Urban Acequias and the Desert Oasis An Exploration of Integrated Water Infrastructure in Mendoza, Argentina.
By: Andrew Bernard Objectives
1. Incite inquiry into the paradigm in which we currently view urban drainageways. 2. Explore historic examples of place- making around urban drainage corridors. 3. Examine how these principles can be incorporated in green infrastructure and placemaking efforts.
The Problem The Problem The Problem
What more could it be? The Problem
How did it get this way?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100 569/ Paradigm Shift
Water
People
Transportation
Wildlife/Nature Centralized Decentralized Systems Systems Recreation/Health
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ Paradigm Shift
Reclaim Space, Place, & Function!
How do we bring the connection to water back to the people? Place-Making Principles
Placemaking- a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm in order to maximize shared value.
• pays close attention to the myriad ways in which the physical, social, ecological, cultural, and even spiritual qualities of a place are intimately intertwined.
-Project for Public Spaces
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ Place-Making Principles
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ Integrated Model
• Integrates water, nature, and public space (Green Infrastructure). • Provides connectivity/accessibility. • Promotes Human and Ecosystem Health. • Functional and aesthetically pleasing. • Creates a more hospitable urban environment. • Instills a sense of identity or place.
What would it look like?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ The Acequia
Querencia – a metaphysical concept (Spanish origin) to describe a sense of place, where one feels safe and at home.
Image: Middle Rio Grande Conservancy Photo: Bill Tondreau District
Image: Randall Amster
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ The Acequia
Photo: SafeRoutes.org
Photo: NM Acequia Association
A place of stories, legends, and culture
Photo: Pooandthebrownpiglet.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ The Acequia
Photo: Pooandthebrownpiglet.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ Looking for Answers in Arid Regions
Albuquerque, New Mexico
0’
Looking for Answers in Arid Regions
Mendoza, Argentina http://www.ecofamilias.com.ar/ecoblog/3348/
Looking for Answers in Arid Regions
Public Space
Street Tree Irrigation
Stormwater- Curb Cuts
Regional Parallels
Albuquerque, New Mexico
35’ N
0’
32’ S Mendoza, Argentina
Regional Parallels Albuquerque, New Mexico
8” City Elevation: 5,577 FT Population: 901,700
(Metro Area)
Mendoza, Argentina
8.7”
City Elevation:2,447 FT Population: 1,055,679 (Metro Area) Regional Parallels Albuquerque, New Mexico
http://esheley.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/vacation-chronicle- %E2%80%93-albuquerque-nm-days-1-3/ Mendoza, Argentina
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/159 47511 Regional Parallels Albuquerque, New Mexico Mendoza, Argentina
The Oasis
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=587698 1 The Oasis- Beginnings
Mendoza, Argentina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendoza,_Argentina http://www.rumbofamiliar.com/destinos/argentina/cuyo/mendoza/only-kids/ The Oasis- City Identity The Oasis- City Identity
Corridors
http://zapallar.wordpress.com/
Tunnels
Hallways http://spagushroom.blogspot.com/
The Oasis- Beginnings
http://www.argentinaesmendoza.com.ar/mapas-de-mendoza.html Acequia System- Canal Acequia System- Canal Acequia System- Madre Acequia System- Typical Street Profile Typical Profiles-Traditional Typical Profiles-Traditional Typical Profiles-Traditional Typical Profiles-Traditional Typical Profiles- Contemporary Typical Profiles- Contemporary Typical Profiles- Contemporary Urban Acequias – Public Space Urban Acequias – Public Space Urban Acequias – Public Space
http://www.viajesynoticias.com.ar/info.php?nid=309
http://www.viajesynoticias.com.ar/info.php?nid=309 Urban Acequias- Public Space Urban Acequias – Public Space
http://www.losandes.com.ar/notas/2006/3/22/sociedad-188127.asp Conclusions
So what? Conclusions
What should be considered in making a place around drainageways in the West?
• Understanding and redefining the value of water in the urban environment. • Create generous opportunities for physical and visual interaction with the water (daylighting). • Understanding the history of the corridor as space (cultural/wildlife uses). • Utilize local materials and incorporate artful elements. • Make the corridor the “front yard”, not the alley.
http://www.airphotona.com/image.asp?imageid=16610 What more could it be?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100 569/ Conclusions
Place holder Conclusions Conclusions Conclusions
Photos/Images: San Antonio River Authority Conclusions
Photos: Urbanination.com (Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project – Seoul N. Korea) URBAN APPARITIONS MAKING A PLACE THROUGH INTEGRATED WATER INFRASTRUCTURES IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT
By: Andrew Bernard THE BEGINNING
Sevilla, Spain Mendoza, Argentina THE BEGINNING
What more could it be? And… How did it get this way?
