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Acknowledgements I would first like to thank my mother for introducing me to the field of Landscape Architecture, my Dad, for all the late night talks of encouragement and my best friend, Margaret, for being there to talk to me when needed. Thank you to the city officials of Bluefield for meeting with me. You gave me a new perspective on city planning and management and our discussions enlightened my thoughts and ideas as a Landscape Architect. To Amy Strickland, Luisa Cruz and Liz Crim, my friends and confidants throughout our journey together. Lastly, I would like to thank the faculty: My advisor, Brian Katen, thank you for patience and guidance through this longer than usual process. Mintai Kim, thank you for our enlightening conversations and support. To all the other department faculty and Virginia Tech educators who have taught and inspired me over the years.
Table of Contents Preface 1 Introduction 2 Context 3 Project Statement 4 History 5 Understanding Place 10 Regional Synthesis 13 City Scale Analysis 14 City Scale Synthesis 17 Downtown District Analysis 19 Synthesis 30 Design Inquiry 32 Case Studies 35 The Design 36 Conclusion 50 References 51
Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Special Collections
Preface: I’ve always had an interest in finding the hidden towns and communities throughout the United States. Uncovering their history and presence has always been fascinating to me. Living in the Appalachian region for the past 5 years I began to learn about a new culture and geography. Many of these small communities and towns have become forgotten due to the construction of the interstate highway and exploitation of natural resources. When I began to delve into the history of these places it amazed me to see how full of life they use to be and now they only remain as traces in the landscape. One day, while driving through the southeast coal region of West Virginia I came upon the magic of Bluefield, WV. The mountains isolated this urban center. Upon my arrival into the downtown, my eyes were first drawn up, to the buildings that were 10+ stories high. I could see the richness that this city once held. The downtown is surrounded by vacant lots, and blighted areas mixed in with this steep topography and backdrop of the mountain. This downtown was once a bustling urban hub, 5 o’clock traffic jams were common, the streets were filled with people and the nightlife was always active. As I stood in the streets where all of this once occurred, the downtown was empty. Store windows were vacated and buildings were on the verge of no longer existing. I knew I wanted this city to be the focus for my Senior Project. As a Landscape Architect, what could I do to make Bluefield a better place again? How can Bluefield become a better place for the 21st century? 1
Introduction: What is the future for America’s shrinking towns and cities? How can a landscape architect fix a small shrinking city such as Bluefield, WV? This once prosperous city shows the adverse effects of a declining population, failing economy, and a blighted downtown that is situated within a steep topography. Bluefield has gone through various attempts of urban renewal projects since the 1950s but none ever improved the city’s economy. In some cases, redevelopment projects offer the best means of improvement when the infrastructure is still reasonably intact and restoration can be accomplished at a reasonable expense. Meanwhile, other cities and towns are best served by eliminating unsightly decay that do nothing but detract from the overall appeal of the downtown area. Rather than leave the city dotted with vacant lots cities would best be served by returning those areas to a natural landscape. Many major cities throughout the United States have implemented urban agriculture/ farming and community gardening as ways to fill the mass voids in the landscape. Bluefield has a unique opportunity that can transform the city’s future. Bluefield’s character of being situated in the mountains creates an opportunity to reconnect the downtown to its surrounding ecology and natural features. This project explores how a failing downtown filled with vacant lots, structures, condemned buildings and severe slopes can be blended into the new natural landscape.
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Site Context
City Context
Regional Context
10 miles to Princeton
Princeton
6 Miles to I-77 entrance Bluefield East River Mountain Bluefield, VA Jefferson National Forest
Aerial Image: Google Maps
Panoramic View from East River Mountain Overlook, Looking North Aerial Image: Google Maps
Rt. 460
Bland Street. Downtown Bluefield, WV Aerial Image: Bing Maps N
Site Context
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Project Statement This project explores a design alternative that a shrinking city, such as Bluefield, WV, can implement to become a better place for the 21st century.
Vision To envision Bluefield’s blighted, disconnected downtown as a smaller, better city with a new natural edge that offers educational and recreational opportunity and gives the city a new focus for the future.
