International Project & Research Workshop
Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Municipalities of Toa Alta, Vega Baja & Vega Alta Design Studio D8 Spring 2018
Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida
Students: Shane Ah-Siong | Jorge Couso | Manuel Fort
Thanh Thanh Huynh | Juan Medina | Hans Milian
Edited by Maria E. Barrios Workshop Coord.
Projects for:
Toa Alta ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 07
Manuel Fort ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Shane Ah-Siong ................................................................................................................................................................................. 41
Vega Baja ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 61
Juan Medina .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 65 Thanh Thanh Huynh ........................................................................................................................................................................ 77
Vega Alta ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 89
Jorge Couso ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 101 Hans Milian ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 119
International Project & Research Workshop
Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Toa Alta: Proposals Design Studio D8 Spring 2018
Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida
Students: Shane Ah-Siong | Manuel Fort
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Neighborhoods Toa Alta, PR
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Historical Evolution Toa Alta, PR
The city growth remained static for most of its history From the 1950’s the city exploded in size Contemporary developments settled in flood risk zones
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Source: https://www.diaart.org/visit/visit/walter-de-maria-the-lightning-field
Today
Toa Alta, PR
City Center Potential Development Sites
Source: Google maps 2019
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Historical Images Toa Alta, PR
1821 - Plaza de la Constitucion
1915 - Calle del Comercio, Plaza and Church of Toa Alta
Today - Church of Toa Alta
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Source: Puerto Rico Urbano. Anibal Sepulveda Rivera. 2004 + Google maps 2019
1886 - Jose CentaĂąo and Anchorena
1878 - General Plan of Toa Alta
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Overview A Map
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Source: : arc gis cad mapper
Overview A Map
Source: : arc gis cad mapper
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Overview B
Birdseye View: Historic Plaza
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Source: : arc gis cad mapper
*building heights are exaggerated
Neighborhood Typologies Historic Plaza
(From historic plaza)
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Topography Toa Alta, PR
Old part of town (including Historic Plaza) was safe from flooding Roads were affected by flooding Contemporary developments were affected by flooding 18
Source: arcgis 2013 (topography) + FEMA flood map service (flood)
Flooding + Settlement Toa Alta, PR
Source: cad mapper + FEMA flood map service
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Flood Risk Toa Alta, PR
Top: Affected homes within Toa Alta pueblo from Hurricane Maria (2017) Bottom: Comparison within Toa Alta pueblo urban context
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Source: arcgis cad mapper
Housing Typologies Toa Alta, PR
Color Codes: housing preview within neighborhood Total number of homes within Toa Alta Pueblo: 1,035 Affected homes from Hurricane Maria (2017): 384
Source: FEMA flood map service
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S.W.O.T. Analysis Toa Alta, PR
Strengths: Strong city center that offers protection from flooding. Weaknesses: Contemporary settlements were developed in flood risk zones. Opportunities: Empty lots in the heart of the city can be used to develop housing that is safe from flooding. Empty land in the outskirts of the city offers space for the development of housing that is safe from flooding.
