ED 253: MUD Thesis Studio | Summer 2019 ADVANCED DESIGN PROJECT
Immunizing the Inner City
Preserving the ethos of a decaying neighborhood through sensitive design and strategic reinvestment
Preeti Srinivasan | MUD 2019
Committee: Margaret Crawford | Walter Hood
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Sidewalk along Kern St, Fresno
Contents
Abstract......................................................................... 07 Themes......................................................................... 08 The Infrastructure dilemma.............................................. 09 Focusing on Fresno........................................................ 10 Investigations into Chinatown.......................................... 11 Existing Morphology........................................................ 13 Lot Patterns and Impacts of Speculation.......................... 15 Design Opportunity......................................................... 16 Design Phases............................................................... 17 Phase 1......................................................................... 18 Development Goals Built Use Design Strategies
Phase 2......................................................................... 22 Development Goals Built Use Design Strategies
Phase 3......................................................................... 26 Development Goals Built Use Design Strategies
Conclusion..................................................................... 30
Bibliography.................................................................... 32
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Layers of ethnic identity
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Abstract Originally planned as a lifeline for the region- connecting Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles and San Diego via the Central Valley, recent project reviews have forced legislators to dramatically narrow the scope of the much anticipated High Speed Rail line. The reliance of the Central Valley this deus ex machina to boost development in the region has led to inconsiderate, speculative planning and unwarranted displacement, with recent changes sparking debate and putting development projects in a limbo. This advanced design project focuses one particular neighborhood in downtown Fresno to understand the decay of the inner city, even in the face of recent downtown redevelopment and propose solutions that correspond to the present and future needs of communities in this area. This project proposes to use this tenuous uncertainty around the High Speed Rail as an opportunity for Fresno- the largest city in the Central Valley- to rethink its development strategy and lead the way in sensitive urban design and much needed locally-focused economic development at neighborhood and regional scales.
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Themes + Discoveries This investigation into the American context began with the search for midrange “second cities”, preferably with a slowing economy and history of marginalization. California’s Central Valley region matched these parameters broadly, and was focused on for two key reasons:
3D imagery of California showing cities with a population>50,000
1) Infrastructure endeavors The Valley consists of major infrastructure projects which, layered over time, have created a recognizable spatial and economic template for the region. Starting with the railroads, followed by irrigation networks and later highways, this pattern is set to be followed by the next iteration of major infra- the High Speed Rail (HSR). 2) History of marginalization The Valley has a long history of ethnic neighborhoods and often, marginalized communities of working class migrants. Such neighborhoods often sprung up adjacent to the railroad tracks, and many were further criss-crossed by highways later. These communities built the economy of the valley, but were often repaid with socio-spatial exclusion. This project is based on the probability that current development plans spurred on by the HSR will further perpetuate this exclusion.
Railroad Tracks and Landcuts, Robert Dawson (1982)
History of Fresno’s industry and community; Metalwork panels in downtown Fresno
Brewery district at the edge of downtown Fresno
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The Infrastructure dilemma High speed rail in California has been mired with uncertainty- with an earlier shift this year to focus exclusively on the Merced-Bakersfield stretch. To understand the impact of this confusion, this project is focused on the largest city in this area- Fresno.
