Kaiyue Fan_RISD Graduate Thesis

GRADUATETHESI S Bui l di ngDy na mi cUr ba nModel Res i l i entt oWa t erCha nge RhodeI s l a ndS c hool of De s i gn Ka i y ueF a n

Contents

Overview & Site Introduction

06

Phase 1 Investigation

08

Phase 2 Investigation

26

Urban Sponge & Urban Connection

Building Elevated Landscape Phase 3 Investigation Prototypes For Elevated Landscape

44

Final Conclusion & Assessment

64

Overview

This is a thesis investigation in 3 phases. The overall objective of the thesis is to get a better understanding of how urban models perform in face of water dynamics. Specifically, this thesis investigation focused on proposing dynamic systems catering to the sea level rise and storm surge at Boston seaport waterfront.

Phase 1 is mainly about the investigation on how the Fort Point District will be impacted by sea level rise and storm surge in 2050 and how can the site adapt to water level change. Accordingly, a hypothesis is proposed to protect the district from flooding as well as to enhance the access to street connections and provide enjoyable walking experience within the district.

Phase 2 is mainly about testing hypothesis of urban connection and urban sponge in a planning scale based on phase 1 investigation. An incremental building strategy is proposed to transform the district into a dynamic urban model that is adaptive to climate change. An elevated infrastructure network is proposed to enhance the connection between the south Boston waterfront and downtown area under 2100 water scenario.

Phase 3 is mainly about revising master plan from phase 2 and testing prototypes for the major elevated landscape infrastructure. Since the central elevated pedestrian network is the most critical part of the overall elevated infrastructure in terms of evolving the neighborhood, different prototypes are modeled and tested to apply the zoom out scale strategy to zoom in scale design. Three connection relationships are explored to test design vision and spatial experience.

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By taking on this investigation, I hope to better understand the relationship between landscape and urban design. How landscape plays a leading role in urban development will be the main focus through the whole thesis process.

The ability of transforming between planning scale and design scale is also intended to enhance through the process.

Site

The site is located at Fort Point district, which is to the west of Seaport district and to the east of Fort Point channel. Since Fort Point district is the gateway to Boston civic center and a crucial connection between South Boston community and downtown area, it is important to protect the area from sea level rise and storm surge as well as strengthen connectivity within the area to enhance the “transition joint�. The existing condition of the site is full of parking lots and office parks, therefore it is crucial to transform the site into a vibrant neighborhood for the future urban development.

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6

Phase 1 Investigation Urban Connection & Urban Sponge

7

Abstract

Phase 1 is mainly about the investigation on how the Fort Point District will be impacted by sea level rise and storm surge in 2050 and how can the site adapt to water level change. Since the site locates at the connection joint between South Boston and downtown, investigations also cover how to strengthen various levels of connectivity within the area. Accordingly, a hypothesis is proposed to protect the district from flooding as well as to enhance the access to street connections and provide enjoyable walking experience within the district. To support the hypothesis, research is being analyzed about greenspace distribution in Boston, subway station walking radius, bike route mapping, open space mapping within the site, building land use, water levels and volume calculation before and after this hypothesis in 2050.

Aerial View of Fort Point District

8

Introduction

The time frame focuses on a 2050 scenario in terms of the water impact, since the 2100 scenario is nearly the same as the 2050 scenario in which most part of the Fort Point District will be flooded at the highest water level. In 2050, the 2ft sea level rise will nearly have no impact on the district, whereas if a storm surge occurs, 5ft at highest level will flood more than 85% of the area. Since a storm surge is temporary, the hypothesis will focus on manipulating the land to adapt to a temporary water level change when a storm surge occurs.

The research goes over traffic connection and water absorbing strategies. The connection research tends to explore the existing urban transportation, bike routes, greenways, and expands the entire system to the inner part of the site to connect with the larger framework of the site context. The water absorbing strategies cater to the urban sponge concept that lets water seep into part of the district when a storm surge happens and blurs the boundaries between land and sea.

