elbelle isle
Niloufar Soltanimofrad Fall of 2019
Submitted by: Niloufar Soltanimofrad
Final Graduate Project to Earn: Master of Landscape Architecture Degree Graduate Committee Members: Bret Betnar, ASLA, PLA Adjunct Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Oklahoma Leehu Loon, ASLA, PLA Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Oklahoma Bryce Lowery, PhD, MLA, MS Assistant Professor of Regional and City Planning, University of Oklahoma
Acknowledgment: I would like to thank my committee chair, Professor Betnar, and my committee members Professor Loon and Dr. Lowery for their support, guidance, and persistent help during my journey at the University of Oklahoma. I would also like to express a deep appreciation to EDSA for giving me the exceptional opportunity to be part of this extraordinary team and for teaching me patiently and endlessly during my internship in fall of 2019. Last but not least, thank you to my parents and my brothers for always believing in me and my dreams. For their endless love, encouragements, infinite spiritual and financial support in all stages of my life.
CON TENTS Chapter 01: Introduction 06 - 07 08 - 09 10 - 11 12 - 13 14 - 15
Project Statement Introduction to the Site History of the Site Strengths and weaknesses of the Site Goals and Objectives
Chapter 02: Research 17 - 19 20 - 33 34 - 55 56 - 63 64
History of the Highways Six Case Studies Strengths, Opportunities, and Weaknesses of El-spaces Spatial Use Analysis and Programing Identified Future Steps
Chapter 03: Design 66 - 75 76 - 81 82 - 103 104 - 106
Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts Design Process and Ideas Final Drawings and Illustrations Conclusion and Citation
Project's Title: el-belle isle Definition of El by Thomas J. Campanella: "It embeds in a place rapid transit, moving passengers above but within the urban landscape.� (Design Trust for Public Space) To honor the history of the site, particularly the disappeared "Belle Isle Lake and Park", the project has been named "el-belle isle".
Chapter 01: Introduction
Project Statement The primary goal of constructing the transportation infrastructures was to connect the communities, however, this purpose began to fade away in the mid50’s and was almost lost by the late 70’s in the major cities of the United States. For almost two decades these massive automobile-centered infrastructures pushed aside the pedestrian’s needs, “had repeatedly taken possession of the most valuable recreation space the city possessed” (Mumford) and were used as a tool to separate communities according to their income, color, social class, and ethnicity. Recently, North American countries have begun to see the spaces below elevated highways (el-spaces), long overlooked, as vital pieces of connective tissue in the urban open space fabric. The “el-belle isle” is a one of a kind project in Oklahoma city, OK that suggests a unique design for the underutilized piece of land below the elevated section of interstate I-44. The project aims to:
Chapter 01: Introduction | Project Statement
Honor and Revive the Location of Disappeared Belle Isle Lake, One of the Amusement Attractions, in Oklahoma County
6
Create a “Better Urban Life” with an emphasis on “Livability, Self-reliance, and Justice” (Jacobs and Appleyard) Improve the Accessibility and Walkability Offer Multi-functional Urban Infrastructures Enhance the Economy
7
Chapter 01: Introduction | Project Statement
Chapter 01: Introduction | Introduction to the Site
Ok la h
8
oma
State
n Cou a m o h Okl a
Location and Zoning Maps The site is located in Oklahoma City within the Oklahoma county in the state of Oklahoma in the United States of America. It is an underutilized state property adjacent to the Penn Square Mall, one of the largest malls in OKC, lies along the NW Expressway below the elevated section of I-44. As the zoning map demonstrates the nearby parcels are mainly in commercial and residential uses (shown in red and yellow respectively).
ty
LEGEND
Penn Square Mall
Studied Site
it y Oklahoma C
SPUD
I-44
NW Expy.
PUD Street Centerline Residential Commercial Institutional Industrial Agricultural Parks/ Open Spaces
Chapter 01: Introduction | Introduction to the Site
Historic Preservation
0
950
1,900
3,800
5,700
7,600 Feet
9
History of The Site During the first decade of 20th century, one of the most famous amusement attractions of OKC was “Belle Isle Park and Lake”. Residents of Oklahoma County would travel to this area in order to spend their free time doing activities such as: swimming, boating, dancing, picnicking and others. (Griffith) Belle Isle Power Plant is remembered as one of the most beautiful
Figure_01
1950 (?)
Power Plants in America. (Belle Isle Plant Destroyed) “Oklahoma Gas & Electric`s (OG&E) Belle Isle Power Plant was a landmark facility in its day. Built in 1930, the plant housed the first gas turbine used to generate electric power at a utility.” When the city asked for cheaper electricity and the amusement park and lake was filled in 70s, the building closed
Figure_02
Figure_03
Bird’s Eye View of the Belle Isle Power Plant
Belle Isle Power Plant
Pennsylvania
NW Expy.
Belle Isle Lake
Belle Isle Power Plant N -The maximum level of interest toward the Belle Isle’s power plant and lake
Penn Square Mall
1 Classen Blvd.
N
Chapter 01: Introduction | History of the Site
Walmart
10
1970
NW Expy. Pennsylvania
1960
1930
2019
-An outdoor shopping center was built
-The power plant was built
Classen Blvd.
1 4 2
3
Figure_01: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/341499584222873185/?lp=true Figure_02: Layden, Logan. The Federal Government Got Oklahoma Hooked On Coal, Now It’s Forcing a Detox | StateImpact Oklahoma. https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2013/05/17/thefederal-government-got-oklahoma-hooked-on-coal-now-its-forcing-a-detox/. Accessed 30 Sept. 2019. Figure_03: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/158470480609716268/?lp=true Figure_04: Griffith, Terry L. Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930. Arcadia Publishing, 1999.
-People a toward t
by OG&E in 1988. (Belle Isle Plant Destroyed) The abandoned plant took two victims; a 27-year old man who died in 1980 and a 12-year old girl in 1995. (Lackmeyer) It seems the plant was still an interesting place where youth and teens liked to explore and hang out. Therefore, it was demolished in 1999, four years after death of the last victim. (Lackmeyer) Both Belle Isle Bath
House and Boat Docks would provide rental water sport facilities. The small row boats could be rented for few pennies for the whole afternoon. Also people could buy a bathing suit from the Bath House. (Griffith)
Figure_04
Figure_05
Figure_06
Belle Isle Bath House
Belle Isle Bath House and Boat Docks
Gate of the Bathing Pool House
-The outdoor shopping center was enclosed to renovate
2
-Death of a 12-year old girl at the power plant -Parking structure was added to the mall
3
2019
-The current condition (the below pictures)
2000
1999
1995
-The power plant was demolished
-The mall was renovated again
4
Figure_05, 06: Oklahoma County Assessor, OK. https://assessor.oklahomacounty.org/PhotoGallery/Album/8. Accessed 30 Sept. 2019. Griffith, Terry L. Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930. Arcadia Publishing, 1999. “Belle Isle Plant Destroyed.” Power Engineering, 1 Mar. 1999, https://www.power-eng.com/1999/03/01/belle-isle-plant-destroyed/. Lackmeyer, Steve. “Girl, 12, Injured in Fall At Belle Isle Power Plant.” Oklahoman.Com, 8 Jan. 1995, https://oklahoman.com/article/2489027/girl-12-injured-in-fall-at-belle-isle-power-plant/.
Chapter 01: Introduction | History of the Site
and the city lost their interests the power plant and the lake
-The power plant was closed -The second level was added to the mall
1988
1980 1982
-Death of 27-year old man at the power plant
11
12
Great Weather Protection
Enclosure and Human Scale Washed-away Soil/ Erosion
Chapter 01: Introduction | Strengths and weaknesses of the Site
The site includes some highway infrastructure that provide the sense of enclosure and human scale, while function as a weather protection for its current residents, homeless people. During the site visits, the lack of safety for pedestrians, unwelcome intrusions such as: noise and trash, and structure’s overshadowing along the site have been observed and identified.
Cars’ Noise
Strengths and Weaknesses
13
Structures’ Overshadowing
Presence of Homelessness
Chapter 01: Introduction | Strengths and weaknesses of the Site
Lack of Accessibility/ Western Edge
Lack of Accessibility/ Eastern Edge
Trash along the Northern Edge
Lack of Accessibility/ Northern Edge
Goals and Objectives The major goal of this project is to alter this underutilized and derelict site to a collective public node that encourages people to be more engaged in social outdoor activities and also to support the local economy. It aims to create a multi-purpose urban environment for everyone, which is more livable, sustainable, accessible and pedestrian-friendly.
1- Better Urban Life -Livability A livable environment that “relatively devoid of noise, danger, dirt, and trash.” (Jacobs and Appleyard) Reconsidering the feeling of not being safe in a dark and semi-closed space. Addressing the issue of homelessness. Finding ways to control the existing noise. Creating a clean and well-managed environment.
-Justice
Chapter 01: Introduction | Goals and Objectives
“An equal opportunity for poor and rich to use public spaces.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
14
Offering a place to the communities that were once disconnected by the highways to celebrate the rebirth of their unity. Supporting more social interactions among people of different social class.
-Self resilient “To become more self-sustain in use of energy and other scarce resources.” (Jacobs and Appleyard) Using the natural resources like sunlight and wind. Converting the produced noise and vibration by the cars to different forms of kinetic art. Improving the stormwater management.
2- Accessibility and Walkability Creating a more connective access to improve the pedestrian’s movement within different parts of the site that are divided by highways. Considering wheelchair accessibility. Encouraging people to have a healthier way of living by getting away from their cars to walk, run, and bike.
Provide weather protection. Collecting the water from overhead structures. (Storm water management facilities) Offering an enormous urban canvas and gallery. Installing and hanging play equipment from the structures. Finding a more efficient way to use the existing urban resources like the highway structures in order to answer the concern of population growth.
4- Enhanced Economy Providing a place to sell local art and products. Increasing the land value and supporting the new developments. Offering new job opportunities during the build and maintenance phases of the project. Attracting more costumers for the current businesses by encouraging people to eat at the nearby restaurants or shop at the mall.
