A CITY OF A THOUSAND RIVERS | THE WILDWATER STREETS OF BRISTOL | URBAN FUTURES

A CITY OF A THOUSAND RIVERS W I L D W A T E R S T R E E T S

BY MURRAN HARVEY

CONTENTS 4, 5

PREFACE

CHAPTER ONE: AN INTRODUCTION

8, 9 10 11 12, 13 14 , 15 16 , 17 18 19 20 21

THE ECOLOGY OF BRISTOL HIDDEN RIVER: THE FROM B R I S T O L’ S R E L A T I O N S H I P W I T H W A T E R THE FOCUS ON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE UTILISING A VULNERABILITY GREEN SPACES IN BRISTOL: RE VISITED A HYPOTHETICAL VISION 1 SEA LEVEL RISE CONCEPT BEGINNING: FORMING AN ALLIANCE A HYPOTHETICAL VISION 2

C H A P T E R T W O : A N A N A LY S I S

24, 25 26 - 28 29 - 31 32 - 35 36, 37 38, 39

2

FLOOD RISK C O N C R E T E J U N G L E: S U R FAC E WAT ER FLO O D R I S K: T I DA L WAT ER FLOOD RISK: FLUVIAL FLOODING C L I M AT E C H A N G E T H E U N R E L E N T I N G R E A L I T Y: 2 0 15 V S 2 115

40 41

T H E B AT T L E AG A I N ST U R B A N C R EEP C H A P T ER C O N C LU S I O N: W H AT DOES THIS ALL SHOW US?

CHAPTER THREE: A VISION

44 45 46

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T S

47 - 50 51 52 - 55 56 - 58 59 - 61 62 - 64 65 - 67 68 - 70 71 - 73 74 75 76 -77

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

THE VISION W H AT C A N T H E Y B R I N G TO T H E URBAN ENVIRONMENT? T H E C O N C E P T: U R B A N A D A P T A T I O N W I L D W AT E R S T R E E T 1: H O T W E L L R O A D W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T 2: C O R N ST R EE T W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T 3: S A N D FO R D R OA D W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T 4: PR I N C E ST R EE T W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T 5: C H A PEL ST R EE T W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T 6: W EL S H B AC K W I L DWAT ER S T R EE T 7: U N N A M ED R OA D VISUAL VISION C O N C LU D I N G STAT EM EN T REFERENCES

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PREFACE Wate r is b e c o m i n g a n i n c re a si n g p a r t of u r b a n e c o l o g y.

It’s going to play a bigger role in our urban future, it is just a question of whether it is going to destroy our cities or enhance them. Water is powerful, and left uncontrolled and unmonitored, it has the power to erase parts of our cities in the future. Humankind has realised this threat; climate change is happening, and we must begin to adapt to the speculated changes that w e w ill s e e i n t h e f u t u re of u r b a n a n d h u m a n e c o l o g y.

We are aware our world is changing; everything we do has an after effect, everything is connected to o n e a n o t h e r a n d o n e c h o i c e i m p a c ts a n o t h e r. We a re beginning to attempt to undo the choices we’ve made in our past as a collective, changing the way society sees the world and adapting the ways in which we live to benefit everything else around us. Perceptions h ave c h a n g e d to w a rd s s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, i t i s b e c o m i n g more integrated into urban and human ecologies.

With the time our cities have left, it is about reevaluating, re-designing and becoming resilient.

4

JDS ARCHITECTS

ECOLOGICAL URBANISM,

BY MOHSEN M O S TA FAV I

“There’s a definition problem: ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’, the terms used to name the answer to the most pressing problem of our time, have become dangerously afloat in ambiguity and indeterminacy. Sustainable architecture i s e v e r y w h e r e a n d n o w h e r e.”

“There’s a coolness problem: ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’, in their current form, have made architecture a task rather than a desire. Sustainability as a proliferation of green Photoshopped pixels is considered cool, but articulate, intentional, enthusiastic p o s i t i o n s o n s u s t a i n a b i l i t y a r e n’ t .”

“There’s an ambition problem: ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’ have become codified, commodified and certified. Prescribed checklists m a s q u e r a d e a s d e s i g n p h i l o s o p h y.”