Goals To reconnect the downtown to the surrounding landscape - By creating a green corridor that connects from the city park trail system and extends to the college, through the downtown and to other natural features in the city. To address severely sloped areas -with mitigation and management strategies that could also serve as an educational purpose. To reintroduce nature and ecosystems into the downtown. -Creating wetlands and implementing natural drainage systems To connect the college across the railroad -by providing new facilities and using existing for housing and education while also creating an outdoor educational laboratory.
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History of Bluefield Located in the southern tip of West Virginia at the foot of East River Mountain, Bluefield is the highest city in the state- and, in the eastern half of the United States- at 2, 655 feet above the sea level. ( Annett 7) Bluefield was a city fueled by the coal and railroad industry. The cities prosperity depended on the amount of coal that was being shipped out from the nearby Pocahontas coalfields. The downtown was bustling with business and crowded streets. Passengers took the train into the city to conduct business and shop. In the 1950’s the population peaked to 26,000. Including surrounding communities the population totaled approximately 52,000 people. Bluefield was the place to be, with a bustling nightlife and daily traffic jams. People filled the streets as they walked around some of the tallest built structures of their time period. Due to the introduction of globalization and other fuel sources, Bluefield does not resemble the prominence of it’s past.
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Timeline Development of Bluefield
[1] Congested Streets of Bluefield c.1950s
Timeline Image provided by City of Bluefield
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[2] c. 1941 [5] c. 1920’s
[3] c. 1939 [Image 2 and 3] Bluefield labeled itself “Nature’s Air-Conditioned City.” Summers are moderately cooler with the elevated mountain air. With a moderate climate and mountain setting, Bluefield and the surrounding area offers multiple outdoor recreational opportunities. When Temperatures reach above 90 degrees free glasses of lemonade are handed out.
[4] c. 1950 [Image 4] Bluefield was the place to come shop and do business. The streets were often crowded with people.
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[6] c. 1940’s [Image 5 and 6] Bluefield Avenue was where the business of all the coalfields was conducted. The cities great supply houses were developed on this crowded, busy avenue.
Panoramic View of downtown Bluefield looking south, 1912 Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Special Collections
The Perception of downtown is that it is crime-ridden. “The city is just old, people see alleyways and run-down homes and they think the downtown is an unsafe place to be. I can drop my wallet in the road and the next day it will still be there.� - City Manager, Andy Merriman In the downtown a house can be purchased for as low as$10,000 and on the south side of town they sell for $300,000 Old/dilapidated homes serve as a huge liability for the city . Over1,000 Vacant homes 812 need to be demolished.
Statistics:
Population (2010): 10, 447 25% of the population is African-American -Highest Percentage of Minorities in West Virginia A large percentage of the population are above the age of 50= 4,300 The city has become a large retirement destination because of it’s desirable mountain location. $27,000= Average Household Income
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Bluefield Today The presence of today’s Bluefield is only a faint reminder of the past. About 25% of the original structures remain from the days of the city’s prosperity. What remains of the historically significant structures, are trying to be preserved as best as possible even though most are currently vacant. Due to the introduction of globalization and other fuel sources the job market in the railroad and coal industry steadily declined. The population began to shrink and homes began to deteriorate since the 1950s. No new industries or companies have moved in to provide new jobs. The railroad still exists as a major identity in the city and remains active with over 12 rail lines. The city is tied to the railroad and celebrates annually with rail excursions from Roanoke , VA. The downtown itself consists of a few law offices, banks, two or three restaurants, a few retail shops, post office, library, some state agencies and an elderly, low-income apartment complex. Most of the structures are too large and old to support a new business that could move in. It is cheaper to build a new structure than to go through the process of occupying an existing building. Surrounding the downtown are blighted residential areas filled with vacant lots, homes and condemned structures. There have been numerous attempts at reviving the downtown but most have failed.
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[6] [Image 4] Vacant lot within the downtown
[Image 1,3,5] Examples of organizations and banks throughout the downtown. Image 2] Block in the downtown that consists of few shops and vacant buildings. 9
[Image 6] Bluefield Avenue- filled with commercial strip. Only about 50% of the structures are occupied.