Chapter 01: Introduction | Goals and Objectives
3- Multi functional Infrastructure
15
Chapter 02: Research
The primary purposes of building highways have changed over time. In 1950, the Federal Highway Act Program has been developed to improve: 1-Safety, 2-Congestion, 3-Courts, 4-Economy, and 5-Defense. (Weingroff) However, for almost two decades (19571977) these initial goals were forgotten and at the time the automobiles had been valued more than people’s needs. Unfortunately, thousands of people of color living in lowincome neighborhoods were relocated and consequently the communities became separated by the urban freeways. (Schmitt) In 1968, the urban planner, Mumford, described the influence of a highway on vegetation and humans as: “the passage of a tornado or the blast of an atom bomb”. The city and its infrastructures should first be considered as part of man’s care and culture rather than just being planned as a passage for the motorists. (Mumford) Later, some professional firms began to overlook the leftover pieces of highways to reconnect
the disconnected communities. One of the great examples is Freeway Park designed by Lawrence Halprin and Angela Danadjieva in 1976. In 2006, James Corner, one of the contemporary leaders of Landscape Urbanism revolution, challenged the architects, landscape architects, urban planners, and civil engineers to see their professions as the design components of one city aiming mutual goals. Which in case of elspace means all the professions specifically landscape architects, urban planners, and civil engineers should work together to create multi-functional highway infrastructures that function more than a passage for the cars. Susan Chin, the Design Trust’s Executive Director states: “Our infrastructure has to be much more multi-functional. It can’t just serve a single purpose. We have to blur the boundaries between one infrastructure and another.” (Mortice)
Chapter 02: Research | History of the Highways
History of The Highways
17
18
1980
1976 1977
1970
1968
1960
1956 1957
1950
Chapter 02: Research | History of the Highways
The design firms started finding some design solutions to reconnect the separated communities like the Freeway Park1976. (Freeway Park | The Cultural Landscape Foundation)
FIRST DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Mumford in the The Highway and the City writes: “In many parts of the country the building of a highway has about the same result upon vegetation and human structures as the passage of a tornado or the blast of an atom bomb.”,” The motorway has repeatedly taken possession of the most valuable recreation space the city possesses.” (Mumford)
RESULT UPON VEGETATION AND CITY
Nearly 500,000 households were compelled to relocate by the construction of the interstate highway system between 1957 and 1977. Most were people of color living in lowincome neighborhoods. (Schmitt)
SEPARATION OF THE COMMUNITIES
Missouri, Kansas, and Pennsylvania; The first three states constructing interstate highways. (Weingroff)
THE FIRST INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS
The Federal Highway Act program was overlooked to address these initial intends: 1-Safety, 2-Congestion, 3-Courts, 4-Economy, and 5-Defense. (Weingroff)
THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ACT PROGRAM
19
Chapter 02: Research | History of the Highways
2019 2020
2016 2017
2010
2006
2000
1990
Susan Chin, the Design Trust’s Executive Director says: “Our infrastructure has to be much more multi-functional. It can’t just serve a single purpose. We have to blur the boundaries between one infrastructure and another. ” (Mortice)
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES
In March of 2016, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, said: “We now know—overwhelmingly—that our urban freeways were routed through low-income neighborhoods. Instead of connecting us to each other, highway decision makers separated us.” (Berg)
AN AVOWAL ON THE DARK FACT
James Corner in Terra Fluxus writes: “…architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and planning are moving toward a shared form of practice, for which the term landscape holds central significance, as described through the formulation landscape urbanism”. (Corner)
LANDSCAPE URBANISM IN TERRA FLUXUS
Map of The Case Studies
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
06
20
01
02
03
Bentway Park Toronto, ON
Underpass Park Toronto, ON
Underground at Ink Block Park Boston, MA
04 01 02 03 05
CANADA
04
05
06
Lowline Park Manhattan, NY
The Underline Miami, FL
Buffalo Bayou Park Houston, TX
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
USA
21
Case Studies
01- Bentway Park, Toronto, ON 749,986 Ft2 - 17.2 Acre Public Work and Greenberg Consultants
The Bentway Park is a linear park below the Toronto’s elevated Gardiner Expressway, that connects seven neighborhoods and over 70,000 residents. It improves the public access to important destinations of the city such as Form York National Historic Site, Ontario Place Exhibition Place to Harbourfront Centre and the CN Tower. Furthermore, it
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_01
22
Figure_02
provides a great opportunity for the users to experience the site’s unique histories, features and possibilities. This project is the result of a collaboration between several private and public organizations; Waterfront Toronto, Judy and Wilmot Matthews, Ken Greenberg Consultants, Public Work, Fort York National Historic Site, and Artscape. (About The Bentway)
Figure_03
Figure_05
Figure_06
Figure_07
Figure_08
Figure_09
Figure_01: https://www.citylab.com/design/2018/02/in-toronto-a-likeable-space-arrives-underneath-a-loathed-expressway/553187/ Figure_02, 10: https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2018/01/unveiling-bentway-skate-trail?mc_cid=59fae21b84&mc_eid=39b40e5345 Figure_03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09: https://network.thehighline.org/projects/the-bentway/ Figure_04: “About The Bentway.� The Bentway, http://www.thebentway.ca/about/. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Figure_10
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_04
23
02- Underpass Park, Toronto, ON
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
126,932 Ft2 - 3.0 Acre PFS Studio and Planning Partnership
24
The West Don Land is one of the largest civic water front developments in North America that includes Corktown Common and some new residential communities. One of the small pieces of this huge urban puzzle is the Underpass Park located below/ around Richmond and Adelaide overpass. (Margolies) The previous condition of the site has been described as a dangerous, largely ignored, forgotten and forlorn area with no value to the communities, that was merely used for illegal activities and informal parking space. (Underpass Park | 2016 ASLA Professional Awards) There are some effective sustainable design strategies being used in this project such as: LED lighting, selection of plants based on their tolerance ability/ being low maintenance and lastly the recycled materials for the surfaces. “Under pass park is part of Waterfront Toronto’s Stage 1 Gold
certification under the LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND) pilot program. Some of the sustainability best practices incorporated into the park’s design include energy efficient LED lighting; drought, salt and shade tolerant planting for minimal maintenance and irrigation; recycled material on play surfaces, and the reuse of historical granite cobblestones excavated within the area.” (*) Figure_01
Figure_02
Figure_03
Figure_04
Figure_06
Figure_07
Figure_01, 02: Margolies, Jane. “Low Overhead.” Landscape Architecture Magazine, https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2017/03/13/low-overhead/. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_03, 04, 05, 06, 07: “Underpass Park | 2016 ASLA Professional Awards” American Society of Landscape Architects, https://www.asla.org/2016awards/165332.html. Accessed 28 June 2019. (*): https://waterfrontoronto.ca/nbe/wcm/connect/waterfront/125da962-c580-437e-8918-58542f02d8be/underpass_park___key_facts_july_2012_final_1.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=125da962c580-437e-8918-58542f02d8be
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_05
25
03- Underground at Ink Block Park, Boston, MA 260,549 Ft2 - 6.0 Acre Landing Studio and VHB Engineering
The Ink Block is a redesigned underpass below Boston’s I-93 Expressway that relinks Boston’s south end and south Boston neighborhoods. The project emphasizes on two aspects strongly; 1-ecology/ stormwater management and 2-art. The water would be collected from the viaducts, stored, filtered and will be drained to the rain gardens and main drainage systems like channels. (2015
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_01
26
Figure_02
Awards) Also the street art at this project plays a key role. Eleven street artists, who are famous and influential, transformed 9 walls including the area of 150,000 Sq. Ft. to a huge urban art installation. (Underground at Ink Block) The project offers a strong programming to make a recreational and cultural space that is multi-model accessible to all residents. (Underground at Ink Block)
Figure_03
Figure_05
Figure_07
Figure_08
Figure_09
Figure_06
Figure_10
“2015 Awards.” The Waterfront Center, http://www.waterfrontcenter.org/Awards2017/2017Awards.html. Accessed 28 June 2019. “Underground at Ink Block.” Underground Ink Block, https://undergroundinkblock.com/about-2. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_01, 02: Boroyan, Nate. “MassDOT Infra-Space 1 Boston: South End I-93 Underpass Project Renderings.” BOSTINNO, Sept. 2014, https://www.americaninno.com/boston/massdot-infra-space1-boston-south-end-i-93-underpass-project-renderings/. Figure_04: “Underground at Ink Block.” Underground Ink Block, https://undergroundinkblock.com/about-2. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10: “Infra-Space 1: Underground at Ink Block.” LANDING STUDIO, http://www.landing-studio.com/infra-space-1. Accessed 2 Oct. 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_04
27
04- Lowline Park, Manhattan, NY
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
43,560 Ft2 - 1 Acre Raad Studio and Lowline Lab
28
The Lowline is the first under ground park benefiting from the natural sunlight. The site of this project had been entirely abandoned since 1948 when its main purpose of serving as a trolley terminal began to decay by the development of technology. (The Lowline) Since this site is adjacent to the J/M/A subway line, it never can function as a transit node again. Therefore, the founders of Lowline, James Ramsey and Dan Barasch decided to turn it to the first under ground park. Ramsey describes this historic site: “the Lowline is not an Urban technology, but an Urban archaeology, a futuristic space where you can discover and experience an era of New York history often hidden from view. Caught between past and future, the Lowline will be a space designed to suspend modern-day reality, to just discover, explore, and maybe even recapture our lost sense of wonder.” (Quirk)
The plants’ survival and flourish confirm an ideal condition for plant growth and the success of new discovered technology by the team. The Lowline Lab worked on over 1000 plants including 100 different species, mostly edibles. (Quirk) The selection and placement of the plants were in a correlation with the amount of received light in the specific areas. Beside the light, the team also stimulated the humidity and temperature in the lab to help the plants to thrive. (Ameri) Figure_01
Figure_02
Figure_03
Figure_04
Figure_06
Figure_07
“The Lowline.” The Lowline, http://thelowline.org/about/project/. Accessed 14 July 2019. Quirk, Vanessa. “Disruptive Minds: James Ramsey, Designer of the Low Line.” ArchDaily, 6 Aug. 2012, http://www.archdaily.com/260327/disruptive-minds-james-ramsey-designer-of-the-low-line/. Ameri, Luca. “The Landscape Architecture Behind the Lowline.” ArchDaily, 17 Dec. 2015, http://www.archdaily.com/778856/the-landscape-architecture-behind-the-lowline. Figure_01, 02: Rosenfield, Karissa. “Delancey Underground a.k.a ‘The Low Line.’” ArchDaily, 30 Nov. 2011, http://www.archdaily.com/188295/delancey-underground-a-k-a-the-low-line/. Figure_03, 04, 05, 06, and 07: Ameri, Luca. “The Landscape Architecture Behind the Lowline.” ArchDaily, 17 Dec. 2015, http://www.archdaily.com/778856/the-landscape-architecture-behind-thelowline.
