Rio 2100 Living with Canals

LIVING WITH CANALS RIO 2100 // URBAN DESIGN STRATEGIES IN LIGHT OF SEA LEVEL RISE

U N C C HAR LO TT E MAS T E R O F U R BAN D E S I G N S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

Rio 2100 Urban Design Strategies in Light of Sea Level Rise The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Master of Urban Design Summer 2015

Faculty: José L.S. Gámez, Ph.D.— The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Maria Fernanda Lemos, Ph.D.— Pontifical Catholic University Rio Graduate Participants: Gaoxing Wang, Kyle Wyatt, Ravine Mangala — Urban Design, UNC Charlotte Andrea Campese — Latin American Studies, UNC Charlotte Simon Le Rouic, Bruna De Biase — Architecture and Urbanism, Pontifical Catholic University Rio

LIVING WITH CANALS RIO 2100 // URBAN DESIGN STRATEGIES IN LIGHT OF SEA LEVEL RISE

U N C C HAR LO TT E MAS T E R O F U R BAN D E S I G N S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

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01 Project Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 6

1.1 Project Brief

02 Background and Goals ........................................................................... ....................................................... 10

2.1 Executive Summery: Vision Overview

2.2 Project Methodology

03 Planning Area and Existing Site Conditions ................................................................................................... 20

3.1 Planning Area

3.2 Existing Site Conditions

3.3 Site Documentation and Analysis

3.4 Mapping the Existing Site Conditions

04 Requirements for Urban Design .................................................................................................................... 38

4.1 Planning Index

4.2 Control Requirements

4.3 Four Primary Design Principles

4.4 Requirements for Urban Design

4.5 Program and Planning Codes

05 Precedents and Typologies ............................................................................... ............................................ 48

5.1 Canal Cities

5.2 Precedents

5.3 Building Typologies

5.4 Open Space Typologies

5.5 Indoor Public Space Typologies

5.6 Street and Pedestrian Typologies

06 The Project Proposal ..................................................................................................................................... 70

6.1 Figure Ground

6.2 Master Plan and Section

6.3 Aerial

6.4 Diagrams

6.5 Node 1: Entrenda Praรงa

6.6 Node 2: Nova Canal

6.7 Node 3: Vila Verde

07 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................... 104

7.1 Project Conclusion

08 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................... 108

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1. PROJECT INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BRIEF 8 RIO 2100

As the Rio Times online recently reported, Rio’s real estate boom is concentrated largely in what has come to be known as Zona Oeste (the West Zone). Infrastructure investments for the 2016 Olympic Games, which includes Bus Rapid Transit and a new metro line, have fueled a construction boom in previously undeveloped areas. While this growth is seen as an opportunity to provide new commercial and residential spaces, including affordable and middle income housing, the areas of expansion are ecologically sensitive and particularly vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise. The global sea level rise scenario for Rio de Janeiro is predicted to reach up to two meters by end of the twenty first century.

This sets the stage for opportunities to reinvent suburban typologies and to suggest innovative new frameworks for sustainable urban development. The first phase of design research involved a careful large scale analysis of an area of projected growth in Zona Oeste, which lead to a conceptual master plan. We took on this task with our partnered students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and we worked with the Director of Rio 2100 Project Brief, Dr. José Gámez

their Architecture and Urbanism Program, Professor Maria Fernanda Lemos and our study abroad faculty director, Professor José Gámez.

At the large scale of case study site, we focused on rethinking how to build new communities in sensitive ecological areas and areas susceptible to future rises in sea levels. We addressed valuable public infrastructure including utilities, public open spaces, affordable housing, new modes of connectivity, and a multimodal transportation system. The project provided us with an opportunity to reinvent urban typologies such as rural/hamlet/town forms, neighborhood/ block form, architectural form, and land form for our case study site and potentially other areas within greater Rio de Janeiro. Our conceptual master plan puts forth a vision for a new way of living in cities and new approaches to natural resources and systems for the twenty first century and beyond.

1.1 PROJECT BRIEF

RIO 2100

Baixada do Jacarepaguรก, Zona Oeste Baixada do Jacarepaguรก is a middle class neighborhood in the west of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Existing development in Baixada do Jacarepaguรก sits on the historical marshland of Zona Oeste. It is located between Massif de Tijuca, Serra da Pedra Branca and the Atlantic Ocean. From an aerial view, Baixada do Jacarepaguรก overlooks other suburban areas in Zona Oeste, from Barra da Tijuca to Recreio dos Bandeirantes, where our large scale study site is located. Like most parts of Zona Oeste, including Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes and Vargem Grande neighborhoods, Baixada do acarepaguรก is experience a strong process of growth and urbanization.

Areas Suburbanas e Zona Oeste do Rio de Janeiro Our large scale case study area in Zona Oeste is located in the midst of a suburban area whose economy, real estate value and urbanization is drastically booming because of the 2016 Olympic Games. Despite recent development in Zona Oeste, the area still faces challenges dealing with existing informal communities (favelas), spreading marshlands, and abandoned wetlands.

Barra da Tijuca Barra da Tijuca is an upper class neighborhood in Zona Oeste. It is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, whose current population of over one hundred thousand inhabitants will double by 2020. It is well known for its beach, open green spaces, gardens, luxury condominiums and buildings, high concentration in mega shopping malls, and the 2016 Olympic Games and multiple rapidly growing modern infrastructure.

Ariel Photos, The Rio TImes

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Canals, Lagoons, Ocean in Zona Oeste

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2. BACKGROUND AND GOALS

2.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: VISION OVERVIEW 12 ZONA OESTE

Our vision for this project is to create an area where people live with canals. We envision a sustainable area of high density where canals are the most important urban public places for all people. For this project, we wanted to provide people with a place that is easily walkable, livable, and sustainable. Because our site is critically impacted by the challenges of climate change and sea level rise, we envision our design to respond to climate change in a sustainable way that will accommodate flooding and change in sea level rise over the next fifty years.

Our site for the project is in Recreio dos Bandeirantes. It is adjacent to Vargens Grande, which is located Zona Oeste of Rio de Janeiro on the Atlantic Ocean near Barra da Tijuca.

The site is bordered by the Avenida das Américas, a vehicle dominated highway with Bus Rapid Transit lines that run in middle lanes, and the Atlantic Ocean, where the Recreio dos Bandeirantes shoreline meets the sea. The overall site is surrounded by mountains and water, which creates an interesting contrast between the varying geographical and environmental characteristics of the area.

ArcGIS Online

We aim to provide a set of design guidelines that will allow sustainable living for the time being and also for the future.

Our top priority is not to solve the issues of sea level rise in a coastal area that is at risk, but rather to design for what will aid the future of the city to grow and continue to develop in such a way that is sustainable for today, 2100 and beyond.

Our vision for the project is a counter proposal to most of the existing built infrastructure on the site. The conceptual plan for “Living with Canals” is designed to respond to the current situation of Recreio dos Bandeirantes and the predicted impact of sea level rise at the end of the century and beyond. The idea of living with canals accomplishes these goals by connecting existing canals with a new canal that will serve as public space and a new ecological strategy to accommodate sea level rise.

2.2 SITE CONTEXT

ZONA OESTE

Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil, famous for its breathtaking landscapes. Located on the South Atlantic coast, it is known as a city of contrast because of the fascinating geographical contrast of the urban landscape: The informal hillside neighborhoods with the formally planned coastal and metropolitan area; and the mountains meeting the sea at various locations. Rio is made of four districts, Centro, Zona Sul, Zona Norte, Zona Oeste, which are all unique in their own ways. The study site for the project is Zona Oeste, where Recreio dos Bandeirantes is located.

Zona Oeste OLYMPIC SITE

BARRA RECREIO

Zona Oeste (the West Zone) is the larger scale case study area for this project. It is a rapidly growing suburban area, composed of the following primary neighborhoods: Baixada do Jacarepaguรก, Barra da Tijuca, Vargens Grande, and Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Zona Oeste is known for its beautiful beaches and growing urbanization as a result of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Recreio dos Bandeirantes Recreio dos Bandeirantes is the focal site for the project. It is a neighborhood that is currently under construction due to new development for the Olympic Games close to the site. The existing conditions of the neighborhood is mostly rural and suburban, with concentrated area of mega structures and large retail centers.

ArcGIS Online

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2.2 SITE CONTEXT 14 OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTRAINTS

Highway Avenida das Américas is the major arterial that runs along Zona Oeste, cutting through the neighborhoods of Barra da Tijuca, Recreio and Guaratiba. Known as one of Rio de Janeiro’s famous avenues, Avenida das Américas provided us with an opportunity to improve the linkage between current and future urban infrastructure on our site.

Canals There are several canals on the site, which inspired our vision and concept for the project by transforming them into pleasant spaces for people.

The canals were an opportunity to improve the environment and ecological system. In this project, we utilized the canals as a foundation for sustainable urban design strategies.

Favelas In this project, we aimed to integrate existing informal communities (favelas) into new inclusive urban neighborhoods with easy access to services on the site. These informal communities were an opportunity to also consider social and affordable housing.

ArcGIS Online

2.2 SITE CONTEXT

OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTRAINTS

Unsafe for Pedestrian Crossing While studying the overall site context, we found that Avenida das AmĂŠricas was a major constraint to the site because it discourages pedestrian crossing and weakens connectivity between existing development on both sides of the highway. Even with a BRT line that runs along the major avenue, the current connection between the station and urban blocks does not accommodate safe access points for pedestrians and BRT passengers.

HIGHWAY

Unaccessible and Uninviting The existing infrastructure of canals is physically disconnected and visually unpleasant. Together the canals form a network of patches of wetlands and marshlands, creating an uninviting environment for pedestrians.

CANAL

Poor Access to Public Services The major constraint for the existing informal communities (favelas) was that they are disconnected from existing transit and services in the area. The conceptual master plan addresses the issue of connectivity by proposing a pedestrian bridge that loops around the favelas and connects at various points throughout the site.

FAVELA

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2.3 PROJECT METHODOLOGY 16 RECREIO DOS BANDEIRANTES, RJ We first began the project by analyzing the site through a series of mapping exercises of the topography, environmental character, and the pre-existing urban pattern of the larger Vargens Grande and Recreio dos Bandeirantes area (see section 3.4 Mapping the Existing Site Conditions, pages 2837). This first step allowed the design team to make critical observations and understand more about the overall site, which then led us to decide on a focus area. Our larger area for analysis is Recreio dos Bandeirantes, which is adjacent to Vargens, and our focus study area is located at the corner of the Avenida das Américas and Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho intersection, where several disconnected canals exist. The image above illustrates the larger site of Vargens Grande and Recreio dos Bandeirantes, viewing east towards Lagoinha and Barra da Tijuca. The image also shows the existing development and the major arterial infrastructure that runs along our focus area in Recreio, viewing towards the west side of the overall site.

One of the key points that helped us choose the focus area for the project was the canal infrastructure on the site, which were originally intended for irrigation. We were interested in studying the existing canals as ecological strategies and exploring their possibilities of as a design amenity. When analyzing the site, we also found that the existing urban pattern of tall buildings and highway infrastructure was consistent throughout Vargens and Recreio, as well as leading toward Barra da Tijuca where the 2016 Olympic Games is currently under development. Our preliminary site analysis helped us see the canal as an opportunity to further explore sustainable design strategies that deal with the impact of water from various sources. The existing network of canals on the site provided us with a unique opportunity for us to utilize the ecological infrastructure as a way to provide people with a beautiful public space and improve the urban environment simultaneously. The project is titled “Living with Canals” because it celebrates the idea of having canals that serve both the people and the environment.

Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Image Credit: Henrique Amaral 2009

Post analyzing the environmental and existing urban pattern of the overall site, we utilized a set of readings on the projected impact of sea level rise in Zona Oeste to help us identify critical urban conditions in our focus area (see section 8.2 References, page 117). One of many critical existing urban conditions that we noticed in our site is the large vehicular arterial, Avenida das Américas. There is a Bus Rapid Transit system that runs along this main arterial, which was mainly developed to urbanize Zona Oeste because of the 2016 Olympic Games. While parts of the site still remains informal, rural and undeveloped, there has been a lot of urban development recently. The state of construction in this area is constantly changing, as new development are consistently being planned for the area. The existing built infrastructure is intriguing because of its urban contrast in modern tall structures, horizontally grand shopping malls, and land that is suitable for future development.

2.3 PROJECT METHODOLOGY

RECREIO DOS BANDEIRANTES, RJ

Recreio dos Bandeirantes The conceptual master plan for this project proposes a livable public open space set in a high-density area where local residents and visitors can truly enjoy the public space and the various amenities that it will provide. Together, the existing canals and the new proposed canal within the twenty-hectare focus area all work to accommodate different activities while simultaneously fulfilling the role of receiving water, transporting water, and allowing flooding of water on the site.

Avenida das AmĂŠricas Geographically, the focus area is critical because of the interweaving of the Avenida das AmĂŠricas and Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho intersections (the two large vehicular arterials), Canal de Sernambetiba (the natural canal connecting to the ocean) that borders the site on the west, and the existing canals that join the highway on axis and run parallel to the natural canal along Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho.

Barra da Tijuca and Recreio dos Bandeirantes The project methodology responds to the complexity of an urban and rural site with a mixture of unrelated uses, while considering the effects of climate change and sea level rise. The project explores several options of developing a sustainable urban pattern for an existing rural and underdevelopment area, a few of which include the following: Proposing alternative ways of vertically increasing urban density with high quality transit.

Ruy Barbosa

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2.3 PROJECT METHODOLOGY 18 SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY To deepen our site analysis, we studied different sustainable ways of responding to a site that is vulnerable to climate change. This led us to reference a few sustainable urban design approaches from precedents in Copenhagen, New York and Mississippi. In addition to stated sustainable references and precedents, We also studied the Water Conservation System from the Big Leak, which addresses New Orleans’s land subsidence crisis and proposes an adaptable “storm-water conveyance system that modulates the ground” in order to allow infiltration conditions. This approach replaces existing underground canal system with surface canals that begin to act as an “ex-filtrating infrastructure” for strategically recharging NOLA’s water table.1 The project was awarded the international Delta Competition award in 2010 because of its sustainable approach for a city that is vulnerable to climate change.

Copenhagen, New York and Mississippi led us to further analyze diagrams that explore each project’s approach to sustainable urban design. With further explanation on the following page, the three set of diagrams reference original work from the firms responsible for each idea: Danish Architects COBE2, BIG and JDS3, as well as David Huffman4.

References: 1.

Paradoxcity Studio, “The Big Leak: Project Awarded by the Dutch Pring.”

11 Sep 2010 2.

I Lomholt, “Nordhavn Development Copenhagen.” 26 June 2015.

e-architect.

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/copenhagen/north-harbour-

copenhagen 3.

Rebuild by Design, “The Big U.” 2015. http://www.rebuildbydesign.org/

research/big-team/the-big-u 4.

Laura Bliss, “When Rivers Look LIke Subway Systems.” 8 May 2915.

http://www.citylab.com/design/2015/05/when-rivers-look-like-subway-

Our study on other sustainable strategies including

systems/392516/

Storm Water Conservation System, The Big Leak, http://paradoxcity.net/2010/09/11/project-awarded-by-the-dutch-prince/

2.3 PROJECT METHODOLOGY

SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY

The Nordhavn Development, Copenhagen2 The Northern harbor is currently the largest urban transformation project in Scandinavia. This project aims to transform a former industrial port and traffic junction into the cultural and social center for the city of Copenhagen. The project extends the adjacent park over the water by incorporating the practical needs and demands for accessibility, safety and programmatic flexibility. Rather than imitating the traditional Danish indoor swimming bath, the Harbor Bath offers an urban harbor landscape with dry-docks, piers, boat ramps, cliffs, playgrounds and pontoons. As a terraced landscape, the Harbor Bath completes the transition from land to water, making it possible for the citizens of Copenhagen to go for a swim in the middle of the city.

Flexible Wall, New York3 As a response to the FEMA flood projections, design for the Flexible Wall for the New York’s BIG U project acknowledges the vulnerability of Manhattan’s waterfront area while also anticipating further population growth. The Flexible Wall is essentially a big bench concept that serves as street furniture to protect the surrounding neighborhoods from storm surge while allowing space for leisure and recreation along the waterfront.

Canal River System as Transit, Mississippi4 The network of canals in Mississippi contrasts the natural canal look we are used to seeing. David Huffman’s unique representation for the canals takes into consideration the social value of the area’s ecological state, as the river system makes up an urban transit map.

Nordhavn Development Copenhagen, Danish Architects COBE, BIG + JDS, David Huffman

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Canals, Lagoons, Ocean in Zona Oeste

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3. PLANNING AREA / EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

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3.1 PLANNING AREA PLANNING AREA IN RECREIO On the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Recreio dos Bandeirantes is a neighborhood best known for its low density development. Recent development around the area involved several isolated tall buildings and towers, and mega shopping malls spread across the overall site. The urban skyline of the neighborhood reflects this character of similar tall buildings, while the environmental characteristics of the urban area is embodied within the riches of a few mountains on the northern part of the neighborhood and the beach on the southern side of the site spitting into the ocean. In addition to the few towers that have recently been developed, there are a few favelas in the area. However, the majority of these informally built neighborhoods have been torn down to allow room for newer development on site. In this project, we planned to relocate the favelas that are left in the area into affordable housing.

Vargens Grande, the larger site, meets Recreio dos Bandeirantes, our focus area, on the edge of the Avenida das Américas and Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho intersection on the upper western side of the overall site.

As a major dividing highway, the Avenida das America not only bisects the site horizontally but intersects with Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho. The intersection of both major avenues is an opportunity that inspired our vision for the project. Within the site and also joining the intersection of Avenida das Américas and Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho are existing small canals that serve as channels for transporting water and regulating flood risk areas within and all around the site. We wanted to embrace the challenge of working with a focus area connected with an elevated large scale infrastructure like the vehicular arterials and small canals. The challenge of considering the canals as design amenities was that they are not well connected to sustain the ecological state of the site, especially for the future.

Our vision for the project allowed us to deliver new ways to improve connectivity between the different canals while creating a system of water that would sustain the impact of climate change over the next fifty years and beyond.

As a result to our analysis process, we discovered several “Facing Up to Rising Sea-Levels: Retreat? Defend? Attach?” RIBA

risks and factors that increased the challenges for planning for a site such as this. There are high risks of flooding in this area because of its proximity to the ocean and the effect climate change and sea level rise are predicted to have upon the area by the end of the century. To plan, design, and propose a vision for our focus area, we worked on the scenario that sea level would rise up to two meters. If sea level were to simply rise one and a half meters by the year 2100, the majority of our site would be affected. Storm surges could bring increased amounts of water as seasonal rains intensify. This increased intensity will also create additional urban run-off and water flows from adjacent hillsides. These combined risks could flood the site and, therefore, a revitalized and re-imagined canal system is needed.

During our analysis we discovered that on the southern part of the overall site that meets the sea, the topography in that area has been developed to protect the entire region from great measures of water impact. Elevated roadways have been built up and beaches have been replenished to protect the region from flooding. If the approach for future urban design development is not addressed properly today, the elevation change from the edge of the site bordering the ocean to the edge of our focus area near the northern mountains will not be enough to prevent the entire Vargens and Recreio area from future flooding. We considered different ways our project could respond to the challenge of sea level rise, like retreating, defending, and/or attacking water coming into the site from nearby sources. To conclude our preliminary site analysis we used RIBA’s “Facing Up to Rising Sea-Levels” research to come up with the idea of using canals as a design strategy to improve the existing and future ecological, environmental, and built infrastructure of the site (see section 8.2 References, page 117). With our design we address the challenges of climate change and sea level rise as opportunities for sustainable urban planning development. We want to build a foundation for sustainability that would help improve the ecological state of the area by proposing a clear vision for our focus area that could later expand to improve design strategies for the larger Vargens and Recreio site.

3.2 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS We analyzed the existing conditions of the site by first studying the topography and environmental character of the urban area. The overall site is located on the west coast of Barra da Tijuca, where land suitable for development sits between the mountains on the northern part of the site and the coastal shore of the ocean on the southern part of site.

The current sea levels are approximately one meter below the shoreline. Although the topography of overall site has changes in elevation, our focus area is predominantly flat.

There is an interesting contrast between urban density and social hierarchy in the area, as well as climate change and sea level rise issues. Government-protected green areas and wetlands surround the site, with existing informal housing neighborhoods on various corners of the site that have developed over a long period of time. The cover image for section 3, page 21 identifies all of the wet areas in the larger area of Vargens, Recreio, and Barra da Tijuca. These wetlands include the following: existing small canals, Canal de Sernambetiba that runs parallel to Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho and spits out into the sea, Lagoinha das Taxas, Lagoa de Maranpedi, Lagoa de Jacarepaguรก, Lagoa da Tijuca, and the Atlantic Ocean. The set of three images on this page shows the existing built environment in Recreio, whose character is similar to many other development around the wetlands and lagoons listed above.

The site faces a problem with flooding because of climate change and sea level rise that will continue to influence the future of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Vargens, Barra da Tijuca and surrounding mountains and sea. This issue of climate change and its impact on current and future urban design development within this coastal area leads the project focus. Hence, the vision for the project draws inspiration from predictions of the effect climate change will have on the city of Rio de Janeiro and the coastal areas that are directly connected to the shoreline. The aim for the project focuses on scenario that predicts that sea level will rise up to two meters by the end of the century, which brings up an interesting question of what will the city look like in 2100 and what urban designers can do to accommodate for such a drastic climate change.

Existing Site Conditions in Recreio, Google Maps

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3.3 SITE DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS STUDY AREA Zooming into our focus study area, the set of three images illustrates the existing water infrastructure of our site in Recreio. The diagram highlights the relationship between man-made canals and lagoons, as well as how the ocean connects through the existing water system to create a network of canals. The images also emphasizes how the network of existing canals in Recreio dos Bandeirantes overlap in the larger area of Vargens Grande. The small canals that border the focus area and the natural canal that runs from mountain to sea are all important factors we considered when developing our design concept. To further understand the existing conditions in our site, we were provided with a set of previous analysis and research on flooding risk by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. The one from which we drew strategies was “Elevação Nivel Mar” by Maria Luiza Furtado de Mendonça and Luiz Roberto Arueira da Silva in 2007 (see section 8.2 References, page 117). The paper focuses on areas in Rio de Janeiro that may be affected by high sea level rise at different times of the year. The PUC research also show the area’s vulnerability to climate change, as well as different scenarios of the effect sea level rise will have to the overall site including Vargens, Recreio, and Barra da Tijuca. From PUC’s research, we concluded that because the topography of our focus area in Recreio was predominantly flat, the existing canals were a great opportunity to improve the current condition of the ecological and water system.