Methods

1. Research on site history 2. Research on proposed planning from Boston Redevelopment Authority 3. Research on water levels when sea level rise and storm surge in 2050 & 2100 4. Research on greenspace distribution in Boston area 5. Mapping of 10-minute walking distance from surrounding subway station 6. Mapping of existing greenways within the site 7. Mapping of existing bike routes surrounding the site 8. Mapping of land use and landmark buildings surrounding the site 9. Water volume calculation under storm surge 10. Water volume control after proposal 11. Section cutting from channel to BCEC to show the water impact in 2050

9

Phase 1 Urban Connection

Downtown

Fort Point District

South Boston Fort Point district is the gateway to Boston civic center and a crucial connection between South Boston and the downtown area.

10

<5%

GREEN RATE

This map shows the greenspace distribution in Boston, we can see that the northeast part lacks open space. Compared with some districts that surround Fort Point such as Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Prudential, South End, and the Financial District, Fort Pointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s green rate is the lowest at only 2%. Therefore, it is necessary to create more greenspace within the area and connect it with the larger green system.

Back Bay

14%

Prudential

8%

Beacon Hill South End Financial

Fort Point

13% 6% 3% 2%

Boston Greenspace Distribution 11

The site is located within 10min walk distance from the surrounding subway stations, which indicates that this site is easily accessible by the public and has much potential to be developed into a walkable space.

10 MIN WALK

Existing & Proposed Bike Routes

Subway Station Walking Radius

The existing bikeways mainly follow the Kennedy Greenway and surround the site. It seems the site lacks vitality, so the vision is to bring the bike routes into the site along with the proposed new open space which will bring energy into the site.

Existing bike route

12

Proposed expansion

Existing greenspace Proposed expansion

Within this area, all of the small proportions of greenspace are along the harbor walk, and there is no open space in the inner part of the site. The vision is to expand the open space from water edge to inner part and also connect the green system with Kennedy Greenway in order to engage public process from Boston’s downtown to Fort Point District.

Existing & Proposed Greenspace

Children’s Wharf Park

Boston Children’s Museum

Fan Pier Park

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Water Impact Under Sea Level Rise And Storm Surge

2050 Sea level rise (2ft)

14

2050 Sea level rise + storm surge (2ft + 5ft)

2100 Sea level rise (6ft)

2100 Sea level rise + storm surge (6ft + 5ft)

15

Phase 1 Urban Sponge

Back Bay

14%

Prudential

8%

Bacon Hill

>85%

FLOODED AREA SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE IN 2050

South End Financial

Fort Point

13% 6%

3% 2%

Institutional

>85%

Commercial

FLOODED AREA SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE IN 2050

Mixed use Industrial

Institutional

Government

Commercial Mixed use Industrial

Government

Fan Pier South Station

Gillette

Mapping Building Land Use 16

USPS

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

Most of the existing buildings are commercial use, there is also a small proportion of mixed use buildings which are occupied by artist lofts and studios. There are a few landmark buildings surround the site that will have impact on future design.

The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center(BCEC) is an important destination for public gatherings, so connections with BCEC is necessary for the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision. Gillette headquarters are located at the edge of Fort Point, since it is the Boston industry engine, to protect it from flooding is crucial. There are some government buildings surrounding the site such as South Station and USPS which may have impact on the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future connection.

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Phase 1 Urban Sponge

Urban Sponge Strategy 18

>40%

WATER UNDER CONTROL WHEN SEA LEVEL RISE AND STORM SURGE AT HIGHEST LEVEL(2+5FT) IN 2050

TOTAL WATER VOLUME

Since the urban drainage system is also responsible for dealing with storm surge, the hypothesis will focus on alleviating this problem by transforming the city to a more resilient and adaptable model instead of solving the problem completely.

