WIL L R O B E RT S
Urban Design/Planning Portfolio
WILL ROBERTS 1212 Commonwealth Avenue, #8 Allston, MA 02134 (772) 473-2200 will.g.roberts@gmail.com Website LinkedIn
My working philosophy draws deeply from the Aristotelian concept of Eudaimonia. It is used to describe a version of happiness that marks the highest human potential, or good. Today, it more closely would translate to human flourishing, contentment, and welfare. This term has been foundational in my conceptualization of sustainability, planning, and design. I strive to identify characteristics of urbanism that could facilitate a community scale version of Eudaimonia.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT [Process = Resiliency]
The timeline below traces core milestones in my life that have had a significant impact on my worldview and perspective as a designer and planner.
SKATEBOARDING - Style and flow are primary goals - Investigate (derive) and reinterpret urban form - Material analysis - Liberation & persistence
WORKING PHILOSOPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY - Creative expression - Visual communication - Patience
TRAVEL - Independence - Cultural diversity and manifestation into materiality - Empathy
Key elements I prioritize in my work include inclusion, conservation, democracy, safety, diversity, participation, and resiliency. Additionally, I look for ways to nurture connections amongst both community members and their shared history, identity, and environment. I strongly believe in the power and potential of place and its effect on identity and capacity. I hope to find a professional opportunity that encourages a deliberative approach to community development through design and planning.
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION - Community, compassion, and connection - Environmental justice - Fragility, impact, and potential
SKILLS
EXPERTISE
Illustrator InDesign Photoshop Premiere ArcGIS QGIS SPSS Sketchup Autocad
ADVENTURE - Sustainability as lifestyle - Connection to larger systems - Confidence
Land Use Parks
EDUCATION
I’M HAPPY TO HAVE...
Urban Design Postgraduate Diploma University of Sheffield 2017 Degree with Merit
- Lobbied Congress in Washington D.C. for conservation policy
Transportation Urban Design Equity Sustainability Cartography Graphic Design
CYCLING - Experience form at slower pace - Motion and equity - Sustainability and health
Master of Urban & Regional Planning Portland State University 2016 GPA - 3.81 B.S. Environmental Science & Policy University of South Florida Saint Petersburg 2011 GPA - 3.83
PLANNING SCHOOL - Institutional change - Systems analysis - Technical ability to influence policy and community
- Conducted wildlife surveys in rural Oregon - Lived, worked, and traveled in India for 3 months - Ridden my bicycle 2,500 miles across the US - Backpacked through multiple national parks - Traveled throughout Europe - Worked with students and professionals from around the world
DESIGN SCHOOL - Construct change - Build confidence in process - Empowerment through form
Sheffield, United Kingdom Seattle, Washington Portland, Oregon
Boston, Massachusetts
Lakeview, Oregon Gainesville, Florida Saint Petersburg, Florida
Washington, D.C. Vero Beach, Florida
Auroville, India
Living Trajectory Projects
Open Square Page 1 Spring 2017 Sheffield, United Kingdom 53°22’43.6”N 1°28’33.0”W
Kiez Lab Page 9 Winter 2017 Berlin, Germany 52°29’56.6”N 13°23’30.4”E
Street Stop Page 15 Fall 2016 Johannesburg, South Africa 26°11’37.1”S 28°02’06.8”E
Westside Park Page 19 Summer 2016 Hood River, Oregon 45°41’54.5”N 121°32’44.3”W
Alligator Alley Page 29 Spring 2015 Vero Beach, Florida 27°38’20.6”N 80°23’55.8”W
Better Burnside Page 33 Fall 2015 Portland, Oregon 45°31’23.1”N 122°40’04.3”W
[OPEN SQUARE]
SITE LOCATION: COURSE:
DATE: TECH: ROLE: DELIVERABLES:
City Centre, Sheffield, UK Studio 3 (Re-Appropriating a Post-Industrial Landscape Through Community-Led Development) Sheffield MAUD Spring 2017 (6 weeks) InDesign, Illustrator, ArcGIS, Sketchup, Autocad, Laser Cut Urban Designer 3 A0 Sheets, Public Exhibition, Interactive Model, Reflective Portfolio
PROBLEM:
Find a design solution to Sheffield’s housing shortage in the city center that takes advantage of the community land trust model. Investigate economic feasibility, community co-production, population needs projections, and programming of public and private space.