Complete HSR route Shorted HSR route- focus area Proposed HSR Stations
SACRAMENTO
SF BAY AREA
MERCED FRESNO Ce
ntr
al V alle
y
VISALIA BAKERSFIELD LOS ANGELES
SAN DIEGO
Updated plans for the High Speed Rail line 7
CA 168
HSR/ Union Pacific Freight Line CA 99
CA 180
Amtrak/BNSF Freight Line
CA 41
Fresno, showing major infrastructure lines
Focusing on Fresno Fresno is crisscrossed by a number of major infrastructure pieces- from freight train lines and state highways. While Amtrak currently runs on one of these rail lines, the HSR will partly run on another. Infrastructure in Fresno has been called as the city’s own Maison-Dixon line, systematically cutting off downtown from the rest of the city- causing inner city neighborhoods to perish over time. 8
a+4+26626
Downtown Fresno, with Chinatown highlighted
Hispanic
African-American Asian
Investigations into Chinatown
White Other
Chinatown is a downtown neighborhood, wedged in between CA99 and the rail line. Looking at the larger census tract encompassing Chinatown; over 60% of the population in this area is Hispanic, followed by 26% African-American. Known as “The 18 blocks of Chinatown�- its difficult to get an estimate on the current population, although a conservative estimate puts it between 100-300 people. 9
HSR Station
F Street
Kern
Rail Line
CA 99
Historic axes
Looking at physical characteristics, Chinatown is defined by a strong central axis- marked by Kern and F St. It is bounded by major connectors- Fresno St and Ventura. The proposed HSR station is centered on Mariposa St, which was the historic axis of downtown Fresno (east of Chinatown, on the other side of the rail line), on the current freight station. 10
Chinatown extents, with historic core and HSR station location shown
Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St
G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Rail Line
Figure ground of Chinatown, showing all blocks and existing buildings
CA 99
Mid-block alley
150’
20’
150’
400’
Typical Chinatown block
Existing Morphology The underlying block pattern of Chinatown is typical of this region. Blocks are relatively large, with a midblock lane running through. In most instances this alley is still in use- usually as a service lane. 11
Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Rail Line
Chinatown- existing lots
CA 99
Typical lots of Chinatown
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150’
150’
125’
150’
100’
150’
75’
150’
50’
150’
150’
25’
Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St
G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Rail Line CA 99
Consolidated lots
Lot consolidation
Lot Patterns and Impacts of Speculation Chinatown has an interesting lot pattern. What started out as 25ʼ wide lots originally, have been combined over time to result in a rich variety of lot sizes. Generally, corner lots are larger- with buildings oriented towards side streets, while intermediate lots are smaller, with 50-100% ground coverage. Some larger lots (with widths greater than 100ʼ) house industrial complexes.
However, with the advent of the HSR proposal- more lots have been consolidated for larger projects- with a complete line of blocks along the eastern edge having been taken up by train line infrastructure itself.
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Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Rail Line
Chinatown- proposed blocks and lots
CA 99
Design Opportunity
The design toolkit for this project relies heavily on the infill development of vacant/underutilized lots, especially leveraging mid-block alleys. Other important features include providing much needed social infrastructure and quality public open spaces. 14
Using the Interstices 150’
This project considers the uncertainty regarding this major infrastructure decision as an opportunity to question the kind of speculative development that has been typical of Fresno. This unique moment in history may be used to reevaluate the future of this Chinatown- a dying neighborhood which has historically acted as the haven of the socially excluded.
Building up the lot
Social + Green Infra
Phase 1: Preservation
Phase 2: Intensification
Phase 3: Contribution
Design Phases This project is proposed to be developed over 3 strategic phases. Phase 1, titled “Preservation” focuses on the historic core of Chinatown; Phase 2 “Intensification” looks at development along the HSR line and Mariposa St axis while Phase 3 “Contribution” addresses the fringes of the Chinatown and its connection and relevance to adjoining neighborhoods.
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Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Proposed development Existing buildings
Development plan of Chinatown- Phase 1, showing the existing and proposed building footprints and major open spaces
Phase 1: Development Goals The primary goal of Phase 1 is to shore up the historic core by filling up the underutilized lots in the four blocks around the intersection of Kern and F St. This is achieved by building up the two mid-block alleys- China and Fagan alley. 16
Shadow palette created by proposed infill
Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St
G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Residential
Office (Class B/C)
Commercial
Institutional
Industrial
Development plan of Chinatown- Phase 1, showing the proposed built use
Phase 1: Built Use Since this neighborhood lacks local residents, this phase focuses on adding in housing and building a community. This phase also repurposes commercial buildings along F St, while adding a layer of commercial topped with housing along E and G Sts.