5% 18.6% 19.8%

18.6%

WATER UNDER CONTROL

STREET CHANNEL

4723020 FT 314868 FT 3

WATER CAPACITY

2

10-20FT DEPTH

FLOODABLE PARK

19.8%

WATER UNDER CONTROL

4921732 FT 656231 FT 3

WATER CAPACITY

2

5-10FT DEPTH

Water Volume Absorption Calculation 19

Urban Sponge Strategy Work Mechanism STORM SURGE

5FT

STORM SURGE

3FT

STORM SURGE

2FT

STORM SURGE 1FT SEA LEVEL RISE 2FT SEA LEVEL RISE 1FT

200’ 150’ 100’ 50’ 7’ 0’

20

Harbor walk

Necco St

A St

FLOODING POROUS PAVEMENT ABSORBENT STREET STREET CHANNEL FLOODABLE PARK HARBOR WALK NO FLOODING

New St

S Boston Bypass Rd

BCEC

BCEC

Section Showing Water Impact in 2050

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Feedback

OVERVIEW/DIRECTION: The work presented has a broad but clear strategy for mitigating storm surges and sea-level rise for the Fort Point Channel area of the Boston waterfront. Your stance that this is a strategy for projections for 2050 was strong, but I wonder how a plan designed for the next 35 years will change if it were expanded to address a longer time frame. How your work moves from a planning strategy to an “on the ground” design strategy will be exciting to see in your next phases of work. You may want to keep the focus of your work on the Fort Point Channel blocks that you have indicated but give a sense of how this strategy works for the rest of South Boston/the Innovation District and for the existing Greenway and shoreline of Downtown Boston.

SITE IN CONTEXT: Although we all know that you are working in Boston, it is never stated on your board. This may not be an issue in the book but may be something to think about for future presentations. You should check your terminology for labeling neighborhoods. South Boston would be the correct label rather than “South Community”. Likewise, “Civic Center” might be better labeled “Downtown”. Although Bacon Hill sounds tasty, you should correct that typo! I appreciate your walking radius and bike route diagrams but would like to understand more about how they relates to your planning and design strategy. Existing Greenspace (not “greenland”) is important and should be explored at a finer grain as you move forward.

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SEA-LEVEL RISE IMPACTS: Your diagrams and analysis of sea level rise and storm surge effects are strong. I particularly appreciate your gradient chart linking your design strategies to storm surge levels. The section at the bottom of your board gives us an idea of the neighborhood building typologies but little else. This section needs to be blown up to a scale that starts to give more information about your design strategies. It was suggested that you address the rooftops and that will certainly enhance your strategies.

PRESENTATION/GRAPHICS: Your graphics work fairly well. The Urban Sponge diagram is probably the most effective piece of your presentation. I hope we will soon see work that moves away from icons and gives a more realistic view of how your strategies will work with true dimensions and understanding of details of the elevations and materials you plan to introduce.

Findings + Conclusions

The hypothesis contains 2 parts: urban sponge and urban connection. In order to deal with sea level rise and a storm surge in 2050, the hypothesis will manipulate the urban ground to let water seep into part of the district rather than block it out when a storm surge occurs, which tends to blur the boundaries between land and sea. The other part is to strengthen street connections and provide an enjoyable walking experience within the district by implementing different types of green infrastructure. Therefore in phase 2&3 the focus will be on how the green infrastructure can hold water as well as provide an enjoyable walking experience for the public.

The urban sponge hypothesis contains 5 strategies: floodable park, street channel, absorbent street, porous pavement, and harbor walk. First, the existing parking lots will be transformed into floodable parks that could provide recreation spaces during the normal daily condition and could also hold water during a storm surge. Since Summer Street and Congress Street are 2 storeys higher than the ground, channels will be dug under streets to hold water. The channels are also connected to the inner harbor so that the water system is continuous. Third, main and wider streets are identified to implement green infrastructure along the sidewalks to transform them into absorbent streets.

For the rest of the narrower streets within the district, porous pavement will be implemented to make the whole area more resilient to water change. As for the harbor walk, different levels of platforms will be created to provide people with more chances to interact with water while flood walls are also set up to make the inner land safe during a 2ft sea level rise.

Assessment

The hypothesis did a good job in catering to the concept of urban sponge and proposed a new model for a resilient coast and city. It is not clear how the concept of urban connection interweaves into the hypothesis and impacts the design strategies. Therefore, how the urban connection can be developed into a design scale in the next phase is crucial.

In the first phase, the hypothesis ignores the significant issue of involving fresh water into the topic. Since the storm surge is salt water, to mix it with fresh water will kill the wetland plants as well as the soil. Therefore, keeping storm surge water out of the district, and holding the fresh water(rainfall) in to be ultimately released back into the sea after a cleansing process, could be the hypothesisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus in the next phase.