Threats: Northern part of town is vulnerable to flooding. 3-tier Strategies for future development 1 - Identify central abandoned buildings for reuse 2 - Identify central empty land for development 3 - Identify empty land outside of the town center for larger developments
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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR
Site 1 _ Type 2 Address: 14-20 Calle Luis MuĂąoz Rivera 5,616 Sq Ft
Source: Google maps 2019
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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR
Site 2 _ Type 2 Address: 15 Calle JosĂŠ de Diego 4,300 Sq Ft
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Source: Google maps 2019
Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR
Site 3 _ Type 3 Address: 1 Calle JosĂŠ de Diego 214,600 Sq Ft
Source: Google maps 2019
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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR
Site 4 _ type 3 Address: 1 Calle Palmer 164,300 Sq Ft
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Source: Google maps 2019
Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR
Site 5 _ Type 2 Address: 341 Calle 10 18,000 Sq Ft
Source: Google maps 2019
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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR
Site 6 _ Type 3 Address: Calle JosĂŠ Pepe Ramirez 70,500 Sq Ft
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Source: Google maps 2019
Case Study: Social Housing La Marina, Barcelona, Spain
Architects: EVA (Estudios Vivas Arquitectos) Weaves in city, community, and housing 112 apartments
Creating spaces of transition between each 3 focuses: city, community and housing. Source: EVA architects
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Living Machine Manuel Fort
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Shadow Studies Summer vs. Winter
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8 am Summer
8 am Winter
10 am Summer
10 am Winter
Shadow Studies Summer vs. Winter
12 pm Summer
12 pm Winter
2 pm Summer
2 pm Winter 33
Shadow Studies Summer vs. Winter
4 pm Summer
6 pm Summer 34
4 pm Winter
The Living Machine Proposal
63_3 Bedroom Units 24_2 Bedroom Units
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The Living Machine Proposal
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The Living Machine Proposal
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The Living Machine Proposal
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River Front Piazza La Plata Core
Shane Ah-Siong
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River Front Piazza Proposal
Site Total sq footage: 216,720 *Available: 250,700
Historic area penetrating into the proposal Total sq footage: 250,700
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River Front Piazza Proposal
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Case Studies
Walkable Cities: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Source: hebstreits.com
Case Studies
Walkable Cities: Honolulu, Hawaii
Source: historic Hawai’i foundation
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Case Studies
Walkable cities: Vicenza, Italy
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Successful Piazzas Attributes
Verona, Italy
Accessible (by foot!) Flexible design - temporary elements Amenities - seating, waste disposal Attraction & destination (fountain, outdoor cafe, playground) Inner & outer nature
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Potential Homes to be Moved Toa Alta, PR
384 homes affected by flooding Median person per household: 3 Total estimated peoples to displace: 1152
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Challenges at the Site Toa Alta, PR
Floodable Area(1% annual Chance-FEMA)
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Possible Solutions/Proposed Actions/Architectural Flood Resilience Neighborhood Addition to Peripheral Area of Urban Centre
Integrating a piazza into the site, housing on upper levels, leaving the ground public. Open-aired center space (public), where most housing overlooks the river. Mid-rise complex (in phases) Attributes: Extension of historic downtown area: Piazza, Tower, Commercial ground, Cultural center Refuge in case of emergency Elevated housing for flooding emergency 50
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Possible Solutions/Proposed Actions/Architectural Flood Resilience Neighborhood Addition to Peripheral Area of Urban Centre
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Linking Municipalities: La Plata Core Toa Baja, Dorado and Toa Alta
Reactivating the Core
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Sections of the City Toa Alta
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Connecting Paths throughout the City Toa Alta
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City Views Toa Alta
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City Views Toa Alta
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The Living Machine Eco Transformation
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Materiality
Pre-cast Concrete
Benefits Design-build efficiency Aesthetically versatile Reduced costs (manufactured off site, less maintenance) Not weather dependent upon manufacture - fast Environmental resistance Fireproof Pre-cast concrete in Puerto Rico Nidu, by Casa-i, company of Fuster + Architects Puerto Rico - Prefabricated houses Focus on modular and expandable homes, self-sustaining homes
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Case Studies: Micro Housing in Pipes Hong Kong - Architect: James Law
