urban ecology master plan

A site fraught with contradictions. Full of potential with proximity to the urban core, but development is limited by a floodplain. A pristine, lush natural setting, but blighted by years of construction waste dumping. Abundant natural beauty but no way to access and experience it.

 

The master plan works to resolve ostensibly contradictory goals: on the one hand provide urban density and a mix of uses for the community while on the other hand preserving and healing the natural setting.

 

The project is organized by a “healing network”. A series of “nature lanes” organize the site and creating a visual buffer between different uses, maintain nature’s presence throughout the site by extending natural fingers of the nature preserve through the site.  A cross-network of “movement paths” for different modes pass through the lanes and connect key project components. These trails, promenades, drives, and boardwalks encourage physical activity, engagement between uses, and interactions with the natural surroundings.

 

The introduction of a grocery, café, offices, multi-family housing, and athletics brings a new level of urbanism to the area and establishes a social center for the neighborhood, intertwined with rejuvenated natural surroundings.