Understanding Place
East River Mountain
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Downtown
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Railroad
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Valleys
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[Figure 2]City-wide topo Map 11
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Valleys
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City Topographic Analysis
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[Figure 1]Topographic Model of City
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Study Models
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The downtown district of Bluefield is isolated within the topography. On both sides of the railroad tracks there are two ridgelines that flow down to form the valley in which the railway lies. These study models explore the various layers, ties, connections and divisions through the topography and the railroad. 12
[Figure 1] Interweaving notion with the railroad. Volumes of density along the rail.
[Figure 3] The city is isolated within the mountains of the region.
[Figure 2] Layered, linear response to the development of the railroad. The railroad sits in the valley.
[Figure 4] Associations with the downtownSignificant architecture, run-down, old, surrounding blighted areas.
Regional Synthesis The surrounding context offers many natural recreational opportunities. Bluefield, being isolated within the mountains, can reconnect to the larger landscape by becoming a natural destination.
10 miles to Princeton
34 Miles, 40 Minutes via interstate 28 Miles, 40 Minutes
Princeton
26 Miles, 35 Minutes
Pinnacle Rock State Park 8 miles, 15 minutes
Bramwell, WV, 8 miles, 15 minutes
Bluefield City Park, 5 Minutes
East River Mountain Overlook, 5 Minutes
Jefferson National Forest (Across border in Virginia
Surrounding Recreation within an hour of Downtown Bluefield
Surrounding Dense Areas
Regional Destinations
18 Miles, 30 Minutes
6 Miles to I-77 entrance Bluefield East River Mountain Bluefield, VA Jefferson National Forest
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City Scale Analysis
Horton Lake
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Successful Housing district City bounded by the mountains
City Destinations
City-Scale Issues
Topographic Divisions
- Within the city there are three major ridges that divide the city’s residential districts. - The downtown has become separated physically and economically.
Downtown
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Rt.460
East River Mountain Overlook
Old Downtown
New “Strip Commercial”
- There are destinations within the city itself that provide recreational activities: Bluefield City Park, Horton Lake, East River Mountain Overlook. -Retail destinations have moved away from the downtown towards the highway (Route 460)
-Housing in the southern portion of the city contains more affluent housing compared to the impoverished areas of downtown.
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City Land Use Map
Loss of Business from Downtown
City Scale Analysis
Public Institution
Industrial uses
Multi-family Residential
Recreational Uses
Commercial/Retail
Decline of Business in Downtown
Residential
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larger more successful business along Rt. 460
Rt. 460
City Scale Analysis Potential Educational Network
Bluefield State College
Wade School
Bluefield State College
Bluefield Middle School
Bluefield, WV -Located directly in downtown -Commuter College - Strong presence in the city - Offers a variety of educational programs including environmental science and biology programs.
Elementary School Bluefield High School
Bluefield College
Graham High School
Colleges
Bluefield, VA -Small private, Baptist school - Adjacent to the City Park - School offers environmental education programs - Has an on-campus housing program
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Elementary/Middle Schools
Residential Development Initiatives
High Schools
Bluefield College
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[Image 3] New development located on top of East River Mountain. (Area furthest South on Figure 2) [Image 4 and 5] New more intimate housing developments set in the mountain landscape. North
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Areas of Initiative for creating residential Mountain communities. That offer lifestyles of mountain living. -panoramic Views -calmer quieter communties
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City Park Trail System
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Opportunities to connect to existing Natural Destinations throughout the city [Figure 1] City Park Trail system has multiple bike and walking systems. The different colors represent different loops and levels of intensity. The yellow trail extends down to the limits of the downtown.
Lakes and Streams
[Image 3 and 4] Images of the trail system and the streams) that run through the park. [Figure 2] Bluefield, located at the base of the East River mountain, has many streams and lakes. The streams are tributaries of the New River. Many of the lakes are used for boating and fishing purposes.
Downtown
East River Mtn.
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Horton Lake
East River Mountain Overlook City Park
Network Shift
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Connecting residential communities Surrounding natural green spaces
Through this educational network, existing natural resources and initiatives for new residential occmountain communties occurring around the downtown, these entities can become part of a larger network and the downtown can become a vital part of the city again.