Although the boundary of the site is an administrative boundary, the hypothesis should think outside the box and consider a larger context. To involve more of the seaport district and expand this gesture to a larger area could help make the hypothesis stronger and more convincing.

To think systematically, not only urban ground and landscape should be involved, but reconsidering the role of buildings in urban development is also important. Changing the behavior of buildings and creating different development models that can hold water within the structure might influence the way buildings are made. To think about roof systems and propose new prototypes could be useful for the district in the future.

Through water volume calculation, over 40% of the total water volume, at its highest level, in 2050 can be under control in this hypothesis.

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24

Phase 2 Investigation Building Elevated Landscape

25

Abstract

Phase 2 is mainly about testing hypothesis of urban connection and urban sponge in a planning scale based on phase1 investigation. An incremental building strategy is proposed to transform the district into a dynamic urban model that is adaptive to climate change. An elevated infrastructure network is proposed to enhance the connection between the south Boston waterfront and downtown area under 2100 water scenario. A new open space system is

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created to deal with stormwater cleansing process under 2050 water scenario.

To support the hypothesis, a physical model is built to test the urban systems relationships in a master plan scale. Different phasing master plans are created to support dynamic hypothesis in different time frameworks. Long sections and detail sections are created to test how the hypothesis is realized on ground.

Introduction

Since the topography is slightly changed within the district and it is surrounded by a higher ground to the north, east, and south, the site will be first flooded once the water seeps into the district. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the salt water out in a short time framework to protect the inner part of the district from flooding, whereas a long time framework provides enough time for the construction of the elevated infrastructure network.

The existing site conditions contain weakness as well as potential opportunities.

The district lacks of pedestrian-friendly building interface, human scale streets, public engagement on the ground level, and vitality on the north-south direction. Therefore, strategies must be proposed to evolve the neighborhood and bring vitality into the existing â&#x20AC;&#x153;dead zoneâ&#x20AC;?. The strategy will also focus on breaking down the large office park into the hospitable neighborhood scale, as well as integrating street experience with building interfaces(roof & facade).

Methods

1. Site visit & documentation 2. Site problems identification 3. Research on innovation centers 4. Research on drainage system and outfalls 5. Master plan for 2050 and 2100 6. Diagram of stormwater cleansing process 7. Typical sections for different relationships between water edge, building, new infrastructure, and open space 8. Zoom in section for design vision(1:8 scale) 9. Physical model of urban systems relationships

On the other hand, the site is a potential innovation district that is breeding start-up companies, shared working spaces, and entrepreneurship incubators.

Thus strategies are proposed to connect the innovation centers and extend experience from the interior to the open space in order to promote social networking across different fields.

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Phase 2 Concept Map Landscape Leading Urban Design

Urban Connection Public Realm

Mobility

Maintaining east-west vehicle access Creating north-south pedestrian access Expanding bicycle access into district

Public Accessibility

Enhancing waterfront accessibility Expanding open space to inner district

Preventing Flooding In 2050

Urban Sponge Defensive System

Vertical Retreat In 2100 28

Building elevated infrastructure networks Proposing new open space system Redeveloping building facade & roof

Proposing new harbor walk to keep the sea level rise and storm surge out Proposing stormwater retention and cleansing system to protect the inner district from flooding Proposing elevated infrastructure system to enhance major connection to Boston downtown

Urban Connection

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

BUILDING INTERFACE

OPEN SPACE

WATER EDGE

Urban Sponge

2050

2100 29

30

Master Plan for 2050

Under sea level rise + storm surge

Water Cleansing & Drainage

Downtown

Fort Point District

Open Space Network South Boston

New harbor walk

Elevated Infrastructure

Elevated pedestrian walkway

Proposed green space Innovation center SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE IN 2050

Existing & Proposed Buildings

Permeable pavement

0 100

500

1000(ft) 31

32

Master Plan for 2100

Under sea level rise + storm surge

South Station

Under the highest water level in 2100, the harbor walk will disappear when the storm surge comes, while the central node highline will still keep active and be in use. The major east-west streets will be elevated to the upper level and can be used by vehicles. In order to enhance the connection between the site and South Station, the existing USPS will be transformed into green space, and a pedestrian bridge will be built to connect the open spaces across the Fort Point channel.