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_05
29
05- The Underline, Miami, FL 10 Miles Field Operations
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
The Underline is a linear park, an urban trail, and a canvas for artists. The Field Operations writes “The Underline is anchored on the north end at the Miami River near Brickell Avenue, Miami’s fast-growing financial district, and on the south end by the Dadeland South Metrorail Station serving Dadeland, one of the country’s highest grossing malls.” (Underline - Project Details) The underline connects different components of the city such as: the neighborhoods, institutions, parks, canals, and the Miami river, while providing an public art museum and a green trail covered by native plants for pedestrians and bikers. It improves the economy for the residence, businesses, and properties during its different phases. (Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail
30
— The Underline) For instance, one study estimated the creation of 1000 jobs during the construction phase, and 400 permanent jobs in later phases like the operation and maintenance of the park. The Underline also increases the value of land and consequently the tax of properties. As a result, developers can use the earned extra tax to construct other projects. (Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline) Figure_01
Figure_03
Figure_04
Figure_05
Figure_06
Figure_07
Figure_08
Figure_09
Figure_10
“Underline - Project Details.” Field Operations, https://www.fieldoperations.net/project-details/project/the-underline.html. Accessed 28 June 2019. “Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline.” The Underline, https://www.theunderline.org/. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_01 to 10: “Underline - Project Details.” Field Operations, https://www.fieldoperations.net/project-details/project/the-underline.html. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_02
31
06- Buffalo Bayou Park, Houston, TX
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
6,969,600 Ft2 - 160 Acre SWA Group
32
The Buffalo Bayou Park has brought positive ecological impacts such as: erosion reduction, expansion of flood control capacity, and the creation of habitats. The landscape architects used some crucial strategies like naturalizing the river banks and some native plants including wild flowers and prairies to control the risk of flooding. Scott McCready, one of the principles at SWA, says: “Buffalo Bayou and all bayous function as these primary drainage ways for the city which is a flat city. That’s extremely important to control their flooding. But we can overlay that with smart design that allows for people to use that and really elevate the value of that land.” (Buffalo Bayou Park) Lunar Cycle Lighting is a smart technique being used in the project to adjust the color of the trails based on different phases of the moon. Basically when the moon is brighter during the full waning, the lights are whiter and brighter. Before and after the full moon, waning
phases, the artificial lights would be blue. (Shilcutt) Furthermore, the project revives a historic site by being given a new identity. Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a noticeable archaeological site that was integrated into the project successfully. McCready adds: “...We put a very simple performance lawn with a stage. And directly beneath that is the old Cistern was developed in 1920s. It’s been restored and we’ve designed facility that has rotating art exhibits in a very unique space.” (Buffalo Bayou Park). Figure_01
Figure_02
Figure_03
Figure_04
Figure_06
Figure_07
“Buffalo Bayou Park.” Buffalo Bayou Partnership, https://buffalobayou.org/visit/destination/buffalo-bayou-park/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2019. Shilcutt, Katharine. “Tune In to Buffalo Bayou Park.” Houstonia, 23 Jan. 2017, https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2017/1/23/houston-public-media-audio-tour-buffalo-bayou-park. Figure_01 to 07: “Buffalo Bayou Park - SWA Group.” SWA, https://www.swagroup.com/projects/buffalo-bayou-park/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Case Studies
Figure_05
33
Strengths and Opportunities of El-spaces I. Walkability The highway engineers rarely have included the pedestrian access in their initial thoughts owing to what Mumford calls a “lack of both historic insight and social memory”, while he also believes that: “Every urban transportation plan should, accordingly, put the pedestrian at the center of all its proposals”. (Mumford) The studies show that the key to having a sustainable city is walkability. (Foryth and Southworth) “Like bicycling, walking is a ‘green’ mode of transport that not only reduces congestion, but also has low environmental impact, conserving energy without air and noise pollution.” (Foryth and Southworth) Beside the environmental impacts, walkability can improve the social aspects, recreational values (Foryth and Southworth), and residential and commercial property values. (Guo et al.)
Multifunctional Infrastructures
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
Better Urban Life
34
Sense of Enc
Figure_01: Underline Park Walking and Running
Figure_02: Underline Park Biking
“Miami is one of the top four most dangerous places to walk and bike in the country”, Mag Daly, the founder and president of Friends of Underline states. (“Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline”) The Underline has been described as a transformed land below Miami’s Metrorail that improves the pedestrian’s and bicyclist’s accessibility. (“Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline”) “The Underline will create an active, connected pedestrian and bike thoroughfare with regular features, encouraging residents to get out of their cars…” (“Underline - Project Details”), “…to walk, bike, and take mass transit as an alternative to driving making us a healthier, greener, more mobile, connected and sustainable community”. (“Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline”)
II.
Better Urban Life
A redesigned el-space can be the demonstration of what Jacobs and Appleyard identify as a healthy environment; “A number of goals that we deem essential for future of good urban environment: 1-livability, 2-Identity and control, 3-Access to opportunity imagination and joy, 4-Authenticity and meaning, 5-Open communities and public life, 6-Self-reliance and 7-Justice.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
1-Livability: “This means a well-managed environment relatively devoid of nuisance, overcrowding, noise, danger, air pollution, dirt, trash and other unwelcome intrusions.” (Jacobs and Appleyard) Underground at Ink Block Park is a successful example enhancing the livability.
Weather Protection Urban Art Exhibition
closure and Human Scale
Figure_03: Ink Block Park Well-managed
Figure_04: Ink Block Park Welcoming
For several decades the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)’s concentration was on the I-93’s duty and its capability in traffic control with the minimum attention to “unintended consequences” within the area such as: “drug needles, homeless tents and broken bottles”. (Boroyan) Not only has today’s Underground at Ink Park been able to resolve the absence of livability, but it also has an emphasis on connectivity, recreation, culture, art, and most notable one is an ecological technique in stormwater management. (“Underground at Ink Block”)
Figure_01, 02: “Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline.” The Underline, https://www.theunderline.org/. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_03, 04: “Underground at Ink Block.” Underground Ink Block, https://undergroundinkblock.com/about-2. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
Walkability
35
(CONTINUED)
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
2-Identity and Control: “The urban environment should be an environment that encourages people to express themselves, to become involved, to decide what they want and act on it.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
36
Figure_01/ Figure_02: Underline Park - Community Meetings
The redesigned el-spaces would allow people to get involved and shape the urban environments individually or collectively. By programming these shared areas, people would feel more invited and attached to the sites that previously had no value. (Jacobs and Appleyard) The Friends of Underline have had a series of community meetings to construct this trust path. Meg Daly says: “People have told us what they want. They want two paths; one for bicyclists and one for pedestrians. They want lighting, native landscaping, public art, seating, water fountain and cross walks. They want neighborhood parks…” (“Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline”)
Figure_03: Ink Block Park - Hubway
Figure_04: Ink Block Park - Subway
A good city must be able to give the people a variety of opportunities, options, and alternatives to pick from; like places to live and work. Besides, there must be some places within the city that every citizen rehearse fun, joy, and magical feelings; places where they can give themselves a break from the serious and stressful daily life. (Jacobs and Appleyard) A simple and brief example can be the fact of accessibility in Underground at Ink Block. The site is reachable in a multi-model way, which allows 1000 adjacent residents to have variety of options to enter the site; walking, biking, driving personal car, taking Hubway, subway, and bus. (“Underground at Ink Block”)
Figure_01, 02: “June 25th Underline Public Meeting.” The Underline, 3 July 2015, https://www.theunderline.org/2015/07/03/june25th-underline-public-meeting/ Figure_03:https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3456719,-71.0613966,3a,60y,246.31h,90.14t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMzcpbgPtL XWqD-N67s7UUQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en Figure_04:https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3426897,-71.0569682,3a,75y,170.38h,94.59t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sB_ SDIntIGmjurjm0jmTqRA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
3-Access to Opportunity, Imagination, and Joy: “People should find the city a place where they can break from traditional molds, extend their experience, meet new people, leam other viewpoints, have fun.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
37
(CONTINUED)
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
4-Authenticity and Meaning: “All this means an urban environment should reveal its significant meanings; it should not be dominated only by one type of group, the powerful; neither should publicly important places be hidden.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
38
Figure_01/ Figure_02: Bentway Park - Origins of Places
Connectivity and accessibility can have a major impact in assisting people in discovering the city’s opportunities and places. The Bentway Park provides a great opportunity for the users to experience the site’s unique history, features, and possibilities such as: Fort York National Historic Site, Ontario Place Exhibition Place to Harbourfront Centre, and the CN Tower. (“About The Bentway”) This is an authentic, meaningful, and accessible design that gives people the power of discovering the “origins of things and places” or in other words the history of a place. (Jacobs and Appleyard)
Figure_03: Bentway Park - The Central piece of 7 Neighborhoods
In general, public spaces like el-spaces have key roles in enhancement of the social interactions. They provide urban social context and encourage people to be more involved in collective activities. (Jacobs and Appleyard) The Bentway Park is a civic multi-functional project that connects 7 neighborhoods and over 70,000 residents. Matthews, the donor, states: “Our goal is to create a place for the surrounding neighborhoods, for many residents who don’t have front or backyards in which to play, and the whole city to come together and enjoy each other’s company and experience the outdoors.” (Calvet)
Figure_01, 02, 03: “The Bentway - High Line Network.” High Line Network, https://network.thehighline.org/projects/the-bentway/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
5-Community and Public Life: “Cities should encourage participation of their citizens in community and public life.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
39
(CONTINUED)
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
6-Self-reliance: “Increasingly cities will have to become more selfsustaining in their uses of energy and other scarce resources.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
40
Figure_01: Ink Block Park - Stormwater Management
In Underground at Ink Park, the ecological impacts are mainly determined to enhance a better stormwater management in city of Boston. The water would be collected from the viaducts, stored, filtered and will be drained to the rain gardens and main drainage systems like channels. There are some installed signs in the park explaining how the system works to the public. The Water Center states: “Highway runoff is now diverted into a managed landscape of circular dissipation basins and filtering plants that flows beneath a meandering boardwalk. Leaves, debris and detritus are visible during the day and signs explain water flow around the site.” (“2015 Awards”)
Figure_02/ Figure_03: Underline Park - Equal Opportunity
The communities that were once disconnected by highways can celebrate the rebirth of their unity in these areas. An el-space is a powerful linear piece that ties back all people and places directly or indirectly; people who are poor or rich, black or white, young or old, walkers, runners or handicapped can access different parts of a city equally. The Underline is the example of 10 mile linear park aiming to connect several neighborhoods and components of the city of Miami; “…the corridor offers an opportunity to create a distinctive park influenced by its inherent attributes; ..., the relationship to existing neighborhoods, institutions, parks, canals, and the Miami River, …” (“Underline - Project Details”)
Figure_01: Boroyan, Nate. “MassDOT Infra-Space 1 Boston: South End I-93 Underpass Project Renderings.” BOSTINNO, Sept. 2014, https://www.americaninno.com/boston/massdot-infra-space-1-boston-south-end-i-93-underpass-project-renderings/. Figure_02, 03: “Underline - Project Details.” Field Operations, https://www.fieldoperations.net/project-details/project/the-underline. html. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
7-Justice: “Good urban design must be for the poor as well as the rich. Indeed, it is more needed by the poor.” (Jacobs and Appleyard)
41
III.
Weather Protection
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
“The overhead assemblages deliver varying degrees of shelter from rain and sun while the ground plane—frequently a roadway, sidewalk, or parking lot—forms a level surface for various activities.” (Bauer et al.)
42
Figure_01/ Figure_02: Underpass Park - Massive Weather Protection
In hot climates, these urban canopies can function as shade structures and reduce the severity of sunlight. While, in cold and wet climates, their tasks could be modified to an urban windbreaker, an umbrella, or a shelter. In the different resources describing the Underpass Park this fact has been mentioned; “The fact that the roadways provide a roof over all these spaces means they are usable even when it’s raining or snowing or heat and sun make paved areas elsewhere inhospitable—a huge plus.” (Margolies), “Essentially serving as “free for the taking” massive weather protection, the ceilings of the overpasses now invite year-round use”. (“Underpass Park | 2016 ASLA Professional Awards”)
IV.