O’Pod: 120 Sq Ft Giant Water Pipe
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Case Studies: Moshe Safdie Montreal, Canada
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Case Studies: Architects Poggi + More Bordeaux, France
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International Project & Research Workshop
Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Vega Baja: Development Proposals Design Studio D8 Spring 2018
Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida
Students: Thanh Thanh Huynh | Juan Medina
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Vega Baja Analysis Demographic Risk
Residencies affected by Vega Baja’s floodplain: 383 homes within a 1 mile radius from designated site National average of household size: 3.0 people per household 383 homes at 3.0 residents per household equates to an approximate of 1,149 residents affected by flooding
Source: (https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=8b 803d9a9574e54ab7e7b3eb8ce2ecf ) + https://www.paho.org/salud-en-las-americas-2017/?p=4295
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PIXel House Juan Medina
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Vega Baja Analysis and Site Strategies Site Potential
1) REUSE OF ABANDONED OR AVAILABLE BUILDINGS - Generate a restored sense of character in the city while maintaining civic and social pride - Resource and energy conservation –> restoration of an abandoned building requires fewer construction materials but sometimes more labor, which can be a positive factor for employment 2) COLLECTIVE HOUSING PROPOSAL IN VACANT CENTRALLY LOCATED LOT - Benefit of having an empty lot with adequate square footage and walk-ability to urban/historic core - Adjacency to main roads/highway which will promote ease of access and departure, with the possibility of engaging the main road’s limitation on the site’s potential for expansion 3) NEIGHBORHOOD ADDITION TO PERIPHERAL AREA OF URBAN CENTER 4) PROVISION OF A NEW HIGH DENSITY URBAN CENTER TO ACT AS A CIVIL AND SOCIAL NODE AND HIGH DENSITY HUB FOR DISPERSED COMMUNITIES 5) SELF-CONTAINED NEW INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT REUSING DISMISSED INFRASTRUCTURAL ASSETS
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Vacant Centrally Located Lot Site Proposals
Area 1: 154,251 sq ft Vacant lot on the corner intersection of Calle Muñoz and Highway 2 - PR2 Area 2: 30,765 sq ft Abandoned school across Calle Muñoz, adjacent to Area 1 Net area: 127,085 sq ft
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Area 1
Site Proposals
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Area 2
Site Proposals
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Preliminary Aspects Affordability
Using the human scale as a driver through which the project will develop as a module for residential retention, ensuring contextual security, and freedom of expression. Allowing the human scale to act as ‘building blocks’ of everyday life promoting need over luxury, resulting in affordable living.
Family
Entertainment
What makes up a household in Puerto Rico? Cooking
Privacy/security
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Preliminary Aspects Sustainability
Maximize the exposure to sunlight through careful positioning of overall program Encourage the use of renewable energy, mainly focusing on rainwater harvesting and solar energy Green roof system + rainwater harvesting = vertical farming
Preliminary Aspects Demographic Development
Demographic considerations
Recognition of an evolving demographic scale in order to allow for flexibility and the generating of a framework for expansion 75
PIXel House
Public Housing at Vega Baja
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Community Cores
Base units
Framework for expansion
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La Reserva:
Conservation Development
Thanh Thanh Huynh
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Conservation Development Vega Baja Auxiliary Airdrome
“Self-contained new inclusive development reusing discussed infrastructure assets”
What is Conservation Development? “Conservation development (CD) is an approach to the design, construction, and stewardship of a development that achieves functional protection of natural resources, while also providing social and economic benefits to human communities.” General Aspects - “provides a disproportionate amount of high-quality habitat for plant and animal species and ecosystem services that are critical for human well-being” - Investigate and describe the diversity of the living world - To understand the effects of human activities on species, communities, and ecosystems - To develop practical interdisciplinary approaches to protecting and restoring biological diversity 82
Source: Colorado State University Global Challenges Research Team
Valuable Resources Laguna Tortuguero
Laguna Tortuguero is the largest and most important freshwater body in Puerto Rico with a diversity of soils and silicon sands. The Flora has been classified as the fourth mist important on the island.
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Existing Challenges
Vega Baja Auxiliary Airdrome
Within a one-mile radius of the downtown urban core of Vega Baja contains 383 homes that are “at-risk” due to flooding. With the average people per household number at three, that leaves 1,149 residents at risk. Range of vulnerable people at risk in the municipality of Vega Baja due to flooding is between 10,000-20,000 people. The number of “off-grid” homes range between 218-250 homes, making between 654-750 people residing in these areas.