5

CHAPTER ONE AN INTRODUCTION

6

7

THE ECOLOGY OF

BRISTOL

green spaces in bristol scattered, sporadic, clustered; expanded across the city

8

blue spaces in bristol l i n e a r, c o n st ra i n e d, c o n t i n u o u s; d e s i g n a te d to certain areas of the city

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HIDDEN RIVER:

RIVER FROME Bristol has a hidden underground river that is unknown by many of t h e p e o p l e w h o li ve i n t h e c i t y. I t has not always been underground; originally it flowed from Stone Bridge and along to Baldwin Street where it met the River Avon. Bristol Castle was re-build and the Frome was diverted around the castle, becoming a mote. The river was used for trade purposes until the early 18 0 0s, when the floating harbour was constructed and was used more for trade. The Frome, now unused apart f ro m b e i n g a h a z a rd o u s o p e n s e w e r, was gradually built upon, and was sl o w l y l o st b e l o w t h e c i t y. I t n o w meets the Avon from underneath the fountains at the harbourside. Bristol only has the River Avon above ground in the city centre, and with no other blue infrastructure it is a shame another river is hidden below ground.

Water should be celebrated just as m u c h a s t h e g re e n i n g of a c i t y.

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A HISTORY OF FLOODING

B R I S T O L’ S R E L AT I O N S H I P W I T H WAT E R Bristol, as any city located around rivers, has a histor y of flooding. In the 19th and early 2 0 t h c e n t u r y t h e c i t y ex p a n d e d d r a s t i c a l l y, contributing to the flood events of the coming c e nt u r y. T h e f i r st la rg e ti d a l f l o o d eve nt oc curred in 18 9 6, w ith rep or ts of up to 1m deep water in the city centre. Following on from this in 1968 there was a major sur face and flu vial water flood c aused by 13 cm of rainfall falling in a 12- hour period, w hich allegedly killed 7 people and flooded over 80 0 proper ties. Throughout the 1980s there w e re va r i o u s f l o o d e ve n ts, w i t h a 1.6 m sto r m surge in 19 81 flooding 12 proper ties. A more recent event in 2 012 saw 25 proper ties f l o o d e d, a n d sto r m s u rg e i n 2 014 of 8 0 0 m m caused a major food event. These types of events are likely to become more regular in the future due to climate change.

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INTRODUCTION

THE FOCUS ON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE It’s a good thing that ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’ ideas are so embedded in designer’s minds in the modern world. With climate change and the need for cities to become more resilient, it is by designing with sustainability in mind that will allow us to adapt to our changing environment. ‘Green architecture’ has become a large part of architecture design nowadays, and things such as ‘green’ or ‘garden cities’ are also emerging as major sustainable design among landscape architects and other similar professions with interlinking fields.

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With many of these sustainable design ideas and principles, the idea of ‘g re e n’ is t a ke n q ui te li te ra ll y.

Architects design buildings with green roofs, landscape architects design in st re e t t re e s a n d p l a n t i n g b e d s. Ye s, they have environmental benefits by reducing the urban heat island effect or reducing storm water run-off, but can sustainable concepts come from more than just ‘greening up’ a city?

Of course, the idea of a green city isn’t just about green roofs and SUD systems; there are plenty of new and innovative projects emerging from design professions that could create t h r i v i n g, s u st a i n a b l e c i t i e s. H o w e ve r, a lot of the focus is on the literal green. There is so much focus on green infrastructure in our urban environments now, why not place as much focus on the blue? With blue infrastructure, generally comes green; but green infrastructure doesn’t necessarily c o m e b l u e. Ye s, g re e n i nf ra st r u c t u re i s an ideal strategy for managing water b y d i re c t i n g a n d sto r i n g i t; h o w e ve r, what if we swapped the protagonist in this story: blue infrastructure with the green as a side kick.

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UTILISING A VULNERABILITY? Cities are fixated on implementing green infrastructure, an ideal way to make a city more sustainable with many benefits for both humans and our planet.

B u t w h a t a b o u t b l u e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e? To b e c o m e sustainable, a city must also become resilient. One of t h e b i g g e s t t h re a ts to o u r c i t i e s i s w a te r. I t i s also one of our biggest assets. With climate change comes the increased threat of flooding, something that a concrete, impermeable city struggles to deal with. We can continue to design in areas of green, incorporating GI into our cities, implementing SUD systems, reducing the number of cars on the roads or simply using solar powered street lights; they’re all a contribution to humans living in a sustainable manner and combating the fight against climate change. But what if we took the idea of a sustainable and resilient city to another level? What if we utilised our vulnerabilities to our benefit?

