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CONTEXT THE SITE: The site of LAND604 MLA foundation Studio Winter 2021 is the Bow River greenway between 10th and 14th Streets on the south side of the river abutting the community of Downtown West. At present, the greenway is characterized by a narrow strip of land dedicated to shared bicycle and pedestrian movements. Its northern edge is defined by fortified slopes receding into the Bow River with varying densities of vegetation and limited visual connectivity and physical accessibility to the river. A ribbon of roads connecting to Downtown Calgary defines the southern edge of the site. The network of roads becomes more complex on the western end of the site, where Bow Trail merges with 6th Ave. SW. On‐ramps and off‐ramps from 14th St. SW add to the fragmented spatial condition of the western end. THE APPROACH: The approach to masterplanning is cross‐scalar, systemic, and synthetic. Each student has been tasked with designing five interrelated parts of the Bow River greenway addressing the opportunities/constraints listed above through multifunctional design strategies weaving utilities, amenities, and aesthetic experiences into a cohesive whole that reinforces an existing sense of place or imparts a new identity. For example, a stormwater pond, retaining and purifying urban runoff could potentially also act as a water feature for a public gathering place, and furthermore act as a gateway into the Bow River greenway. In this regard, forms, functions, and experiences are woven into a single cohesive composition.
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JENNA MCINTYRE 3 4
RHYTHM OF THE BOW JENNA MCINTYRE
OPENINGS & CONSTRICTIONS
WEST
EAST
RIVER EDGE DYNAMICS
CONCEPT DIAGRAMS
MOVEMENT THROUGH
UNDERGROUND INTERRUPTIONS
ABOVE GROUND INTERRUPTIONS
STORMWATER TREATMENT GRADIENT
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MASTERPLAN The design for the West Bow River Greenway is rooted in the experience of moving through the site, interrupting the fast-paced east-west flow with stormwater treatment infrastructure. Subsurface stormwater pipes that currently channel dirty stormwater from the city to the river will be exposed, extendig as blue boulevads into the city, opening up to rectangular treatment pools that slow and filter the water with sand filtration. Riverbank erosion will be addressed with structured terracing and native, naturalized vegetation. Trees further define the experience of moving through the site, placed in rows that frame the views as one travels through, opening up to wider, unrestricted viewing access further west.
N
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RIVER-URBAN CONNECTIONS
BLUE BOULEVARDTREATMENT POOLBOW RIVER
CONTEMPORARY CALGARY CONNECTION
6TH AVE UNDERPASS 6 7
STORMWATER TREATMENT SAND FILTRATION SYSTEM
FURTHEST EAST POOL
FURTHEST WEST POOL
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MADIHA MEHDI 8 9
HIDE AND SEEK Proposal for Downtown West Riverfront, Calgary
Natural Edge
Urban Edge
HIDE 6 Ave SW
SEEK Contemporary Calgary
HIDE
SEEK
Residential Downtown building
The concept of hide and seek connects or disconnects the two main edges of the site, Urban and Natural through -
HIDE
SEEK
Through closely spaced tree grid and landforms
Through widely spaced tree grid
2 grids overlaid
Mound and valley
Rectangular grid
Square grid 9
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MASTERPLAN
Circulation Bicycle Pedestrian
Tree grid
1. Grove 2. Dry pond 3. Over-bridge 4. Bench 5. Meadow 6. Seating area 7. Art Gallery Plaza 8. Food and services 9. Entrance plaza 10. Bioswale 11. Riverwalk 12. Winding path 10 11
THE COULÉE
A
River
Riparian Walking, Dense Zone Bicycle Path Plantation
Dry Pond
Dense Plantation
Residential Building
SECTION A 0
View from inside the dry pond
Poplar
5
10 20 m
Smooth Blue Aster Cottonwood 11
12
THE OVERBRIDGE
Contemporary Calgary
Art Gallery Plaza
6 Ave SW BioSwale
Seating Area
Walking, Riparian River Cycling Path Zone
SECTION B 0
View towards the over-bridge View towards the over-bridge 13
Aspen
5
10
20 m
Wild Tufted Manitoba bergamot hairgrass maple 12
THE MEADOW
View from the pathway looking towards the meadow
THE GROVE C
River
Grove
Riparian Walking, zone Bicycle
Shrubs & Flowers
Grove
5 Ave SW
Residential
Building 0
5
10
20m
SECTION C View from the grove looking West
Aspen
Sunflower
Black-eyed susan
Crabapple
Manitoba maple
Chokecherry 13
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MELISSA BOURNE 14 15
16
17
18
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MONA MESCHI 21
BOW RIVERFRONT PARK Mona Meschi
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BUILT FORM LOST SPACE
FRAGMENTATION
1928
1979
1948
1997
2010
2020
River Edge Environmental Condition River Edge environmental Condition Node Landmark Arterial Road Sub-Arterial Road Distric Road Bikeway Pathway Rail LRT
10th St 14th St
Good Bank Health
Downtown West Bow River
6th Ave
11th St 10th St 23
Poor Bank Health Bank Erosion Hotspot
Conceptual Diagrams
Consolidation
Louise Bridge Steps
Louise Bridge Steps Transition Space Central Plaza Green Bridge Meadow
Urbanscape
Landscape Transition Space
Contemporary Calgary Kerby Station
Central Plaza Mewata Armoury
River Flow
Urban Force
Green Bridge
Bikeway Pathway The Meadow
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Green Bridge
In the first step, unifying the fragmented area would be beneficial due to making it a consolidated urban space beside the natural flow of the Bow River. Being within Downtown West, this edge acts as a transitional space from the hardscape of Downtown to the softscape of the river edge eastward. The river edge is a border between nature and human-made space, a border between landscape and urban realm. The 11th street concluding significant landmarks and nodes, has a unique potential, fluctuates the river edge and overcomes it, and finally, it appears as the Central Plaza with a pier on the river. The connection with the surrounding neighborhoods is possible with the help of the riverfront bikeway integrated with the 11th street bikeway and penetration of green space into this street through a boulevard. Green Bridge offering a variety of views, connects the Central plaza to Contemporary Calgary and Millenium Park.