In Vargens, the existing man-made canals extend and meet the natural canal that runs down into the ocean, which then connects at the intersection of the two main arterials in Recreio. Our goal for our focus area in Recreio was to improve the connectivity of the canals so that they would all extend from Vargens and meet at Recreio. Making this move inspired our vision for “Living with Canals,” a place where the connected man-made canal infrastructure in conjunction with the natural canal would both create a beautiful public space for people and be useful as an ecological water system. We were inspired to use canals as public space for the project and the sustainability of the urban and ecological environment.

Vargens Grande and Recreio dos Bandeirantes

In our design proposal, the relationship between the manmade and natural canals work in such a way that allow water from surrounding sources, like the ocean, to be used for several purposes including the following: improving water management development of the overall site; providing multiple water sources that can be used for farming, gardening, washing, irrigation and other domestic uses with proper treatment; enabling ways for indoor heating and cooling for buildings; creating new water retention techniques; enabling rainwater harvesting and rainwater storage. We also envision the canals to be an important linkage between pedestrians and the built infrastructure.

We identified pedestrian disconnectivity as a critical issue in Recreio, mainly because of the vehicular dominated arterials and the lack of connected sidewalks, absence of bicycle paths, and uninviting building use frontages.

In our project, the canals are the roots that lie beneath the pedestrian infrastructure, water system, and overall building development.

3.3 SITE DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS STUDY AREA

Overall Study Area The overall study area for the project in Zona Oeste sits in Vargens Grande and Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Vargens and Recreio are both neighborhoods that share existing small canals, with Avenida das AmĂŠricas entirely running through both neighborhoods. With this diagram, we aimed to show the overlapping relationship of existing canals in both neighborhoods and also the natural river that literally separates the two neighborhoods from each other. The majority of the area in Vargens is made up of dry green land and marshland protected by the government, while land suitability for the Recreio neighborhood is buildable on most of its areas.

Vargens Grande The diagram on the left outlines the overall area of Vargens Grande, while also showing the overlap in canal infrastructure of both Vargens Grande and Recreio dos Bandeirantes. The diagram clearly identify the neighborhood border of the larger Vargen area, with a subtle separating from its adjacent neighborhood, Recreio. Both area meet at the intersecting point of the two major vehicular avenues in Zona Oeste.

Recreio dos Bandeirantes Similar to the diagram of Vargens Grande above, diagram on the left calls out Recreio dos Bandeirantes alone, outlining its recognized border for better comparison with neighboring Vargens Grande.

Larger Study Area, Zona Oeste

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3.3 SITE DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS FOCUS AREA To deepen our site analysis, we proceeded with learning more about the site’s environmental and ecological nature and documenting the existing urban contrasts found within the site. The two images on this page show our selected focus area in relationship to an overview of the existing built infrastructure that surround it. The first image (top middle) identifies all of the existing conditions in the focus area, with low density around the site and recent development of tall towers dispersed on the lower part of the site. The series of proceeding study diagrams is a mapping exercise that explores the decisions that lead to the concept of the project.

In conjunction with this analysis, we also studied the effect of sea level rise by the end of the century on the coast of Rio de Janeiro. It is an issue that is inevitable all throughout the city, and Recreio dos Bandeirantes is simply another area that will be severely affected by climate change just as much as many other shorelines of the city. The project has provided us with a challenge and opportunity to strategically figure out how to deal with rising sea levels in a developing urban area. During this analysis, we also considered additional studies by the Royal Institute of British Architects on facing up to sea level rise as a tool for reference (see section 8.1 References, page 117). Research by RIBA propose three ways of dealing with sea level rise: retreating, defending, or attacking. As a team, we considered RIBA’s approach to help us come up with effective ways to deal with seal level rise in our project site. This step in the analysis process helped us strengthen our concept because it allowed us to explore options for creating a sustainable water system that is beneficial to the overall site. We aimed for a strategy that would permit our focus area and surrounding areas to retreat, defend, or attack water rising at different times over the next fifty years in ways that would sustain the built environment that is developing in the area today and development that will take place in the future.

In our project, we faced up to the rising of sea levels by first considering the different strategies stated above. We are responding to the issue with strategies to design a dense Recreio dos Bandeirantes

urban area with soft and hard infrastructure that work together to create livable and walkable spaces, permeable landscapes as a network of infrastructure, and systems of controlling, collecting, or retaining water that gets carried throughout the site. The scenario of approximately two meters seal level rise by the year 2100 that the project is based on sets the foundation for future project development in the area. The vision for the project required preliminary research on ways to properly manage the water system within the site, which lead to adapting different design strategies of how to navigate water through a series of channels and connected canals. The idea for connecting canals would not only transport water and accommodate for flooding, but it would also providing people with public space at is core, green streets along the edges, and outdoor plazas.

3.3 SITE DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS FOCUS AREA

Overall Focus Area As one can identify by simply looking a the image on the left, urban character for the focus area is very low in density. From an aerial view, the existing development on the land appears like smaller patches on construction spread across the site. For the project, we have decided to counter propose a conceptual master plan that we think we best be suitable for the area compared to what the existing development on the site. In the larger context, we are keeping the building block infrastructure as it is and adapting to work with an design approach that best fits the overall focus area.

20 hectares in Recreio As stated before in the analysis of the project, we have chosen our focus area based on the existing conditions we thought to be more critical: the major arterial, the canals, and favelas. Within the twenty hectare land for our new development, we chose to demolish all of the existing single-family lots on the site, to allow room for a more effective and urban design sustainable approach to land use and land value.

Besides discarding the existing single family lots, we are keeping the mega shopping mall which will continue to serve many from the larger Recreio area in the future. Within our focus area, we have als considered keeping high-rise towers that stand behind the shopping mall. We used these mega infrastructures to respond to the need for better and safer pedestrian connectivity to services on the site.

Focus Area/ Project Site, Recreio

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3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS RECREIO DOS BANDEIRANTES

With the design for this project, we aimed to provide people with livable canals as beautiful and inviting public space. We utilized the canals to create a multi-purpose infrastructure that is ecologically and environmentally beneficial for the site. The idea for using canals as public space serves as a sustainable water system and a flexible barrier for defending sea level rise in future times. Utilizing the canals as a multipurpose infrastructure permits the area to manage flood risks when necessary. Incorporating canal with the idea of providing people with a beautiful open space fulfills our vision of adapting a design strategy that would sustainably enable water to transition throughout the area, while also sustaining the land for future water effects.

The following six images are grouped to show some of the existing site conditions in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, including the natural canal, the major avenues and some buildings. We then analyzed important conditions through a mapping exercise. The series of proceeding study diagrams is the mapping exercise that narrates the decisions that lead to the vision and concept for the project.

Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Google Maps

3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS RECREIO DOS BANDEIRANTES

Existing Site Conditions in Recreio, Google Maps

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3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

Est. Ver. Alceu de Carvalho

ZONA OESTE

Canal de Sernambetiba

Larger Study Area, Zona Oeste

s

érica

m das A Ave.

3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

A Major Arterial A major arterial sparked our interest for this particular area. In this vast territory, Avenida das AmĂŠricas crosses over Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho and a natural canal.

A Natural Canal Canal de Sernambetiba runs perpendicular to Avenida das AmĂŠricas. This natural canal flows directly into the ocean.

An Intersection The major arterial, the road that runs perpendicular to the arterial, and the natural canal created an opportunity to work with a unique infrastructure.

Existing Site Conditions in Recreio, Google Maps

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3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS ZONA OESTE

Larger Study Area, Zona Oeste

3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

A Network of Small Canals There a series of small canals on the site, many of which are isolated, not well maintained, and disconnected from developed land.

A Disconnected Infrastructure The disconnectivity of the existing canal infrastructure inspired us to propose a connected water system that would improve the site environmentally and ecologically.

Focus Area We selected our focus area because it is surrounded by small canals, and it is bordered by the major arterial, road, and natural canal.

Existing Site Conditions in Recreio, Google Maps

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3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS RECREIO DOS BANDEIRANTES

Focus Area, Recreio dos Bandeirantes

3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

The Larger Study Area The study area shows its current urban condition, connected with the natural canal and small built canals.

Connecting Canals We are proposing adding new canals in the middle of the site to improve the network of the current canal infrastructure.

Design Focus Area The project focuses on 20 hectare of land. It expands to the edges to improve linkage from one side of the major arterial to the other, where there is big box retail.

Existing Site Conditions in Recreio, Google Maps

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3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS RECREIO DOS BANDEIRANTES

Focus Area, Recreio dos Bandeirantes

3.4 MAPPING THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

Important Thresholds At this scale, we found a stronger relationship between the arterial/canal intersection and the BRT location.

Expanding Canal We proposed a new canal where there is currently a strip of single family housing. The location for this new canal completes the overall network of canals.

Canal as Public Space The new canal expands at its core to fulfill our vision for “Live with Canal.� The canal serves both the public and the natural.

Existing Site Conditions in Recreio, Google Maps

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Canals, Lagoons, Ocean in Zona Oeste Government Preserved Areas Bus Rapid Transit Stops in Recreio Proposed Pedestrian Connectivity

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4. REQUIREMENTS FOR URBAN DESIGN

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4.1 PLANNING INDEX AREA FOR PLANNING Total site area for planning: 446,550 sq m (about 4,806,624 sq ft), including the new canal as a central public space of 80,000sq m (about 861,113 sq ft). Total gross floor area above around: 1,200,000 sq m (12.9 million sq. ft), including: - Residential gross floor area: 400,000 sm ( including serviced apartments of 360,000 sm and the residential apartments 40,000 sq m) - Office building gross floor area: 540,000 sm (a 5-star hotels of 40,000 sm) - Commercial gross floor area: 260,000 sq m (including 190,000sm of shopping center, 60,000 sm of stores, 30,000 sm of waterfront cultural commercial area, 20,000 of commercial area in the podia of office buildings, a small museum of 5,000 sm. The neighborhood center occupies 10,000sm of land, and the floor area is about 15,000 sm.)

- Commercial space gross floor area (in front of the railway station): 10,000 sq m (107,639 sq ft)

4.2 CONTROL REQUIREMENTS The concept of this development is a canal oriented urban development. The project emphasizes balance in development and aims to provide diverse and comprehensive urban services. The vision for the concept promotes an urban development that is vibrant, livable, and walkable, which will provide people with places to live, work, and play all within close proximity to public transit. In this project, we further explored the control requirements for urban design by better understanding some primary design principles which are explained in the proceeding section.

Planning Index, Dr. JosĂŠ GĂĄmez

4.3 FOUR PRIMARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

The twenty hectare Zona Oeste focus area in Recreio dos Bandeirantes targets new urban development based on four primary design principles: High quality public transportation service, comprehensive sustainable land use, high density development, and pedestrian friendly environments and urban public spaces. All four primary design principles clearly identify with the vision and proposal the project features.