Economic Growth
Figure_03/ 04/ 05/ 06: Bentway Park - Career Opportunities
-New Development and Job Opportunities: As the land value and the property tax go up, the desire and availability of finance to develop more projects will increase. The earned tax property can be invested into new developments and the economic chain continues to grow consequently. (“Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline”) In addition, the case studies confirm an increase in creation of job openings in the process of construction and operation. (“Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline”) For instance, some job opportunities have been posted on the Bentway Park’s original website since September 2018 to December 2018; Office Assistant, Facilities Supervisor, Rink Attendant, and Urban Rangers. (“News & Updates - The Bentway”)
Figure_01, 02: “Underpass Park | PFS Studio.” PFS Studio, http://pfsstudio.com/project/underpass-park/. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_03, 04, 05, and 06: “News & Updates - The Bentway.” The Bentway, http://www.thebentway.ca/news/. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
-Change in Residential Property Value Lands: : Few papers confirm the influence of some factors in increasing the nearby residential property value lands; walkability (Guo et al.) and both physical proximity and aesthetic impacts of the greenways (Nicholls and Crompton). The findings show that an el-space is a potential linear green space located under a major transportation route that specifically improves the walkability.
43
V.
Enclosure and Human Scale
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
-Sense of Enclosure: This means the sense of being in a defined space formed by vertical elements. The factor technically discusses the correlation between the height and width of the space to create roomlike enclosure. (Ewing) He continues: “Cullen (1961, p. 29) states that “enclosure, or the outdoor room, is, perhaps, the most powerful, the most obvious, of all the devices to instill a sense of position, of identity with the surroundings.… It embodies the idea of here-ness.”” (Ewing)
44
Figure_01/ Figure_02: Bentway Park - A Civic Living Room
-Human Scale: Ewing continues: “Human scale refers to a size, texture, and articulation of physical elements that match the size and proportions of humans and, equally important, correspond to the speed at which humans walk.” (Ewing) One of our main goals in redesigning the el-spaces is to make the elevated highways more walkable and pedestrian friendly. Hence, the design scale and speed compared to driving a car would be smaller and less, while the accuracy of the details would increase. The height of infrastructures in el-spaces generate the Sense of Enclosure and Human Scale. (Bauer et al.) Ken Greenberg describes the Bentway Park as: “A great urban canopy which you can never afford to build from scratch. It’s a roof for a civic living room.” (Mason)
VI.
Multi-Functional Infrastructures
Figure_03/ Figure_04: Ink Block Park - Multifunctional Infrastructures
Susan Chin, the Design Trust’s Executive Director, says: “New York is projecting a million more New Yorkers by 2040. We’re also projecting by 2020 to have 67 million tourists. That has a huge impact on our neighborhoods. Our infrastructure has to be much more multifunctional”. (Mortice) Beside the need, Design Trust also believes that people’s vision and expectation toward the environment has been changing. Users would like to utilize an area that is multi-functional and not a single purpose. (Mortice) The el-spaces are important pieces in shaping a multi-functional urban context at the ground level. (Bauer et al.)
Figure_01, 02: Calvet, Stephanie. “Unveiling The Bentway Skate Trail | UrbanToronto.” URBAN TORONTO, 8 Jan. 2018, https:// urbantoronto.ca/news/2018/01/unveiling-bentway-skate-trail. Figure_03, 04: “Underground at Ink Block.” Underground Ink Block, https://undergroundinkblock.com/about-2. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
There are always some concerns about the consequences of population growth in the cities. As the population grows, the request for places to live, work, eat, play will increase. One of the highlighted topics in the global scale of things has been finding ways to govern the use of scarce resources and in the case of our discussion the value of land and infrastructure.
45
VII.
Enormous Urban Art Exhibition
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
-Street Art and Graffiti: The new generation of street art has been going beyond just “a creative play between artist and the physical city”; it is more like a powerful tool for individuals to affect the aesthetic aspects of their cities. (Burnham) Burnham writes: “This new street-level language of design—non-commissioned, non-invited interventions in the urban landscape—transforms the fixed landscape of the city into a
46
Figure_01/ 02: Underpass Park Realities of the Streets and Social Awareness
platform for a design dialogue.” (Burnham) A platform which artists become inspired by the “realities of the streets” in order to share “social awareness” with public. (Burnham) At the Underpass Park, the two artists “Lovegates and Labrona” had also inspired by watching the local people within the surrounding communities; ““This baby lives in that building,” he (Lovegates) continued, gesturing at an apartment building on the Corktown Common side of Underpass Park. The man he’s already depicted seated in a wheelchair rolls through regularly. Lovegates said he met his subjects while working on the first mural he and Labrona did in the park.” (Margolies)
Figure_01, 02: “Underpass Park | 2016 ASLA Professional Awards.” American Society of Landscape Architects, https://www.asla. org/2016awards/165332.html. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_03, 04: WATERLICHT - The Bentway. http://www.thebentway.ca/event/waterlicht/. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Figure_03/ 04: Bentway Park Public Message of Clean Water and Climate Change
aiding in wayfinding and a sense of safety.” (“Underpass Park | 2016 ASLA Professional Awards”) The studies show that alongside the function, the usage of lightening in an el-space makes the project capable to improve the visual interests and to host the artistic light exhibitions that deliver educational or historical messages to the public. WATERLICHT is the first site-wide light installation at Bentway Park, which was produced by a Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde. Originally, the LEDs, special software, and lenses had been used to create this digital art for the Dutch District Water Board. The meaningful message behind the WATERLICHT is to highlight the worldwide importance of “clean water, the environment, and climate change” by “simulating a virtual flood and calling attention to rising water levels along Toronto’s shoreline”. (WATERLICHT - The Bentway) The traveling exhibition has been displayed in some of the most famous cities in the world such as: Amsterdam, London, Paris, and recently in Toronto. (WATERLICHT - The Bentway) The Bentway Park was picked as the host-site due to its unique location that was once part of the original shoreline of Lake Ontario. (WATERLICHT The Bentway)
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
-Lightening and Kinetic Art: Lightening at these projects can change the user’s night experience from being within a scary and dark space to a safe and inviting one. The lightening at Underpass Park has been described as: “Existing column archways are uplit in bright, imaginative colors that help to reinvent the space at night, drawing attention to its depth and repetitive makeup, providing an animated night experience and
47
Design Challenges and Solutions 1-Lack of Accessibility 2-Sound Pollution
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
3-Shelters for Homeless 4-Structure’s Overshadowing
48
Figure_01: https://waterfrontoronto.ca/nbe/wcm/connect/waterfront/aa2987da-d7b7-4f19-ad98-8ba307869cff/2016_05_31___undergardiner_pic_2_presentation___web_resolution_1.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=aa2987da-d7b7-4f19-ad98-8ba307869cff Figure_02: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6555621,-79.3548471,3a,75y,38.73h,93.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6UU8jEfoSfZkIlEJmBfyxA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en Figure_03: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3441249,-71.0621535,3a,60y,72.08h,78.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDEjccA-c_M5QE2kui_zuMQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en Figure_04: “Underground at Ink Block.” Underground Ink Block, https://undergroundinkblock.com/about-2. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_05: https://www.google.com/maps/@29.7629625,-95.391892,2a,75y,107.54h,90.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOPyGaOfbsDeAQOyzv5f3EQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Figure_06: “Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline.” The Underline, https://www.theunderline.org/. Accessed 28 June 2019.
I.
Lack of Accessibility
Figure_01: Pedestrian Bridge Bentway Park
Figure_02: Pedestrian Bridge Underpass Park
Figure_03: Traffic Light and Pedestrian Crosswalk | Underground at Ink Block Park
Figure_04: Painted Intersections Underground at Ink Block Park
Figure_05: Pedestrian Bridge Buffalo Bayou Park
Figure_06: Painted Intersections & Flashing Beacons | Underline Park
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
Complicated setting of an el-space’s site might challenge the designers. There are some design solutions being used in the studied projects such as: enhancement of the pedestrian crosswalks, addition of traffic lights, painted intersections, flashing beacons, and pedestrian bridges in order to improve the pedestrian’s access.
49
II.
Sound Pollution and the Noise Study
The sound below the elevated highways has always been a noticeable topic; “even Thomas Edison developed a “self-registering phonometer” to conduct some experiments on the sound level along these infrastructures”. (Bauer et al.) The below data was collected in four case studies during rush hour traffic.
Bentway Park - Toronto, ON
a
b
Underpass Park - Toronto, ON Underground at Ink Block Park - Boston, MA
120dB
100dB
100dB
80dB
80dB
80dB
60dB
60dB
60dB
40dB
40dB
40dB
20dB
1
2
3min
e
20dB
1
a
Avg: 72.3 Min: 65.7 Max: 80.4 Peak: 84.0
d
2
3min
1
b
Avg: 72.6 Min: 64.6 Max: 85.5 Peak: 89.3
120dB
120dB
120dB
100dB
100dB
100dB
80dB
80dB
80dB
60dB
60dB
60dB
40dB
40dB
40dB
20dB
2
3min
c
Avg: 69.3 Min: 61.9 Max: 80.2 Peak: 82.2
20dB
20dB
f 1
2
3min
i
g
1
d
Avg: 68.3 Min: 61.5 Max: 82.7 Peak: 86.3
l
120dB
100dB
80dB
80dB
80dB
60dB
60dB
60dB
40dB
40dB
40dB
20dB
2
3min
3min
f
20dB
1
g
2
Avg: 75.2 Min: 61.4 Max: 89.9 Peak: 95.4
100dB
2
3min
1
h
Avg: 71.4 Min: 65.6 Max: 81.0 Peak: 84.8
2
3min
i
Avg: 78.5 Min: 70.7 Max: 92.3 Peak: 95.5
120dB
120dB
120dB
120dB
100dB
100dB
100dB
100dB
80dB
80dB
80dB
80dB
60dB
60dB
60dB
60dB
40dB
40dB
40dB
40dB
20dB
20dB
1
m
e
Avg: 74.4 Min: 60.1 Max: 86.2 Peak: 91.4 120dB
Avg: 78.6 Min: 68.7 Max: 88.0 Peak: 90.9
k
1
3min
100dB
1
h
2
120dB
20dB
j Buffalo Bayou Park - Houston, TX
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
120dB
100dB
20dB
c
50
120dB
Avg: 75.8 Min: 67.9 Max: 88.8 Peak: 94.6
2
3min
20dB
1
j
2
Avg: 84.6 Min: 67.6 Max: 104.6 Peak: 110.5
3min
20dB
1
k
2
Avg: 93.2 Min: 69.5 Max: 111.0 Peak: 113.8
3min
1
l
2
Avg: 85.8 Min: 68.9 Max: 102.7 Peak: 108.6
3min
m
c Ro
s ert nc o kC
140dB 130
120 110 100
90
80
str du
e ois lN ia
Nor ma lC o
m it f or In
Jac kH Di am sc me o r sa m OS HA nd Li
rt fo
70
tion sa er v n
60dB
m 60dB l 70 k 80 j 90 i 100 h 110
g f
120 e 130
d c
140 db a
b
Min
Max
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
Pa in
The result of this study demonstrates that the average points of the noise in these case studies vary from 68 to 93dB. This means that the noise will not cause any sort of discomfort or pain, however, the minimum dB in the “point l” for example, was measured at 69.5 dB, while the Maximum dB in the same spot was recorded 111.0 dB. This change can produce a non-continuous noise which is not usually pleasant. “People prefer continuous noise and broadband sounds over intermittent noise and pure tones”. (Fincher and Boduch)
51
(CONTINUED)
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
To create a more continuous sound below the elevated highways, involvement of the natural element of water is suggested, this is same as the design concept in Freeway Elevated Park in Seattle, WA. Furthermore, the art installations that mostly include music and sound production can bring some brilliant ideas to overcome the car’s inconvenient and inconsistent noise.