This phase also involves retaining a large vacant lot of land in the eastern block to act as an outdoor multipurpose space for open-air markets and swapmeets and for adjoining to retail to occasionally spill over onto. 17
Phase 1: Design Strategies
NA
CHI
EY
ALL
t
ree F St
Y
LLE
NA
A FAG
rn Ke Residential Commercial
E
et Stre
Aerial view of blocks that form the historic core
View of the Outdoor bazaar area in the eastern block in the historic core
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Office (Class B/C) Institutional Industrial
Existing
Proposed
Filling the backs of characteristically deep lots with housing- and giving access through the alleys
Converting large unused retail spaces into smaller usable spaces- by creating a street-facing veneer and makerspaces at the back
CHINA ALLEY
Creating pockets of defensible space mid-block along the alley
Existing
Proposed
Proposed modifications to Kern St
FAGAN ALLEY
Creating pockets of space for residents mid-block using the alley
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Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Proposed development Existing buildings
Phase 2: Development Goals Phase 2 concentrates on expanding development towards Fresno St. It presumes the construction of an elevated HSR line on a viaduct, as opposed to the current proposal of at-grade tracks. Two key pieces of development comprise this phase- along the Mariposa St axis, and under the viaduct itself. 20
Development plan of Chinatown- Phase 2, showing the existing and proposed building footprints and major open spaces
Shading strategies for NE faces of lettered streets
Additional tree cover for NW faces of lettered streets
Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St
G Street
F Street
E Street
0
200’
400’
Residential
Office (Class B/C)
Commercial
Institutional
Industrial
Development plan of Chinatown- Phase 2, showing the proposed built use
Phase 2: Built Use Phase 2 is heavily mixed-use. It accounts for several larger lot-developments closer to the HSR stationespecially office and residential. It extends the usage of China and Fagan alleys from the previous phase, with marked improvements to all the streets. Special importance has been assigned to the dual axes
of Mariposa and Kern Sts, as well as the crossaxis of F St. This phase also accounts for intense development along the HSR line, with mixed use commercial-industrial under the viaduct itself.
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Phase 2: Design Strategies t
tree GS
reet
F St
t
tree ES
a
os
rip
Ma
t oS
sn Fre
Residential Commercial Office (Class B/C) Institutional
Aerial view of blocks at the NW edge
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REF: Viadukt by EM2N- Zurich
Industrial
REF: Viaduc des Arts- Paris
View of the Green Spine under the HSR Viaduct
HSR
n
io Stat
pine
en s
Gre
Proposal for HSR Viaduct and blocks underneath with green spine threading through
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Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St G Street
F Street
E Street
N
0
200’
400’
Proposed development Existing buildings
Phase 3: Development Goals Phase 3 focuses on connecting back to the neighborhoods around- specifically by providing social support and recreational facilities. 24
Development plan of Chinatown- Phase 3, showing the existing and proposed building footprints and major open spaces
Ventura St
Mono St
Inyo St
Kern St
Tulare St
Mariposa St
Fresno St
G Street
F Street
E Street
0
200’
400’
Residential
Office (Class B/C)
Commercial
Institutional
Industrial
Phase 3: Built Use Phase 3 focuses on adding residential uses along G St towards Ventura, while adding more industrial functions under the HSR Viaduct.