New bridge

Elevated street

Elevated pedestrian walkway

Innovation center Permeable pavement

0 100

500

1000(ft) 33

Typical Sections

For different relationships between water edge, building, new infrastructure, and open space Harbor Walk

Melcher ST

2050 Storm Surge 2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR 2050 SLR High Tide High Tide

A

B

B

2050 2050Storm StormSurge Surge 2050 2050SLR SLR High HighTide Tide

34

A

Harbor Walk

P&G Roof Garden

BLOW-UP SECTION SECTION A-A Innovation Center

Public Stage

A ST

Summer ST

SECTION SectionA-A A-A SECTION B-B Elevated Platform

A ST

SECTION SectionC-C B-B SECTION B-B 35

Typical Sections

For different relationships between water edge, building, new infrastructure, and open space Harbor Walk

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

A A

B C

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR

C

B

C

High Tide

C

36

Water Retention Pond

SECTION A-A

Wetland

A ST

Stage

SectionB-B C-C SECTION

SECTION C-C BLOW-UPDetail SECTION Section 37

Modeling Urban Systems

Elevated street Innovation center

Existing building Elevated pedestrian

Fort Point channel New harbor walk

Proposed building Proposed greenspace

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Feedback

This second phase of your project begins to give your overall planning strategy for the Fort Point Channel district of South Boston a new pedestrian character that will help break down some of the less than hospitable nature of many of the existing blocks. The work, right now, remains squarely in a planning realm so it is difficult to critique the scheme in terms of how the plans will translate into animated places and spaces in the district of the future. The rationale for the raised pedestrian realm is clear but the drawings leave me wanting to know much more about the experience of the spaces. I want to be convinced that the cross grain youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve created will work well but will still allow the ground level streets to be desirable places to be in the years before they give way to a flooded condition. More information about the important destination buildings along the path should be included and a clear rationale for removing buildings should be made, if indeed, that is necessary to your proposal. Also, as discussed, your proposal will feel much more complete if it extends to the harbor edge and links back to the important destinations such as the Silver Line stops, the courthouse, the ICA (Institute for Contemporary Art) and the District Hall. I look forward to seeing the work move out of the realm of master planning into work that gives an understanding of your design intentions. You will need to consider the scale of the spaces you are designing carefully â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you might begin by overlaying spaces you know well in order to determine what will really work here.

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Findings + Conclusions

Assessment

As for the urban sponge part, a new harbor walk is proposed to keep the sea level rise and storm surge out in 2050. Additionally, new green space network is proposed for storm water retention and cleansing to protect the inner part from flooding in 2050. Since the sea level rise and storm surge in 2050 will only be 3-4ft higher than the existing water edge, to propose an elevated new edge is feasible and effective in terms of protecting the inner district from flooding.

In 2100, the highest water level will be more than 10ft higher than the existing water edge, therefore the long term strategy will let the water seep into the district and give up the ground level use to the elevated level use.

The hypothesis in this phase lacks another layer of context analysis about critical occupation sites and vehicle / pedestrian routes. The elevated network should also be critical about how it interacts with existing context and circulation.

In phase2, the hypothesis is proposed to keep transformation through incremental building and create a dynamic urban model that is resilient to climate change. The expansion of urban sponge and urban connection from phase1 began to touch the ground in this phase. Different strategies are proposed to adapt to different time framework and water conditions.

As for the urban connection part, the north-south connection is strengthened by the new harbor walk and the elevated highline through the central node.

While the east-west connection is enhanced by the elevated streets to maintain the gateway to Boston downtown under the water scenario in 2100. Since the existing Summer Street is already 15ft higher than the ground, all of the elevated infrastructure will be lifted to the same level to connect with the Summer Street which is the main gateway to South Station and downtown.

The two north-south connections will act as the main pedestrian network that are connected with open space, building facade, building roof, water edge, and elevated infrastructure, as well as provide enjoyable walking experience within the district.