52
Figure_01/ 02: Freeway Park Seattle, WA | Lawrence Halprin & Associates
The magnificent example “Lightcloud” is an art installation transforming the produced noise by the pedestrians, cyclists, and cars moving along the site and I-880 above to a patterned light. (See Figure_03) Besides using the existing noise, there are some other ideas to transform the existing movement of the transit infrastructures to art installations. The Rain was designed to represent a thunderstorm, while it brightens up the site by responding to the car’s movement. (Goldchain)
Figure_03: Lightcloud Oakland, CA | Futureforms
Figure_04: RAIN; Effect of a Gentle Rain Shower Washington D.C. | Thurlow Small and NIO architecten
III.
Shelters for Homeless
Figure_05: Poverty
Figure_06: Substance Abuse
An El-space is a hospitable node for homeless people. It has some unique spatial features that encourage the homeless people to hide within these spaces; the overhead structures that create some sort of weather protection, the blind corners and the untied context from the surrounding communities that makes them feel secure residing. Redevelopment of an el-space without considering a way to address the homelessness, can only make the homeless people migrate from these restored areas to another dark and damped place. This means erasing the initial question instead of answering it. In almost all the built projects, no deliberated solution was suggested to solve this social problem.
Figure_01, 02: Freeway Park | The Cultural Landscape Foundation. https://tclf.org/landscapes/freeway-park. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_03: “Lightcloud.” Future Cities Lab, http://www.future-cities-lab.net/lightcloud. Accessed 8 Nov. 2019. Figure_04: “Underpass: Rain.” NOMA PARKS FOUNDATION, https://www.nomaparks.org/m-street-underpass/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2019. Figure_05: Johnson, Kirk. “Seattle Underbelly Exposed as Homeless Camp Violence Flares.” The New York Times, 1 Mar. 2016. NYTimes. com, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/us/seattle-homeless-jungle-camp.html. Figure_06: Harig-Blaine, Elisha. “How the City of New Orleans Ended Veteran Homelessness.” CitiesSpeak, 23 Mar. 2015, https:// citiesspeak.org/2015/03/23/how-the-city-of-new-orleans-ended-veteran-homelessness/.
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
The influential factors on the level of homelessness have been identified into two categories; first, individual factors such as substance abuse and dependence, mental disabilities, and poverty. (Tsemberis) Second, structural factors such as the housing market, unemployment, and discrimination. (Tsemberis) It seems the combination of poverty and unaffordable housing is the main engine powering the spread of homelessness. (Burt)
53
IV.
Structure's Overshadowing
Redesigning the el-spaces is usually challenging since a noticeable proportion of these sites are covered by their overhead structures. The percentage of area covered by overhead infrastructures and a series of spatial use analysis were studied to have a clear understanding of the strategies that were taken in some of the case studies.
Boston, MA
Underground at Ink Block Park
Area covered by OVERHEAD infrastructure
194,255 Ft2
Total Area: 260,549 Ft
74% 2
54
Manhattan, NY
Lowline Park
43,500 Ft2
Toronto, ON
Bentway Park
Total Area: 43,500 Ft
100% 2
399,769 Ft2
53% Total Area: 749,986 Ft
2
Toronto, ON
Underpass Park
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
Figure_01
68,164 Ft2
Total Area: 126,932 Ft
2
54%
Recommended Strategies A. Sun/ Shade Analysis Figure_02
B. Sending Down the Natural Sunlight The Lowline is the first fully underground park in the world. It was built by the New York based Lowline Lab. The team constructed the laboratory to test the viability of their concept sending natural sunlight below the ground. The success of this idea became clear when over 1000 live plants survived and flourished. Basically, the concept of projecting the natural sunlight below the ground became possible by using a solar dish containing a glass shield that centers the sunlight in one focal point. The concentrated sunlight is then projected by utilizing a Helia Tube and reaches reflective surfaces. The reflective dome replicates and transmits the natural sunlight into the underground space. The experiments show that this technology provides the essential wavelength of light for plants to photosynthesize and to grow. (“The Lowline”) (See Figure_03, 04) Figure_01: “The Lowline.” The Lowline, http://thelowline.org/about/project/. Accessed 14 July 2019. Figure_02: “Infra-Space 1: Underground at Ink Block.” LANDING STUDIO, http://www.landing-studio.com/infra-space-1. Accessed 2 Oct. 2019. Figure_03, 04: Ameri, Luca. “The Landscape Architecture Behind the Lowline.” ArchDaily, 17 Dec. 2015, http://www.archdaily.com/778856/ the-landscape-architecture-behind-the-lowline.
Figure_03
Figure_04
Chapter 02: Research | Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges within El-spaces
Before the spatial programing and plant palette can be selected, the sun/shade analysis provides a map of shade and semi-shade zones. Christian Lynn at AECOM describes how this technique is effective and is being utilized in a project at the Girard Avenue Interchange: “… so the team conducted a sun/shade analysis and then mapped planting zones before choosing a plant palette that includes species able to withstand low light.” (Shakespeare) The Landing Studio, a Somerville based firm who designed the Underground at Ink Block Park, had conducted a similar analysis. (See Figure_02)
55
Spatial Use Analysis As the structure's overshadowing analysis demonstrates, over 50 percent of el-space projects are covered by an overhead infrastructure. This has a direct correlation with the percentage of the areas that functions as hardscape. In other words, more than 50 percent of a site does not have softscape, which can convey the sense of being surrounded by the sharp concrete edges. The analysis on the following three projects highlights design strategies by comparing hardscape to softscape areas and identifies their related programs.
1- Bentway Park, Toronto, ON 749,986 Ft² - 17.2 Acre 53.0% Public Work and Greenberg Consultants
Area: Covered Area: Design Team:
Forte Terrace Children’s Strachan Garden Performance Rooms 14,594 Ft2
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
1.9%
56
14,967 Ft2 1.9 %
16,212 Ft2 2.1 %
Bent 52 House
Liquid Landscape
6,669 Ft2
18,716 Ft2
0.8 %
2.4 %
Fort Central Fort York Active Rooms Visitor Centre Events Dock 26,626 Ft2 3.5 %
7,182 Ft2 0.9 %
Shoreline Gardens
Na
55,567 Ft2 7.4 %
American Invasion Garden
Strachan Gate
Multi-use Trail
Shingle Beach Plaza
Shoreline Plaza
Pedest & Cyc Crossi
51,462 Ft2
15,720 Ft2
47,346 Ft2
14,853 Ft2
44,238 Ft2
19,581
6.8 %
2.0 %
6.3 %
1.9 %
5.8 %
2.6 %
5.5 %
Hardscape Softscape Iconic Moments
(Bridge, Dock, Gate, ...)
ative Shoreline Meadows 69,141 Ft2
52.5 %
9,337 Ft2
9.2 %
1.2 %
15,320 Ft2 2.0 %
32,920 Ft2 4.3 %
Market Community Rooms Rooms (Wittington) (Concord Adex) 33,324 Ft2 4.4 %
37,030 Ft2 4.9 %
D.O.L.A Rooms
Green Extension
Multi-use Trail
24,206 Ft2
45,775 Ft2
44,156 Ft2
3.2 %
6.1 %
5.8 %
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
1 Ft2
42.0 %
Multi-use Trail
trian Triangle Plaza Community cling Bridge Landing Rooms ing (Onni)
%
393,742 Ft² - 9.0 Acre 314,994 Ft² - 7.3 Acre 41,249 Ft² - 0.9 Acre
57
2- Underpass Park, Toronto, ON Area: Covered Area: Design Team:
126,932 Ft² - 3.0 Acre 54.0% PFS Studio and Planning Partnership Total Planting in Block 18
Total Paving in Block 18
21,844 Ft2
31,090 Ft2
17.2 %
Community Space
(Including Seat Walls)
24.4 %
2,141 Ft2 1.6 %
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
Block 19
58
Block 18
Total Pla in Bloc 3,157
2.4 %
3.0 %
Hardscape Softscape Iconic Moments
96,591 Ft² - 2.3 Acre 27,172 Ft² - 0.6 Acre 3,169 Ft² - 0.1 Acre
(Pedestrian Bridge)
Playground Community Space 7,731 Ft2 6.0 %
522 Ft2
76.0 %
Half Basketball Courts
Roller Hockey
3,677 Ft2
4,276 Ft2
2.9 %
0.4 %
21.0 %
3.3 %
anting ck 19
Total Paving in Block 19
Total Planting in Block 20
Ft
%
25,847 Ft 20.3 %
2
Pedestrian Bridge
(Including Seat Walls)
(Including Seat Walls)
2
Total Paving in Block 20
2,171 Ft 1.7 %
2
22,892 Ft2 18.0 %
3,169 Ft2 2.4 %
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
Block 20
59
3- Underground at Ink Block Park, Boston, MA Area: Covered Area: Design Team:
260,549 Ft² - 6.0 Acre 74.0% Landing Studio and VHB Engineering
Sea Stone Finishing
Impermeable Surface (Parking
Sea Stone Finishing
Mural#1
Sea Fini
7,596 Ft2
455 Ft2
15,9
and Pedestrian Access)
15,276 Ft
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
% 5.8
60
2
94,124 Ft2 % 36.1
% 2.9
% 0.1
Garden Gallery Space
Mural#2,3
Pedestrian Access
Mural#5,6
18,758 Ft2
134 Ft2
20,388 Ft2
281 Ft2
% 7.1
% 0.05
% 7.8
% 0.1
%
3.3 %
Hardscape Softscape Iconic Moments
(Bridge and Murals)
Mural#7
Waterfront Green Space
Waterfront Bridge
Sea Stone Finishing
Mural#4
26 Ft2
9,106 Ft2
7,645 Ft2
5,524 Ft2
222 Ft2
985 Ft2
% 6.1
% 0.009
% 3.4
% 2.9
% 2.1
Waterfront Amenity Space
Central Event Space
Dog Amenity Space
Waterfront Green Space
33,624 Ft2
3,575 Ft2
7,377 Ft2
5,324 Ft2
15,129 Ft2
% 1.3
% 2.8
% 2.0
67.2 %
% 0.08
Waterfront Green Space % 12.9
29.5%
% 5.8
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
Stone ishing
175,169 Ft² - 4.0 Acre 76,617 Ft² - 1.8 Acre 8,763 Ft² - 0.2 Acre
61
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
Recommended Programming and Amenities Matrix
62
Temporal Activities (Variable Dimensions) Festivals Seasonal Exhibitions Kinetic Art and Music Videos Central Talks Block Parties/ DJ Dance Parties Art Installations/ Art Galleries Winter Village/ Winter Culture Reading Walking/ Running Food Trucks Fitness/ Meditation Classes Picnic Lawn Beer Garden Educational Programs/ Tours Private Weddings Specific Activities (Fixed Dimensions) Ice Skating (Skate Trail) Skateboarding (Skate Park) Walking/ Running/ Biking (Multi-use Trail) Basketball Game (Basketball Courts) Tennis Game (Tennis Courts) Roller Hockey Game (Roller Hockey Fields) Rock Climbing (Rock Climbing Walls) Volleyball Game (Volleyball Fields) Theatre Space (Stage and Seating) Community Events (Community Rooms) Public Markets (Market Rooms) Playground/ Recreational Amenities Seating (Furnished Thresholds) Amenities/ Facilities Wheelchair Accessibility Security and Cameras Free WIFI Gardens Plazas/ Central Event Spaces Visitor Center (Pavilion, Shops, and Restrooms) Dog Amenity Space Waterfront Amenity Space Parking lots Stormwater Management Facilities Rental Bike Station Rental Boat Station Lighting Murals/ Street Art Pedestrian Bridges Moveable CafĂŠ Table/ Chairs
Bentway Park Toronto, ON
Underpass Park Toronto, ON
Underground at Ink Block Boston, MA
Lowline Park Manhattan, NY
Underline Park Miami, FL
Buffalo Bayou Park Houston, TX
Three or More Projects Are Highlighted Recommended Temporal Activities Festivals Seasonal Exhibitions Kinetic Art and Music Videos Central Talks Block Parties/ DJ Dance Parties Art Installations/ Art Galleries Winter Village/ Winter Culture Reading Walking/ Running Food Trucks Fitness/ Meditation Classes Picnic Lawn Beer Garden Educational Programs/ Tours Private Weddings Recommended Specific Activities Ice Skating Skateboarding Multi-use Trail Basketball Tennis Roller Hockey Rock Climbing Volleyball Theatre Space Community Rooms Public Markets Playground/ Recreational Amenities Seating (Furnished Thresholds) Recommended Amenities/ Facilities Wheelchair Accessibility Security and Cameras Free WIFI Gardens Plazas/ Central Event Space Visitor Center Dog Amenity Space Waterfront Amenity Space Parking lots Stormwater Management Facilities Rental Bike Station Rental Boat Station Lighting Murals/ Street Art Pedestrian Bridges Moveable CafĂŠ Table/ Chairs
Chapter 02: Research | Spatial Use Analysis and Programing
k Park
63
Future Steps 1. Technology at Lowline Lab The detail of Lowline lab technology has been explained in this research. There is absolutely no doubt that this innovation is an extremely creative proposal with unlimited potential to enhance aesthetic values of el-spaces by increasing the flow of light to semi-enclosed sites. Utilizing natural sunlight would allow more varieties of plants to grow and the programing can be altered significantly. However, in the case of elspaces, further investigations are required to confirm the feasibility of this idea while considering infrastructure and operation costs.