The elevated boardwalk at the eastern part of the site with good bank health would help the natural condition of the area to be preserved. The native plants would grow spontaneously during the change of seasons while there are no other forces but nature.
GREEN BRIDGE
BOARDWALK
RIVER
The vegetation includes columnar trees for defining edges and backgrounds, spreading trees for the middle spaces, native shrubs, and meadow plants as the ground cover. Their composition provides diverse experiences of enclosure, openness, curiosity, and excitement.
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OXANA LYASHENKO 20 26
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PARNIAN NAZEMZADEH 30
Bow River Walk
Parnian Nazemzadeh
1 3
2
R
4
6 AVE SW 9 ST SW
10 ST SW
5
9 ST SW
W BO
R E IV
scale 1:2000
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fragmented lost spaces
existing pathway
Bow River Walk was designed with the intention of bringing nature back to the urban area and creating connection to the water while developing a flow between the fragmented parts of the site through design. The proposed design was developed to highlight the identity of the site and improve the existing activities of the visitors.
nne Co
w ity ctiv
ter Wa ith
ter Wa ry Ent
Ent
Ro
ry
ter Wa
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ad
ad
In respond to inadequate storm water management in the site, rain gardens and additional vegetation was proposed to the site. In order to activate the lost spaces, an urban beach is proposed to the site to attract more visitors with various ages to the park by providing them easier access to the water. The urban beach, board walk and the sitting area allows connectivity to the water.
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PRANSHUL DANGWAL 24 34
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PRATEKK GHELAA 29 39
PRATEKK GHELAA | 30124610
MASTER PLAN
Bow River Pathway
ExisƟng Trees
6th
Proposed rows of Tall NaƟve grass Ave SW
VIEW - V 0
NORTH
14t
St
t
80
10th
Bow River
hS
METRES 40 20 60
V
6th
Ave SW
way Path r e v i R Bow
ve SW 6th A
Ave SW
hS
6th
Ave SW
11t
Science Mueseum
t SW
5th
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PRATEKK GHELAA | 30124610
V1
VIEWS
V2
Key Plan(N.T.S)
V2
V1
e SW
enu h Av
6t
V1
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PRATEKK GHELAA | 30124610
3.0
6.0
Bow River Pathway Tall NaƟve Grass
0
METRES
SECTION 3 - 3
SecƟon 3 - 3
3 3
Tall NaƟve Grass
0
1.5
V3
METRES 3.0
4.5
6.0
ExisƟng American Elm
Key Plan(N.T.S)
V3
h
5t ue
en Av SW
V3
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SAM BOWERMAN 34 43
Plan
Commercial District Stormwater Floodway
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Playground Stormwater Pond
SW St
Open Field Dog Park River Lookout Community Garden
5 Ave SW
Urban Beach
6 Ave SW
14 St SW 0m
6 Ave SW
25m
50m
100m
200m
N
Sam Bowerman 2021 35
44
Landing
39m 8.8m
5m
5m
Sam Bowerman 2021 36 45
Journey
3m
5m
47.8m 15m
5m
5m
3m
Sam Bowerman 2021 37 46
Destination
3m
33.8m 5m
11.5m
Sam Bowerman 2021 38 47
SHANNON GIESBRECHT 39 48
Downtown West Site Analysis
Permeability and outflow map of Downtown West 1
2
3
Sections emphasizing underutilized space and the edges of the site 40 49
Master Plan The goal of the Downtown West Redevelopment Plan is to integrate storm water management with the public realm. Three circular nodes are the heart of this design. They activate the edge of the site, slow bicycle traffic and encourage gathering. The repeating circular geometry unifies the plan and creates unique moments to enhance the identity of Downtown West.