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C O L L A B O R AT I O N : O M A , A M O, ROYA L H AS KO NIN G D H V, B A L M O R I A S S O C I AT E S AND HR&R ADVISORS ECOLOGICAL URBANISM

BY MOHSEN MOSTA FAV I

“Within integrated urban environments, discrete one-house-at-a-time solutions do not make sense. What is required is an approach that acknowledges the density and complexity of the context, galvanises a diverse community of beneficiaries, and defends the entire c i t y, i t s a s s e t s a n d c i t i ze n s .”

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green spaces in bristol revisited scattered, sporadic, clustered; expanded across the city

16

why not this? if green infrastructure is expanded across the c i t y, w h y c a n’ t b l u e a l s o b e s p re a d a ro u n d.

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or, ideally, bot h toge t her ?

A HYPOTHETICAL VISION

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71% O F T H E E A R T H ’ S S U R FAC E I S WAT E R T h e E a r t h i s p re d o m i n a n t l y w a te r. T h i s af fe c ts a n d controls our climate and helps towards making the Earth liveable. Why do our cities not have more water integrated into their systems?

ANNUAL SEA LEVEL RISE = 3.2MM Our sea levels are rising. Climate change is happening and o u r c i t i e s w i l l b e a f f e c t e d b y t h e c h a n g e s i t b r i n g s .T h i s table shows the central estimates of relative sea level rise for Cardiff, across the estuar y from Bristol. It is put into three categories at three different dates in the future. These categories of high, medium and low represent the emissions scenarios that effect the global mean thermal expansion.

2030

2050

2095

HIGH

160MM

HIGH 260MM

HIGH 530MM

MED

130MM

MED

220MM

MED

440MM

LOW

110 M M

LOW

180MM

LOW

370MM 19

THE BEGINNING OF THE CONCEPT

FORMING AN ALLIANCE Our streets are vulnerable. Our homes are vulnerable.

They’re all vulnerable against the threat of flooding.

What if we made this threat an ally? By forming an a l l i a n c e w i t h w a te r, w e’re e l i m i n a t i n g t h e t h re a t of flooding. Rather than worrying in heavy rainfall if our rivers are going to burst their banks, inundating our drainage systems with water and flooding our streets, we should consider giving the water the f re e d o m to f l o o d t h e re a n y w ay, u n d e r o u r c o n t ro l.

By adapting our street to be specially designed to allow flood water from the rivers and run-off from impermeable surfaces to flow into it, we remove the threat of flooding, and replace it instead with a new water management system. This new management s y s te m, e s s e n t i a l l y, w o u l d b e to f l o o d o u r s t re e ts.

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A HYPOTHETICAL VISION

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CHAPTER TWO A N A N A LY S I S

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HOW IS THIS BENEFICIAL TO BRISTOL?

FLOOD RISK Bristol is situated just along from the S e ve r n E s t u a r y, w h i c h l e a d s i n to t h e Bristol Channel. The city also has the River Avon running through it, leading to t h e S e ve r n E s t u a r y, a n d i s t h e refo re influenced by the tide throughout Bristol. Being fairly coastal, the city is at risk of flooding from rising sea levels and storm surges. As well as the coastal flood risk, the Avon runs t h ro u g h t h e c i t y, m e a n i n g i t i s a l s o susceptible to fluvial flooding. The topography of Bristol also means flash flooding after heavy periods of r a i nfa l l c o u l d o c c u r. 8 0 0 m m of precipitation falls annually in Bristol; rated number 26 out of all UK cities according to information from the ME T Of fice bet ween 19 81-2015. T hese factors show that Bristol is at risk to flooding from a variety of water types.