Chapter 02: Research | Identified Future Steps
2. Homelessness and Affordable Housing
64
The last challenge of el-spaces is dealing with the issue of homelessness within the sites. It is obvious that el-space features are
accommodating for homeless people. The result of this study confirms that in almost all the built projects no practical solution was suggested to address this problem. Therefore, a research on considering affordable housing and shelters proximate to the el-spaces can be a significant step to take in order to make our cities and landscapes for everyone. 3. Transforming the Noise and Vibration to Kinetic Art Most of the innovative art installations that were found convert the sound waves from vehicles to the light illustrations. Based on the discussed examples, the production of a pleasant and consistent sound generated from the existing noise might be achievable, which would be a sustainable topic to focus on more in future research.
Chapter 03: Design
Site Inventory and Analysis Historic Maps and Density Maps Development Map 1951
Development Map 2019
Historic Maps
Legend
Legend City Boundaries Neighborhoods Studied Site
66
Transportation System Map 2019
Transportation System Map 1951 Legend
Legend Heavy-duty Route Under Construction Studied Site
City Boundaries Light-duty Streets Medium-duty Streets
Heavy-duty Route Studied Site
Blue and Green Map 2019
City Boundaries Light-duty Streets Medium-duty Streets
Blue and Green Map 1951
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
City Boundaries Developments Studied Site
Legend
Legend City Boundaries Streets and Highways Streams
Green Space Lakes Studied Site
City Boundaries Streets and Highways Streams
Green Space Lakes Studied Site
The density maps of existing parks and art/ music centers have been studied to find out if the area is in need of a new green space and an outdoor art center. Density Map of Existing Parks
In the map of parks, as the color changes from dark green to dark brown, the density of green space gets lower and consequently the need for green space increases. So the map clearly confirms that the area is in great need of green space(s). It is also the same on the map of the art and music centers. As the color changes from red to blue, the need for having an art/ music center increases. Few art centers are observed nearby the site, however most of them are concentrated on the south side.
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
Density Map of Existing Art and Music Centers
67
Access Analysis Existing Vehicular Circulation
Belle Isle Blvd. N Classen Blvd.
Belle Isle Blvd.
I-44
N McKinley Ave. Northwest Expy.
TOP OF RAMP
NW 5Oth St.
Four-lane Highway Northwest Expy.
Three-lane Highway N Classen Blvd.
TOP OF RAMP
Two-lane Highway One-lane Highway
TOP OF RAMP
Two-lane Road
I-44
One-lane Road
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
Speed Signs and Existing Traffic Lights
68
Belle Isle Blvd.
25 I-44
Northwest Expy.
40 NW 5Oth St.
Northwest Expy.
45 35 N Classen Blvd.
60
I-44
The "Existing Vehicular Circulation" diagram shows how the site has been segmented into four isolated pieces by the high-speed roads. As the "Speed Signs and Existing Traffic Lights" diagram illustrates some traffic lights have been considered to slow down the cars in the intersections. However, these intersections are not pedestrian friendly and no crosswalk exists. The low duty roads can be considered for stop signs and therefore, provide a safe environment for pedestrians to access and move throughout the different parts of the site.
Sun/ Wind Analysis of the Site
NORTH/ NORTHWEST WINTER WIND
300
SUNSET
330
N
W
78.0° 30
SUNSET
240
SUNRISE
WINTER SOLSTICE
210 31.1°
E
S 150 SOUTH/ SOUTHEAST SUMMER WIND
SUNRISE
120
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
60
69
Noise Analysis and Initial Design Ideas Noise Study in El-Belle Isle
1
120dB
100dB
80dB Belle Isle Blvd.
1
2
60dB
Avg: 75.1 Min: 66.2 Max: 87.1 Peak: 94.5
40dB Northwest Expy.
4
3
20dB
1
2
3min
N Classen Blvd.
2
120dB
100dB
80dB
60dB
Avg: 72.9 Min: 66.6 Max: 81.1 Peak: 85.0
40dB Pa in
s ert
Jac kH Di am sc me om rs OS an HA d Li
c rt on fo ck C o
70
140dB 130
120 110 100
90
80
str du
70
20dB
e ois lN ia
Nor ma lC o
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
m it f or In
R
tion sa er nv
1
2
3min
3
120dB
60dB
100dB
80dB
60dB
70
4
80
60dB
Avg: 82.1 Min: 68.5 Max: 90.6 Peak: 96.9
40dB
90
100
3
20dB
110
120
2
1
2
3min
130
1 140 db
Min
Max
4
120dB
100dB
The noise in the el-belle isle has been measured in four different spots in the areas below the elevated infrastructure during rush hour traffic. The result shows that the noise does not exceed 96db, while the discomfort noise is 120db.
80dB
60dB
Avg: 84.7 Min: 76.0 Max: 95.2 Peak: 103.3
40dB
20dB
1
2
3min
Diagram of Sustainable Noise Control Idea
VIBRATION
SENSORS
MUSIC
One of the goals in this project is to be self-resilient. No case study or built project was found using this technology, but it can be a new research topic to work on in future. This is a simple diagram to demonstrate the idea of converting the kinetic energy and vibration produced by the car's movement to a delicate music and light illustration. Therefore, when the high-speed cars pass, the music and light would appear in the el-spaces.
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
LIGHT
71
Homelessness in the Site and Initial Design Ideas
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
Homelessness in Oklahoma City
72
Oklahoma City has been dealing with the issue of homelessness for more than a decade, while the number of households losing their housing has increased in the last four decades. The city has begun thinking beyond just temporary solutions like emergency shelters and is moving toward a more lasting solution like housing-first approach. (Homelessness | City of OKC)
choices when the life is not kind. They both recommend a transitional and long-term recovery program, while offering clean, safe, and temporary shelters to support people as they get through these transitional phases. (“City Rescue Mission�) Grace represents one of the non-profit organization, Saved By Grace, trying to help the homeless people in this site. (See figure_03)
Existing Shelters
Homeless Alliance
There are several shelters in Oklahoma City area such as: Grace Rescue Mission, Jesus House, Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, Salvation Army, etc. (Knapp) However, the City Rescue Mission and the Homeless Alliance seem to be two of the largest active support systems in metro area that help and support people to make better
The Homeless Alliance is a great effort with a concentration on housing; “The Homeless Alliance owns and operates the Westtown Homeless Resource Campus which includes a Resource Center with offices for multiple nonprofit and government agencies, a housing complex, and a Day Shelter that serves an average of 300 people each
Figure_01
Figure_02
Design Solution
Figure_03
In the el-belle isle, an art district and galleries were proposed to manage and host the existing art programs like Fresh stART. By supporting the art program, the project aims to help the homeless people to discover and improve their art skills (figure_04 and 05) which are "transferable for employment". This concept would be a successful step toward highlighting the justice by providing an equal opportunity for both rich and poor to utilize the public spaces in the metro area. It would also provide a source of income for homeless, while educating the public about the issue of homelessness by increasing the social awareness.
Figure_04
Figure_05
Figure_01, 02, 03: Photo Credit: Niloufar Soltanimofrad Figure_04, 05: Shelden, Darla. Fresh StART Art Show. 2 Aug. 2016, http://city-sentinel.com/2016/08/fresh-start-art-show-to-feature-work-by-artists-experiencing-homelessness-in-oklahoma-city/.
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
day. The Day Shelter serves breakfast and lunch, provides showers, offers access to computers, phone, mail, and needed services including mental and physical healthcare, budgeting assistance, legal support, and multiple classes and programs.� (The Homeless Alliance) Home Alliance also provides an art program called “Fresh stART�. It would help the homeless people to discover their skills and express their emotions, while they can have positive interactions with their peers to develop potential skills that might be transferable for employment. The Fresh stART hosts studio time twice per week at the Westtown Homeless Resource Campus and periodically throughout the year both at the same campus and at art galleries and community events. (The Homeless Alliance)
73
Structure's Overshadowing and Initial Design Ideas Percentage of Being Covered
Belle Isle Blvd. N Classen Blvd.
Belle Isle Blvd.
I-44
N McKinley Ave. Northwest Expy.
NW 5Oth St.
Northwest Expy.
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
N Classen Blvd.
74
I-44
32%
is covered by the overhead infrastructures.
Covered Area: 328,297.3 Ft2 - 7.53 Acre Total Area: 997,285.77 Ft2 - 22.89 Acre
Modified LowLine's Lab Idea
SOLAR COLLECTION DISH
HELIO TUBE
DOME
The idea to store and project the natural sunlight into an underground space was first questioned and investigated by the LowLine Lab. The study confirms that the technology provides an ideal condition for plants that are in fully subterranean environments to survive and grow. This concept can be expanded in the el-spaces.