[CONTEXT]
City Policies and Sites
0
20
40
60
80
[before]
100
Activity Area Vacant, Unused, Underused, Disused Space
[above] A series of policy and demographic maps illustrate the existing conditions on and around the site. They were used to demonstrate the political framework that justified the conceptual development of the proposal.
3 [OPEN SQUARE]
[right] Before and after context maps show the character of the spaces while defining movements and potential connections. They also express our underlying concept of ‘closing the gap’ between areas of interest.
Landmark
Prominent Road
Quality Public Space
Minor Road
[after]
Activity Area
Landmark
Pedestrian Path
Quality Public Space
Prominent Road
Minor Road
Pedestrian Path Barrier
PO L
IC
Y
GO AL
S
Cl im at eC En ha er ng gy e Ai rQ ua l ity M icr oCl im W at at er e Co Flo ns er od va in tio g W n as te Gr ee n/ Op Fo en od Sp ac Bi e od ive rsi Gr ty ee n Ch Pu ar ac bl ic te r Sp St a c re e et En Al vir te on rn m at en ive Pe t de Tr an str sp ian Sa Ro ort fe ty ut es Re du ce d Ac Pa ce rk ss in ib ilit g W ell y -B ein Pl g ac e/ Ch De ar ac sig te n r Liv /Arc h in g C itec tu it M re ixe y /A es d Co th Ur et m ics ba m un n Vi ity lla He ge rit ag e Af fo rd ab ilit y
[POLICY PRIORITY MATRIX]
INTERVENTIONS
Combined Heating Power Systems EcoDistrict Solar Power Sustainable Building Materials Green Roof Green Wall Greywater/Rainwater Collection Permeable Pavement Bioswales Community Gardens Devonshire Green Improvements Street Trees Devonshire Lane Place Making Bike/Ped Facilities Discourage Motor Vehicles Road Diet Green Ways Car-Sharing Parkin and Sons Cultural Landmark (library, public complex) Square/Urban Living Room Ground Floor Retail Living in the City Centre Different Typologies Shared Common Spaces Young Adults/Families
The policy matrix helps visualize connections between our interventions and the goals, visions, and requirements laid out in Sheffield City Council planning documents.
[OPEN SQUARE] 4
[COMMUNITY LAND TRUST MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY]
I think my hostel could use better branding and maybe some improvements to the entry. I don’t have enough money to pay for it right now but I know an investment would bring in more customers and I could pay back the loan quite quickly. Maybe the design team can get me started.
I just moved to Sheffield and I’m looking to explore and make some friends. Maybe I’ll check out a few of the clubs at Open Square. Perhaps something will lead to a job because I’m super broke
I’m doing my PhD research on the social implications of Sheffield’s housing shortage. I think programs like Open Square should do more to meet the demands of the homeless. Maybe I’ll bring it up at the monthly meeting and see where it goes...
[photos] public exhibition & concept development
I’ve been loving my bike commute to work but there are a few dangerous areas that may be impeding others from cycling more. I’m going to chat with the cycle club to see if there’s anything I can do.
I would love to host an experimental participatory art exhibition in the public square. How do I set that up and can I get any help to pay for it?
1
Trafalgar Terraces
Exchange
Parkin & Sons
Our Hostel
Wellington View
2
3
y m no
o Ec
gy olo Ec
So
c
y iet
Miscellaneous Groups/Clubs
Equity
Sustainability
n tio s ht olu es Rig cy tR ty r’s i a c i s e c s l r k vo nf ve or hic W Di Co Ad Et
ts en Ev
ing
G
en ard
ub
Cl
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g lin
ub
Cl
Technical Assistance
ing
t rke Ma
al
g Le
l
ia nc
a Fin
Safety
ing
ais dr
ign
s De
n Fu
n
tio rta
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o sp
n
io nt
e rev eP
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4 5
1
Any individual who lives or works in Open Square has an equal opportunity to shape the community.