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BRISTOL

FLOOD ZONE MAP

FLOOD ZONE 2

FLOOD ZONE 3 25

SU R FACE WAT ER FLO ODIN G

CONCRETE JUNGLE A city is a concrete jungle full of impermeable surfaces. With the push towards a more sustainable way of life due to climate change, the jungle element is becoming more prominent, with green infrastructure creeping its way into urban environments. But with concrete and other impermeable surfaces comes the inability for water to infiltrate the ground; and without infiltration comes surface water run-off. This water can enter our urban drainage systems, but quite frequently it occupies land that should not c o n t a i n w a te r. R a i n w a te r m u s t f i n d a d e s t i n a t i o n, a n d i f t h i s d e s t i n a t i o n i s n o t fo u n d e a s i l y, i t settles where it wishes. Surface water systems have a capacity for a small amount of rainfall, meaning in periods of intense rainfall they will be unlikely to accommodate the volume of water entering the system, resulting in flooding.

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SURFACE WATER FLOOD RISK

S U R FACE WAT ER FLO O D I N G

H I G H R I S K S U R FACE WAT ER FLO O D I N G 27

SU R FACE WAT ER FLO ODIN G

“A P P R O X I M AT E LY 2 2 , 3 0 0 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES A R E AT R I S K O F S U R FAC E WAT E R F L O O D I N G A C R O S S B R I S T O L”

“THE CITY IS RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE UK’S TOP 10 FLOOD RISK A R E A S T H AT A R E SUSCEPTIBLE TO SURFACE WAT E R F L O O D I N G .”

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FLOOD RISK

TIDAL WAT E R Bristol is situated next to a tidal water b o d y, t h e R i ve r S e ve r n E s t u a r y, w h i c h h a s the second highest tidal range on earth.

The River Avon is tidal throughout the city a s i t c o n n e c ts w i t h t h e E s t u a r y, a n d i t ’s tidal influence extends all the way towards Saltford, nearing Bath. Studies carried out by the Flood Risk and Asset Management Te a m s h o w t h a t t h e “ t i d a l f l o o d r i s k f r o m t h e River Avon represents the most significant flood risk facing the city centre (the low lying parts of Bristol, located around the Floating Harbour) and predicts that a p p rox i m a te l y 1,0 0 0 p ro p e r t i e s (w h i c h include homes and businesses) are at risk f r o m a h i g h t i d e w i t h a s t o r m s u r g e ”. T h i s number of properties has decreased since the completion of the flood wall, a project that was part of the MetroBus project, in partnership with Bristol City Council and the Env i ro n m e nt A g e n c y. T h e c i t y c e nt re is t h e main area with the greastest risk of tidal flooding due to the topography of Bristol.

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TIDAL WAT E R

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CITY CENTRE TIDAL FLOOD RISK YE AR 2015

YEAR 2065

Y E A R 2 115

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FLOOD RISK

FLUVIAL FLOODING Bristol has a history of flooding from its main rivers, therefore flood mitigation measures have been taken for future flooding to be avoided.

Large flood mitigation tunnels were built which diverts flood water into the River Avon, reducing the risk to parts of t h e c i t y. Fo ll o w i n g o n f ro m t h e s e mitigation measures, a lot Bristol is suitably protected from fluvial flooding due to these defences; even in extreme rainfall events due to climate change.

H o w e ve r, t h e s e r i s k s st i l l n e e d to b e observed closely in order to ensure the defences are sustainable for the future.

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CUMBERLAND BASIN OVERFLOW

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FLUVIAL F WLAUT VEIRA L FLOODING

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CITY CENTRE FLUVIAL FLOOD RISK YE AR 2015

YEAR 2060

Y E A R 2 110

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C L I M AT E CHANGE The threat from climate change is a danger to all our cities. From rising sea levels to increased amounts of intense rainfall, the effects of climate change on water pose an even greater risk for our cities in the future. Bristol has a high risk fo r f l o o d i n g i n t h e n ex t c e n t u r y, re ve a l e d by the flood maps showing from now until 2 115 . T h o u s a n d s o f p r o p e r t i e s w i l l b e damaged, homes devastated, and people’s lives destroyed. Not only does it pose a risk to human life and the environment, but it also means the cities regeneration and development is restricted. Studies carried out by Flood Risk and Asset M a n a g e m e n t Te a m f o r B r i s to l C i t y C o u n c i l have predicted that surface water and sewer flooding risk will significantly increase due to the impact of climate change. This is due to the future forecast of heavy rainfall events becoming more common, straining the drainage systems.