Control Requirements, Dr. JosĂŠ GĂĄmez

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4.3 FOUR PRIMARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE A Bus Rapid Transit system already exists on the site, whose route runs parallel with Avenida das AmĂŠricas. The diagram on the right shows the existing BRT line along the major avenue and the canals on the site. The development of the BRT line is challenging for future urban development around the site. Besides the existing transit line, the surrounding rural environment on the site is also a big challenge and constraint. The surrounding rural areas on the site are currently disconnected to the public transit services, which makes it difficult for people living in the area to effectively use the transit system in order to access services in the neighborhood. In this project, we aimed to improve public access to available transit by enhancing the way pedestrian paths are connected to roads leading to public transit. We used the Transoeste in Rio de Janeiro (pictured below) as an example, which is the first BRT corridor in the city with safer connections for pedestrian to access transit.

The vision and proposal for the project introduces a new approach to high quality public transportation. In addition to preserving the existing BRT system as a major mode for transportation, the project proposes a multimodal transportation system through which the idea of canal, a connected pedestrian bridge, and transit function altogether as multiple transportation options to serve people in the area. Hence, the vision of the project not only supports that the BRT system remain as a high quality public transportation service, but it also argues for the canal as a public mode of transportations and linked pedestrian infrastructure as catalyst to providing people with ways of getting to and from transit.

Transoeste Mariana Gil EMBARQ, Brasil

4.3 FOUR PRIMARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

COMPREHENSITE SUSTAINABLE LAND USE IN THE CONTEXT OF SEA LEVEL RISE With a goal centered around sustainable development for the year 2100 and beyond, the project deals with urban design strategies that are feasible for sustainable land use in cases when sea level does rise. The role of existing canals in the area is to channel water from ocean to river and to navigate water in order to better control land that is vulnerable to flooding. The role of the new canal in this project is highly influenced by the idea of canal as transportation for both people and water. The new canal promotes sustainable land use development that deal with the issues of climate change and sea level rise; it sets a foundation for strategic ways of reclaiming, retaining, and cleaning water coming into the site from various surrounding sources.

The idea of a canal as a public space fulfills multiple purposes because it provides ways for integrating sustainable water systems in the focus area as well as the overall site Zona Oeste. The image below shows the four inhabited complexes in Emirates, Abu Dhabi from which we drew inspiration to enhance our vision for canals as public space. There is clear evidence of multiple existing canals all over the site, many of which poorly function as successful water system and manmade infrastructure that will sustain the land at the end of the century, a critical era when sea level is predicted to rise up to two meters. The new proposed canal, in contrary, offers a sustainable way of dealing with sea level rise in this particular environment. The project supports the idea of canals as infrastructure that not only defend and keep water out from the land, but as infrastructure that appropriately allows for flooding while simultaneously preserving new development around the land.

United Arab Emirates, RNL

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4.3 FOUR PRIMARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT The urban design for the site is modeled after Transit Oriented Development, which is a model of urban development focused upon compact and walkable communities centered around high quality public transit system. The image below is an example of the kind of walkable neighborhood the project aims for, and the diagram on the right shows the opportunity for having high density development that relates to the canal infrastructure. Currently the site is rural, but it is rapidly growing because of urban development for the 2016 Olympic Games. The vision for the project, however, advocates for high density development in the focus area, as well as the surrounding area. Beside the current BRT line, other existing site conditions bordering the twenty hectare focus area are a mega shopping mall and favelas. The contrast between the formal development (the shopping mall) and informally built neighborhoods (favelas) was an opportunity to not just orient high density around them, but also consider them as contributing factors to creating a vibrant, livable,and walkable new community connected with the old existing framework of the built environment.

Within the twenty hectare focus area, density is spread around the site to respond to the overall height of each building and the activities that would be happening in the buildings at grade level. High density is proposed in the focus area in response to the predicted growth of population and the economical boost in Zona Oeste during and post the Olympic Games. The proposal for the focus area embraces the concept of walkability by combining a mixture of uses per building mass and by serving the public with different easily accessible amenities and activities

Center for Transit Oriented Development

spread throughout the site. The approach of creating a high density development area also reduces the need for vehicles, which in return makes a big impact on helping the area socially, environmentally, and economically persevere through sustainable land development beyond the year 2100.

4.3 FOUR PRIMARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS AND URBAN PUBLIC SPACES Our approach for the conceptual master plan focuses on creating a pedestrian friendly environment with high density development surrounding it, which began by having a clear set of network and linkage infrastructure as grounds for future development.

The current situation of the bridging vehicular arterials in the focus area significantly discourages pedestrian crossing and the use of bicycles in the area. The area was development during a highly vehicular dominated era to only accommodate for transportation by car. Recent development of the BRT has provided this rural area with aspiration for Transit Oriented Development; however, the major constraint in Zona Oeste is that the existing infrastructure was intentionally developed to serve one particular mode of transportation, making it challenging to prioritize pedestrians. Nonetheless, the vision for the project proposes a sustainable urban environment where pedestrians are given first priority. Just like the image below, the design strategy behind “Living with Canals” equally promotes both walkability and the use of public transit in a high density urban environment. The new proposed canal for the focus area is catalyst to changing the existing environment from being heavily vehicular to pedestrian friendly. Because of the new canal, pedestrians are able to experience the space surrounding the canal with various activities and use the canal as a different mode of transportation.

between pedestrians and surrounding new development at various threshold moments. The proposed pedestrian bridge was inspired by Atelier Cite Architecture’s new development for a bridge over the Meurthe River in northeastern France (see section 5.3 Precedents, page 58). The infrastructure for the proposed bridge in the focus area meets at ground level and is elevated at throughout the twenty hectare focus area to provide people with walking and jogging paths, bike lanes, and small pocket areas for sitting and site-viewing.

In addition to the elevated pedestrian bridge over the new canal, the focus area also responds to creating a pedestrian friendly urban development by allowing people to truly experience the canal at ground level. Along Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho, a small river/ natural canal runs parallel.

The design for the project tackles the existing river as a way of preserving wetlands and marshland, while concurrently allowing room for green paths so that pedestrians can “live with canals” by experiencing the open space on edge with a natural river and the preserved surrounding nature.

In this project, the arterials that were once driving forces that made up a hopeless vehicular dominated area is now key to implementing a sustainable public transit oriented environment for pedestrians.

The design for the focus area in Zona Oeste also proposes a pedestrian bridge that links and improves the connectivity

A Walkable Community, Alberta

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4.4 REQUIREMENTS FOR URBAN DESIGN 7 CONTROLLING REQUIREMENTS The following lists describes the controlling design requirements that are incorporated and illustrated through our vision, concept, and proposal for the project.

3.4.1. The vision for this project addresses the ecological conditions of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, the changing climatic conditions of our planning horizon (sea level rise and the year 2100), and the role of a new urban center within the context of a sensitive environmental zone.

3.4.2. The project site is planned as the multi-use development sub-center Zona Oeste with the best practices of global urban design in mind that aim to set a new standard for both efficient uses of land and environmental, as well as quality of life.

3.4.3. The project takes full advantage of the existing canal infrastructure and future water systems by combining the landscape with housing, commercial, entertainment, and cultural programs. In this project, we also considered social, affordable, and low-income housing requirements as a way to address the informal landscapes and neighborhoods that currently exist within this zone. We have addressed the need for affordable housing within our plan by proposing social housing in place of the existing favelas on the site.

3.4.4. Based on the concept of “Living with Canals,” we created an organization of functional zones with sustainable uses and programs and defined the urban structure of the overall region. In this project, we use landscape and urban forms to reinforce the identity of each node within our plan.

3.4.5. The spatial form of key urban nodes in our plan create lively, multi level, flexible urban spatial systems to create a vital contemporary urban area that would sustain the environment and ecology of the site now, as well as 2100 and beyond.

3.4.6. The organization of transportation elements include the existing Bus Rapid Transit system in the region. We’ve addressed parking based upon the vision for the future of the area. We envision a growing urban area that is lively, compact, walkable, and livable with high quality public transit, with minimal parking. The parking system for the project are meant to allow for flooding for future scenarios Requirements for Urban Design, Dr. José Gámez

of sea level rise. While some parking areas are underground, some remain at grade level below important building uses.

3.4.7. The design model for this project focuses on sustainable urban development for a green, ecological, lowcarbon, and low energy consumption city.

4.5 PROGRAM AND PLANNING CODES 12 PROGRAM AND PLANNING CODES

The development calls for a minimum Floor Area Ratio between 2 and 2.5, translated into around 360,000- 450,000 sq. meters of new building construction. As we considered the city’s Resiliency Plan, we used the following programs as a “point of departure” for our design considerations, which helped us determine the appropriate mix of uses and “urban frameworks” as they implement specific design strategies.

3.5.1. Commercial spaces such as shopping centers, market spaces, agricultural production sites (urban farming, hydroponics, vertical farms, etc.), a main market street, and entertainment areas are part of the program within the plan.

3.5.2. The project site has office spaces of around 40,000 sq m.

3.5.3. There is proposed housing at around 120,000150,000 sq m. (mixed income with at least 30% affordable or social housing included).

3.5.4. Cultural facilities including in the proposal are a museum, a center performing arts, a research institute, a fresh market, and venue for live concert.

3.5.5. Additional complementary programs that are proposed based on the design concept include for the focus site includes a football playground and stadium which will serve a main gathering hub for formal cultural live events and informal public use. The football playground is linked to the existing favelas communities to allow access by locals who will be living in the neighboring social housing.

3.5.8. In the master plan, connectivity, accessibility, and integrated sustainable systems is orchestrated through buildings, paths, and circulation routes, as well as through vertical and ecological design strategies.

3.5.9. The multi-nodal mass transit stations should be considered pivotal points in organizing circulation and programs above and below grade. Station entries, plazas, and other open spaces should be designed in conjunction with shopping, services, and landscape.

3.5.10. The building height are mostly between five stories and 10 stories, depending on use and function. In addition to that, there is a thirty five and a fifty five story building proposed on the site, which will serve landmarks for our focus area. We considered the current rural characteristic of much of the area and we wanted to reinvent frameworks for urbanization in the zone.

3.5.11. We have kept some of the existing buildings around the focus area to respond to the built urban fabric of the site. Our project proposal links the new development with existing Recreio Shopping Mall across the BRT station, favelas that are on the edges, and the isolated towers behind the big box retail area.

3.5.12. We have given special consideration to infrastructure of canals. We’ve kept and improved their built urban fabric to explore design strategies such as “retreat”, “attack” or “defend” and identify the best approach to the site conditions that can adapt and grow to support increased density and urbanization in these sensitive areas.

3.5.6. Given the current rural quality of the area, the design for the project allows the area to grow while simultaneously preserving environmental, cultural, economic and lifestyle aspects that sets Recreio dos Bandeirantes apart from other zones in Rio de Janeiro.

3.5.7. Open space is a critical component in this development.

At least 30% of land is designated to open spaces and multi-functional landscapes used for recreational and infrastructural purposes. The design addresses waterfront conditions in response to the current condition of climate change, as well as the potential to “retreat” from the coastline as sea levels rises

Program and Planning Codes, Dr. José Gámez

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5. PRECEDENTS / TYPOLOGIES

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5.1 CANAL CITIES VENICE, ITALY We begin our precedent analysis by studying four different canal cities, then we proceeded with studying design projects from which we drew inspiration for our conceptual master plan.