4
If a major decision is needed, or funding is requested, the issue will be brought to the budget and finance team to analyze its potential fiscal impacts on the stakeholders.
5 [OPEN SQUARE]
in sta Su
6
Business Improvement District
ility
ab
Budget & Finance
Ch
air
ity
u Eq
2
Issues, ideas, and concerns can be brought up with employers, house representatives, at monthly house meetings, or at bi-annual community assemblies.
5
If the issue is commercial in nature the best reference will be the Business Improvement District, whose aim is to provide tools for success while also leveraging for physical improvements.
Elected Volunteer Board
Tenant Services Economic Development Safety Budget & Finance Equity Sustainability
3
The first line of inquiry will likely direct the person to a more specific group within the community who can assist them further. These groups can consist of paid or volunteer staff and cover a range of community interests or issues.
6
The issue will then be analyzed for any equity and/or sustainability impacts. After advice or approval, the action will be voted on by the volunteer board made up of elected CLT members. Throughout the process there will be a series of public events and opportunities for CLT members to weigh in.
[left] We used characters to illustrate proposed social organization and how the community can facilitate a democratic evolution of material space.
[PROGRAM & MASTERPLANS]
[left Final build-out exploded program.
[above] Drafts of final build-out masterplans.
[OPEN SQUARE] 6
[PUBLIC SPACE INTERVENTIONS & PROGRAM SECTION]
The VIEW
OPEN Gallery
SEEDing Community
WELLington Street
The VIEW brings the classic European square back to Sheffield. This open plaza will become the heart of a modern South Yorkshire.
OPEN gallery transforms an unused alley into an art space and inviting thoroughfare for pedestrians moving between the city center’s largest park and Open Square.
The SEEDing community space transforms leftover spaces near a renovated historic building into a community garden and cafe.
WELLington Street is a transportation and public space improvement intervention that reclaims dead space along a neglected corridor.
7 [OPEN SQUARE]
[PUBLIC EXHIBITION]
The public exhibition invited stakeholders and members of the public to examine our studio’s work.
[OPEN SQUARE] 8
[KIEZ LAB]
SITE LOCATION: COURSE: DATE: ABSTRACT:
Mehringplatz, Berlin, Germany Studio 2 (Re-Appropriating Modernist Housing) - Sheffield MAUD Winter 2017 (6 weeks) Kiez Lab is a long-range multistage urban design and social development program that aims to enhance the historically significant, yet stagnant, Mehringplatz housing estate.
STAKEHOLDERS:
TECH: ROLES:
The primary stakeholders of this project are children (age 6 to 12) in Mehringplatz and unemployed adults in the broader community InDesign, Illustrator, ArcGIS, Sketchup, Premiere Project Manager, Urban Designer
[CONTEXT]
2 1 4 3
5
6
8
9
10 11 12
7
13 14
1 • Kita Wilhelmstraße 2 • Galilei-Grundschule • Liebmann-Schule 3 • Gehörlosenzentrum 4 • KMAntenne - Kinder-und • Jugendkulturzentrum des KMA e.V. 11 [KIEZ LAB]
5 INTIHAUS • Outreach gGmbH - Mobile Jugendarbeit • Mina e.V. • Al Dar e.V. • Quartiersmanagement Mehringplatz • Interkultureller Kiezgarten des KMA e.V. • Begegnungsstätte Mehring-Kiez
6 • Impact Hub • ReDi School 7 • Kita Trauminsel Bethlehem
11 • Kreative Lernwerkstatt Mehringplatz • Die Globale e.V.
8 • Frauen- und Mädchenzentrum • Vielfalt e.V.
12 • Seniorentreff Mehringplatz • Diakonie
9 • Kiezstube am Mehringplatz
13 • Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek
10 • JAM im Workout e.V.