Chapter 03: Design | Site Inventory/ Analysis and Initial Design Thoughts
NATURAL LIGHT
75
Inspirational Images Figure_01
Figure_02
Figure_03
Figure_05
Figure_06
Figure_09
Figure_10
Figure_11
Figure_13
Figure_14
Figure_07
Figure_04
Figure_08
Figure_12
Figure_16
Chapter 03: Design | Design Process and Ideas
Figure_15
76
Figure_24
Figure_17
Figure_18
Figure_19
Figure_20
Figure_21
Figure_22
Figure_25
Figure_26
Figure_23
Figure_27
GOALS 1- Better Urban Life
(Livability, Justice, and Self resilient)
2- Accessibility and Walkability 3- Multi functional Infrastructures
Figure_01: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/701928291908291055/ Figure_02: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/752664156448611653/ Figure_03: https://landscapetheory1.wordpress.com/tag/carl-theodor-sorensen/ Figure_04: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/709317010044082337/ Figure_05: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/701928291908291190/ Figure_06: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/701928291908291378/ Figure_07: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/214906213458868119/ Figure_08: https://www.swagroup.com/projects/i59-freeway-street-art/ Figure_09: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/514395588664400455/ Figure_10: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/498210777518805365/ Figure_11: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/368802656971508521/ Figure_12: https://www.swagroup.com/projects/hunters-point-south-waterfront-park/ Figure_13: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/824510644264520530/ Figure_14: https://omegacoin.info/carl-stahl-green-wall-systems/
Figure_15:https://www.archdaily.com/880052/3-different-ways-to-use-a-shippingcontainer-on-your-next-project?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all Figure_16: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/455637687274226855/ Figure_17: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/89086898854399370/ Figure_18: https://www.ojb.com/project/klyde-warren-park Figure_19: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/701928291908292414/ Figure_20: https://www.pinterest.ru/pin/733172014316274079/?lp=true Figure_21: https://www.pinterest.ru/pin/297096906642941500/ Figure_22: https://www.pinterest.ru/pin/701928291908292077/ Figure_23: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348888302359074602/?lp=true Figure_24: https://www.pinterest.at/pin/701928291908292498/ Figure_25: https://undergroundinkblock.com/gallery Figure_26: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/701928291908292069/ Figure_27: https://www.specifiedby.com/hand-made-places/crocodile-swing
Chapter 03: Design | Design Process and Ideas
4- Enhanced Economy
77
Bubble Diagrams, Conceptual Master Plans, and Perspectives Bubble Diagram 1
Chapter 03: Design | Design Process and Ideas
Bubble Diagram 2
78
Chapter 03: Design | Design Process and Ideas
Conceptual Plan 1
Conceptual Plan 2
79
Conceptual Plan 3
Chapter 03: Design | Design Process and Ideas
Picnic Lawn and Seating Area
80
Chapter 03: Design | Design Process and Ideas
Art District
Resilient Infrastructures
81
1
2
13
15
7 16
1
12 11
4
10
12
3
7 9
10
5 2
6
1 1
1
4
2
1 1
25
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
26
82
4
27 30
27 8
8 28
29
5
31
8
18
14
17
Legend 1
6
1
23
2
20
7
13 6
21
24 22 1
5
13
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Main Entrance Drop-off Area Seating Area and Water Fountain Existing Pedestrian Bridge Proposed Pedestrian Bridge Picnic Lawn Major Accessible Path for Walking and Biking (25 feet wide) 8. Green Wall Protection 9. Skate Park 10. Multi-purpose Fields 11. Accessible Seating Area 12. Stepped Lawn Seating 13. Parking Lots 14. Market Rooms 15. Light Installation and Reflection Pool 16. Concrete Stepped Seatings 17. Kid’s Playground 18. Central Plaza with Vehicular Access 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.
(Beer Garden, Food Trucks, and Block Parties)
Pollinator Garden Farmer’s Market/ Seasonal Market Stormwater Consideration Seating Area (with Movable Chairs and Tables) Dog Park Herb Garden Water-friendly Planting Beds Existing Water Channel Art Galleries (Shipping Containers) Proposed Bridge Over Highway Artscape Lighting Garden Sculpture Garden Barrier Ditch to Secure Pedestrians Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
6
19
0
125
250
500
83
Diagram of the Water Drainage System
1
2
3
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
0
84
1
2
125
250
3
Figure_01:
Figure_02:
Figure_03:
Water Filtration at the Parking Lot
Water Filtration at the Central Plaza
Permeable Paving System
Figure_01: “Underground at Ink Block.” Underground Ink Block, https://undergroundinkblock.com/about-2. Accessed 28 June 2019. Figure_02: “Infra-Space 1: Underground at Ink Block.” LANDING STUDIO, http://www.landing-studio.com/infra-space-1. Accessed 2 Oct. 2019. Figure_03: Chan, Wendy. “Helping Los Angeles Become More Like a Sponge.” AHBE LAB, 27 July 2015, https://ahbelab.com/2015/07/27/helping-los-angeles-become-more-like-a-sponge/.
500
Diagram of the Pedestrian Circulation Improvement
125
250
Existing Bridge
Proposed Bridge
Proposed Stop Sign
Existing Traffic Light
Proposed Traffic Light
Main Entrance
500
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
0
85
Axonometric Function Diagram
Major Entrance Access Major Entrance Access
Stormwater Management Facility Major Entrance Access
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Art District
86
Major Entrance Access
Active Playing Zone
Major Entrance Access Major Entrance Access
Community-Wide Activities
Major Entrance Access
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Stormwater Management Facility
87
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Axonometric Diagram of Proposed Programming
88
89
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Native Plant Material Suggestion
Chinese Pistache/ Japanese Pagoda Tree Large Trees Full Sun Deciduous
Bald Cypress/ Red Maple
Fraser photinia/ Eastern Redbud Large Shrub Full Sun to Part Shade
Large Trees Full Sun Low Maintenance Water-friendly
Golden Rain Tree/ Chinkapin Oak Large Tree Full Sun Low Maintenance Deciduous
Shumard Oak/ Chinese Pistache Street Tree Full Sun Air Pollution Tolerance
Shumard Oak/ Chinese Pistache
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Bald Cypress/ Red Maple
90
Large Trees Full Sun Low Maintenance Water-friendly
Abelia/ Lilac Chastetree Hedge Full Sun
Street Tree Full Sun Air Pollution Tolerance
Shumard Oak/ Red Maple Full Sun to Shade Parking-lot Tree Air Pollution Tolerance Deciduous
Lacebark Elm/ Sugar Maple Full Sun to Shade Evergreen
Eastern Arborvitae/ Foster Holly Large Shrub Full Sun to Shade Evergreen
Japanese Maple/ Lacebark Elm Full Sun to Part Shade Deciduous
Cherry Laurel/ Nellie Stevens Holly
River Birch/ Crapemyrtle Ginkgo/ Golden Rain Tree Seating Area Full Sun Low Maintenance Deciduous
Shumard Oak/ Chinese Pistache Parking-lot Tree Full Sun Air Pollution Tolerance Deciduous
Large Shrub Full Sun to Part Shade Deciduous
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Hedge Full Sun to Part Shade Low Maintenance Evergreen
91
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Final Perspectives
92
Biking/ Walking Path, Art Installation, and the Reflection Pool | Night Experience
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Livability Accessibility and Walkability
93
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations 94
Biking/ Walking Path, Art Installation, and the Reflection Pool | Day Experience
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Livability Accessibility and Walkability
95
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations 96
Central Plaza, Beer Garden, Graffiti, Water Filtration System, and Lowline Technology | Sunset Experience
Self Resilient
Chapter 03: Design | Final Drawings and Illustrations
Accessibility and Walkability Multipurpose Infrastructures
97
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation 98
Central Plaza, Beer Garden, Graffiti, Water Filtration System, and Lowline Technology | Day Experience
Self Resilient
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation
Accessibility and Walkability Multipurpose Infrastructures
99
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation 100
Bridge Over the Highway, Art District and Galleries | Day Experience
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation
Justice Accessibility and Walkability Enhanced Economy
101
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation 102
Multipurpose Sport Field and Skate Park | Day Experience
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation
Livability Accessibility and Walkability Justice
103
Conclusion
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation
The functional and aesthetic lighting considerations in this project will increase the quality experience for users by creating a better, safer, and more exciting space during the day and night. Furthermore, this fully accessible project encourages people from different age, race, background, ability, and social class to walk, run, and bike. Besides, the improvement of the accessibility and walkability, it offers a public place with a variety of communitywide activities like the farmers market, block parties, and dance or meditation classes to bring the divided communities back together. Many homeless people have been observed within this site previously and the el-belle isle is an effort toward Justice in its use of public space. An art district including art galleries that are managed by local artists are specifically designed to participate in existing art programs like the Fresh StART. These galleries will enhance the economy for local artists, increase the social awareness, and most importantly will help the homeless people discover and improve the skills that are transferable for employment. The overhead multi-purpose
104
canopies have infinite potentials; they can function as 1- shade structures to reduce heat stress during the hot summer days in Oklahoma, 2- support structures to hold the playground equipments or art installations, and 3- urban art canvases for street artists. The project creates more job opportunities during the construction and maintenance phases, which can support the local economy. Furthermore, it invites more people to the area which means more costumers to support the current businesses like eating at the nearby restaurants or shopping at the malls. The elbelle isle has been aimed to be a resilient project and contains several new ideas such as: 1- converting the kinetic energy being produced by the cars to music and light, 2using the Lowline Lab technology to capture and project the natural sunlight, and 3- some storm water management considerations. The el-belle isle is an example project for the state of Oklahoma that highlights the role and value of forgotten and isolated civic space in the improvement of Accessibility and Economy by providing a Better Urban Life and by offering Multi-purpose Infrastructure.
Citation
2. “About The Bentway.” The Bentway, http://www.thebentway.ca/ about/. Accessed 28 June 2019. 3. Ameri, Luca. “The Landscape Architecture Behind the Lowline.” ArchDaily, 17 Dec. 2015, http://www.archdaily. com/778856/the-landscape-architecture-behind-the-lowline. 4. Bauer, Caroline, et al. Under the Elevated. 2015, http:// designtrust.org/publications/under-elevated/. 5. “Belle Isle Plant Destroyed.” Power Engineering, 1 Mar. 1999, https://www.power-eng.com/1999/03/01/belle-isle-plantdestroyed/. 6. Berg, Nate. “Goodbye Highways.” Landscape Architecture Magazine, Feb. 2017, https://landscapearchitecturemagazine. org/2017/02/07/goodbye-highways/. 7. Boroyan, Nate. “MassDOT Infra-Space 1 Boston: South End I-93 Underpass Project Renderings.” BOSTINNO, Sept. 2014, https://www.americaninno.com/boston/massdot-infra-space-1boston-south-end-i-93-underpass-project-renderings/. 8. “Buffalo Bayou Park.” Buffalo Bayou Partnership, https:// buffalobayou.org/visit/destination/buffalo-bayou-park/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2019. 9. “Buffalo Bayou Park - SWA Group.” SWA, https://www. swagroup.com/projects/buffalo-bayou-park/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2019. 10. “Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern.” Buffalo Bayou Partnership,https://buffalobayou.org/visit/destination/the-cistern/. Accessed 28 June 2019. 11. Burnham, Scott. “The Call and Response of Street Art and the City.” City, vol. 14, no. 1–2, Feb. 2010, pp. 137–53. Taylor and Francis+NEJM, doi:10.1080/13604810903528862.