The hypothesis embeds different layers in a comprehensive system, thus how to clarify the relationships of each layer is crucial to the project. The first strategy of the berm along the waterfront is clear, while the second strategy of the highline in the central node still needs clarity. Being clear about what is driving the formation of highline could help understand the overlaying urban systems better. In next phase, the attitude should be clear about the priority within the second strategy, for example, which building should be maintained, which should be moved, and which should be redeveloped in a different way.

In next phase, the connection strategy should extend to the harbor edge and links with critical buildings and transportation stations along the waterfront.

How to merge the strategy of public realm with the strategy of defensive system will be the focus in the future. To think deeper about the spaces under the viaducts in a human scale could help clarify the attitude towards public realm.

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42

Phase 3 Investigation Prototypes For Elevated Landscape

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Abstract

Phase 3 is mainly about revising master plan from phase 2 and testing prototypes for the major elevated landscape infrastructure. The harbor walk and central elevated pedestrian walkway are extended to the north waterfront.

Since the central elevated pedestrian network is the most critical part of the overall elevated infrastructure in terms of evolving the neighborhood, different prototypes are modeled and tested to apply the zoom out scale strategy to zoom in scale design. Three connection relationships are explored to test design vision and spatial experience. Physical models and section perspectives are made to support the prototype development.

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Introduction

Since Fort Point district is the gateway to Boston downtown, it is crucial to protect it from sea level rise and storm surge. Based on the understanding that the site is located at a nearly flat topography, once the water seeps into the district, the whole area will be flooded. Elevating the water edge could be a short-term strategy to protect the district from flooding. However, when the sea level keeps rising, the district still faces the crisis of being flooded.

Therefore, it is crucial to create an elevated infrastructure network to keep the connection between the district and downtown Boston when the ground level is flooded. The district will go through a vertical retreat process during which the ground level use will give way to the upper level use. For the built-out Fort Point district vision, the elevated network will be the major connection to keep the district activated and involved under flooding scenario.

Methods

1. Parti diagram 2. Rebuilding site model 3. New master plan for 2050 and 2100 4. Long sections for different relationships between water edge, building, new infrastructure, and open space 5. Diagrams to show prototypes relationships 6. Physical modeling of 3 prototypes of elevated infrastructure 7. Site plans for the 3 prototypes 8. Section perspectives for the 3 prototypes

Since the central elevated pedestrian network is the most critical part of the overall elevated infrastructure in terms of evolving the neighborhood, phase 3 would zoom in to explore how to apply the large strategy to the site design.

Three connection relationships are explored to test design vision and spatial experience, including connection with rooftop, connection with waterfront, and connection with open space.

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Phase3 Proposed Vision

46

Phase3 Parti Diagram The overall strategy is to create an elevated infrastructure system that could transform the district into an adaptive waterfront model by incremental building networks.

The harbor walk along the channel will be elevated slightly to provide a storm barrier under the 2050 water scenario. A central node elevated pedestrian network will be created to enhance the south-north connection and evolve the neighborhood.

A new green space system will be proposed to expand the open space to inner land as well as cleansing fresh water to protect the inner district from flooding.

Major east-west streets will be elevated to the level of Summer St to enhance vehicle access under 2100 water scenario.

Storm Barrier / Harbor Walk

Elevated Walk

Green System / Water Retention

Elevated Street 47

Phase3 Revised Master Plan

MASTER PLAN IN 2050 UNDER SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE

MASTER PLAN IN 2100 UNDER SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE

MASTER MASTER PLAN PLAN IN 2050 INUNDER 2050 UNDER SEA LEVEL SEARISE LEVEL + STORM RISE + STORM SURGE SURGE

MASTER MASTER PLAN PLAN IN 2100 INUNDER 2100 UNDER SEA LEVEL SEARISE LEVEL + STORM RISE + STORM SURGE SURGE 1000(ft)

500

5001000(ft) 1000(ft)

B

B

B

C

B

C

B

B

C

C

C

C D

D

D

D

D

D

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A

A

A

A

0 100 500

AA

0 100

0 100

0 100

0 100

0 100 500

500

5001000(ft) 1000(ft)

1000(ft)