Possible Solutions - Relocation of the at-risk people and families With the use of abandoned lots and buildings Auxiliary Airfield - Implementing a sustainable and self-sufficient way of living Food security Locally grown and sourced products/material - Protective structures
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Bunkers for natural disasters, hurricane shutters on homes, wind resistant domes
Project Goals Proposal
Runway Information Dimensions: 2000 x 50 ft. / 610 x 15 m Surface: Turf - Total Area: 4,165 x 334 ft - Airport use: Private use Permission required prior to landing - Activation date: 04/2002
- Production Area (Tech. Agriculture) - Food Security (Self-sufficiency in response to neighboring communities) - Central square and community gathering - Relocation of the displaced - Work-force housing - Transitional housing - Shared transportation - Primary school
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Background Proposal
A total of 554 acres was acquired by the Federal Government in 1941 to develop the Vega Baja Auxiliary Airdrome. The Army constructed a runway, taxiway, roads, utilities, and several buildings.
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The field was used as an auxiliary airfield during the war years, which was used for training by units with P-36, P-39 & P-40 fighterstt
Flood Analysis Proposal
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Conceptual Site Mapping Proposal
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Master Plan Proposal
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Proposed Roads Proposal
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Aquaponics Greenhouse System Components
1. 300 Gal. Fish Tank 2. Water Filtration System 3. Water Storage 4. Media Beds for Fruiting Crops (84 sf ) 5. Seedling Nursery System 6. Wicking Beds (136 sf ) 7. Deep Water Culture Beds (1,120 sf )
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International Project & Research Workshop
Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Vega Alta: Proposals Design Studio D8 Spring 2018
Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida
Students: Jorge Couso | Hans Milian
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Vega Alta Regional Maps
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Vega Alta City Evolution
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Vega Alta Historic Site
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Vega Alta Land Use Map
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Vega Alta Land Use Map
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Vega Alta Land Use Map
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Vega Alta Elevation Map
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Vega Alta Site Analysis
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Vega Alta
Flooding Diagram
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New Commons Communal Alliances
Jorge Couso
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Reuse of Abandoned or Available Buildings Proposal
This Proposal consist of executing the possibility of using shipping containers to create a sustainable community for the elders that remain affected in the municipality of Vega Alta, using a abandon building in the industrial district of the town.
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Site Exploration Proposal
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Site Exploration Proposal
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Neighborhood Typologies Housing
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Neighborhood Typologies Commercial and Industrial
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Neighborhood Typologies Routes of Access
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Concept Proposal
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Approach Proposal
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Program Proposal
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Commercial Center Proposal
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Green Spaces Proposal
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Apartment Building Proposal
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Apartment Building Proposal
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Sustainable Homes Proposal
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Sustainable Homes Proposal
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Vega Nueva Project
Sponge City Proposal for Vega Alta & Adjacent Communities Hans Milian
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Vega Alta Regional Map
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Vega Alta Pueblo City Evolution
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Vega Alta Flooding Map
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Flooding Map Existing Conditions
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Flooding Map Natural Barrier
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Natural Barrier Proposal
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Natural Barrier Proposal
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Natural Barrier Proposal
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FLOODING AREA
CANAL SYSTEM IDEA
WATER DISTRIBUTION
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Natural Barrier Proposal
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Natural Barrier Proposal
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Sponge City Case Study
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Site Studies Vega Alta
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Site Studies Vega Alta
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Site Compositions Vega Alta
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Proposal Components Vega Alta
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Site Overview Vega Alta
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Site Detailed Elements Vega Alta
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Site Views Vega Alta
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Site Sections Vega Alta
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Site Sections Vega Alta
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Housing Proposal Vega Alta
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Housing Components Vega Alta
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