SENIOR PROJECT
SPRING 2021
URBAN GREEN SPACES Rebuilding our Relationship with Nature in the Built Environment
Prescott, Az ESTEFANI MEDINA
SOPHIE SPENCER
CONTENTS 01
HOW THIS PROJECT CAME TO BE
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Our visions for Prescott, Small Scale Solutions, Current and future plans for Prescott College and Butte Creek, Creating more parks, and ensuring equity
Introduction to global urbanization, Rethinking Urban Green Spaces and changing the narrative of our development.
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WHAT IS A GREEN SPACES? The importance of nature in urban areas, our connection with them, and why they are so beneficial, Biophilic Design.
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CASE STUDY: PRESCOTT, AZ Brief historical development of Prescott, Trespassing and the right to Roam, and our process
ENVISIONING A GREENER PRESCOTT
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REFERENCES Steps to take and our Sources
In Memory of Andrew Keller
HOW THIS PROJECT CAME TO BE We are delighted to present to you the culmination of our senior project. Over the last couple of months, we have been carefully working together to create an in-depth guide on the subject of rebuilding our relationship with nature in the built environment through urban green spaces. Our goal for this project is to introduce the general public to urban green spaces and express why they are vital components of cities and important for future sustainable development. Our plan is for this guide to help inspire others to view green spaces as opportunities for positive change where the urban world and the natural environment can thrive together while experiencing mutual benefits. Our biggest hope is that this guide could help galvanize community members to take action whether big or small to increase urban green spaces in Prescott, Az. This project would not have been possible without the support of our mentor Eleanor Tison to whom we would like to share our deepest gratitude. Her support, advice, and recommendations, have been invaluable. In addition, we would also like to thank our professors from ECOSA, Tony Brown and Nadia Begin, who have inspired us to reimagine the possibilities and helped us gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make this guide and pursue our passions. Thank you
Sophie Spencer Estefani Medina
We started this project during the spring of 2020 right before the pandemic hit. Initially we wanted
to
focus
on
transportation such as biking as the city could greatly improve in this aspect. We realized over time how difficult it is to get around Prescott if you don't own a car. This lead us to the realization that being able to access recreational areas such as Granite Lake, the Dells, Thumb Butte, and many more hiking locations you need a car. As students whose focus has been regenerative design we decided to explore this topic more and focus on urban green spaces that are more accessible to all. We believe that being able to enjoy going biking downtown, sitting at a park bench, or simply being surrounded by flowers is a right and should be enjoyed by all and the ability to do so should be as inclusive as possible no matter what.
"As students embark on their senior project they are simultaneous achieving their capstone experience while also preparing to transition into a new phase of their life" - CC4 Syllabus 2
INTRODUCTION Since the Industrial Revolution, the world has been experiencing exponential urbanization, a global phenomenon we will continue to witness as more humans move into urban areas en masse over the next couple of decades. Cities have been a form of settlement for thousands of years; these urban settlements have provided humankind with numerous advantages that have allowed people to prosper, innovative technologies to be born, and the complete transformation of our societies for better or for worse. As we have gone further and further away from dark skies and unpaved earth, it’s no question that the city has become the main form of habitat for our species. Currently, over one-half of the global population resides in an urban area. By 2050 this number is expected to rise to over 68%, to put in different words, this would result in “the rapid urbanization of a land area greater than the size of France and Germany combined” (The Nature Conservancy, n.d.). Urbanization at this intensity will continue to put enormous pressure on natural resources, increase waste and pollution, and worsen the impacts of climate change.
“The growth of urban populations and associated industrialization has resulted in a range of detrimental and often negative outcomes for mankind (Woolley, 2003).”
Our current methods of developing land into urban areas are unsustainable and have been detrimental to the environment. A large majority of our urban areas suffer from poor planning that has led to poor quality of life for many. In truth, there aren’t any cities in the world that can undoubtedly call themselves sustainable. Many cities and urban areas around the world have been faced with questioning their resilience and sustainability. In order for this to change and for cities to achieve climate resiliency and promote sustainable living, we must look towards naturebased solutions that are regenerative and provide an innovative approach towards restoring our relationship between the natural world, our built environment, and can help ensure life for future generations.
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“The 21st century will not be dominated by America or China, Brazil or India, but by the city. In an age that appears increasingly unmanageable, cities rather than states are becoming the islands of governance on which the future world order will be built” - Parag Khanna
We may think of nature as a far away concept from the urban environment, but in reality it plays a vital role in the lives of people who live in cities. The urban environment is not separate from the rest of the biosphere. We must begin to embrace the importance of living in places where we can develop a more deeply felt connection to nature. In order fo this to happen we have to envision a future where we break down the nature-human divide in our cities and ourselves. A way to do this is through urban greening.