Network Shift
Through educational connections, existing natural destinations and initiatives for new residential mountain communities all occurring around the downtown, these entities could become part of a larger network and the downtown could become a vital part of the city again.
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Educational Downtown
Downtown District Analysis
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[Figure 1] Understanding form and structure of place [Figure 2] Railway through valley, surrounded by nature [Figure 3] Sketch of city section through residential area of downtown
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Downtown District Land Use Map
Major Vehicular Movement Industrial Sector Commercial Corridor
Bluefield State College
Residential Sectors
Downtown Core
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South Bluefield
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Railyard
Connects to Princeton, WV, Rt. 460
Major Vehicular Circulation
Historic Downtown
Bluefield State College
Coal Heritage Road Connects to: Bramwell, WV
Connects to Rt. 460
Connects Bluefield, VA
Connects to Hospital, Bluefield College, Rt. 460
[Figure 2]
Major Intersection
Route 19
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Route 52
Minor roads
Mapping Vacant Lots
Vacant Lots Vacant Commercial Areas of condemned/ dilapidated housing
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Housing in District
Housing Conditions
Vacant Lots in the Downtown
Areas of Structurally Unsound Housing
Residental Areas in good condition
Existing. Downtown Housing
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Structural Analysis Buildings to be Removed Buildings to be Repurposed
[Image 1]
[Figure 1] [Image 2]
Structural Analysis
Buildings that could be Renovated to accomodate different uses- apartments, small retail/restaurant
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Criteria For Building Removal Unoccupied Structures (Image 1) Condemned/Dilapidated (Image 2) Businesses that could move towards the highway.
[Figure 2]
Buildings that have historical value could be repurposed for housing or smaller retail space. (Image 3) 22
Edge Characteristics
will have entire section going through downtown.
[Figure 1]
Industrial Edge The former edge for all industrial and railroad activities is primarily level grade with mostly impervious surface. Many of the lots have been classified as brownfield sites.
Residential Edge The residential city lots are built on steep slopes, into the hillside. These areas have numerous amounts of vacant dilapidated homes and structures.
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Existing Natural Edge The natural edge consists of steep terrain with dense forest. This edge lines the residential lots. The ridge extends from downtown to the city park.
[Residential Block Typologies]
Residential Edge
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Residential Sector
Natural Edge Drainage Direction
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Regrowth on Pre-Existing Residential Lots
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Natural Edge
Pre-exisitng Road
Foundation Remnants
[Figure 1] Section through a city residential block. The blocks are severely sloped and often homes are built into the hillside.
[Figure 2] A severely sloped area of the city block where they have been sectioned off with retained, terrace-like lots.
[Figure 3] Lot types that are sunken into the ground.
[Figure 4] Lot types that have been leveled and terraced next to each other
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Existing Vacant Lots
Drainage Direction
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Downtown Edge Condition
-The existing natural edge consists of steep topography with dense vegetation. -The ridgeline of this steep topography follows all the way to the city park.
Natural Edge
-In some areas the natural edge has begun to take over onto vacant lots. (As seen in Figure 3) [Figure 1] Shows an area along the edge (closer to the City Park) where streams are present.
Images of dense forest on the edge of areas along the downtown.
[Figure 2] Areas of steep topography where erosion is a problem. 26
Terraced walled edges
Water Flow
[Industrial Edge]
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Industrial Edge
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Images of derelict sites along railroad. Former industrial buildings. [3]
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[Figure 1]
Slope Analysis <VALUE> 0 - 8% 8 - 16% 16 - 26% 26 - 32% 32 - 38% 38- 45% 45 - 52% 52- 62% 62- 94%
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Existing Structural Elements
Slope Analysis
In order to build and develop on the steep slopes of the downtown, most areas had to be retained with walls where many of the lots have been regraded. Due to a large amount of impervious surfacing and supporting structures, all the stormwater collects in storm drains and drains to the creek. Most of these elements overtime have deteriorated and even collapsed due to old age and lack of maintenance.
Slopes in the downtown exceed 35% in some areas. Part of the reason people move out of the city is because it is too hard to access homes on very steep roads.