Green system / water retention Elevated pedestrian walk

Elevated street

Storm barrier

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Phase3 Typical Sections

For different relationships between urban fabric, proposed system, and waterfront

Section A-A

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide 2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION A-A

Section B-B

SECTION A-A

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide 2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION B-B SECTION B-B

50

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide 2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION C-C

C

B

B

D

C

D

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR

C

High Tide B

C

A

SECTION A-A

2050 Storm Surge

A

0 100

B

2050 SLR

500

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION B-B 2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

0 100

SECTION B-B

500 1000(ft)

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION C-C 2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION C-C

Section D-D 2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION D-D

2050 Storm Surge 2050 SLR High Tide

SECTION D-D

51

MASTER PLAN IN 2100 UNDER SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE

SECTION A-A

1000(ft)

A

High Tide

A

Section C-C

MASTER PLAN IN 2050 UNDER SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE

D

D

Connection Through Central Elevated Pedestrian Walkway Prototype1 Prototype1

Prototype2 Prototype2

Prototype3 Prototype3

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Prototypes for Central Elevated Pedestrian Walkway Site1 existing condition

Prototype1 proposed vision

Site2 existing condition

Prototype2 proposed vision

Site3 existing condition

Prototype3 proposed vision

53

Prototype1 Connection With Waterfront

54

Site1 existing condition

Sea

Harbor walk

Stage / ramp / viaduct

Lawn / gather space

55

Prototype2 Connection With Open Space

56

Water pond

Site2 existing condition Water fall

Plaza

Stage / stairs

Water fall

Viaduct / water plaza / water retention

Water plaza / water retention

Walkway

Urban street

57

Prototype3 Connection With Rooftop

Roof Garden Water Collection

58

Roof garden/ water collection

Site3 existing condition Ground water collection

Urban street

Viaduct

Garden

Viaduct

Stage/ water fall

Roof garden/ water collection

59

Feedback

Throughout your thesis work I have been impressed with your commitment to a bold strategy and your ability to diagram your ideas clearly. In this last phase you’ve made significant progress in working out some of the details of that strategy and have made a nice connection to the harbor to the north. As we heard at the review, however, how your “high line” and other programed open spaces will really work, is still a question. Some of the grittiness of the existing buildings in this part of Fort Point Channel gets lost in your renderings – it would be good to capture that so that your project would feel more like you are integrating the old and the new into a vibrant, contemporary and future environment. I know you are well aware of the “placelessness” of much of the new architecture in this district and are looking to counter that with your proposals. I would encourage you to find a way to show in some detail what you imagine the quotidian, day to day life of your new district will be. I think it could be exciting, but right now that is not fully depicted.

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Findings + Conclusions

In 2100 water scenario, sea level rise will be 6ft, storm surge will be 5ft, which will bring more than 10ft water elevation to the existing water edge. Since the topography of the Fort Point district is nearly flat, to elevate the water edge could be a short-term strategy to protect the district from flooding in terms of stable water change such as sea level rise. However, the storm surge is temporary and may happen twice a year, so it is crucial to create an inland elevated infrastructure network to enhance the connection when the ground level is temporarily flooded as well as evolve the neighborhood.

The three prototypes test different relationships between the elevated landscape and the context (both existing and proposed), which include the relationship between building, open space and waterfront. The prototype of rooftop connection is located at an intimate space within community. Fresh water will be collected by the roof garden and be conveyed to the ground through the waterfall. Farmers market will be proposed under the landscape infrastructure and enhance community engagement. The prototype of open space connection is located at the transition space between public street and community park. It will be the threshold of the public and semi-public space.

The water plaza is created under the viaduct to welcome the gathering and collect stormwater. The prototype of waterfront connection is located at a public space where everyone could access and have fun. The central viaduct and the harbor walk overlap at this place and are transformed into stages and ramps for easy accessibility and gathering. The elevated landscape here is intended to bring people to the waterfront and create a dynamic water edge.

Assessment

In this phase, the overall strategy is diagrammed clearly in the parti diagram.

The revised master plan is more clear and caters to the feedback from phase2 review.