We can aspire to cities where people and nature both thrive; truly flourishing communities where green space is not seen as a luxury but as critical urban infrastructure that effectively addresses some of urban planning’s biggest challenges.” - The Nature Conservancy
What is a Green Space? "According to the EPA, a green space is "land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation. This can include playgrounds, public seating areas, schoolyards, public plazas, vacant lots, and so much more. The current standard for green spaces has mainly revolved around creating new recreational areas with the emphasis placed around pleasure, physical activity, and gathering spaces. As there has been more of a growing emphasis on the environmental functions of green spaces the idea of what an urban green space can be has expanded to include even gaps between buildings, parking lots, and other innovative ways of adding green space to non traditional urban spaces. It is all about looking all over the city with new eyes and envisioning potential.
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Some examples of bringing green spaces to areas that are densely built-up and difficult to place traditional parks would be:
urban gardens food forest parklets pocket parks wildlife pitstops greenways revitalizing alleyways
Green Spaces are a great nature based solution that offers innovative approaches to increasing the quality of life in urban areas, they help improve the health of urban residents, promote physical activity, and provide critical ecosystem services. Bringing nature into cities is not a new idea. Over a century ago some of our largest cities at the time underwent the City Beautiful Movement that gave way to many of the famous parks we have now such as Central Park in New York City. One of the first time’s the term “urban green areas” was used was during this time by Frederick Law Olmsted, the founder of American landscape architecture. Since then urban green spaces play integral roles in the city and are often an important indicator of the quality of life of a city.
" We can aspire to cities where people and nature both thrive; truly flourishing communities where green space is not seen as a luxury but as critical urban infrastructure that effectively addresses some of urban planning’s biggest challenges.”
Benefits Urban green spaces can give enormous benefits to the neighborhood and community by improving health, social well-being and enhancing the enjoyment of the local environment (Arch20, 2020). Social Benefits: Green Spaces have a lot of economic promise for instance the High Line Park in New York City has brought in millions of tourists and dollars. Many cities around the world have been trying to replicate their success (Barista, 2015). They are also an excellent example of, a third place, a place of refuge other than your home or workplace. Third places are necessary for urban areas since they are places where you don’t have to spend money to be there, create social equity, as well as act as a neutral area where people can interact. Environmental Benefits: Urban green spaces can be great for the local ecology. They can supply cities with various ecosystem services such as cooling the urban climate, providing shelter and food for urban wildlife, helping maintain biodiversity, and improving land permeability in addition to helping with water retention. They can also help improve a cities air and noise pollution.
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Human health benefits: Green spaces in urban areas can greatly enhance people’s quality of life by proving a place where they can perform a variety of outdoor activities. They can be a place of exercise, a place for social interaction, or simply a place to sit at a bench and come in contact with plants, fresh air, or animals. Overall they have been shown to enhance the way of life for people who live near them and have significant restorative qualities helping improve the health of the public by lowering blood pressure, stress, cholesterol levels, etc.
Biophilic Design Humans live in cities and urban built environments, we have a psychological connection to the spaces around us. There are 14 Biophilic Design patterns that can be seen around us. These 14 are critical to the human experience. Section one includes Nature in the Space, the second is Natural Analogues and the third is Nature of the Space. As we have seen humans that dwell in cities have become disconnected more from nature because planning departments have not planned humans as the focus. Research has shown that the loss of mental, physical, and spiritual connection with nature, has led us towards a loss of recognition, knowledge, and respect for natural systems. We have chosen four that can be used for our project. Biophilic design can reduce stress, improve cognitive function and creativity, improve our well-being, and expedite healing; as the world population continues to urbanize, these qualities are ever more important.
Non-visual Connection with Nature
Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
Visual Connection with Nature
PRESCOTT, AZ The General Community Vision 2015 Plan is an analysis of future “open space goals with strategies for managing and protecting these resources, open space acquisition, and establishing new recreational opportunities” (City of Prescott, 2015, p.3). These initiatives promote the integration of “open spaces and recreational resources within both existing and proposed regional systems” (City of Prescott, 2015, p.3). Environmental Planning, all connections between “air and water quality, the night sky and natural resources” (City of Prescott, 2015, p.3). In their section on Preserving And Protecting The Environment, they voice the importance of Open Space. They describe open space as “undeveloped land.” Today cities are composed of “only two types of property, public ownership and private ownership” (City of Prescott, 2015, p.23). Open space is perfect for “maintaining the integrity of the natural environment, conserving” and connecting with open space (City of Prescott, 2015, p.23). These lands are perfect for “protecting significant natural features and public and privately owned ridges surrounding the Prescott basin from development are an ongoing challenge” (City of Prescott, 2015, p.23).
