My research has been primarily focused on methods to examine linear landscape types, specifically the emerging linear park. As human populations become more concentrated geographically, our cities grow both horizontally and vertically. Landscape Architect Fredrick Law Olmsted, once predicted the fate of the open agricultural land that was once New York City: “…there will be no suggestion left of its present varied surface, with the single exception of [Central] Park.” More and more, the vast open spaces of Olmsted-era towns and cities have all but disappeared. Today’s landscape architects are left with the challenge of squeezing, compressing and stretching green space into the spaces “in-between”, at urban edges, or on the roofs of our post-industrial cities. The form of this space is often linear, as it is the land that exists within the seams of our cities, functioning as “left over” space, corridors, buffers, borders or urban edges. These thin landscape spaces have become an important form for our park landscapes, despite having been historically marginalized over time. [1]
For the purposes of my research, linear landscape types are
defined as elongated planned spaces (both green and grey) that include
greenways/corridors, urban edges, blue ways/waterfronts and transportation
infrastructure re-use sites. As my research is still in flux, there are several
methodologies/frameworks from which I am interested in examining the linear
landscape type:
Linear Landscapes as “Thin Parks”
Testing recently defined linear “thin park” typologies[2] of Landscape Architect Karl Kullmann
(2011), such as cross connectivity, spectacle/stage, elevated space, porosity,
and pedestrian movement; I wish to evaluate three or four “thin park” case
studies in post-industrial cities. Each thin park case study will ideally
express a different primary typological identity as defined by Kullmann. His
model will provide a foundation to evaluate these spaces with the intention
that my study will propel the development of my own set of “thin park”
characteristics. The analysis of these case studies will ultimately result in a
design proposal featuring successful characteristics for a new thin park.
Urban Linear Forms
Urban linear spaces such as the traditional boulevard/main street,
promenades, arcades or greenbelt communities/residential landscapes can provide
perspective on the emerging “thin park” landscape type. These linear spaces
provided a specific program sequence that in many cases informed the city
framework.[3] Similarly, a successful
thin park should also be able to inform adjacent urban space. By analyzing
these historical examples I hope to gain insight on how new linear landscape
types operate within the city fabric.
Post Infrastructural Urbanism[4]
Technological advances and large scale infrastructural
production of landscape, specifically transportation technology, has
transformed our modern concept of space, specifically our relationship to the
park. Mass infrastructural developments combined with advancing reclamation
techniques, have given birth to a new frontier of unique city greening and with
it the emergence of a new landscape type. Aging/abandoned transportation
infrastructures “turned green” such as the High Line and the Big Dig or the
Promenade Plantée are emerging
landscapes made to fit (literally on top of) the existing city framework. But
what can we learn from linear recreation space designed in conjunction with the
city fabric? Although more rare, these spaces have the potential to inform a new
model for city regeneration projects.
With this research, I hope to ultimately answer the following
research questions:
What characteristics define the design for a successful “thin
park” in the left over spaces of our cities? How does that park function beyond
its internal program and exert influence back onto its context? In other words
how does the thin park affect the city framework? Does it reinforce city
framework or create a new one? What can we learn from linear recreation space
designed in conjunction with the city fabric? Can these linear landscapes even
be considered a park?
[1] Smith,
K 1999. “Linear landscapes: corridors, conduits, strips, edges, and segues.”
Ken Smith. Harvard design magazine, Win-Spr 1999:77-80.
[2] Kullmann,
K. 2011 (November). “Thin Parks / Thick Edges: Towards a Linear Park Typology
for (Post)infrastructural Sites”. JoLa:Journal of Landscape Architecture 12: 70‐81
[3] Grahme
Shane, D. 2005. Recombinant Urbanism: Conceptual Modeling in Architecture,
Urban Design and City Theory. Chichester, England; Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Academy
pp. 206-209.
[4] This
methodology was developed as a result of research on Latin American landscapes
as a part of The Scalar Landscape Lab at Cornell
University with Professor Brian Davis.
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