14 • Hebbel am Ufer - HAU 1 & 2
[page left] This network map was made to understand the capacity of hyper-local organizations in relation to implementation and support of our proposal. [below] The historic significance of the site was an important influence to our concept of restoring density to the west.
1940
1953
1989
2001
2014 [KIEZ LAB] 12
[CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT]
PHASE 1: A PLACE to engage
PHASE 2: A PLACE to play
PHASE 3: A PLACE to move
PHASE 4: A PLACE to reflect
[above] We investigated how a series of spaces to the west of the insulated and inward-facing Mehringplatz could activate the whole neighborhood and unite the isolated development with its surroundings. 13 [KIEZ LAB]
[page-right] We devised a five stage plan to address how our unique interventions will allow the diverse community in Mehringplatz to re-appropriate and claim ownership over their environment.
PHASE 5: A PLACE to connect
[PHASING]
[before]
[after]
Convert a dangerous and derelict parking structure i nto a community asset with entrepreneurship, civic, education, sustainability, and gathering spaces.
Redesign an underused wooded open space and parking facility into a place for inclusive sport and creative based play. This area will connect children and adults from the surrounding schools and neighborhoods.
Move surface parking next door this area can house aesthetic improvements and facilitate a more safe and appealing thoroughfare for local users.
Use this vacant land for an underground parking facility will service the neighboring insurance company and other local needs. The surface can be re-configured by the community to include commercial and housing developments with public space.
Re-envision the neglected Landwehr Canal as a place that restores the connection between the community and nature. The space will have education areas where children can learn about the ecological restoration process while adults use the numerous park facilities for gathering and healthy activity.
[KIEZ LAB] 14
[STREET SPACE]
DATE: COURSE: TECH: ROLES: PARTNERS: DELIVERABLES:
Fall 2016 (6 weeks) Studio 1 (Re-Appropriating the Inner City) - Sheffield MAUD InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, ArcGIS, Sketchup, Premiere Project Manager Local Studio Series of Pecha Kucha films, Participatory Augmented Model, Reflective Portfolio
PROBLEM:
Use remote research to connect with the community and develop a conceptual analysis of the environment. Devise a tactical intervention that responds to the identified needs while being scalable and implementable by the community.
[PARTICIPATORY AUGMENTED MODEL]
Proposal Research showed a lack of public space and identified transit stops as one of the few points of interaction amongst diverse community members. We proposed a modular transit stop that could adapt to the needs of the community while fostering interaction.
[above] The participatory augmented model was a 1:500 scaled foam recreation of the site with a top-down projection of our analysis and proposal. The tool helped us illustrate material concepts of a remote site and allowed a partner source in Johannesburg to recreate the model and further investigate the project.
17 [STREET SPACE]
[page right] Understanding and reflecting on process was critical to this first urban design studio. The diagram traces the proposed process for community implementation. The images show the internal conceptualization of the design through rough sketches and notes.
[PROCESS]
PROCESS DIAGRAM Monitor & Publicize
Design Team
Design Team & Stakeholders
Occupancy Analysis
Communicate 1 Month Site Planning
Propose & Build 2 Weeks
2 Weeks Analysis
Selection
Engage
Public Use
Analyze Design
1 Month Build
Data Collection
Analysis
Report
Grand Opening
Installation Reflection
Was the Pilot Successful? New Site? Should it be Altered & Re-tested? Made Permanent?
[STREET SPACE] 18
[WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PARK: A VISION FOR PUBLIC SPACE]
SITE LOCATION: COURSE: DATE: INTENT:
Hood River, Oregon Workshop (program capstone) - PSU MURP January - June 2016 Combine a participatory community vision with the physical and regulatory conditions of the site to provide programmatic recommendations for the future design, development, and management of Westside Community Park.