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NO TRESPASSING?
NO TRESPASSING? Right to Roam - Short History Private Land The United States is known to have incredible national parks. But when it comes to wandering through private property we have no rights (Mingle, 2018, p.1). Is it un-American to open up “private land to the public”? In the early days of the US, “it was common practice to hunt and fish on private land if it wasn’t enclosed by a fence” (Mingle, 2018, p.1). 1862 after, the concept of “private property began to change just a few years later, following the Civil War” (Mingle, 2018, p.1). Then Louisiana, then shortly after the end of the war, “criminalized trespassing in part as a response to former slaves now having free access to the countryside” (Mingle, 2018, p.1). The invention of barbed wire, the open ranges all but disappeared. As well as Native Americans were “forced off their communal lands onto reservations” (Mingle, 2018, p.1). These lands were then sold to settlers and fenced. The Homestead Act of 1862 turned great open public land into private ownership and land-grants into the railroads. All Peoples should fight for recreational access and the freedom to walk across private land.
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NO TRESPASSING?
THE PROCESS Our First Meeting
Coming up with ideas Scheduling
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THE PROCESS First Idea Sketch Plan View
Location: Parket in front of Courthouse Square Material: 2 chairs, 4/5 Pallet, A couple plants
First Idea Sketch Elevation View
Location: Parket in front of Courthouse Square Material: 2 chairs, 4/5 Pallet, A couple plants
Envisioning a Greener Future One of the positive things about Prescott is how there are many recreational and outdoor opportunities surrounding the city. This is a great opportunity only if you have a car or some other access to a vehicle because otherwise it may be difficult to bike or walk multiple miles on steep hills. This can be especially difficult if you have physical disabilities, are walking with children, or it is the middle of the summer.
Prescott, Az Greening Ideas:
1. Starting small with neighborhood solutions reclaiming alleyways, painting streets, yard bombing, creating shade, other small scale green urban areas
2. Revitalizing and expanding our creeks Starting with Butte Creek trail expansion Connection all the creeks
3. Creating more parks We could start with parks in our area around the Prescott College then expands from there.
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Our vision for the future of Prescott is for it to become a place where both people and nature can thrive, and communities can truly flourish. We want Prescott to be a place where green space is not seen as a luxury but rather a necessity. In the next section we will be describing potential possibilities both on a small local scale that can be started from the bottom up to larger scale possibilities that can be ed by the city.
One of the potential things the city of Prescott could do is to connect the circle trail to trails in the city that further connect to downtown parks and our creek systems. By creating these greenways people will have a safe option to go out and explore further trails. The circles in the image above represent these tiers of connectivity created through trails connecting parks and other green spaces.
Small Scale Solutions "Just Add Paint" Painting the street has been a movement that has been growing. This movement is about reclaiming our streets back. It gives us another place to have vibrant art. It is another method for having “safe-street designs” and encourages slow speed. Sadik-Khan (n.d) said, “blacktop can become a backdrop for new public spaces” (As cited in Small, 2019, p.1). It could also signify where street festivals could exist. These new street paintings and unconventional crosswalks are now “opening up a gray area for local transportation planning” (Small, 2019, p.1). By painting our streets, “people may begin to feel safer and also begin to interact with their roads and their city in a new way” (Small, 2019, p.1).
Small Scale Solutions Yarn Bombing Across the city of Prescott there are many pathways that go along fenced areas. Many of these areas are visually unappealing and extremely paved. A way to integrate biophilic design in places we cannot create new parks, urban gardens, or other green spaces is by adding our own natural elements through art. The image below is a trail that connects to the Butte Creek. In the example below the fence could be covered with crocheted animals and plants.
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Example idea for fences around the city
Small Scale Solutions Creating Shade Green spaces can help to mitigate the negative effects of the urban heat island effect caused by increased paved surfaces and the lack of vegetation. A small scale solution to bringing shade that could also act as a community event would be through Yardbombing. In this case a person or group of people could crochet large pieces that can be hung up to help block the sun. This is a simple albeit time intensive solution. It also helps bring pops of color to otherwise monotonous areas. It is something that even we could do around our campus.