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Summary
Hydrology
By eliminating and removing structures that serve little to no purpose for the city, opportunity arises through the abundance of vacant lots. The characteristics of each edge offer different opportunities. Existing Natural Edge- A dense, wooded edge with severe slopes. This edge can serve as an extension from the city park into this new green linkage. Residential/ Vacant Lot Edge- Dotted with vacant lots and condemned homes, these areas offer unique opportunities through their structural remnants. Since a majority of this residential sector is built-up with concrete and stone walls, these remnants can be incorporated throughout the design.
Critical Areas
Industrial Edge- This corridor along the railroad is the most level part throughout the city. It is mostly covered in impervious surfacing and has been through decades of industry. Many of these sites are brownfields that could be re-used for educational opportunities or redevelopment.
Flow Direction
Severely sloped areas create problems for drainage and access for current residents.
Hydrology The Blue arrows represent identified drainage ways through analysis of the topography and identifying swales and drainage channels.
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Synthesis
Synthesis of Slope
Opportunities
Synthesis of Slope and Hydrology
Railyard
Manage stormwater and drainage ways through the implementation of wetlands and rain gardens through identified areas.
Historic Downtown
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Areas of intervention
-Collect and improve water runoff quality from impervious surfaces; also reduce impervious areas. -Introduce new improved areas.
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-Steeply sloped areas can be treated to control excessive runoff and erosion problems.
Steep Grade
Moderate Grade
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ecosystems
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Edges of Nature Industrial
Edges and Zones Overlap
Downtown
Industrial Edge
Residential
Downtown
Linkage
Ex. Natural
Educational
Linkage
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Educational
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Ex. Natural Edge
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By overlapping the zones and edges a grid of spaces is created. This structure informs and defines each zone. The downtown attracts residents and visitors while the college brings in the students. The linkage serves as an educational opportunity for students as well as a recreational opportunity for other users. [Though Process]
[Figure 4]
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Opportunities Three edge conditions exist throughout the site. Industrial- linear, built-up corridor along the railroad. Level area of topography. Many of the sites throughout this area are brownfield sites from the former industry that occurred in this area. Residential- Built-up lots. Homes on lots are built into the slopes. Terraced foundations and walls make up a lor of the area. The structure of this area is formed by the city block grid (Figure 2) Lot structures can become an integral part of the design.
Creating three zone sectors: Educational, Downtown and the green linkage. Educational: Extend the college across the railroad by proposing new facilities and environmental education opportunities. Downtown- Confine business and offices to the downtown core. Linkage- Repurposing previous residential area as an ecological corridor.
Existing Natural Edge- Dense, wooded area that can extend into the park. 31
[Figure 2] [Figure 1]
[Figure 1 and 2] Linear wetland systems. Disconnected elements. [Figure 3]
[Figure 3] How structural remnants could be incorporated into the design. [Figure 4] Downtown Urban Grid- Exploring connections
Design Inquiry
[Figure 5] Exploring connections to systems.
[Figure 4]
[Figure 5] 32
[Figure 1]
[Figure 2]
[Figure 3]
[Figure 1] Exploring opportunities to combine wetlands and existing structures. [Figure 2] Exploring how wetlands could be incorporated into city blocks. [Figure 3] Exploring connections of systems through the use of the existing street grid.