CLIENTS: PARTNERS: ROLES: TECH:
Hood River Valley Residents Committee, Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District Community members, local design firms, various stakeholder agencies and jurisdictions Design Lead InDesign, Illustrator, ArcGIS
[CONTEXT MAPPING]
Hood River County
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Washington State
Klickitat
Skamania
Carson
Columbia River INTERSTATE
84
City of Hood River
Clark
Cascade Locks
Home Valley
Stevenson
White Salmon/Bingen
HOOD RIVER
North Bonneville
City of Cascade Locks
Mosier
Lyle Wishram Dallesport
Pine Grove
The Dalles
Odell Hood River County Multnomah County
Hood River County
Wasco County
Dee
Urban Area
Clackamas County
Multnomah County
N
Mt Hood Parkdale
2.25 Miles
4.5 Miles
City of Hood River Skamania County
Washington Oregon
Columbia River
Wasco County Mount Hood Clackamas County
City of Hood River
2.5 Miles
5 Miles
10 Miles
Urban Growth Area Hood River County
Context maps N
21 [WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PARK: A VISION FOR PUBLIC SPACE]
Columbia River National Scenic Area
Columbia River National Scenic Area
Unincorporated Community
N
9 Miles
.25 Mile
.5 Mile
1 Mile
Site
City of Hood River
Park Space
Urban Growth Area
National Scenic Area
Klickitat County
[ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING]
554
Summer Sun Path
Sunset: 9:00 pm Night: 8 h, 17 m
Sunrise: 5:17 am Daylight: 15 h, 43 m
Winter Sun Path
Sunset: 4:25 pm Night: 15 h, 20 m
Sunrise: 7:45 am Daylight: 8 h, 40 m
1
558
Summer Prevailing Winds
Winter Prevailing Winds
562 566
Summer: Average High 74.6 Average Low 49.7 Average Precipitation .79
Winter: Average High 41.2 Average Low 29 Average Precipitation 5.93
570 574 578 582 586
2
590
594
1
Site Wetland Wetland Buffer
N
100 Feet
2 Mt. HOOD 200 Feet
Mt. ADAMS 400 Feet
Physical opportunities and constraints mapping shows a substantial grade change, an established wetland with a 150’ foot buffer, a county multi-use trail, and splendid natural viewpoints.
[WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PARK: A VISION FOR PUBLIC SPACE] 22
[ENGAGEMENT METHODS]
Participation Activities --Three surveys (online, paper, and in multiple languages) --Targeted outreach with key user groups
--Six focus group sessions --St. Mary’s Catholic Church Outreach --Interview on Radio Tierra (Spanish radio station)
Interactive Events
Survey Analysis
--Mid-Columbia Today Radio Interview --Design workshop and placemaking activities --25+ expert interviews
Creative Visioning
55% 34% Sports/ Active
Mixed Use
11% Natural or Preserved
We were able to reach nearly 700 community members via electronic and hardcopy surveys. The surveys were available online and during outreach events.
23 [WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PARK: A VISION FOR PUBLIC SPACE]
Forecasting & Demographics 1990
2015
population 16,903
population 24,245
43% INCREASE
Would you like the park to be more sports oriented or more natural? Around 100 Open House attendees contributed to our dot voting exercise. This assisted in our ability to understand themes and the desired character of the space.
--Neighborhood canvassing --Community-wide open house --Final community presentation
Inspired by James Rojas’ “Place It!” method we invited participants to use ordinary crafts to materialize memories and develop collective community visions of the space.
We were able to understand base context information by utilizing statistical analysis and geographic information systems with data from local, state, and national databases.
[EVENT PLANNING]
We had three very successful public events. The first was an introductory open house, the second a design workshop, and finally a public presentation of our findings. Each was very different and were able to bring innovative practices, activities, and ideas to the community that have never before been attempted.
Each event had translation services, food, interactive activities, and a collaborative environment that invited everyone to be heard and contribute. The above image is of a community picnic on site following the design workshop. We wanted to bring in some elements of tactical urbanism to allow community members to start visualizing and appropriating the space.
[WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PARK: A VISION FOR PUBLIC SPACE] 24
Natural Space Natural Space
Picnic Table
Picnic Table
Covered Picnic Area
Natural Space
Pickle Ball
Bocce Ball Bocce Ball
Soccer & Lacrosse
We hosted 24 visioning activities. Each completed in a group or partnership, integrating collaboration and negotiation into the community designs.
Natural Space
Community Community Garden Garden
Covered Picnic Area
FAIRVIEW PARK
Picnic Table
Dog Park
Dog Park
[COMMUNITY DESIGN ANALYSIS]
Picnic Table
Picnic Table
Basketball COVERED
Volleyball
Basketball COVERED
Tennis
Tennis Tennis
Community Gathering
RESTROOM
Soccer & Lacrosse
PARKING PARKING 75 SPACES
75 SPACES
Given a basic set of physical constraints, participants were asked to select and place scaled features on a map of the site.
The results were categorized based on active, passive, and parking features.
They were then digitized and layered to create an amalgamated heat map of the community’s preferences.
Preferences for active features
Preferences for passive features
Layered preferences for parking areas
Final combined feature map. This was influential in translating community preferences back to participants and jurisdictions.
25 [WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PARK: A VISION FOR PUBLIC SPACE]
[CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT]
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
SUPPORTING
3 4
THRIVE
1
7
4
5
2
8
6
9
5 5
-- 1. Phased community flex space -- 2. Nature play area
-- 3. Fitness trail 4. Trail 5. Picnic -- Area 6. Covered Picnic Area -- Tree covered area (dispersed)
-- 7. Road 8. Parking 9. Restrooms
3 4
1
7
5 6
2
PRESERVE
5
-- 1. Interpretive Boardwalk -- 2. Restored Wetland
After extensive consultation with the community we found a resounding interest in proposing a diverse public space that appealed to a range of present and future stakeholders. This helped shape our concept of flexible themed spaces.
GATHER
-- 3. Trail 4. Picnic area 5. Sitting -- area and educational kiosks 6. -- Fitness trail
6
2
1
3 4
3
-- 1. Kiosko (Pavilion)
7
4 5
4
-- 2. Trail 3. BBQ Area -- 4. Picnic Area 5. Playground
2 2
The final recommendation takes into account the complex interaction of National Scenic Area, state, and local land use and environmental codes.
-- 7. Road
5
6
-- 6. Road -- 7. Parking
8 7
3
PLAY
9 1
-- 1. Multi-use fields
2
10
11
4
-- 2. Trail 3. Covered Picnic Area -- 4. Picnic Area 5. Playground -- 6. Basketball 7. Tennis, -- Volleyball, Pickleball 8. Fitness -- trail
-- 9. Road 10. Parking -- 11. Restroom
[WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PARK: A VISION FOR PUBLIC SPACE] 26
[ALLIGATOR ALLEY]
SITE LOCATION: COURSE: DATE: ABSTRACT:
Downtown, Vero Beach, Florida Downtown Revitalization - PSU MURP + Independent Study Spring 2015 & Summer 2017 Coursework involved creating a set of policy recommendations to increase capacity and spur sustainable economic growth. That was then applied via an urban design proposal highlighting the potential of leftover spaces downtown.
TECH: ROLES: WHY:
InDesign, Illustrator, ArcGIS, Sketchup, Autocad Individual This is an area in my hometown that I’ve always wanted to investigate. I wanted to test how certain concepts applied to dense environments could be actualized in a smaller context.
[CONTEXT & RECOMMENDATIONS]
VERO BEACH Recommendations
--Bolster Tax Increment (TIF) financing programs --Allow for more flexible creation and maintenance of business improvement districts --Create a more healthy relationship between the City and the local Main Street Organization
29 [ALLIGATOR ALLEY]
0
--Create safe and comfortable bike/ ped circulation networks through downtown --Devise policy mechanisms that prioritize equitable development and tenureship in the area --Require mixed-use development downtown and create a development bonus incentive program
0.5
1 Miles
--Be bold with activating prime redevelopment sites around downtown such as Alligator Alley, the old Diesel Power Plant, and the historic Vero Theater and Arcade --Identify ways of increasing transparency in the development process to include more community engagement in projects downtown.
