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RIDGELAND: CONNECT
UPP 557 | BERWYN
RIDGELAND: CONNECT
UPP 557 | BERWYN
Plaza Verde A plan that creates a multi-purpose community anchor.
RIDGELAND AVENUE
Cultural Corridor A plan that creates a cultural expression connector.
Tiny Urbanism A plan that utilizes insurgent planning to diversify spaces.
Alternatives Having identified Ridgeland Avenue as the corridor in which we will explore interventions, we created three potential alternatives for the space: Plaza Verde, the Cultural Corridor, and Tiny Urbanism.
Plaza Verde Strategies included in the Plan are to broaden customer bases and accessibility to/ for businesses through the breaking down of language and cultural barriers including the addition of bilingual signage and assisting businesses with presentation. There are also goals to support pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders through the addition of more crosswalks with shorter crossing distances, updating nonsignalized crosswalks, the widening of sidewalks, the strengthening of bicycle facilities through the addition of bike lanes and bike parking, as well as the enhancement of bus services and stops.
Building on the corridor’s identity is another goal of the Washington Street Corridor Plan that is applicable in Berwyn. This strategy includes helping businesses grow through the provision of training and education, marketing the corridor, developing the corridor into a key suburban expansion destination for Chicago’s Latinx businesses, as well as hosting community events and festivals. Strategies for enhancing the image of the corridor include increasing the number of street trees, landscaping, and street lighting; updating building facades and signs; and enhancing open spaces and recreational amenities.
The Plaza Verde proposal was developed to address challenges and priorities voiced by Berwyn residents. The goal of Plaza Verde is to provide the dual purpose of a civic anchor and a stormwater management site. The concept will be driven by four guiding principles: civic unity, cultural identity, community plurality, and environmental sustainability and resiliency. The concept of the Plaza emerged from Berwyn’s most recent strategic plan priority as well as insights from two case studies: Paseo Boricua in Chicago’s Humboldt Park, and South Colton, CA Livable Corridor Plan.
Both spaces promoted elements from Latino Urbanism by taking interventions that combine Latinx behavior patterns with the American suburban form. This alternative will increase community representation by reflecting Latinx Heritage, allow for a multiplicity of public involvement and flexibility of space, and provide an opportunity to address the community divide by creating a space where north and south Berwyn can come together. Further, green infrastructure will provide natural flooding mitigation and beautification.
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