Cross Road Idea
CURRENT PRESCOTT COLLEGE CAMPUS This map of Prescott College shows the Butte Creek trail going diagonal across the campus. It is the only place to interact with the creek. Located at the bridge crossing from the village to the café.
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CURRENT PRESCOTT COLLEGE CAMPUS The second site map of Prescott College shows the ratio between parking lots vs the other spaces on campus.
CURRENT PRESCOTT COLLEGE CAMPUS
The third site map of Prescott College shows how many parking lots the school is surrounded by. This demonstrates that we are surrounded by concrete obsolete spaces. 22
THE PROCESS
WHAT IS BUTTE CREEK?
This is the quote from Prescott Website
Butte Creek leads to the greater Granite Creek. Prescott is nothing without its creeks. Prescott the town called Granite Creek “a jewel within Prescott” (Introduction, 2021, p.1). Prescott invested $1.5 million to “preserve the creek, enhance its natural environment and make it more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly” (Introduction, 2021, p.1). This Granite Creek Corridor Plan is intended to: “Broaden downtown Prescott’s reputation as a historic landmark and entertainment center to include a unique recreation center that is connected to a rich riparian environment. Connect downtown and Granite Creek, diversifying the range of downtown experiences available to Prescott residents and visitors. Identify design and economic opportunities for the City and downtown landowners and merchants to benefit from a creekside location and proximity to Granite Creek” (Introduction, 2021, p.1).
THE PROCESS
WHAT IS BUTTE CREEK?
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CURRENT LOOK AT BUTTE CREEK
CURRENT LOOK AT BUTTE CREEK
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CURRENT LOOK AT BUTTE CREEK
THE PROCESS EXTENSION FOR BUTTE CREEK (EFBC) Current Situation
Currently, the Butte Creek trail ends at Prescott College. Once you continue the creek, you will be led to the street. After walking around a couple of houses you will be in a confusing space. In this new space, there are no signs, no marking, and no path. It looks like a couple of connected backyards. The only hope for space is the Javelina Trails. This project would be an easy implementation because there is already an open space for a trail. This trail would follow behind apartments and homes. This could be an alternate path to getting around rather than walking on a big street.
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THE PROCESS
EXTENSION FOR BUTTE CREEK TRAIL (EFBCT)
(EFBCT) Idea Sketch - Elevation View
We want this extension of the trail to be more engaging but make it inviting. This trail extension of Butte Creek is to open it to the public. This trail would follow closely next to the Butte Creek and this opening space will be for myriads of activities. This trail is for the students on campus and the greater Prescott Community. For students, it will be an extension to space on campus. It can be a great place to walk around and to study at.
IDEA FOR BUTTE CREEK
EXTENSION FOR BUTTE CREEK TRAIL (EFBCT)
(EFBC) Idea Sketch - Plan View
At the end of the trail extension project, we have included a bigger space at the end for a park with picnic tables. Throughout the trail, it crosses over the creek a couple of times and at seemingly random but actually intentional places we have placed park benches. As a whole, many students do not have access to long-form transportation. We need to support our students and their connections to nature. At first, this creek system was for students in mind but as the project went on, we saw the importance of how all people of Prescott need a connection to nature.
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IDEA FOR BUTTE CREEK This first site map shows the whole picture and how it connects to Prescott College.
The second site map is a closer look at the extension itself.
IDEA FOR YAVAPAI COLLEGE CREEK
The same map shows how all the trails connect to Watson Lake then to Granite Creek Reserve. 32
CONNECTING ALL THE SYSTEMS
This map shows how all the trails connect to Watson Lake then to Granite Creek Reserve.
CURRENT AND PROPOSED PARK
This map shows that within W. Gurley St., Grail Gardner way, fair Street there are only two parks. 34
CURRENT AND PROPOSED PARK
This site map shows the surrounding areas of Courthouse Square. Here there are only three parks. We wanted to show the lack of park space without crossing major streets.
EQUITY With all this in mind, we must question whom we are greening for and “how, we can open the way for the much-needed acknowledgment of Indigenous histories and participation in the making of urban space” (Cooke, 2016, p.1). Not just with an anthropocentric outlook, we must also acknowledge that for better or for worse we do not simply inhabit cities with people but with other species too, that have been displaced by us. Green gentrification historically
was
and
is
a
risk
to
“underserved
and
low-income
neighborhoods” (Grinspan et al., 2020, p.1). New environmental amenities cause cultural alienation by “transforming the neighborhood without addressing the needs and preferences of current residents” is socioeconomic exclusion (Grinspan et al., 2020, p.1). Green space’s impact on property values without appropriate foresight and regulation. It can drive up housing prices and push out low-income residents (Grinspan et al., 2020). For example, many neighborhoods in Brooklyn that experienced environmental revitalization, because of the High Line in Manhattan were displaced (Grinspan et al., 2020).