We first looked at Venice, the northeastern city in Italy; a city best known as the oldest canal city filled with canals and boats, maze-like alleys and small squares. Venice is located in a marshland of Venetian Lagoon which stretches along its shoreline. The city is composed of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. The city is also a World Heritage Site, renowned for its unique naturally beauty, architecture, and artwork.

When developing the vision and conceptual master plan for the project, we considered studying Venice to draw inspiration from a city that is entirely built on an archipelago

Map of Fuorirotta, CittĂ di Venezia

of islands formed by canals that are connected by bridges.

The canals were initially intended to serve as roads, as transportation in this area is primarily on water and foot.

We took Venice’s approach on having an infrastructure of canals that prioritizes pedestrians.

5.1 CANAL CITIES

VENICE, ITALY

City on Water As a city on water, Venice developed during the Middle Ages when soil was dredged to raise the marshy ground above the tides, when canals provided means for transporting goods and people within the city. Today the canal infrastructure is supported by more than 400 bridges to permit pedestrian traffic. In this project, we are proposing a pedestrian bridge that weaves through the site to serve pedestrians and cyclists and support the revitalization of the existing canals.

Water Streets Water Streets in Venice are the canals used for public transportation by motorised water taxis (vaporetti), ferries, and small boats that connect people to public and private places throughout the city. Venice also has a cable-operated public transit system, which connects islands. We were inspired

by Venice’s multimodal transportation system to also propose one of high would not only aid people today, but would sustain the future of Recreio dos Bandeirantes in light of sea level rise.

www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm/pages/ ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/40953

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5.1 CANAL CITIES BANGKOK, THAILAND Bangkok is the most populous city in Thailand, whose name originates from the Thai words meaning “a village situated on a stream” and “island.” The area’s landscape is carved by rivers and canals. The city is flat and low-lying, with an average elevation of 1.5 meters above sea level. Rivers meanders through the city in a southward direction. Most of the city was originally swampland, which was gradually drained and used for irrigation via the construction of canals.

Over the last few centuries, the river flow through the city has been modified by several canals whose infrastructure now serves as the primary mode for transportation.

We used Bangkok’s approach for groundwater management to lessen the severity of future rise of sea levels in Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Because of the ongoing rapid urbanization in the city, its low altitude and inadequate drainage infrastructure, Bangkok is prone to flooding like several areas along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, including

Map of Bangkok, Thailand

Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Unlike Rio de Janeiro, there are no mountains in Bangkok, so severe flooding scenarios affect much of the city and its surrounding. To accommodate flood risks and the impact of sea level rise in the future, Bangkok now relies heavily on flood barriers and augmenting drainage from canals by pumping and building drain tunnels. Parts of the city and its suburbs, however, are still regularly affected by flooding due to heavy downpours and urban runoff that overwhelm existing drainage systems. Coastal erosion is another serious issue in several of Bangkok’s districts. The city has built surrounding concrete walls to stop the shallow hills from eroding, but climate change still poses further serious risks.

Studies by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have estimated that over 5 million people in Bangkok may be exposed to coastal flooding by 2070, “the seventh highest among the world’s port cities.”

5.1 CANAL CITIES

BANGKOK, THAILAND

Metropolitan Bangkok In the modern metropolitan area of Bangkok, people use vehicles as the primary mode of travel.

The street network for the city does not follow an organized grid structure, as a result of the several canals that have evolved since the birth of the city.

As the city continues to rapidly grow, the increase in vehicle ownership and traffic demands have created severe traffic congestion since the early 1990s. In effort to alleviate the overall traffic problem, the city has constructed intersection bypasses and systems of elevated highways.

Transport When the city began to build modern roads, most people still lived near or on the water. As urban development and road infrastructure continued, canals begin to be used as transport routes and major drainage channels. Today most of the canals are polluted, but the city is committed to treating and cleaning up the canals.

Water Market Despite many polluted canals, the challenge of dealing with constant flooding risks, and severe traffic congestion, Bangkok still offers opportunity for people to view and experience the canals in ways that are unique to the culture. Today people have access to markets via canals and elevated walkways along the water, where street vendors and locals utilize the canal scenery. www.bangkokthailandairportmap.blogspot.com/2013/06/ detail-bangkok-map-for-travelers-guide.html

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5.1 CANAL CITIES COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Copenhagen is located on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. Before becoming Denmark’s capital in the early 15th century, the city was founded as a fishing village back in the 10th century. The city has become the most populated metropolitan area in Denmark, because of its ongoing rapid growth in urban and cultural development.

Copenhagen is served by a multimodal transportation system, with a focus on transportation on canals via ferries and elevated bridges for cyclists and pedestrians. Our study on this canal city helped us strengthen our vision for the conceptual master plan of the project. We considered the strong connection of pedestrian infrastructure to public services within Copenhagen to develop a concept for better pedestrian linkage in Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

The majority of the city’s landscape is low-lying flat ground

Map of Copenhagen, Denmark, Mapbox

formed by moraines in the central area, with hilly areas on the north and west edges of the city. In its surrounding area, Copenhagen is known for having three beaches that are supplemented by a system of Harbor Baths along the waterfront, whose design have won international acclaim.

5.1 CANAL CITIES

COPENHAGEN , DENMARK

Harbor Redevelopment Redevelopment for Copenhagen’s Northern Harbor, whose brief analysis was previously stated in the report (2.3 Project Methodology, pg. 19), is in the midst of a transformation from being heavily industrial and traffic dominated to the city’s main cultural and social center. The system of Harbor Baths have been instrumental in the evolution of the city. Plans for development for the Northern Harbor is essentially an extension to the adjacent park over the water.

The project has a strong emphasis on bicycles and public transportation. There is an elevated loop that is paired with express bike lanes which tie the are together. Development for the Harbor Bath is more than just a strong visual and recreational element for the city: Because the city is also facing climate change, the project applies a holistic view on ecological sustainability in all aspects of the development. According to COBE and Sleth Modernism, local solutions focus on energy, water and waste management, which are all “paired with a regional outlook on sustainability, incorporating region-wide networks.”

Copenhagen Harbor Bath, COBE, www.e-architect.co.uk/copenhagen/north-harbour-copenhagen

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5.1 CANAL CITIES AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS During our precedent analysis on canal cities, we paid close attention to Amsterdam, as it is well known for being one of the most livable and sustainable canal cities below sea level, and it is also a World Heritage site. Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Like Copenhagen, Amsterdam originated as a fishing city in the 12th century. Its name derives from a word that is indicative of the city’s origin as a dam of the river Amstel.

is intensely urbanized, with a metropolitan area surround the city and large areas of parks and nature reserves. The city is home to more than one hundred kilometers of canals.

Prinsengracht, Herengracht and Keizersgracht are the three main canals that are navigated by boat. There are nearly ninety islands within Amsterdam, which are all linked by over a thousand bridges.

Amsterdam is situated two meters below sea level; it is connected to the North Sea through the long North Sea Canal. The river Amstel terminates is located in the center of the city and connects to a large number of canals that lead into the IJ. The city it is surrounded on three sides by large bodies of water. Several parts of the city and the surrounding urban area are flat and formed of large polders, low-lying tracts of land used as barriers as a way for the city reclaim land from a lake or a the sea bed. Today Amsterdam

Map of Amsterdam Canals, www.mapsontheweb.zoom-maps.com/post/53105310224/canals-of-amsterdam-detailed-map-of-how-amsterdam

5.1 CANAL CITIES

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Canals and City Expansion We considered Amsterdam as a great precedent of a canal city because of a canal system that is a result of conscious city planning. In the early 17the century, the city developed a comprehensive plan that based on an outer ring of four canals with their ends emerging at the IJ bay. Since the development of the four canals, the city has grown within its borders which led to the construction of new houses, public buildings, and streets. Later plans for the city were designated to refrain from expansion beyond the city’s borders, which led to the construction of larger public buildings, and then the issue of overcrowding.

Water as Flexible Public Space Amsterdam embodies a sense of flexibility with canals as public space. The canals infrastructure is inviting to pedestrians and provides people with opportunities to live along the water’s edges. Several of the famous festivals and events in Amsterdam take in and along canals. People also utilize public space along canals for frequent cultural traditions, social gatherings, and/or live events.

In this project, we borrowed the idea of canal as public space from Amsterdam, where everyday life is truly celebrated on the water and the spaces that border it. Studying Amsterdam influenced the design for our conceptual master plan and led us to create a livable place with canals.

Copenhagen Harbor Bath / BIG + JDS

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5.2 PECEDENTS MEURTHE RIVER, FRANCE Located on the northeastern part of France along the Meurthe River, the pedestrian bridge along the banks of the Meurthe is designed to respond to the area’s cultural heritage by shaping a new landscape. The firm Atelier Cite Architecture intended the new development sits in the town of Raon l’Etape, in an area that was abandoned for a long period of time.

The development of the pedestrian bridge accommodates for both public and natural spaces that assures a sustainable future for the area. The design strategies for the project allow for the area to be unified with different entities, which make up the town of Raon l’Etape and “thus involving the whole community.” The project development proposes new way of transportation that provides people with an alternative to existing routes that are heavily dominated by vehicles. The successful connectivity of the pedestrian bridge also provides local and visitors with various leisure

Development Banks of the Meurthe, Arch Daily

activities and tourism. Furthermore, the new development encourages “a continuity and enhancement of the links between the town of the future and its cultural heritage.”

5.2 PECEDENTS

ATELIER CITE ARCHITECTURE, 2012

Bridge Elevated The development of the pedestrian bridge long Meurthe River is inspiring because of the way it fits in with Raon l’Etape geography and how effectively its uniqueness highlights the outdoor and natural atmosphere of the area. This project played a vital role in setting a foundation for the vision and proposal of Recreio dos Bandeirantes areas in Rio de Janeiro in numerous ways: The way the bridge engages with the existing landscape, its provisions for multi modes of transportation, its sustainable attitude towards protecting the environment and saving energy, as well as its intentionality for providing people with stable pedestrian infrastructure and amenities along the connected, elevated path.

Bridge Connected to Wetlands The pedestrian bridge over Meurthe River inspired the proposal for the connected pedestrian path above a widened canal that serves as the main public space for locals and tourist. The main idea for proposing the pedestrian path was to improve connectivity and pedestrian infrastructure within an urban setting. The proposed pedestrian connects two ends of the site from ground level and is partially elevated to fit the spatial needs for the public space within the site. The path is wide enough to allow for walking, jogging, biking, and site viewing. The idea of the elevated path not only provides walkability for the future, but it also provides people with the best views of the site and also towards the outskirts of Vargens and Recreio during day and night.

Atelier Cite Architecture

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5.2 PECEDENTS MUSEUM OF THE EARTH, NEW YORK The Museum of the Earth houses one of the United States’ largest paleontological collections in Ithaca, New York. The museum is located in the Finger Lakes region, whose natural landforms inspired the architect’s design for the project.

The project site sits atop a gradual slope of 12 meters.

According to the architect’s vision, “the topography of the site allowed for a continuous, terraced landscape that fuses architecture and ecology into a cohesive expression of the geologic processes involved in the region’s formation.”

We examined the project in section in order to further understand the relationship between the built and natural features on the museum’s site. We were also interested in this project because how it addresses water flow. The project’s harmony of the built form in relation shio the existing site condition is evident because it approaches a strategy that allows the museum to rooted into the site and appear as if it is gracefully rising from the ground. The

Museum of Earth, Arch Daily

design for the museum gave us a new outlook on how to carefully consider the existing site conditions in Recreio dos Bandeirantes before finalizing our conceptual master plan.