According to the feedback from last review, the stance of the elevated infrastructure is not so strong. Since the â&#x20AC;&#x153;highlineâ&#x20AC;? like structure is expensive to build and maintain, it is necessary to give a strong reason why it should be built. The temporary flooding scenario could provide support for the elevated landscape, but it is not enough. The stance lacks a layer of user experience to show what the future vision for the district is like in daily life.

If there is a phase 4 for the thesis, the investigation should focus on how the elevated landscape could make unique places which would evolve the neighborhood. The overall site analysis of the water scenario should be presented more clearly to show how the urban fabric will function under the flooding scenario.

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Overall Assessment

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Final Conclusions

The thesis mainly deals with two issues: water dynamics and urban connection.

Since the site is faced with sea level rise and storm surge, it is necessary to create an urban sponge model for the sustainability under flooding scenario.

Since the site is located at the connection joint between South Boston and downtown, investigations also cover how to strengthen various levels of connectivity within the area. Therefore, an elevated landscape network is proposed to strengthen street connections and provide an enjoyable walking experience within the district.

The overall hypothesis is proposed to keep transformation through incremental building and create a dynamic urban model that is resilient to climate change.

As for the urban sponge part, a new harbor walk is proposed to keep the sea level rise and storm surge out in 2050. Additionally, new green space network is proposed for storm water retention and cleansing to protect the inner part from flooding in 2050. As for the urban connection part, the northsouth connection is strengthened by the new harbor walk and the elevated highline through the central node. While the east-west connection is enhanced by the elevated streets to maintain the gateway to Boston downtown under the water scenario in 2100.

Since the central elevated pedestrian network is the most critical part of the overall elevated infrastructure in terms of evolving the neighborhood, zoom in designs are explored to build prototypes for the connection model.

Three connection relationships are explored to test design vision and spatial experience, including connection with rooftop, connection with waterfront, and connection with open space. Through the prototypes exploration, water

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context is involved in the elevated landscape to bring dynamics and connect the spatial experience both on and under the viaduct. Different programs are proposed to bring vitality to the neighborhood. The elevated landscape will play a leading role in terms of transforming the existing office park into a dynamic, vibrant neighborhood.

Final Assessment

Through this entire thesis investigation, the research and testing methods are effective in terms of understanding the water dynamics and bringing the context of water into the urban design. Several major adjustments have been made to shift the investigation direction in each phase, which helped the thesis go deeper and involved the social issues as well.

In phase 1, the investigation mainly focused on understanding the water dynamics and proposed hypothesis accordingly to mitigate flooding impact.

However, the social issues havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been considered deeply through this phase.

It was not clear how the concept of urban connection interweaved into the hypothesis and impacted the design strategies. The hypothesis also ignored the significant issue of involving fresh water into the topic.

In phase 2, the investigation did a good job in better considering the water dynamics and separated the salt water with fresh water. As a result of that, the new harbor walk functioned as a storm barrier to keep the sea level rise out, while the proposed green system functioned as a fresh water retention system to prevent the inland from flooding. The central elevated pedestrian network was proposed to connect the innovation centers and important buildings to provide enjoyable walking experience within the district as well as bring vitality to evolve neighborhood. Since the hypothesis embedded different layers in a comprehensive system, thus how to clarify the relationships of each layer was crucial to the project. It was still unclear how the layers interact with each other in this phase. And the hypothesis was incomplete since it did not consider about the north waterfront in this phase.

In phase 3, the hypothesis was refined to be more clear about the different layers of strategies and more complete to consider larger context. The investigation also focused on how to merge the strategy of public realm with the strategy of defensive system. Thinking deeper about the spaces under the viaducts in a human scale helped clarify the attitude towards public realm.

The investigation went deeper to build prototypes to test the hypothesis and helped clarify the stance of the overall strategy. However, the stance of the elevated infrastructure was not strong. The temporary flooding scenario could provide support for the elevated landscape, but it was not enough. The stance lacked a layer of user experience to show what the future vision for the district is like in daily life.

If there is a next phase for the thesis, the investigation should focus on how the elevated landscape could make unique places which would evolve the neighborhood. The stance should be more clarified through the overall strategy and the prototypes design.

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