Stoner_Yeh Urban Lndscape 1

COMMUTER RAILROAD

URBANSPONGE

TO BOSTON

PROVIDENCE/WORCESTER RAILROAD

TO NEW YORK

TO NARRAGANSETT BAY

FOCUS Reducing urban storm-water runoff in Worcester, MA

WORCESTER currently lies within the zone of 27-38% of impervious surfaces. Due to the urban conditions of cities like Worcester and Providence, the need for more pervious, water absorbing materials in the urban landscape, is clearly evident.

27-38% WORCESTER

INDIAN LAKE

LAKE QUINSIGAMOND

CONNECTICUT

MASSACHUSETTS

BLACKSTONE CANAL

RHODE ISLAND

WORCESTER BOSTON/WORCESTER COMMUTER RAILROAD

TO BOSTON PROVIDENCE/WORCESTER RAILROAD

PROVIDENCE

TO NEW YORK TO NARRAGANSETT BAY

NARRAGANSETT BAY

URBANSPONGE

PERVIOUS PAVING (3”)

PERVIOUS PAVERS

MSTONER + DYEH

MODULE 1: MIXED-USE STREET

The implementation of permable paving surfaces will effectively manage runoff and keep pollutants in place in the soil, allow water to pass through and be absorbed by the soil bed. A self-draining system, these pavers reduce the amount of stormwater runoff entering our natural water-ways.

AGGREGATE BEDDING COURSE (2”) OPEN-GRADED BASE (4”) OPEN-GRADED SUB-BASE (12”)

SOIL

POROUS ASPHALT The implementation of porous asphalt provides a strong enough surface for vehicles to pass over, but reduces the total amount of runoff leaving a site. It promotoes infiltration of runoff into the ground, reduces the amount of pollutants carried to the stormdrain, and aids in reducing peak runoff velocity and volume.

ENVELOP

E

3’

12’

BUFFER RAIN GAR

DEN

WALKWAY

6’

BUFFER STORM-D RAIN + BIKE LAN E

27’

ROADWAY

POROUS ASPHALT (3”) AGGREGATE BEDDING COURSE (3”) OPEN-GRADED BASE (4”) REINFORCING GRID (2”)

GRAVEL

MODULE 2: PEDESTRIAN BOARDWALK + URBAN BIO-SWALE

BIO-SWALE

SLOW ZONE

FAST ZONE

URBANBIO-SWALE

CASCADING WATER TO WARDS BLACKSTONE CANAL

WHAT IS A BIO-SWALE?

WHY IN THE CITY?

BENEFITS

RETENTION + INFILTRATION

A bioswale is a stormwater conveyance system. The idea is to direct the water runoff from impermeable areas, like parking walks, sidewalks, and streets, into the bioswale, and keep it there, moving between stones of different sizes and vegetation so that impurities are filtered out before the water hits the storm drain.

The bioswale, when combined with wooden slat benches and crossings, provides a space to sit amongst unique plantlife, while increasing public consciousness of low-impact, sustainable measures. With increased awareness of the urban landscapes’ ability to serve multiple purposes, and performative function in reducing run-off and purifying water, we hope to encourage the implementation of bioswales in other areas of the city.

STABILIZES SOILS AND REDUCES EROSION

The bioswale is used to temporarily store runoff water and increase infiltration. This helps in the following ways:

ALLOWS SEDIMENTS TO DROP OUT ACTS AS A HEAT SINK FILTERS OUT POLLUTANTS

REDUCES IMPERVIOUS RUNOFF VOLUMES AND RATES RECHARGES GROUNDWATER SUSTAINS STREAM BASE FLOWS INEXPENSIVE MINIMAL MAINTENANCE

REDUCES DETENTION NEEDS

GREEN ROOF WATER COLLECTION

BURIED CANAL

RAIN GARDENS

PERVIOUS PAVING SYSTEM URBAN BLOCK BIKE LANE: PERVIOUS CONCRETE TREE SOIL + SMALL PLANTINGS MODULAR BENCH URBAN BIO-SWALE

FILTERING IMPURITIES

NATIVE PLANTS

RE-USING BLACKSTONE CANAL

Studies have found that properly designed and constructed bioswales are able to achieve excellent removal of heavy metals, total suspended solids, and oil/grease. 1 Bioswales remove suspended solids through settling and filtration.

The bioswale filtration system relies on the ability of the native plantlife to remove the pollutants from the water.

The choice of local New England plants is essential to the overall working of the bioswale because once planted and established they do not need any extra water or care. Secondly, many are deep-rooted, which allows them to survive during periods of less rain as well.

The bioswale will be planted on a gentle slope so that runoff flows along the length of the swale, the vegetation slowing and filtering the water as it infiltrates the soil. The hope is to utilize the once flourishing Blackstone Canal to remove the filtered water The sloping bioswale will have check dams to help slow and detain the flow.

DISSOLVED POLLUTANTS ARE REMOVED PHOSPHORUS: 60-70% NITROGEN: 55-60% METALS: 85-90% BACTERIA: 90%

Their root system enhances infiltration, moisture re-distribution, and diverse microbial populations involved in bio-infiltration.

Plants proposed are INKBERRY SHRUB, BLUE VERVAIN, JOE PYE WEED, and SWEETFLAG among others.