In our project, we also wanted to capitalize on the minor changes of grade found on the site, by reinventing the use of the existing canals, improving the spatial quality of the public space surrounding the canals and focusing on the pedestrian experience.

5.2 PECEDENTS

WEISS MANFREDI, 2003

Pavillions and Reflecting Pool The partially buried structures define the edges of the museum’s pavilion and reflecting pool, with extending views to the lake and the surrounding landscape. The project introduces an innovative approach to water management strategy where a series of linear water terraces create berms to conceal distinct parking areas on site. The parking area is intentionally graded to divert groundwater runoff with gravel filters, cleansing chemicals and other pollutants from groundwater. Water is channeled into a linear terrace where it is directed between the two museum wings and collects in a reflecting pool. Excess water fills the pool until it overflows into a new wetlands detention basin which then releases water into the lake nearby.

Exhibition Ramp The built infrastructure for the museum is organized into two parallel buildings: These wings are connected below grade, with building ramps to accommodate the water collection system.

The structures are defined by a concrete walls and a cantilevered roof over the two wings of the museum.

Water Detention Area The museum has taken advantage of the drastic site topography to allow retention and collective areas for water to flow throughout the site. Similar to the Museum of the Earth, our project adapts a method of collecting water on hard surfaces like streets and soft infrastructure like canals and existing marshlands.

Weiss Manfredi

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5.2 PECEDENTS THE BIG U, NEW YORK The BIG U is New York’s vision for “Rebuild by Design,” which focuses on improving the resiliency of Manhattan’s waterfront through innovative design. The proposal for the BIG U is rooted in the concept of social infrastructure and “hedonistic sustainability.” It envisions a 10-mile protective system along Manhattan to keep the city from future floods and storm water disasters, while simultaneously providing public space for the local communities and surrounding neighborhoods.

The vision for the BIG U is a “string of pearls of social and environmental amenities tailored to their specific neighborhoods, that also happens to shield their various communities from flooding. The protective system enriches Manhattan, as it responds to the needs and concerns for the island’s diverse communities.

The BIG U, Rebuild by Design

The proposal for the BIG U consists of separate, coordinated plans for three contiguous regions of the waterfront and surrounding communities. Each compartment is equality a field for integrated social and community planning, as they are designed to protect and enhance the city.

5.2 PECEDENTS

GJARKE INGELS GROUP, 2014

Social Infrastructure The infrastructure of the barriers functions as ground for multiple local commercial, recreational, cultural activities along the coast. The project is way of reclaiming the waterfront and protecting it from effect of climate change. It utilizes social infrastructure with high water barriers that serve as parks, provide seating and shelters for bicycles and ramps.

The Dryline The Dryline is an urban flood protection infrastructure with additional public amenities.

A large-scale integrated flood protection system that addresses the vulnerability of flooding in New York’s coastal area. The proposal for the BIG U is a protective ribbon in the lower part of Manhattan that is made of up a series of raised berms to create public spaces along the water’s edge.

The Bridging Berm The Bridging berm for the BIG U provides robust vertical protection for the lower east side of the city from future storm surge and rising sea levels.

In addition to its sustainable practice, the berm also offers pleasant, accessible routes for people to access the park, many unprogrammed spots for resting, socializing, and viewing of the park and river. Other berms and bridges are wide to allow for vegetation and a healthy resilient urban habitat.

Bjarke Ingels Group

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5.3 BUILDING TYPOLOGIES

Stacked Chips Project: Chips, Alsop Architects. Form: Linear rectilinear blocks stacked on top of each other.

Condition: Building can vary in size, angle of cantilever, and number of stacks.

L Shaped Project: Seven27, Ken Saiki Design. Form: Elongated l-shaped building mass. Condition: Building allows public space under the structure that cantilevers.

Tower on a Podium Project: Aura, Graziani + Corazza. Form: Multi-use towers with three to five story podiums. Condition: Intensity of activities at ground level as a gateway.

Precedent/ Typology Diagram

5.3 BUILDING TYPOLOGIES

Texas Donut Project: Alta Alameda Station, Baker. Form: Rectilinear form with central core for parking.

Condition: With space for green roof, creating a soft infrastructure that benefits the ecology and water system.

U Shaped Project: Art Design Media Building, Nanyang Technological University. Form: U shaped building mass. Condition: Permits large open space, public plazas and market space in between two buildings.

Modified L Project: 40 Peak Road Hong Kong, HOK. Form: Compound of long brackets. Condition: Permits green space at roof level and in between the brackets.

Precedent/ Typology Diagram

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5.4 OPEN SPACE TYPOLOGIES

Pocket Park Project: Paley Park, Zion & Breen. Form: Small park enclosed by adjacent built infrastructure. Condition: Accessible to the general public on a vacant building lot or small irregular piece of land.

Urban Green Space Project: Cumberland Park, Hargreaves Associates.

Form: A canopy and lawn. Condition: Framed by grassed slope to allow storm water collection and irrigation.

Floodable Plaza Project: Rotterdam Water Squares, De Urbanisten.

Form: Stepping plaza space that can be used for public seating or water collection. Condition: Climate change adaptive strategy.

Precedent/ Typology Diagram

5.4 OPEN SPACE TYPOLOGIES

Recreational/ Sport Project: Morrison Stadium, DLR Group. Form: Outdoor stadium and grassed field. Condition: Facility with playing surface and berm seating on opposite side.

Urban Plaza Project: Art Design Media Building, Nanyang Technological University. Form: U shaped building mass. Condition: Permits large open space, public plazas and market space in between two buildings.

Urban Canal Project: ChonGae Sunken Stone Garden. Form: Linear canal for channeling water, with stepping platforms that could be occupied for various reasons. Condition: Serves as a multi-use public space and ecological water system.

Precedent/ Typology Diagram

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5.5 INDOOR PUBLIC SPACE TYPOLOGIES

Marketplace Project: Public Market Center, Seattle. Form: Outdoor space for market. Condition: Open space surrounded by storefront building conditions at ground level.

Eatery Project: Eataly, New York. Form: Indoor space for modern food market, bakery, and restaurants.

Condition: A creative way of bringing the outside in, with high transparent ceilings.

Rooftop/ Terrace Space Project: Birreria, New York. Form: Open air rooftop terrace space for restaurant. Condition: Scenic rooftop setting for high-end cuisine.

Precedent/ Typology Diagram

5.6 STREET AND PEDESTRIAN TYPOLOGIES

Thoroughfare Project: L’avenue Marceau, Paris. Form: A multilanes thoroughfare. Condition: Allows vehicular traffic from connecting avenues.

Pedestrian Bridge Project: Jarrold Bridge, Norwich. Form: Linear path wide enough to accommodate room for pedestrians. Condition: Elevated bridge connected a ground level.

Bike Bridge Project: Urban Elevator in Echavaoiz, Ah Asociados.

Form: Elevated linear path for cyclists. Condition: Connected to built infrastructure/ bike share station on ground.

Precedent/ Typology Diagram

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View North: of Pedestrian Bridgeat the Public Terrace Plaza

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6. THE PROJECT PROPOSAL

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6.1 FIGURE GROUND LIVING WITH CANALS

Figure Ground, Existing and Proposed Buildings

6.1 FIGURE GROUND

FIGURE GROUND

Built Environment

Natural Environment

Existing Conditions

The figure ground diagram shows all of the existing and proposed buildings on site. The set of two diagrams compare the built infrastructure with the green network of open space. The green elements are the soft infrastructure that play a critical role in making the site a lively and livable urban place; they range in scale from extended green paths, large park space, pocket parks and outdoor plazas.

New Development

Built vs. Green Diagrams

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6.2 MASTER PLAN AND SECTION LIVING WITH CANALS

Living with Canals, Master Plan

6.2 MASTER PLAN AND SECTION

CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN

Node 1

Node 2

Node 3

Canals Pedestrian Bridge Green Open Space Buildings Public Space/ Plaza Roads

The conceptual master plan clearly identifies the overall vision for the project and sustainable approach to creating an urban place whose built and green infrastructure is suitable to accommodate both the present and future life of Recreio dos Bandeirantes. The master plan emphasizes a coherent network of canals, the pedestrian bridge that serves as a connector throughout the site, and the proposed buildings within a 20-hectare area.

Nodes 1, 2, and 3

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6.2 MASTER PLAN AND SECTION LONGITUDINAL SITE SECTION

Longitudinal Site Section

6.2 MASTER PLAN AND SECTION CHANGE IN WATER LEVEL

The longitudinal section cuts through the entire focus area from the north end to the west end of the site, calling out the canal as the most important space. The series of diagrams along with this section shows two different scenarios of water conditions on the site: The bottom set of diagrams illustrate the water level currently, and the top set of diagrams show the change in water level that is projected to be by end of the century.

Diagrams Showing Elevation Change of Water Level

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6.3 AERIAL LIVING WITH CANALS

Living with Canals, Aerial

6.3 AERIAL

AERIAL PERSPECTIVE

Canals Pedestrian Bridge Green Open Space Buildings Public Space/ Plaza Roads

The view overlooks the entire focus area from the intersection of Avenida das AmĂŠricas and Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho towards the mountains on the far North Eastern part of the site. The aerial view clearly shows building mass, the new canal, the pedestrian bridge infrastructure which embody the new character of Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

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6.4 DIAGRAMS DEVELOPMENT PHASING

1.

3.

2.

4.

Living with Canals, Phasing Diagrams

6.4 DIAGRAMS

DEVELOPMENT PHASING Phase 1- Canal Infrastructure The first phase of the project focuses on creating a complete network of canals, by connecting the existing canals with the new canal. This phase sets a foundation for future phasing development around the canals.

Phase 2- Pedestrian Connectivity at Grade Level The second phase of the project focuses on improving the pedestrian infrastructure at grade level. This phase will ease pedestrian access to public transit and pre-existing development on the site before completing construction of new buildings.

Also in this phase, new building development is concentrated around the new canal.

Phase 3- Pedestrian Bridge Infrastructure The third phase emphasizes the importance of an elevated pedestrian bridge, in response to an area with potential impact of sea level rise. Development for this proposed pedestrian bridge loops around the new canal and through the existing shopping mall across the big avenue to accommodate the need for easy and safe pedestrian access to services on the site.

Phase 4- Social Housing and Extension of Green Network The final phase for the project gentrifies housing for the pre-existing informal communities, by providing affordable and social housing option for local residents. This phase also expands land for green space.

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6.4 DIAGRAMS CANAL SYSTEMS The following set of diagrams focus on the canal systems, circulation, and land use for the project. The first diagram (bottom left) emphasizes the importance of the connection of the three types of canals that we have proposed in the project. Each canal type is a system that is used as a sustainable way to improve the ecology of the site. The diagram also shows the ecological and urban hierarchy of the canal types, by first calling out the storm-water canals, downtown canal, and natural canals.

The second diagram (top right) identifies the circulation for the conceptual master plan. Circulation for this project is made up of three street types: A main street, a major arterial, and a promenade. In this project, connecting small streets throughout the site were place-making opportunities for creating a main street and promenades.

The major arterial with public transit is transformed into a high quality pedestrian friendly environment.

