thursday, February 12, 2015

environmental sensitivity elements - Environmental Mitigation - Reduces Impact of Development - Provides a Series of Buffers to Protect Conservation Elements

development - Public Utilities and Infrastructure - Community Amenities - Housing, Retail, Business Opportunities

DEVELOPMENT

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Conservation development is a land-use planning tool with the purpose of conserving land and its associated environmental functions and ecological goods and services, while allowing for compatible development on a portion of the site.

â&#x20AC;?

Primary Buffer Split Buffer Secondary Buffer Reduce Visual Impact 19

CONSERVATION-DEVELOPMENT The guidelines for conservation development included three parts: design guidelines, policy suggestions, and an educational program. The design guidelines provided direction to implement environmentally sensitive, conservation elements into a development whether it be a residential or commercial development. The policy suggestions provided a framework for cities to develop the policy to push for this form of development. The educational component aimed to educate the general public, city leaders, and developers about the benefits of conservation development. Conservation development has environmental, economic, and social benefits and it is important to highlight these benefits to push for greater conservation efforts. This project solidified my interest in city and regional planning and policy. I appreciate the design field for its creative approach to complicated problems. I found myself consistently frustrated by how public policy kept great ideas from being further developed or enforced. This project was an attempt to bridge the gap between policy and design, city planning and landscape architecture if you will.

CONNECTING CONSERVED LANDSCAPES

BOOSTING ECONOMY THROUGH CONSERVATION

This project spearheaded my interest in how policy effects design decisions. Since then, I have taken courses in climate action planning, policy development, environmental law, and plan implementation. This project focuses less on my design capabilities and more-so on my analytical capabilities and comprehensive program development.

IMPROVED HOME VALUE

HIGH DENSITY LIVING

CONSERVED LANDS CONTRIBUTE TO SCENIC BEAUTY

BUFFER ZONES PROTECT SENSITIVE USES

CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT

STREETSCAPE DESIGN CAN BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT

HARLAN RANCH LOW IMPACT CLOVIS, CA

Harlan Ranch is a master-planned community in Clovis, CA. The goal of this project was to make large scale development more water conscious by implementing low impact development technologies. The neighborhood was analyzed based on precipitation rate and soil type to develop potential concepts to meet the neighborhoods storm-water needs.

B E F O R E

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE PERMEABLE PAVERS

CURB CUTS BIORETENTION CELL

A F T E R

HARLAN RANCH LOW IMPACT CLOVIS, CA

B E F O R E

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

PERMEABLE PAVERS

CURB CUTS BIORETENTION CELL

A F T E R