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STEPS TO CONTINUE
These organizations are potential people to talk to for us and for future CC4 projects. Butte Creek Restoration https://buttecreekrestoration.weebly.com/ Save the Dells - Prescott https://www.savethedells.org/ Recreation Services for the City of Prescott https://www.prescott-az.gov/recreation-events/recreation-services/ Parks and Recreation Board https://www.prescott-az.gov/board/parks-and-recreation-board/
REFERENCES 2015 Prescott General Plan A Community Vision. (2014). In City of Prescott. https://www.prescott-az.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2016/05/2015_draft_general_plan_adopted_04_14_15.pdf Arch20. (2020, October 24). A Challenge to Cities: How Can We Incorporate Green Spaces? - Arch2O.com. Arch2O. https://www.arch2o.com/urban-green-spaceschallenge-cities/ Cabe Space. (2005). Start with the park. https://www.divaportal.org/smash/get/diva2:1134199/FULLTEXT01.pdf City of Prescott. (2015, April 14). Prescott General Plan A Community. https://www.prescottaz.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2015_draft_general_plan_adopted_04_14_15.pdf. Cooke, B. (2016, November 21). To green our cities, we must rethink our relationship with nature - City Monitor. City Monitor. https://citymonitor.ai/fabric/green-our-cities-we-must-rethink-ourrelationship-nature-2513 Flies, E. J., Skelly, C., Negi, S. S., Prabhakaran, P., Liu, Q., Liu, K., Goldizen, F. C., Lease, C., & Weinstein, P. (2017). Biodiverse green spaces: a prescription for global urban health. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 15(9), 510–516. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1630 Grinspan, D., John-Rob Pool, Ayushi Trivedi, Anderson, J., & Bouyé, M. (2020). Green Space: An Underestimated Tool to Create More Equal Cities. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/green-space-underestimated-tool-create-more-equal-cities Introduction – Prescott Granite Creek Area Plan. (2021). Prescott-Granitecreek.com. https://prescott-granitecreek.com/about-the-plan/ Israel, J., & Wolf, K. (2016). Outside Our Doors. In Nature. https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/Outside_Our_Doors_report. pdf Loder, A. (2020). Small-Scale Urban Greening. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315642857 McCormick, K. (2020, October 7). The Pandemic Has Underscored the Need for More Urban Parks. So What Comes Next? Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/articles/2020-10-room-roam-pandemic-urbanparks-what-comes-next Mingle, K. (2018, June 26). Right to Roam - 99% Invisible. 99% Invisible. https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/right-to-roam/ Rivers, L. (2021). Green Spaces Are a Necessity, Not an Amenity. How Can Cities Make Them Accessible to Everyone? Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/green-spaces-are-a-necessity-not-an-amenityhow-can-cities-make-them 38
REFERENCES Serap Yılmaz, & Sema Mumcu. (2016, October). Urban Green Areas and Design Principles. ResearchGate; unknown. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309285040_Urban_Green_Areas_and_Design_P rinciples The Nature Conservancy. (n.d.). Vision for a Sustainable Urban Century. In Nature. https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/Green_City_FINAL_PDF.pd f Totaforti, S. (2020). Emerging Biophilic Urbanism: The Value of the Human–Nature Relationship in the Urban Space. Sustainability, 12(13), 5487. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135487 WHO. (2017). Urban green spaces: a brief for action. https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/342289/Urban-GreenSpaces_EN_WHO_web3.pdf%3Fua=1 Yılmaz, S., & Mumcu, S. (2016). Urban Green Areas and Design Principles. In R. Efe, İ. Cürebal, A. Gad, & B. Tóth (Eds.), Environmental Sustainability and Landscape Management (pp. 100– 118). ST. KLIMENT OHRIDSKI UNIVERSITY PRESS. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309285040_Urban_Green_Areas_and_Design_P rinciples Zielinski, S. (2014, November 24). Humans Are Becoming City-Dwelling “Metro Sapiens.” Smithsonian Magazine; Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sciencenature/humans-are-becoming-city-dwelling-metro-sapiens-180953449/
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