_Barrier_Magnet

Posted on | March 29, 2010 | No Comments

Magnet 

Urban Waterfronts are largely becoming the most stimulating, energetic and diverse components of cities around the world. The waterfront becomes a “magnet” connecting society, culture, production, services and opportunity. Urban waterfronts develop into places of expression, diversity and identity which prove to be a vital part of any successful city. The surrounding properties tend to be in high demand for any and all forms of activity and zoning, which is not a new phenomenon. Historically, waterfronts were used as forms of transportation of goods, people and acted as a hub of industries. Cities grew proportionally depending on location and opportunity along the waterfronts. Over the years, the land surrounding has since become a synthesis of creativity, opportunity and diversity which creates a high rate of realization of dreams. The urban waterfronts become essential elements of the larger framework of the cities they inhabit. 

Chicago Waterfront

Barrier 

Despite the actuality of waterfront success, waterways are natural geographic barriers creating obstructions of passage and land use. Today, these obstructions still remain true. In addition to obstructions, the waterfronts are not used for transportation of goods, people and industry to the same extent as they once were used yet they continue to thrive. We have continuously designed the waterfronts to be active, diverse places. Our mindset to design and treat those areas as active places causes the degree of success to sustain and amplify. 

Barrier 2.0 

Invention and ingenuity expand to all parts of our modern day lives yet we find ways to create new barriers and obstructions as a result of these advances. Currently, the MUD program at Ball State is analyzing, constructing alternatives and providing recommendations for a 2 mile stretch of East Washington Street on the East side of Indianapolis. Upon analysis of the corridor, we discovered that East Washington Street is used as a main through-way to the East side for commuters and transportation of goods. The largest impact East Washington has had on the surrounding corridor is it creates a barrier for pedestrians, cross traffic and land use. To the south of the Street, an industrial train track aids in forming a pocket of unfriendly, inefficient industrial land uses. A man-made barrier. The entire street and pocket of industrial uses have become a man made barrier in a neighborhood which was once a hub of diverse uses, industries and people. 

The waterfronts act as barriers. East Washington acts as a barrier. Both have similar historic uses. People are drawn to water but is the only difference in the success of the waterfronts water? Or is it also our mindset? 

One possible design for Ft. Myers, FL. Here we find creative design, diversity of activities and exciting pedestrian open spaces. news.caloosahatchee.org

What happens when we treat the existing pocket between road and rail as an urban waterfront? If we coerce a man-made asphalt and concrete barrier to become an urban “waterfront,” good design can have an outstanding impact on all of Indianapolis. The adjacent land contains high density residential stock which allows high potential for successful transitioning back into a holistic, dense semi-urban neighborhood. These neighborhoods become prime property along the Urban “Waterfront.” If the East Washington Rail Pocket is designed to be a vital part of the super-structure of Indianapolis, the corridor stands a far better chance for success than it does turning its back to the rail or maintaining only a street frontage along a busy transportation barrier. 

How do we plan for an urban waterfront with no water? Create a pocket where commercial, social and economic uses vary. Compose an active, diverse node where light industrial, mixed use commercial, and mixed income residential entangle to form a place of opportunity, inclusion and creativity. Increase pedestrian infrastructure. Establish design-oriented connections, transitions and places for people. Urban waterfront cities are capable of transforming into new urban forms, urban landscapes and cultures, so there must also be room for flexibility and openness for change. East Washington Pocket can become a spark of regeneration for the entire city and the East side.

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