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A PPR OX I M AT E N U M B E R O F PR O PE R T I E S AT R I S K FROM FLOODING

T O DAY

YEAR 2030

1,0 0 0

1,0 0 0

YEAR 2060 2,600

YEAR 2 115 3,700

10 PROPERTIES =

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T H E

U N R E L E N T I N G

BRISTOL

2015

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R E A L I T Y

BRISTOL

2 115

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T H E B AT T L E AG A I N S T

URBAN CREEP As well as climate change posing a serious risk to our cities in the [near] future, urban creep is becoming more of an issue, causing more green space to be taken over by developments. This means increased surface run-off will be adding to the already strained sewer systems. Urban creep is generally a gradual action, where areas of permeable surfaces are slowly eaten away by impermeable surfaces. Water has less areas to infiltrate into, leading to an increased likelihood of flooding as it remains on the surface.

With small and large developments popping up through cities, small and mostly unnoticeable amounts of permeable spaces are being replaced. It can be as simple as a front garden being paved over for a driveway; many houses across cities convert their green front garden into a concrete driveway to make space for their cars. This small action, carried out by hundreds of houses in an urban area has a great impact o n t h e a m o u nt of su r fa c e r u n - of f i n a c i t y. I t ’s s m a ll actions like this that are supporting urban creep.

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CHAPTER CONCLUSION

WHAT DOES THIS ALL SHOW US? T h ro u g h o u t t h i s c h a pte r, f l o o d d a t a h a s i l l u st ra te d that a large propor tion of Bristol’s cit y centre will be under water in the next 40 years, and e v e n m o r e s o i n l e s s t h a n a c e n t u r y. B y 2 115 approximately 3,70 0 proper ties could be destroyed due to flooding. As visionaries, design professions such as landscape architecture can combat these unrelenting realities; by using the time we still have and embracing the opportunity to shape our cities to become more resilient for future battles against nature and climate change.

W i t h i m a g e s s h o w n i n t h i s c h a pte r, i t i s e v i d e n t that Bristol needs to take more extreme measures to ensure its safety in the future. Now is the time to start taking wider strides rather than small steps towards ensuring our cities remain strong against the effects of climate change.

To g u a r a n te e r e s i l i e n c e, a h a r d - h i t t i n g a n d more uncompromising approach should be applied to cities to secure their survival.

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CHAPTER THREE A VISION

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W I L DWAT E R STREETS In the previous chapters it has been suggested that the focus on blue infrastructure should take the lead in reshaping and adapting the city for future change. Rather than seeing flooding as a threat in the future, we should embrace it into our cities under our control; forming an alliance with water rather than constantly being at war with it. We would be utilising and embracing a vulnerability that could be transformed into a huge asset for our cities. By f l o o d i n g o u r s t re e ts, w e b e c o m e i m m u n e to t h e d a n g e r.

To i n t r o d u c e t h i s c o n c e p t i n to c i t i e s , W i l d w a te r S t r e e t s would be implemented throughout the centre or the part of the city close to a water source effected by the impacts of climate change. The current road network would be used as a canvas for the new concept to be applied. A standard st re e ts c a p e w o u l d b e c o n ve r te d i n to a r i ve r, w i t h w a te r replacing where the road once was. Not only would the st re e t n o w e s s e n t i a l l y b e a r i ve r, a va r i e t y of p l a n t i n g a n d aquatic species would be introduced to the new environment, providing both blue and green infrastructure throughout t h e c i t y. T h is is t h e i d e a b e h i n d t h e hy p ot h eti c a l v isi o n i n Chapter One: streets of water connecting throughout the city of Bristol, providing a new kind of defence against flooding and creating a new water management system.

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W I L D W A T E R

T H E

S T R E E T S

V I S I O N

These Wildwater Streets would completely change the current Bristol streetscape, with roads becoming rivers.

They would be implemented in stages of different scales.

The first stage would be focused on a small area in the centre of Bristol, in streets that can be connected to the River Avon. The second stage will then branch out from the initial streets, widening the network of Wildwater Streets further outwards. The following stages would be an even broader widening, depending on the topography of the areas. The final vision shows the centre of Bristol becoming a network of Wildwater Streets.