“The whole is greater than the sum of all parts” -Aristotle THE BEGINNING
The preciousness of water in an arid landscape does not seem to be reflected in Albuquerque, especially in an urban setting.
TOO LITTLE WATER TOO MUCH WATER
HOW CAN WE CELEBRATE BOTH? THE PROBLEMS ENVIRONMENTAL DEGREDATION
• Increased Runoff Volumes • Non-point Pollution • Reduced Aquifer Recharge
CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE PARADIGM REDUCED SENSE OF REGIONAL IDENTITY
• Not Regionally Responsive • Water does not seem to be reflected.
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=16 2502.0&dlv_id=0 REDUCED URBAN COMFORT AND HABITABILITY
• Reduced Tree Canopy and Green Space • Increased Impervious Surfaces
THE PURPOSE
An alternative infrastructure paradigm is needed!
• Integrates infrastructure Our infrastructure can functions with natural processes become, once again, a to achieve greater benefits. testament to our • Reduces impacts on the technology, progress, surrounding environment. and our true potential.
• Serves as a public amenity and contributes to a sense of place.
THE PURPOSE
Centralized Systems Decentralized Systems METHODS
• Utilize the ubiquitous urban block and streetscape as a laboratory.
• Critical design principles related to the design goals are distilled through a literature review. • Stormwater Management • Infrastructure Integration • Place-Making
• Design principles are coupled with regional elements and materials to develop a kit-of-parts.
• Typological approach used to demonstrate the application of the kit-of- parts.
FRAMEWORK
WHAT Stormwater Management Alternative Infrastructure Paradigm Current Infrastructure Infrastructure Paradigm Integration Place-Making
HOW
Regional Elements and Inspirations
Kit-Of-Parts Design
Stormwater Management Strategies
CASE STUDIES Urban Acequias: Mendoza, Argentina
Public Space
Street Tree Irrigation
Stormwater- Curb Cuts
CASE STUDIES Urban Acequias: Mendoza, Argentina CASE STUDIES Vine Street: Seattle, WA. LITERATURE REVIEW Critical Design Principles • Increase time of runoff travel through storage, infiltration, and conveyance. • Integrate functions physically as well as visually. • Integration of regional character offers a link to history and culture. • Elements should serve multiple purposes. • Utilize strategies that can function in small spaces. • A kit-of-parts allows for an infinite combination of design solutions within a framework. • Design concepts developed from the kit- of-parts can be easily understood through typology.
DESIGN KIT OF PARTS
• Regional Elements and Inspiration
6th Street 6th • Stormwater Strategies
REGIONAL ELEMENTS AND INSPIRATIONS STORMWATER STRATEGIES
• Storage
6th Street 6th • Infiltration
• Conveyance
STORAGE STRATEGIES INFILTRATION STRATEGIES CONVEYANCE STRATEGIES SITE
Central Ave Street Street nd 6th Street 6th 2 TYPOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS
• Conveyance
6th Street 6th • Infiltration
• Place
Demonstration 1- Conveyance Demonstration 1- Conveyance Demonstration 1- Conveyance Demonstration 1- Conveyance Demonstration 2 - Infiltration
Demonstration 2 - Infiltration Demonstration 2 - Infiltration Demonstration 2 - Infiltration Demonstration 3 - Place Demonstration 3 - Place Demonstration 3 - Place Demonstration 3 - Place Demonstration 3 - Place PLAZA Demonstration 3 - Place “ACEQUIA WALK” Conclusions
THINK SYSTEMS OF INTERVENTIONS! • Optimize vertical and horizontal space to increase the time of travel for runoff.
• Integrate infrastructure and biological functions to create comfortable and inviting spaces.
• Regional identity is evident in the form of runnels, canoa channels, and an acequia-like experience along the street.
• Create infrastructure systems that are easily understood and highly visible such as infiltration trenches, swales, and the use of stormwater for irrigating street trees.
• Create de-centralized systems at the block scale instead of large-scale centralized systems.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world” -Mahatma Gandhi
Andrew Bernard Email: [email protected] Office: 505-822-8200
Albuquerque, NM. El Paso, TX.