Development plan of Chinatown- Phase 3, showing the proposed built use
A key feature of this phase is a freeway cap over CA99, created between Tulare and Kern Sts. This of Mariposa and Kern Sts. This cap comprises of a large recreational park, bounded by institutional community functions and commercial built uses. 25
Phase 3: Design Strategies
Inyo no
Mo
G
Str e
et
a tur
n Ve
F
St re
et
Residential Commercial Office (Class B/C) Institutional
Aerial view of blocks at the NE edge
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Low-income medium density housing with intermittent public parks
Industrial
Social support services with open spaces at the edge of Ventura
REFS: Freeway Caps from Columbus Ohio by MKSK Studios, illustrating open recreational and built functions
CHINATOWN
CHINATOWN
Kern
Tula re
Tula re
St
EDISON EXISTING SITUATION
Kern
St
EDISON DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY + PARK CAP
Creating the Freeway Cap
View of the proposed Freeway Cap with recreational spaces and adjacent built functions
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Conclusion Through carefully phased development and sensitive urban infill, this project hopes to alleviate a condition of hopelessness prevalent in this and other downtown neighborhoods of Fresno. This project strives to build a community of people to bolster the sense of stewardship over much of the public realm in Chinatown, while creating better and defensible public spaces for all. One important question that was posed during the project review presentation was regarding the continued need for such a neighborhood. To paraphrase, why should Chinatown be saved at all? When there isn’t really a present community, what is the point of preserving and building up this neighborhood? Why not simply relinquish it to the forces of speculative real estate development that have already begun their efforts by consolidating lots adjacent to the railway line? I believe that it is important for neighborhoods such as Chinatown to continue to exist, for the often overlooked role they play in a city. Chinatown has historically been the haven of those ostracized from mainstream society because of ethnicity or race (with an overlay of class). While many of the original ethnic communities prospered over time and have left Chinatown for quaint suburbs, it is still important for at least some neighborhoods to welcome people who trying to get their foot in the door of a large city. It is not the people of Chinatown for whom it needs to be saved, but rather for the kind of people it could help foster and provide economic opportunity to- while they spend a generation or two here on their way to better things.
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Attempt to cross over on Kern St
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Bibliography
• Bright, Elise Marie Bussard. Reviving America’s Forgotten Neighborhoods: An • • •
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Investigation of Inner City Revitalization Efforts. Contemporary Urban Affairs 13. New York: Routledge, 2003.- Looking at previous downtown revitalization projects in the US Bryson, Bill. The Lost Continent Sc. New York: Harper Perennial, 1989.- Narrative understanding of life in small-town America Chapple, Karen. Planning Sustainable Cities and Regions. Routledge, 2015.Understanding the impact and necessity for designing in the context of regional systems Dreier, Peter, John H. Mollenkopf, and Todd Swanstrom. Place Matters: Metropolitics for the Twentyfirst Century. Third edition. Studies in Government and Public Policy. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 2014.- Understanding the effects of policy and zoning decisions on perpetuating societal inequality Fallows, James M., and Deborah Fallows. Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America. First edition. New York: Pantheon Books, 2018.- An overview of multiple visits to American second cities, and understanding the sources of agency in smaller towns Fulton, William B, and Paul Shigley. Guide to California Planning. Point Arena, Calif.: Solano Press Books, 2012.- The planning story of California Klinenberg, Eric. Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life. First Edition. New York: Crown, 2018. Knox, Paul L., Heike Mayer, and Paul L. Knox. Small Town Sustainability: Economic, Social, and Environmental Innovation. Second edition, Revised and expanded. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2013.- Understanding the needs of local entrupreneruship and stewardship of public spaces Leary, Michael E., and John McCarthy. The Routledge Companion to Urban Regeneration. London ; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2013.- Case Study source Moretti, Enrico. The New Geography of Jobs. 1st Mariner books ed. Boston, Mass: Mariner Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.- Provocative piece on the connection between jobs and location; how to design for jobs and not just housing Orvell, Miles. The Death and Life of Main Street: Small Towns in American Memory, Space, and Community. Chapel Hill, N.C: University of North Carolina Press, 2012.understanding the decay of inner cities Rothstein, Richard. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. First edition. New York ; London: Liveright Publishing Corporation, a division of W. W. Norton & Company, 2017.- understanding the intent and impacts of segregational policies and exclusionary zoning Schlichtman, John Joe, Marc Lamont Hill, and Jason Patch. Gentrifier. UTP Insights. Toronto ; Buffalo ; London: University of Toronto Press, 2017.- understanding the roots and effects of gentrification and discplacement Seavoy, Ronald E. An Economic History of the United States: From 1607 to the Present. New York: Routledge, 2006.- background on the economic development of the US
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ADVANCED DESIGN PROJECT
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for
Master of Urban Design (MUD) College of Environmental Design, University of California, Berkeley