Canal Systems Diagram

The third diagram (bottom right) illustrate the different land uses proposed for the site. Green space and park space at the intersecting avenues not only serve surrounding public services, civic, and cultural buildings in the area, but it is also the connecting key that links the existing favelas neighborhoods to the higher density on the opposite side of Avenida das AmĂŠricas. The new canal that is the main public space in the middle of the entire site is surrounded by the public and civic buildings on one side and a business center on the other side. Although buildable land around the new canal has a concentrated vertical building use, we envision as area with multiple uses at grade level that would welcome and attract the public. Living residences and social housing is concentrated up to the edges of the site to strengthen the idea of multi-use between the public and private. In this project, we considered the existing shopping mall as a catalyst to providing the majority of retail and commercial services to entire area.

6.4 DIAGRAMS CIRCULATION & LAND USE

LAND USE

Circulation and Land Use Diagrams

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6.4 DIAGRAMS BLOCK SCALE

222

111

555

444 333

Residential Block Residential ResidentialBlock Block

Office Block Office OfficeBlock Block

210 210 210 210 210 210

215 215 215

Civic Park Block Civic CivicPark ParkBlock Block 230 230 230

340 340 340 220 220 220

250 250 250

FoFo Foo 180 180 180

260 260 260

340 340 340

460 460 460

220 220 220 550 550 550

Block Scale Diagram

6.4 DIAGRAMS

BLOCK SCALE Block 1: Residential The residential blocks are approximately 4,535 sq m (about 48,810 sq ft), with mid-rise buildings that accommodate housing units and a small area of green space.

Block 2: Office The area for office blocks vary depending on the number of buildings on the block. On average, the blocks are 12,260 sq m (about 131,900 sq ft), with open green space and urban plazas that is accessible to the public.

Office& Commercial Office& Commercial CivicCivic Architecture Architecture Residence Residence Street SideSide Retail Street Retail

Block 3: Civic Park The civic park block is approximately 16,350 sq m (about 175,900 sq ft). The area accommodates programmed public space and informal open green space, all within close proximity from surrounding housing and public services on the site.

Block 4: Football Playground The football playground block is approximately 12,870 sq m (about 138,500 sq ft), providing room for a full recreational field and a stadium that could seat thousands of people.

Block 4: Civic Plaza

ootball Playground Football Playground

CivicCivic Plaza Plaza

324 324

360 360

180 180 445 445

385 385

265 265

300 300

There are several civic plaza throughout the conceptual master plan, and they vary in size depending on the use of the adjacent buildings.

Blocks with large civic plazas are approximately 16,300 sq m (about 175,400 sq ft), allowing room for both open spaces and buildings.

Block Scale Diagram and Land Use

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6.4 DIAGRAMS CANAL SYSTEM

Flooding Diagram

6.4 DIAGRAMS LAND USE

The diagram shows the future flooding effects on the current site conditions. This diagram focuses on the canal systems, which is the key point that makes up the vision for this project. It provides different scenarios of sea level rise and its effect on the site.

The left part of the diagram shows the eight layers of infrastructure that make up the project’s focus area; starting with the pedestrian bridge, buildings, barriers, parks, road systems, water friendly platforms/ permeable landscape, storm-water canals, and canal systems. The diagram also shows the elevation of these layers in relationship to the existing elevation of the ground. The right part of the diagram highlights the effects of rising sea levels in relationship to the eight layers of soft and hard infrastructure.

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6.4 DIAGRAMS PARKING SYSTEM As a response to the future impact of sea level rise, we have adopted a system for parking that would accommodate a high density urban area today and fits the projected scenario of climate change in 2100.

We are proposing a system for parking that would partially reside below grade level in recommended parts of the site, as highlighted in the diagram below. All parking will be one and a half meters below ground as a strategy to allow water to flow through the parking areas and flood in due time, and prevent loss of development with expensive building use on ground . Our vision for the future of urban life in Recreio is that it would urbanize to be a place highly influenced by the use of public transit and transportation by foot or bicycle, rather than a vehicular-dominated urban area. This would minimize parking requirement tremendously.

Parking System

6.4 DIAGRAMS BUILDING HEIGHT

In this urban area of high density, building heights vary from as low as three story buildings to fifty five story high-rise towers.

The low-rise buildings on the conceptual diagram below are public services building with sloping roof pavilions as public open space. These buildings also serve as the main connective piece between the two sides of Avenida das AmĂŠricas. The mid rise towers on the site are building with multi-use on every story, allowing a unique relationship of various uses between the public and the private. The midrise buildings illustrated on the diagram below represent a combination of uses including housing, retail, and office in a single mass. The towers and high rise on the site also combine multiple uses per building mass, but are mainly targets to attract large corporations coming into the area; these high rises also accommodate luxury living spaces.

Building Height

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6.5 NODE 1- ENTRADA PRAÇA VISION FOR NODE 2- ENTRADA PRAÇA The vision for Entrada Praça (node 1) focuses on the entrance plaza on Avenida das Américas, which provides people with a sense of arrival as they come into the site via public transit, the pedestrian bridge or the bike path.

The perspective below views towards the main plaza, the entrance into the site from the pedestrian paths that are connected to the civic plaza block. Through this perspective, one can see the various activities that could take place in the plaza space. The plaza itself is programmed to accommodate multitude of uses. The buildings surrounding the plaza at entry are public service buildings and buildings with a mixture of use on the ground level to allow high intensity of social and cultural activities.

sustainable built infrastructure with walkable places and beautiful public plazas, this node also identifies the project’s strategy of utilizing hard infrastructure as a way to defend the rising sea levels in the area. As part of the design, the plaza has semi-permanent low-lying block structures that allow seating during dry seasons. With future scenarios when water level rises, these block structures not only help accomodate flooding in the plaza, but they also act as barriers to keep rising water levels in smaller concentrated areas.

Proposed development for this node emphasizes the importance of accessibility to public space within close proximity to people living on the site. In addition to a

View East of Pedestrian Bridge Over Av. das Americas (top); View of the Plaza at Entry (bottom)

6.5 NODE 1- ENTRADA PRAÇA

ENTRADA PRAÇA

A Plaza as Main Public Space Upon Arrival

Node 1

Entrada Praça includes development around the BRT station on Avenida das Américas, providing people with a place of arrival as they come access the site from the transit line that runs along the arterial. The node diagram highlights the important connecting pieces that relates to the vision for the specific node, including the pedestrian bridge, the major arterial, the plaza space, and surrounding mid-rise towers. Proposed development for this node reimagines the major arterial as a pedestrian friendly zone. The plan shows the pedestrian connectivity between the two sides of the BRT lines along Avenida das Américas, into the entrance plaza, with a pedestrian bridge connecting the two sides.

Node 1

The vision for Node 2 focuses on the entrance plaza, which serves as a place of arrival as people come into the site via public transit. Proposed development for this node reimagines the major arterial as a pedestrian friendly zone. The plan shows the pedestrian connectivity between the two sides of the BRT lines along Avenida das Américas, into the entrance plaza, with a pedestrian bridge connecting the two sides.

View from Avenida das Americas with Pedestrian Bridge Crossing over

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6.5 NODE 1- ENTRADA PRAÇA FROM ENTRADA PRAÇA TO EDGE OF SITE

Section 1, Spanning from West to East of Site

6.5 NODE 1- ENTRADA PRAÇA

ENTRADA PRAÇA

Longitudinal Section The section cuts through the site from west to east, showing the proposed conditions of the site according to new development. The section calls out the new canal (main public space) and the green open space toward the eastern part of the site (far right side of drawing). The green space that the drawing shows is the park adjacent to Entrada Praça.

Entrance to Plaza The section shows the connection from canal to plaza, by highlighting the surrounding buildings that frame the space. The design for the entrance place slightly curves into the site to allow the space to transform into a floodable public plaza when affected by heavy rainfall or sea level rise in the future. The idea for the plaza was inspired by the Floodable Squares by De Urbanisten in the Netherlands (see section 5.4 Open Space Typologies, page 66). In Entrada Praça, we are also proposing a stepping plaza space that can be used for both public seating and water collection at appropriate times.

Section 2, Spanning from Entrance to Plaza to Edge of Site

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6.6 NODE 2- NOVA CANAL NOVA CANAL, THE NEW CANAL IN RECREIO Nova Canal (node 2) is a small area within the focus project site in Recreio that is concentrated with mid-rise buildings of multiple uses and a high-rise research institute tower.

Entrance into Nova Canal is accessed from Est. Ver. Alceu de Carvalho, the road parallel to the existing natural canal.

The perspective below views toward the east, showing the first moment of threshold as people enter this area.

In this smaller area, people are provided with a network of walkable green paths and bike paths. Buildings in Nova Canal are designed to sustain the ecological state of Recreio today, as well as 2100 and beyond. For example, the Research Institute building that is illustrated in this perspective has a large public open space at grade level. The soft infrastructure of this plaza is suitable to accommodate water challenges when necessary and maintain the area after sea level has risen.

View East, from Est. Ver. Alceu de Carvalho: The Research Institute

The perspective on the following page below views towards the eastern part of Nova Canal, showing the new canal in Recreio. The new canal serves as the main public space, where various activities take place and a pedestrian bridge overpasses and connects the site. The perspective also shows the level change in surface space surrounding the canal, which created floodable space at grade level while still permitting activities to take place on the upper surface level of the canal.

6.6 NODE 2- NOVA CANAL

NOVA CANAL

A New Canal as Main Public Space

Node 2

The vision for Nova Canal focuses on the pedestrian connectivity to the surrouding built envrionement.

The diagram shows the specific blocks that are considered part of Nova Canal, some of which include the main public space along the new canal, the linear green paths, and a few office and residential buildings.

The plan emphasizes on a proposed green path that runs between the existing natural canal and the avenue. The plan shows the street network for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic as it connects with the natural canal on one side and proposed buildings on the opposite side.

Node 2

View East: the New Canal (Main Public Space)

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6.6 NODE 2- NOVA CANAL CANAL DE SERNAMBETIBA & NOVA CANAL

Canal de Sernambetiba

Canal de Sernambetiba

Pedestrian

Vehicular

Pedestrian/ Canal

Transit

Section 1, Spanning from Canal de Sernambetiba (west) to Nova Canal (East)

6.6 NODE 2- NOVA CANAL FROM NATURAL TO MAN-MADE

Scenerio 1: Pre- Sea Level Rise Nova Canal

This section cuts through Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho facing north, and it spans from one edge of the existing Canal de Sernambetiba to the edge of Nova Canal. The section illustrates the proposed development for Nova Canal, the first point of entry into the site from the two intersecting avenues.

In the beginning stages of development, it is evident that the water level fully contained and framed within the two canals. The natural canal provides fantastic views from and to the site, and the new proposed canal provides occupiable open space with a unique urban experience of living with canals.

Scenerio 2: Post 1.5 m Sea Level Rise

Nova Canal

This section emphasizes on a projected scenario of sea level rise in Nova Canal, when water rises up to 1.5 meters. On the edge of Canal de Sernambetiba , it illustrates the rise of sea level and its relationship to the bordering open space. On the edge of new canal, the sections shows how the change in water level has flooded the lower terrace space of the canal, leaving only one platform as usable, dry public space.