19. Ewing, Reid. “Eight Qualities of Pedestrian-and TransitOriented Design.” Urban Land Magazine, 7 Mar. 2013, https:// urbanland.uli.org/industry-sectors/infrastructure-transit/eightqualities-of-pedestrian-and-transit-oriented-design/. 20. Fincher, Warren, and Michael Boduch. Standards of Human Comfort: Relative and Absolute. Oct. 2009. repositories.lib.utexas. edu, https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/13980. 21. Forsyth, Ann, and Michael Southworth. “Cities Afoot— Pedestrians, Walkability and Urban Design.” Journal of Urban Design, vol. 13, Feb. 2008, pp. 1–3. ResearchGate, doi:10.1080/13574800701816896. 22. Freeway Park | The Cultural Landscape Foundation. https:// tclf.org/landscapes/freeway-park. Accessed 28 June 2019. 23. Goldchain, Michelle. “LED Light Rainstorm to Illuminate NoMA’s M Street Underpass.” Curbed DC, 17 Apr. 2015, https:// dc.curbed.com/2015/4/17/9969326/rainstorm-led-lights-noma-mstreet-underpass. 24. Griffith, Terry L. Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930. Arcadia Publishing, 1999. 25. Guo, Yuntao, et al. “The Impact of Walkable Environment on Single-Family Residential Property Values.” Journal of Transport and Land Use, vol. 10, no. 1, Sept. 2015. www.jtlu.org, doi:10.5198/jtlu.2015.824. 26. Hadi, Baaj M., et al. “Modeling Noise at Elevated Highways in Urban Areas: A Practical Application.” Journal of Urban Planning and Development, vol. 127, no. 4, Dec. 2001, pp. 169–80. ascelibrary.org (Atypon), doi:10.1061/(ASCE)07339488(2001)127:4(169). 27. Harig-Blaine, Elisha. “How the City of New Orleans Ended Veteran Homelessness.” CitiesSpeak, 23 Mar. 2015, https:// citiesspeak.org/2015/03/23/how-the-city-of-new-orleans-endedveteran-homelessness/.
12. Burt, Martha R. What Will It Take To End Homelessness? 1 Oct. 2001, http://webarchive.urban.org/publications/310305.html.
28. Haworth, Billy, et al. “Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Graffiti Occurrence in an Inner-City Urban Environment.” Applied Geography, vol. 38, Mar. 2013, pp. 53–63. ResearchGate, doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2012.10.002.
13. Calvet, Stephanie. “Unveiling The Bentway Skate Trail | UrbanToronto.” URBAN TORONTO, 8 Jan. 2018, https:// urbantoronto.ca/news/2018/01/unveiling-bentway-skate-trail.
29. Homelessness | City of OKC. https://www.okc.gov/ departments/planning/programs/homelessness. Accessed 24 Nov. 2019.
14. Cardullo, Paolo, and Rob Kitchin. Living Labs, Vacancy, and Gentrification. 2017. ResearchGate, doi:10.31235/osf.io/waq2e.
30. “Infra-Space 1: Underground at Ink Block.” LANDING STUDIO, http://www.landing-studio.com/infra-space-1. Accessed 2 Oct. 2019.
15. Chan, Wendy. “Helping Los Angeles Become More Like a Sponge.” AHBE LAB, 27 July 2015, https://ahbelab. com/2015/07/27/helping-los-angeles-become-more-like-asponge/. 16. “City Rescue Mission.” City Rescue Mission, https:// cityrescue.org/. Accessed 24 Nov. 2019. 17. Cloke, Paul, et al. “Performativity and Affect in the Homeless City.” Environment and Planning D-Society & Space - ENVIRON PLAN D-SOC SPACE, vol. 26, Apr. 2008, pp. 241–63. ResearchGate, doi:10.1068/d84j. 18. Corner, James. Terra Fluxus. 2006.
31. Jacobs, Allan, and Donald Appleyard. “Toward an Urban Design Manifesto.” Journal of the American Planning Association, vol. 53, no. 1, Mar. 1987, pp. 112–20. DOI.org (Crossref), doi:10.1080/01944368708976642. 32. Jaffe, Eric. “The Future of Public Space Is Now Arriving — beneath a Busy Highway.” Medium, 4 Jan. 2018, https://medium. com/sidewalk-talk/the-future-of-public-space-is-now-arrivingbeneath-a-busy-highway-35b1379d6fa. 33. Johnson, Kirk. “Seattle Underbelly Exposed as Homeless Camp Violence Flares.” The New York Times, 1 Mar. 2016. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/us/seattlehomeless-jungle-camp.html.
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation
1. “2015 Awards.” The Waterfront Center, http://www. waterfrontcenter.org/Awards2017/2017Awards.html. Accessed 28 June 2019.
105
34. “June 25th Underline Public Meeting.” The Underline, 3 July 2015, https://www.theunderline.org/2015/07/03/june-25th-underline-publicmeeting/.
51. Rosenfield, Karissa. “Delancey Underground a.k.a ‘The Low Line.’” ArchDaily, 30 Nov. 2011, http://www.archdaily.com/188295/ delancey-underground-a-k-a-the-low-line/.
35. Knapp, Adam. “Oklahoma City Homeless Shelters.” TripSavvy, https://www.tripsavvy.com/okc-homeless-shelters-2516890. Accessed 24 Nov. 2019.
52. Shakespeare, Margaret. “ANOTHER WAY FOR HIGHWAYS.” Landscape Architecture Magazine, Nov. 2017, https:// landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2017/11/09/another-way-forhighways/.
36. Laban, Linda. “South End Urban Playground Hosts Free Block Party This Weekend.” Metro US, 6 Sept. 2017, https://www.metro.us/ things-to-do/boston/south-end-underground-block-party. 37. Lackmeyer, Steve. “Girl, 12, Injured in Fall At Belle Isle Power Plant.” Oklahoman.Com, 8 Jan. 1995, https://oklahoman.com/ article/2489027/girl-12-injured-in-fall-at-belle-isle-power-plant/. 38. Layden, Logan. The Federal Government Got Oklahoma Hooked On Coal, Now It’s Forcing a Detox | StateImpact Oklahoma. https:// stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2013/05/17/the-federal-government-gotoklahoma-hooked-on-coal-now-its-forcing-a-detox/. Accessed 30 Sept. 2019.
53. Shelden, Darla. Fresh StART Art Show. 2 Aug. 2016, http:// city-sentinel.com/2016/08/fresh-start-art-show-to-feature-work-byartists-experiencing-homelessness-in-oklahoma-city/. 54. Shilcutt, Katharine. “Tune In to Buffalo Bayou Park.” Houstonia, 23 Jan. 2017, https://www.houstoniamag.com/ articles/2017/1/23/houston-public-media-audio-tour-buffalobayou-park. 55. Smith, Steven. The Scientist and Engineer’s Guide to Digital Signal Processing. 1997, https://www.dspguide.com/ch22/1.htm.
39. Lewis, C. A., et al. LAND VALUE AND LAND USE EFFECTS OF ELEVATED, DEPRESSED, AND AT-GRADE LEVEL FREEWAYS IN TEXAS. July 1997. trid.trb.org, https://trid.trb.org/view/472763.
56. The Bentway (Project under Gardiner). https://www. waterfrontoronto.ca/nbe/portal/waterfront/Home/waterfronthome/ projects/the+bentway+%28project+under+gardiner%29. Accessed 21 July 2019.
40. “Lightcloud.” Future Cities Lab, http://www.future-cities-lab.net/ lightcloud. Accessed 8 Nov. 2019.
57. The Homeless Alliance. https://homelessalliance.org/. Accessed 24 Nov. 2019.
41. Margolies, Jane. “Low Overhead.” Landscape Architecture Magazine, https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2017/03/13/lowoverhead/. Accessed 28 June 2019.
58. “The Lowline.” The Lowline, http://thelowline.org/about/ project/. Accessed 14 July 2019.
42. Mason, Ian Garrick. Something New from Something Old, a Film by Ian Garrick Mason. 2018. Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/257430057.
59. Tsemberis, Sam. “Housing First: The Pathways Model to End Homelessness for People with Mental Illness and Addiction Manual.” Sam Tsemberis, Jan. 2011.
43. “Miami’s 10-Mile Linear Park and Urban Trail — The Underline.” The Underline, https://www.theunderline.org/. Accessed 28 June 2019.
60. “Underground at Ink Block.” Underground Ink Block, https:// undergroundinkblock.com/about-2. Accessed 28 June 2019.
44. Mortice, Zach. “Underneath, Overlooked.” Landscape Architecture Magazine, Feb. 2017, https://landscapearchitecturemagazine. org/2017/02/28/underneath-overlooked/.
61. “Underline - Project Details.” Field Operations, https://www. fieldoperations.net/project-details/project/the-underline.html. Accessed 28 June 2019.
45. Mumford, Lewis. The Highway and the City. 1981. Zotero, http:// sustainabletransportationsc.org/pdf/mumford.pdf.
62. “Underpass Park | 2016 ASLA Professional Awards.” American Society of Landscape Architects, https://www.asla. org/2016awards/165332.html. Accessed 28 June 2019.
Chapter 03: Design | Conclusion and Citation
46. Nelson, J. P. “HIGHWAY NOISE AND PROPERTY VALUES. A SURVEY OF RECENT EVIDENCE.” Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, vol. 16, no. 2, May 1982. trid.trb.org, https://trid.trb.org/ view/187110. 47. “News & Updates - The Bentway.” The Bentway, http://www. thebentway.ca/news/. Accessed 28 June 2019. 48. Nicholls, Sarah, and John Crompton. “The Impact of Greenways on Property Values: Evidence from Austin, Texas.” Journal of Leisure Research, vol. 37, Sept. 2005. ResearchGate, doi:10.1080/00222216. 2005.11950056. 49. Quirk, Vanessa. “Disruptive Minds: James Ramsey, Designer of the Low Line.” ArchDaily, 6 Aug. 2012, http://www.archdaily.com/260327/ disruptive-minds-james-ramsey-designer-of-the-low-line/.
106
50. “Rain: Magdalena Fernández at the Houston Cistern.” Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/203051611. Accessed 28 June 2019.
63. “Underpass Park | PFS Studio.” PFS Studio, http://pfsstudio. com/project/underpass-park/. Accessed 28 June 2019. 64. “Underpass: Rain.” NOMA PARKS FOUNDATION, https:// www.nomaparks.org/m-street-underpass/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2019. 65. WATERLICHT - The Bentway. http://www.thebentway.ca/ event/waterlicht/. Accessed 28 June 2019. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: THE CONTENT AND PICTURES WITH NO CITATION BELONG TO THE AUTHOR.
Better Urban Life Accessibility and Walkability Multifunctional Infrastructures Enhanced Economy
Niloufar Soltanimofrad Fall 2019