Design Development
[Figure 4] Creating connection through a single path. The design inquiry process began with exploring possibilities with structural elements and systems by understanding how they could function together. The next step was determining how they could all become connected. The first inquiry was using the existing street grid to connect the systems however, there was no hierarchy to the path. The formation of a single path that connects different moments was the defining point of the design. The old street grid and new smaller paths could serve as secondary paths extending from the main path. The path serves as the organized element that connects the downtown to the college. 33
[Figure 4]
Downtown
Synthesis Diagram of Design Inquiry
Bluefield State College
Educational Extension
Nature Linkage
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Downtown
Areas to connect to
Recreational Path The Path
Case Studies- Extracting Design Strategies
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Alter Flugplatz Park, Frankfurt, Germany
Landschaftspark, Duisburg, Germany
An old military airfield converted into a nature and recreational area. Instead of removing the runway remnants and other elements, the areas are left mostly untouched and have become overgrown with vegetation. Constructed paths serve as the connective element from one area to the next. [Images 1-3]
A former coal and steel production plant, that was preserved and redesigned into a park to remember itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industrial past. Old structures, bunkers and tanks have been transformed into new spaces. In image 5, old bunkers have been transformed into garden rooms. [Images 4 and 5]
(Peter Latz+ Partners)
Extracted Ideas:
Overgrown, successional plant stages (Alter Flugplatz) vs. planned vegetation and growth pattern (Landschaftspark) [Figure 5] Re-use of structures- converting to rooms [Figure 2] Re-using asphalt and concrete for material [Figure 3] Keeping the runway and road structures as reminders of previous use. Using them as secondary paths.
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Design Objectives: -Create a path that connects the downtown across to the college. -Keep remnants of the city structure to be included in the design -Reintroduce Nature and ecosystems to the site by creating wetlands, rain gardens, swales and sites for reforestation -Address severely sloped areas with mitigation and management strategies that could be used as an educational opportunities for the colleges and surrounding schools. -Studying hydrologic processes-infiltration, ground permeability, runoff, soil erosion control, contained wetlands, learning about wetland and plant species -Implement hydrologic processes in identified drainage swales that reintroduce wetland and native plant species to the site.
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The Design
Downtown
Concept Plan
Bluefield State College
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Design Masterplan
Bluefield State College
College Extended
Untouched Residential Area
Detail Area 3
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New Residential Housing
Downtown
Detail Area 1
Detail Area 2
Design Context
Recreational Trail 39
Detail Area Plan
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W o o d l a n d s
Existing deciduous Tree Line Mixed with new, denser planting. These areas exist on the steeper parts of the path where Structural remnants remain to be used as sitting areas and overlooks. Plant Species: Sumac, Oak, Maple, Sassafrass, Redcedar Sycamore, Virginia Pine
M e a d o w G r a s s l a n d s P e r e n n i a l s
Y o u n g F o r e s t
Open areas of meadow that is less structured than the earlier sequence of the path. Remnants of structures serve as focal points rather than reused elements. Plant Species: Queen anne's lace, chickory, mullein, black eyed susan, beebalm, goldenrod, wild blue phlox, butterfly weed, joe pye weed are herbaceous perennials, Andropogon varieties, Panicum.
In this area, dense areas of young trees and shrubs line the path. Here one can observe the stages of plant succession as the shrubs begin to grow into a young forest. Plant Species: Dogwood varieties, Sassafrass, Black Willow, Redbud, Viburnum varieties, Serviceberry
W e t l a n d s
Y o u n g F o r e s t
W e t l a n d s
M e a d o w G r a s s l a n d s
M e a d o w G r a s s l a n d s
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W o o d l a n d s
W e t l a n d s
Experience along the path
College
W e t l a n d s
S t e e p S l o p e s S t r u c t u r e d
During periods of heavy rainfall, the wetlands become activated. Serving as an educational device for studying stormwater management practices. These areas all serve as an attraction along the path. The ecological system will bring in many species and wildlife for a person to observe.
Addressing severely sloped areas with gabion walls and erosion control measures.
W i l d / L o o s e N a t u r e Areas where the succession of plant life begin to take over vacant areas. Roads and walkways are kept and vegetation begins to take over.
Y o u n g F o r e s t
W e t l a n d s
S t e e p S l o p e s S t r u c t u r e d
W o o d l a n d s
Plant Species: Broadleaf Cattail, Sweetflag, Sedge, Swamp Milkweed, Turtlehead, coneflower, Cardinal flower, Common Rush, Fern varieties
Downtown
W i l d / L o o s e N a t u r e
[Figure 1] Line of Path and Experiences along it
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Detail Area 1 The arrival point into Bluefield occurs across from the train station. The visitor center serves as the information center for the trail and provides an overview of the city. The trail follows existing walkways connecting to pocket parks and existing plazas. The trail begins to ascend through a terraced area and enters into a threshold between the urban and natural zone.