Section 2, Impact of Sea Level Rise

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6.6 NODE 2- NOVA CANAL GREEN PATH- A CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO AVENUES As part of the vision for creating a walkable and livable community in Recreio, we re-imagined the purpose for Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho, the existing avenue that runs perpendicular to Avenida das AmĂŠricas below the bridge. Because Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho runs parallel to the natural Canal de Sernambetiba, it was an opportunity to create a place where people could experience life on the edge of the water.

one lane Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho, viewing south towards the bridge intersecting the avenue blow.

The existing condition on this avenue is that there are two extra-wide lanes for vehicular traffic. Our vision for this road is simply repurposing a lane by prioritizing the need for a better connected pedestrian infrastructure, while still permitting vehicles to access the route on the other side via narrow lanes.

In Nova Canal, the new Green Path along Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho is key to providing people with space to experience a sustainable and natural environment along a natural river. The Green Path includes wide sidewalks for pedestrians and a wide bike path for cyclists, from which views towards the natural canal is visible.

The perspective below illustrates the reimagination for

View South: The Green Path along Est. Ver. Alceu de Carvalho, under Av. das Americas

6.6 NODE 2- NOVA CANAL GREEN PATH

Green Path for Pedestrians and Cyclists The perspective below faces north and mirrors the new vision for Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho. It illustrated the new pedestrian and bike paths along the natural canal, with vehicular lanes on the other edge. Through this perspective, one can understand the different activities that could be taking place along the natural canal as people occupy the paths.

Proposing green paths for pedestrians and cyclist was an opportunity to truly enhance the pedestrian experience within Recreio. s

View North: The Green Path Along the River and Est. Ver. Alceu de Carvalho

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100 6.7 NODE 3- VILA VERDE GREEN ROOFTOP PAVILLIONS Vila Verde (node 3) is a smaller area within the larger conceptual master plan with vast open green space. The green spaces in Vila Verga are is made up of a number of low-rise building that have sloping roofs with terraces that serve as partially elevated open green space.

The vision for Vila Verde focuses on making green space available for people in a concentrated area of the site.

The vision for Vila Verde is integrating soft and permeable infrastructure that sustains the ecology and environment of the site, while simultaneously permitting people to have access to the public lawns. Vila Verde is surrounded by hardscape public plazas which serve as the hard infrastructure from which water flows into the neighboring canals.

space would direct water away from a concentrated area on the ground. For future scenarios when facing sea level rise, we hope that people would recognize the importance of the hardscape infrastructure in Vila Verde, as well as other nodes within the larger conceptual master plan. With this type of infrastructure, hard and soft landscape are both flexible and adaptive to change in ways that are suitable for the ecological and environmental need of the larger area. As an informally programmed public space, the soft infrastructure that are at the base of these proposed rooftop terraces will serve as a sustainable system for collecting water into the ground and reclaiming water for different domestric use or irrigation purposes.

The vision for proposed development for this node today and in the near future suggests that the hardscape public

View East, from a Rooftop Terrace in Vila Verde towards a Public Plaza

6.7 NODE 3- VILA VERDE 101

VILA VERDE

A Plaza as Main Public Space Upon Arrival

Node 3

Node 3

As identified on the node diagram on this page, Vila Verde focuses on the green terraces that are located at the edge of arterial intersection where Avenida das Américas crosses over Estrada Vereador Alceu de Carvalho. The name “Vila Verde” originated from the idea of having a few green roofs as little green villages within a high density urban site.

In this node, a number of green roofs and sloped green terraces make up a compound of triangular shaped open space for the public. In this node, we wanted the open spaces to be easily accessible from the public from anywhere in the site. This led us to extend the little green villages over to the other side of the arterial, to improve connectivity between new high quality development and existing informal communities (favelas).

Node Location Diagram and Node Plan

102 6.7 NODE 3- VILA VERDE SECTION THROUGH VILLA VERDE

Section 1, Spanning through Avenida das America and Green Terraces (Noth)

6.7 NODE 3- VILA VERDE 103 VILA VERDE

From Avenida das América to Green Terraces The section shows Vila Verde’s relationship between Avenida das Américas (on the left part of the image) and the smaller urban and pedestrian friendly blocks (on the rigtht part of the image). The section also shows how Avenida das Américas connects to the adjacent pedestrian friendly roads.

From Green Terraces to Football Playground The section provides a lively depiction of the urban character of Vila Verde. Activities along the section range from people freely utilizing the public plazas and the informal rooftop green spaces (far left to middle side) to people occupying the larger and more formal recreational playground.

Section 2, Vila Verde View from Green Terraces to Football Playground

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7. PROJECT CONCLUSION

106 7.1 PROJECT CONCLUSION CONCLUSION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We began with a vision for a conceptual master plan that deals with issues of climate change, which then led us to multiple phases of an analysis and design process. This project provided us all with endless opportunities to expand our learning far beyond the classroom setting. Through this project we were able to apply some of the best practices for urban design in a unique global context like Rio de Janeiro.

When we first began to conduct research in Rio de Janeiro, we quickly became aware of the challenges we were going to face in order to develop a clear vision plan for the project.

Some of these challenges included simply adapting to a new culture and familiarizing ourselves with the way the city of Rio de Janeiro itself works. The project was an opportunity for us to take on a completely new challenge with which we were unfamiliar compared to the types of projects we have all worked with over the course of the Urban Design program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

While in Rio de Janeiro, we were able to expand our learning in a broader global context, in a city that is dealing with critical challenges of climate change and sea level rise.

During the early phases of the project in Rio de Janeiro, we had the opportunity to partner with local students from Pontif铆cia Universidade Cat贸lica do Rio de Janeiro with a goal to develop a vision, a concept, and an overall design strategy for the larger case study site and focus area for the project. Partnering with local students from the urbanism and architecture department enabled us all to share our expertise with one another and learn from a diverse set of background and ideas. The experience of conducting preliminary research abroad was also unique because it enriched our knowledge for the local and regional culture of Rio de Janeiro, as well as Zona Oeste, the larger study area for the project. Studies done in Rio de Janeiro set a foundation for us to further develop our project in Charlotte, NC, post studying abroad.

During our experience abroad, other challenges we faced prior to having a clear vision for the project were being able to understand the existing site conditions well and knowing the best urban design approaches and strategies that would Conclusions

be applicable to the local context of Zona Oeste. These challenges motivated us and equipped us to effectively get to know the site as best as we could while we were there.

The project developed with a goal to reinvent the existing urban fabrics of Zona Oeste with sustainable urban design strategies. We aimed for strategies and approaches whose development would sustain the existing and proposed urban fabric of the city when sea level rises at least one and a half meters over the next fifty years. Prior to expanding on the design for this project, we considered working with an focus area within a walking distance to the existing BRT station as a way to promote pedestrian friendly urban neighborhoods within a high density area.

Working in a global context was not the only challenge for this project; some of the cultural constraints to which we had to adapt during various phases of the project development was how immensely different Rio de Janeiro is compared to the culture here at Charlotte, NC. We found that both the geographical and cultural characteristic of Rio de Janeiro greatly differs from Charlotte, a place whose local context most of us are familiar with. We have addressed global urban conditions in Rio de Janeiro according to sustainable urban design strategies that are feasible for the local context of Rio de Janeiro. Local scale and density were also cultural challenges that affected our project and how we chose to represent the scales of urban form in the conceptual master plan. In the local context of Zona Oeste, having large scales and high densities for new development is logical because they are extensions of the kind of development already taking place on the site in both physical and cultural form.

The sustainable strategies we have applied in our project focus on the use of a single type of infrastructure with multi-purpose use. In this project the use of canals as livable public space and water system fulfill the aim of the project respectfully. We were able to consider some of the best practices for urban design that we have learned over the course of the program and apply them to the overall context

7.1 PROJECT CONCLUSION 107

LIVING WITH CANALS, DESIGN TEAM of Rio de Janeiro. Not only has the design for our project “Living with Canals” enabled us to appraoch sustainable strategies that were not familiar us, but the experience of developing the project has given us all a better understanding of the impact of climate change and sea level rise in a wider global context.

Living With Canals, Deign Team Pictured (from left to right): Andrea Campese , Gaoxing Wang, Ravine Mangala, and Simon Le Rouic Not Pictured: Kyle Wyatt and Bruna De Biase at PUC RIo, June 2015 Photos from Rio de Janeiro,, 2015

108

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8. APPENDICES

110 8.1 PRESENTATION BOARDS SITE ANLYSIS AND CONCEPT

Board 1: Introduction, Site Analysis, and Concept

8.1 PRESENTATION BOARDS 111 CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN AND SITE SECTION

Board 2: Conceptual Master Plan and Longitudinal Site Section

112 8.1 PRESENTATION BOARDS CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS AND DIAGRAMS

Board 3: Conceptual Analysis, Aerial and Diagrams

8.1 PRESENTATION BOARDS 113 NODE 1- ENTRADA PRAร A

Board 4: Node 1- Entrada Praรงa

114 8.1 PRESENTATION BOARDS NODE 2: NOVA CANAL

Board 5: Node 2- Nova Canal

8.1 PRESENTATION BOARDS 115 NODE 3- VILA VERDE

Board 6: Node 2- Vila Verde

116 8.2 REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY Endnotes Paradoxcity Studio, “The Big Leak: Project Awarded by the Dutch Pring.” 11 Sep 2010 1.

I Lomholt, “Nordhavn Development Copenhagen.” 26 June 2015. e-architect. http://www.e-architect.co.uk/ copenhagen/north-harbour-copenhagen 2.

Rebuild by Design, “The Big U.” 2015. http://www. rebuildbydesign.org/research/big-team/the-big-u 3.

Laura Bliss, “When Rivers Look LIke Subway Systems.” 8 May 2915. http://www.citylab.com/design/2015/05/whenrivers-look-like-subway-systems/392516/ 4.

Sources that Contibuted to the Resesarch and Design Phases of the Project

8.2 REFERENCES 117

RESOURCES Resouces for Project Methodology (Section 2.3, page 16):

Arueira da Silva. “Documento Indicativo de Areas da Cidadde que Podem ser Atingidas pela Elevação do Nível

United Nations Human Settlements Programme, “Global Report on Human Settlements 2011: Cities and Climate Change.” Earthscan, 2011.

do Mar Devido às Mudanças Climáticas.” October 2007.

United Nations Human Settlements Programme, “Global Report on Human Settlements 2011: Planning Sustainable Cities.” Earthscan, 2009.

Martha Macedo de Lima Barata and Ulisses E. Cavalcanti Confalonieri, “Mapa de Vulnerabilidade da População do Estado do Rio de Janeiro aos Impactos das Mudançs Climaticas nas Areas Social, Saude e Ambiente.”

Feb 2011.

Resources from the Royal Institue of British Architects (RIBA):

Royal Institude of British Architects (RIBA), “Climate Change Tooklik: 07 Designing for Flood Risk.” 2010. www. architecture.com/climatechange Royal Institude of British Architects (RIBA), “Facing Up to Rising Sea-Levels: Retreat? Defend? Attach?” 20 July 2010. http://www.ice.org.uk/Information-­‐resources/ Document-­‐Library/Facing-­‐up-­‐to-­‐rising-­‐sea-­‐levels

RIBA and ICE, “Living with Water: Visions of a Flooded Future.” 2007. http://www.buildingfutures.org.uk/ assets/downloads/pdffile_57.pdf

Resources for Site Documentation and Analysis (Section 3.3, page 24):

Maria Luiza Furtado de mendonca and Luiz Roberto Resources that Contributed to the Research and Design Pahses of the Project