Catch & Release Pond Restaurant & Washrooms
Bioswale
Bike Path
Boardwalk
Converted Cafe
New Sidewalk Flexible Recreation Connect to Millennium Park
Sediment Settling Pond
Sandstone Plaza & Cafe
60 m
41 50
Sections & Perspectives Storm Water Pond 60 m
Viewing Platform 15 m
Bicycle Pathway 2m
Bicycle Pathway 2m
6th Ave
Sediment 1% Slope
Sediment settling pond
Viewing Platform 15 m
Cafe Bicycle Pathway 2m
Bicycle Pathway 2m
Bioswale
6th Ave
Sandstone plaza
Bicycle Pathway 4m
Saskatoon Bush
Boardwalk 4m
Bioswale and pathways
Dogwood
Goldem Current
Growing Medium Bioswale
6th Ave
Gravel
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TOM BROWN 52
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VICTORIA BOHM 43 58
BOW RIVER - DOWNTOWN WEST MASTERPLAN
Landscape Architecture Studio I Instructor: T. Hlimi - Winter 2021 Victoria Bohm
River Walk
1910
Chinook Bridge
The Field at 5th
Rock Meadow
50m
100m 44
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@ THE RIVERWALK
25m
50m
walkway drop 1.5
Bow River
an
ath
np 2.0
y wa alk kw an g erb tin riv lan kp
erb riv
ria
est
4.0
d pe
ath ep
12.0
bik
nd
all measurements are expressed in metres
u gro lay
60
grass 16.1
’s p ren ild
tio pa
12.0
5.1
grass 8.0
ch
e caf se
ou
eH
tag
eri
3.4
0H
2.3
1 19
s ng nti pla alk ew
sid
5th Ave., SW 14.5
riverbank ht.
4.8
1.6
1.6
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@ THE CHINOOK BRIDGE
5.5
3.5
inner arch span 62.5 Chinook Bridge span 131.0
25m
all measurements are expressed in metres
50m 46
61
WEST OF THE BRIDGE
riverbank ht. 5.6
Bow River
10
10m
river bank
pedestrian path
grass
bike path
23.6
2.0
15.1
4.0
ped. path
6th Ave., SW
2.0
13.5
25
all measurements are expressed in metres
20m
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THE ROCK MEADOW
riverbank ht. 5.6
Bow River
river bank 23.6
pedestrian path 2.0
grass 15.1
bike path 4.0
grass 31.2
6th Ave., SW all measurements are expressed in metres
25m
50m
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XIREN ZHANG 49 64
Bow River Greenway Design
Calgary Downtown West End
Xiren Zhang
MLA Foundation Studio|Winter 2021|Instructor: Tawab Hlimi School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape|University of Calgary 50 65
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Site Analysis
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1921
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Topography & Hydrology G
Traffic
Figure Ground & Green Space
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Prince's Island Park
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1921-10th Street Bridge ()
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Eau Claire Park
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EAU CLAIRE Park
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WESTMOUNT
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DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL
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SITE
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High Residential
WEST VILLAGE
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Shaw Millennium Park
1948
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SUNALTA G G
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Building Density Increased
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SHAW MILLENNIUM PARK
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BELTLINE Plants
Bow River Pathway(Path)
High Vehicular Movement(Edge)
Wind
Highest water level
Context Map
4 pm
8 am
0
Sketch
50
100
150
200m
12 pm
High Pedestrian Movement
0
50
100
LRT(Edge) 150
200m
LRT Station
Node
Landmark
Drainage
0
50
100
150
Pica hudsonia Castor canadensis Charadrius vociferus Thamnophis elegans Anas platyrhynchos Branta canadensis Colaptes auratus
Animals Chamaenerion angustifolium Symphoricarpos occidentalis Achillea millefolium
Medicago sativa Agropyron cristatum Matricaria discoidea Symphyotrichum laeve
200m
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1979
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a b
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Shadow Study (July)
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a.
b. G
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c
1954-14th Steet Bridge (Mewata Bridge) 1967-Centennial Planetarium (Contemporary Calgary)
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2001
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G G G
2000-Shaw Millennium Park 2001-New Apartment
8 am
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d
G G
G G
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G
c.
d.
2010
G G
e
2003&2005-New Apartments
12 pm
2020
e.
f.
2012- Kerby Station
f 4 pm
Timeline 51
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Plan & Organization
Concept w
Bo
r
ve
Ri
Activity 1 Activity 2
f Activity 3
Residential
Buildings
Cafe Farmers Market
c d
er
iv wR
Routes
Bo
b
r
e
w
Bo
g
ve i R
Plants
a
Base
Master Plan
a. Ecological Revetment
c. Urban Beach
e. Farmers Market
b. Platform
d. Cafe
f. Louise Bridge
g. Mewata Bridge
Hierarchical Analysis 52
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Moments Isometric View
Moment 5
Moment 4
Moment 3
Moment 2
Moment 1
Perspective
Section
Bow TraIl Trail Bow
6 Ave
River Walk River Pathway
6 Ave
0
Beach Beach
5
Beach Beach
10m
0
10m
5
10m
30m
Moment 1
20
ent 2
10
Mom
5
Moment 4
Moment 5
0
Moment 3
5
Cafe Cafe
Farmers Market
Ecological Revetment
0
BowTrail Trail Bow
Bow Trail
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