Parking Lot Arrival Point -Visitor Center
A transition into the young forest serves as the entry into the park.
Pocket Park Pocket Park Chicory Square
Entrance
Threshold from urban to nature
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[Image 2] Existing Plaza- Chicory Square
[Image 1] Arrival -visitor center
[Image 3] Transition from Urban to nature
[Image 4] View into downtown from Threshold
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Detail Area 2 The experience of this area is to walk through a series of ecological processes and hydrologic systems. Successional plant stages can be observed through the overgrown habit around structures and roads. The path follows the hilly terrain of the site which allows the user to arrive at high points along the path to observe the surrounding area.
Terraced Wetlands Wetlands
Terraced Gabion Walls Structured Wetlands Garden Room in old building structure
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[Image 1]
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[Image 1] Section through park. Highlighting steep slope and use of existing structures (roads and foundations). [Image 2] Terraced Wetlands. Each basin is filled with wetland plant species. During periods of heavy rain these areas will be filled with water. [Image 3] Wetland Rooms. Uses existing wall structures to create outdoor rooms. [Image 4] Creek with Gabion Walls. Maintaining steep areas and erosion problem areas with gabion walls.
[Image 4]
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Detail Area 3
This realm is a more open, naturalized area, not as structured as the previous. As users walk along the path they cross over wetlands (Image 2) through a meadow of grasses and wildflowers. The path becomes more dense with vegetation as it heads up the hill. Steep areas become a laboratory for students to learn about erosion and management strategies. The street grid is not as apparent in this sector, becoming mostly grown over. Remnants of asphalt and curb remain as guiding points to bring users back to the main path. The path ends at the new extension of the college where users can cross over the railroad on a foot bridge.
Contaminated SiteEducation Area
Bridge connection to BSC
Wetland Creek
Outdoor Classroom
Open Meadow
Wetland Creek
New BSC facilities
Trail head Recreational Trail Access
Erosion Control Site
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[Image 1] Overall view of area.
[Image 2] Path over wetlands creek. Space for outdoor classroom alongside.
[Image 3] Steep, wooded edge. 47
[ 1-5 Years ]
-Condense areas of vacant lots and bad sectors of housing(To Be Removed) -Implement Interventions in selected areas such as stormwater management and erosion control
Vehicular Circulation
Areas to be addressed
Vehicular Circulation
Areas to be addressed
Progression of Interventions over Time
[ 5-10 Years ]
-Extend Areas of intervention -Begin to demolish commercial/retail structures that are no longer used. -Redirect roads that are no longer used
[ The future of Bluefield ] -Eventually the entire site will be transformed into a park where the ecology has been fully restored.
Vehicular Circulation
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Areas to be addressed
Downtown
BSC
Bluefield Transforming over time
BSC
Areas where new offices and small retail could be supported -Implementing urban farming to serve as an economic driver
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New Housing Communities could be developed.
Conclusion Radical decisions need to be made if a city is to greatly improve. This project is an example of measures that a city can take to make a change for it’s future. Bluefield can become a more sustainable place for the 21st century that improves the quality of life for current and future residents and becomes a destination for visitors. The city branded themselves the “Air-Conditioned City” in the 1930s because of the city’s cool summer climates and desirable setting in the mountains. The surrounding area offers many attractions to natural destinations and recreational opportunities. By recognizing important assets to the city, the college, historic downtown and existing green infrastructure, I saw a potential connection. Eliminating the blighted areas of the downtown opened up an opportunity to make the first connection through a path. I came to understand and see that what once was and is still important to Bluefield is it’s unique situation with the mountains. The city’s isolated presence within a mountainous natural landscape is something that could be brought back to the torn landscape of the downtown, remaking it a vital place again. The city was once a place where smokestacks and coal filled the air, but now, the clean, cool, mountain air can provide an enjoyable environment again in the Air-Conditioned City by transforming a former industrial hub into an ecologically vibrant place.
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References Annett, Mary Margaret Spracher. Bluefield in Vintage Postcards. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub., 2004. Print. Archer, William R. Bluefield. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2000. Print. Archer, William R. Bluefield in the 1940s. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2009. Print.
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