The design of each street will depend upon its uses, each Wildwater Street designed specifically to account for its needs but also enhance what was already there. Vehicle access will become more restricted in some areas, but with the future of transport in urban environments expected to change over the coming decades, the idea of self-driving cars and other modes of transport could allow for this new system to work without drastically ef fecting the traf fic flow.

Some streets will maintain their current use, but it will be adapted to suit the idea of water becoming part of the urban e c o l o g y of t h e c i t y. Pe d e st r ia n a n d ot h e r a c c e s s is a ls o maintained, again being adapted, changed and enhanced.

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W I L D W A T WEH ART C A N T H E Y S T R E E T S BRING TO THE

URBAN ENVIRONMENT?

Wildwater Streets do not only have the ability to defend Bristol against flooding, they can also help with other aspects of climate change, such as air quality and micro climates due to the green infrastructure that will be incorporated a l o n g s i d e t h e w a te r. I n t h e d e s i g n of t h e s e s t re e ts, b o t h water and planting go hand in hand, forming a partnership to a i d B r isto l o n i ts j o u r n ey to b e c o m i n g a re sili e nt c i t y. T h e p l a n t i n g w i l l p ro v i d e c l e a n e r a i r, a n d a l s o h a s t h e p o te n t i a l to provide a water treatment and purifying system with the species of aquatic planting put into the schemes; something that can be developed at a later stage of this initial vision.

These streets are designed to be able to deal with excessive amounts of surface run-off from roofs and other impermeable surfaces, where water can infiltrate the soil and percolate downwards, reducing the volume going into the standard sewer system. The level of water can rise or fall depending on the tide and sea level. There is potential for boats to be used as transportation in the streets, however this is dependent on the design and an aspect that could be taken further after the initial vision, as well as the introduction of house boats onto t h e w a te r. B y c re a t i n g W i l d w a te r S t re e ts, t h e w a te r h a s e a s y access to space that is designed to hold water; unlike standard roads and people’s homes which would have been flooded, without the newly designed water and flood management system.

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W I L D W A T E R

S T R E E T S

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT The following diagrams show a visual representation of the vision in development, showing how the concept would work in the scenario of a standard street. It illustrates the different ways a Wildwater Street could be designed and implemented, as well as the process from which a standard street becomes a Wildwater Street. Not all of these designs would work on certain streets, some would not be implemented at all due to the design, however they all show a different way a Wildwater Street could be laid out and how functional it would be depending on its uses.

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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

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A STANDARD STREETSCAPE

A FLOODED STREET

A FLOODED STREET WITH OVERHANGING WALK WAYS

A FLOODED STREET WITH TERRACED PLANTING

A FLOODED STREET WITH TERRACED PLANTING AND A BRIDGE FOR PEDESTRIAN ROUTES

A FLOODED STREET WITH TERRACED PLANTING, PLUS TREES

A FLOODED STREET WITH TERRACED PLANTING & ADDED PLANTING AT STREET LE VEL

A FLOODED STREET WITH AN OVERHANGING CYCLE PATH E X TENSION

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A FLOODED STREET WITH AN OVERHANGING ROADWAY E X TENSION

A FLOODED STREET WITH OVERHEAD PARKING, ROADWAY AND CYCLE PATH

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A FLOODED STREET WITH ROAD WAYS ON EITHER SIDE

A FLOODED STREET WITH OVERHE AD ROADWAY AND CYCLE PATHS

THE CONCEPT

URBAN A DA P TAT I O N These simple diagrams aim to show the different design o pti o n s fo r W il d wate r S t re ets b ot h si m p l y a n d c l e a r l y. T h e road layer added above the terraced planting and river is a way for vehicles, bicycles and buses to still get around the c i t y a n d a c c e s s c e r t a i n a re a s w h e re n e c e s s a r y. T h e m ate r ia l would be a permeable surface, shown in these examples as metal grating. This is a basic concept and additional features would need to be added and measures to be taken to ensure this adaptation is successful. By using a material of this kind, a road can remain functional above the river below, with water still being able to infiltrate through and reach the area below the road layer - ensuring surface runof f re m a i n s of f t h e s t re e ts a n d i n to t h e s o i l /r i v e r. T h i s design requires a large amount of cut. In collaboration with other projects that seek to help Bristol adapt for the future, all cut will be used within Bristol for beneficial projects towards creating a more sustainable Bristol.

