INTEGRATED EDUCATIONAL NETWORK
1. Hard Impervious Surface
East Boston has long been known as a working class neighborhood dating back to the creation of the city, through five islands and land fill, these working class citizens have mainly been immigrants. Through development of industry and population growth, the city has become extremely dense, featuring a drastic amount of hard surface with minimal green space throughout. The twelve schools located in East Boston, ranging from kindergarten to High School, are at an extreme disadvantage in regards to the productivity of their students learning due to the lack of green relief within the city as well as the added extreme air and noise pollution originating from Logan Airport. Through the implementation of green infrastructure and an intricately designed network of green streets, green space and green roofs, the stress of the dense community and air pollution will be alleviated. This integrated educational network will provide a healthier environment for the city’s children to learn in and for the community as a whole.
31.7%
English Only
Asian and Pacific Island
9.0%
Graduate Degree
12.1%
Some High School
Other Indo-European
17.5%
Some College
Bachelors Degree
5.0%
Associates Degree
Median Income By Age
DEMOGRAPHICS
50,000 Median Income
45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000
-25
25-44
45-64
65+
Age
Biophilic design can reduce stress, improve cognitive function and creativity, improve our well-being and expedite healing.
3. Wall Surface
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks.”- John Muir, July 19th 1877 Source: Browning, Ryan, and Clancy (2014)
Poor Areas
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
As a field of applied science, biophilic design is the codification of history, human intuition and neural sciences showing that connections with nature are vital to maintaining a healthful and vibrant existence as an urban species.
THE CYCLE Decreased Eduation Rates
Less Green Space
POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GREENIFY
Spanish
4.1%
19.1%
17.7%
41.6%
Other
Inaccessible Roof
- Rooftop Classroom - Green Roof - Open Rooftop Green Space - Reading and Homework Space - Yoga Space - Rooftop Garden
CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM
2.7%
Accessible Roof
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Born in U.S.
50.5%
Foreign Born
No High School
- Open Green Space - Plant Trees - Active Green Space - Playing Fields - Green Hills - Passive Green Space - Reading Area - Yoga Area
School Green Connection Shoreline Landlocked Edge Exisiting Parks
Open Space Opportunity
Protect
Year One - Two - Decreases Stormwater Runoff - Surrounds Immediate School Vicinity with Green Street - Prioritizing at Risk Areas
Connect
Year Two - Five - Greenified Walking Routes to Schools - Improving Children’s Education - Creates Accessible Connection of Humans to Environment
- Green Wall - Hanging Ivy - Retrofit for More Windows
4. Surrounding School Zone - Green Pavers Signifying School Zone - Street Trees
Elevated Curb for Cyclist Saftey
Covered Curb Cut to Allow Water Infiltration
Stormwater Garden Trench
School
MASTER PLAN
Languages Spoken by Household
Play
2. Roof Surface
Education
39.5%
49.5%
- Green Pavers - Plant Trees
EDUCATION AND GREEN SPACE IN BOSTON
Percent Foreign Born
Non-Play
Proposed Green Streets Proposed Green Space Proposed Green Roofs Exisiting Green Space
Recover
Year Five - Eight - Provides Relief - Reclaims Waterfront Space as Space for Community - Addresses Environmental Justice Issue
Reimagine
Year Eight - Ten - Vertical Green Spaces (Green Roof) - Mitigates Urban Heat Island Effect - Healthier Urban Environment