This is a concept sketch meant to inspire and express some of the bold possibilities that exist in some of downtown’s neglected spaces.
[ALLIGATOR ALLEY] 30
[BETTER BURNSIDE]
SITE LOCATION: COURSE: DATE: PROBLEM:
Burnside Bridge, Portland, Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning PSU MURP Fall 2015 Develop a tactical intervention plan to address multi-modal safety, comfort, and efficiency issues for a major bridge in Portland.
CLIENT: PARTNERS: ROLES: TECH:
Better Block PDX Nelson/Nygaard, Alta Planning+Design, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation Project Manager, Urban Designer, Graphics Lead InDesign, Illustrator, ArcGIS
4TH
Ankeny Plaza
Burnside Skate Park
West Burnside & West 3rd Ave (Mid-Block)
Current Conditions Looking West
7’
12’
12’
8’
11’
11’
18’
Parking Lane
Westbound Drive Lane
Westbound Drive Lane
Landscaped Median
Eastbound Drive Lane
Eastbound Drive Lane
Eastbound Drive Lane
3’
14’
Shoulder
14’ Sidewalk
Sidewalk
110’
1/2 inch = 10 feet 5ʼ
10ʼ
20ʼ
East Burnside & East 6th Ave (Mid-Block)
Current Conditions
The historic, cultural, and functional prominence of the Burnside Bridge creates an interesting and challenging site for a tactical urbanism project. Before we could begin proposing design changes we needed to study the current conditions through physical surveys, user counts, desire line analysis, interviews, and media research. 33 [BETTER BURNSIDE]
Looking West
13’
9’
12’
11’
11’
5’
10’
14’
Sidewalk
Parking Lane
Eastbound Drive Lane
Eastbound Drive Lane
Eastbound Drive Lane
Eastbound Bike Lane
Parking Lane
Sidewalk
85’
GRAND
COUCH
6TH
ANKEN Y
2ND
ANKENY
I5 FWY-I 84 FWY
2ND
3RD
4TH
BURNSIDE
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
3RD
NAITO
[CONTEXT]
The Burnside Bridge marks the center of Portland’s grid system. The site also hosts a diverse mix of users, activities, and modes of transportation. Photography was a useful tool in illustrating opportunities and constraints to the client. It also assisted in desired line and count data collection at peak usage times.
[BETTER BURNSIDE] 34
[ENGAGEMENT AND COST ANALYSIS]
Primary components of our project were to identify stakeholders, create a participation schedule, and develop a cost breakdown so our client was able to move directly into implementation and permitting.
35 [BETTER BURNSIDE]
[page right] Our preferred plan (of three alternatives) includes a reversible transit lane, active and staying areas at the bridgeheads, improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and upgraded staging and mixing areas.
3RD
2ND
1ST
We s t Br i d gehead Pl an View Parking Lane
Transit Only
NAITO
[PREFERRED INTERVENTION ALTERNATIVE]
Bus Stop Area Reversible Transit Lane
Bus Island Active Area
Potential Staying Area
GRAND
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
Potential Active Area
Reversible Transit Lane
COUCH
3RD
2ND
E a s t Br i dgehead Pl an V i e w
Staying Area
Potential Staying Area
Bus Staging Area
Bike Box
Mixing Zone
Burnside Bridge (top of arch)
Intervention #2 Looking East
6’
6’
Sidewalk
Westbound Bike Lane
2’
10’
12’
10’
10’
Westbound Drive Lane
Reversible Bus/HOV Lane
Eastbound Drive Lane
Eastbound Drive Lane
2’
10’
6’
6’
Eastbound Bike Lane
Flex-Space
Sidewalk
80’
[BETTER BURNSIDE] 36
Thank You!
Will Roberts 1212 Commonwealth Avenue, #8 Allston, MA 02134 (772) 473-2200 will.g.roberts@gmail.com
“The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.” - Robert M. Pirsig
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values