The following visualisations aim to portray the concept from a 3D perspective. These streets have been selected based upon their location on the flood maps. They are purely to show the concept in a basic illustration. Different designs and street layouts are explored, some more successful than others. Some streets remain usable by forms of transportation, and others are simple pedestrian only examples.

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BEFORE

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T O N E

HOTWELL ROAD 52

AFTER 1

A t wo way road with parking and an additional bus lane, now changed to a river with 2 terraces of aquatic planting. Pathways on both sides remain.

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AFTER 1.2

Green area and trees added to street level on lef t side, 1 terraced level of aquatic planting. 2 terraced levels of aquatic planting on right side. Pathways remain the same.

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AFTER 1.3

Metal grating road layer added above river and terraced planting.

Additional cycle lane added, t wo way road and bus lane.

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BEFORE

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T T WO

CORN STREET 56

AFTER 1

Entire road becomes flooded. One layer of terraced aquatic flooding. Leads of f to another road - creating a net work of wildwater streets throughout the cit y center.

57

AFTER 1.2

Bridges added to allow for easier pedestrian routes to and from buildings, as well as fences as barriers for safet y purposes.

58

BEFORE

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T T H R EE

SANDFORD RD 59

AFTER 1

Residential street, now with a river rather than a road. 2 terraces of aquatic planting. Pathways either side of street.

60

AFTER 1.2

Bridges added to allow for bet ter and easier access across street.

61

BEFORE

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T FO U R

PRINCE STREET 62

AFTER 1

3 lane road now with planting on either side at street level, with 1 level of terraced planting before meeting the water. Specific cycle lane added on lef t side.

63

AFTER 1.2

2 way road layer added above. Steel grating or other permeable sur face that can be used in this circumstance.

64

BEFORE

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T FI V E

CHAPEL STREET 65

AFTER 1

One lane road with parking either side becomes a water way with terraced aquatic planting. Pathways are now clear of cars and fences ensure safet y.

66

AFTER 1.2

Plat form roadway with parking on one side. Terraced planting and water maintained underneath. Pathway remains on lef t side.

67

BEFORE

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T S I X

WELSH BACK 68

AFTER 1

Road has now become a intersection of rivers, showing the connecting rivers to other streets.

69

AFTER 1.2

Road bridge added for access to existing car park, as well as easier pedestrian routes across the street.

70

BEFORE

W I L DWAT ER ST R EE T S E V EN

UNNAMED ROAD PA R A LLEL TO MILLENNIUM PROMEN A DE

71

AFTER 1

Residential back street, originally a road and car park, now a street with t wo levels of terraced aquatic planting and a wider pathway on the right side, as well as added street level planting.

72

AFTER 1.2

E x tended right side pathway remains with added planting. A one way road layer is added with space for parking on lef t side.

Permeable, allowing for water to enter the water system below.

73

A c h a n g e d c i t y. V isu a l s h o w i n g a more true to life reality of Wildwater Streets.

74

CONCLUDING STATEMENT The future of Bristol is under threat. In l e s s t h a n a c e n t u r y, a l a rg e p ro p o r t i o n of t h e c i t y c e n t re w i l l b e u n d e r w a te r.

Bristol is not the only city under threat. Cities worldwide are forecast to lose major parts of their urban space due to rising sea levels. Now is the time to adapt our cities, to take drastic measures to ensure they are protected and become resilient against what the future brings. As this vision proposes, an alliance with water is the way forwards; a way to embrace water as part of the urban and human e c o l o g y of t h e c i t y. C re ati n g a v isi o n that goes against the usual standards of design for streetscapes is how cities can end their battle against the elements of nature. Allowing water into our cities in a controlled environment is how it can adapt to the changes all cities will face in the ever nearing ‘ f u t u r e ’. W i l d w a t e r s t r e e t s a r e t h e streetscapes of our future cities.

75

REFERENCES Bristol Cit y Council, Flood Risk & A s s e t M a n a g e m e n t Te a m ( 2 0 18 ). ‘ B r i s t o l L o c a l F l o o d R i s k M a n a g e m e n t S t r a t e g y ’. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w. b r i s t o l . g o v. u k / d o c u m e n t s / 2 0 18 2 / 3 3 3 7 9 / L o c a l +f l o o d+r i s k+m a n a g e m e n t+s t r a t e g y / 0 e f 8 4 c1b - 0 5 a 3 - 4 a 7 1- a 6 d a 6 2 f e1a14 f 3 d 4 [ A c c e s s e d : 8 O c t 2 0 18 ]

M e t O f f i c e ( 2 0 15 ) ‘ T h e W e t t e s t Cities in B ritain’ Available at: h t t p s : // w w w. a o l . c o . u k / 2 0 17/ 0 3 / 2 1/ britain-wet test- cities-most-rainr e v e a l e d / [ A c c e s s e d : 8 O c t 2 0 18 ]

Met Of fice, UK Climate P r o j e c t i o n s ( 2 0 14 ). ‘ 3 c h a n g e s t o m e a n s e a l e v e l ’. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p : // u k c l i m a t e p r o j e c t i o n s . m e t o f f i c e . g o v. u k / m e d i a . j s p? m e d i a i d=87 9 0 3 & f il e t y p e=p d f [ A c c e s s e d : 10 O c t 2 0 18 ]

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Mostafavi, M & JDS A rchitects ( 2 0 15 ) “ E c o l o g i c a l U r b a n i s m – F r o m ‘ s u s t a i n ’ t o ‘ a b i l i t y ’ ”, p g s 118 -119 . L a r s M u l l e r P u b l i s h e r s .

Mostafavi, M; OM A; Balmori A s s o c i a t e s ( 2 0 15 ) ‘ E c o l o g i c a l U r b a n i s m - R e s i s t , D e l a y, S t o r e , D i s c h a rg e: A c o m p re h e n s i ve u r b a n w a t e r s t r a t e g y f o r H o b o k e n ’, pg. 72. L ars Muller Publishers.

R i v e r l u t i o n F r o m e ( 2 0 14 ) ‘Riverlution Frome, dreams for B r i s t o l ’. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // riverlutionfromedreamsforbristol. wordpress.c om / [Ac c essed: 5 O c t 2 0 18 ]

W i l l i a m s , M ( 2 0 14 ). ‘ W h a t percent of Ear th is water ?’

A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // p h y s . o r g / n e w s / 2 0 14 -12 - p e r c e n t - e a r t h . h t m l [ A c c e s s e d : 10 O c t 2 0 18 ]

IMAGE

REFERENCES

Davies, M – Get t y Images. Available a t : h t t p s : // w w w. m a n s i o n g l o b a l . c o m /a r ticles /e ngla nd - s - b ristol sees-slowed-price -grow th-attop - end- of-the -market-93848 [ A c c e s s e d : 10 O c t 2 0 18 ]

G o o g l e M a p s ( 2 0 18 ) A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w. g o o g l e . co.uk /maps/place/ Bristol/ [ A c c e s s e d : 2 1 O c t 2 0 18 ]

Hear t. ‘Cumberland Basin O v e r f l o w s ’ A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w. h e a r t . c o . u k / b r i s t o l s o m e r s e t / news/local/ west- countr y-flooding/ [ A c c e s s e d : 12 O c t 2 0 18 ]

K u n z l e r, C – A r b o r D a y F o u n d a t i o n ( 2 0 14 ) ‘ V a l u i n g Green Infrastructure in Por tland, O r e g o n ’ A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // actreesnews.org /research/ valuing green-infrastructure-in-portlando r e g o n / [ A c c e s s e d : 8 O c t 2 0 18 ]

R i v e r l u t i o n F r o m e ( 2 0 14 ) ‘ H i s t o r y o f t h e R i v e r F r o m e ’.

A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // riverlutionfromedreamsforbristol. wordpress.c om / [Ac c essed: 5 O c t 2 0 18 ]

To w n s e n d , P – F l i c k r ( 2 0 0 7 ) ‘ T h e G r e a t F l o o d o f 19 6 8 - P i c t u r e t a k e n a t A s h t o n B r i s t o l ’. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w. f l i c k r. c o m / p h o t o s / brizzlebornandbred/2052598606 [ A c c e s s e d : 5 O c t 2 0 18 ]

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A

CIT Y

THE

OF

A

THOUSAND

WILDWATER

STREETS

OF

RIVERS

BRISTOL