EAST WALNUT HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD BUSI-NESS DISTRICT DESIGN
Niehoff Urban Studio Senior Planning Capstone Spring 2016
Ruxing Xiao
Table of Content
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AbstractThe siteThe ideaAnylysisFramework PlanSite PlanDesignQuantity InformationThe Healthy components And Bird Eye View
3456-78-910111213
East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
Abstract
Redesigning and redeveloping the East Walnut Hills residential block between East McMillian Street and Woodburn Avenue would help to revitalize the whole neighborhood. The project aims to become a transitional space to help connect the main developed areas to the more ambient areas. The target group for this project would be: individuals of modest income, individuals who are between the ages of twen-ty-five and sixty years old and individuals who are newcomers and old tenants of this area. The project acts as an extension of the (Neighborhood Business District) while providing a sustainable and healthy model of growth. The new community trying to become a place to encourage people living healthy.
Primary Project Image
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3456-78-910111213
East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
The site is defined by the intersection of Woodburn Ave and McMillan street, in East Walnut Hills, which is in the south end of the Woodburn Ave. The existing site belongs to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This site occupies 6.3 acres of land, with 70% used as parking lots, which has some negative impact on the NBD development. Redevelopment of this site will offer more space for NBD development, which I call it the south end of the NBD. The north side of the site is an Academic High school. The west side is the stu-dent center of the high school,
De Sales Corner, located in the north end of Woodburn Ave, is defined as Woodburn Ave Neighborhood Business District. The Woodburn Ave NBD is composed of 26 significant buildings exhibiting a mixture of late ninetieth and early twentieth century urban architectural styles illustrated as high density residential, residential/commercial and ecclesiastical related buildings. The district has developed successfully as the fo-cus of commercial activity for the neighborhood business district that was once part of the Village of Wood-burn and is often referred as De Sales Corner. The NBD area includes a mixture of residential and commer-cial buildings with cohesive height and scale. The commercial use has attracted a lot of people and triggered the economic development. At the same time, they were protected and maintained the historic scenario.
While the NBD development ended at the corner of William Howard Taft Road, which is the north side of this project’s site.
East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
The Site
SITE
NBD
Woo
dbur
n Av
e
McMilan St
Saint Ursula Academy
Residential Area
Residential Area
Residential Area
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East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
East walnut Hills is a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was founded in 1867. As mentioned before, there are several historic buildings around the De Sale corner, which have an explicit neighborhood char-acter. When considering about the healthy development, I think it is important to define a space character. For this area, the following three aspects are considered as key elements of healthy development: Historical/ cultural development, education institution development, and commercial development.
The new community will become a place to encourage people live healthy. This community will be com-prised of residential districts with diverse housing types, institutional uses, commercial uses, and public spaces. With the emphasize on the community character, it is important to proposal education use in this block, which will offer residents a place to learn.
The project acts as an extension of the NBD while providing a sustainable model of growth. Through the designing process, there will be options of multiple types of housing, including 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments, single-family houses, and senior apartments to meet the various needs of different types of tenant.
Furthermore, to take charge of the extension of the NBD. project, the Woodburn street would become the major space for activities, such as retail spaces and restaurants on the lower floors of the buildings, as well as creating pedestrian- friendly streets to encourage a healthy lifestyle for all residents. Furthermore, the travel plans for this area will include easy, vehicular connectivity, bike paths, pedestrian paths, and trails to encourage alternative modes of transportation.
The hope is that the Woodburn street will become more pedestrian-friendly oriented, and the McMillan street will mainly be used for public transportation to connect the east side and the west side of the neigh-borhood. Finally, there will be an inner public space for the residents who live in this community to use at their leisure. Hopefully by sharing this free space, it will encourage residents to interact with each other and offer a stronger sense of community.
The Idea
OHIO RIVER
Work
Education
Entertain
Live
Eat
Shop
Walking Distance
WOODBURN
WALKBUS/BIKE
Strong Spirit
Eat Healthly
Regular Exercise
Less Accident
Well education
Active Social Life
Have a good rest
OHIO RIVER
Work
Education
Entertain
Live
Eat
Shop
Walking Distance
WOODBURN
WALKBUS/BIKE
Strong Spirit
Eat Healthly
Regular Exercise
Less Accident
Well education
Active Social Life
Have a good rest
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East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
Using the Tapestry Segmentation data, the major group of people is comprised by Old and Newcomers, Social Security Set, Modest Income Homes, Rustbelt Transitions, and City Commons. Those data show the lifestyle and the need of tenants in surrounding area, which is very useful for the design in order to meet their various needs. Most people living in this area are tents with lower or modest income, which indicated the need for apartments. Also, there are a large group of people is elderly people, which shown the need of a senior apartment. Furthermore, according to their lifestyle they rely on public transportation a lot. Thus, the improvement of bus and streetcars are especially important. At the same time, there are o lot senior and young people in this area, so the public space is very vital for them to communication and entertain. The proposal included the development of a public library and conference room for public education, which is essential for the mental healthy development of individual.
Analysis of targeted group of people
28%
18%
18.2%
7.6%
6.4%
Market
Olds & Newcomers
Social Security Sets
Modest Income Homes
Rustbelt Traditions
City Commons
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East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
Tapestry Segment Percentage Lifestyle Housing Types Some Special needs
Old and Newcomers 28% singles’ lifestyles, on a budget; convenience than consumerism, economy over acquisition.
Multiunit Rentals Convinience Store Fast Food
2 Social Security Set 18.40% older market located in metropolitan cities dependent on low, fixed incomes, primarily Social Security. Residents live alone in low-rent, high-rise buildings,attract heavy daytime trafic.
Multiunit Rentals Public transporta-tion Taking adult educa-tion classes
3 Modest Income Homes
18.20% Caregivers to their elerly family members. High poverty ratesNo vehicle or one car, with a high depen-Depence on public transportation. Low education level
Single Family public transporta-tion. Education
4 Rustbelt Traditions 7.60% Residents are a mix of married-couple families and singles Living in older developments of sin-gle-family homes. The work force is primarily white collar, with a higher concentration of skilled workers . Family oriented, they value time spent at home. Most households have two or more vehi-cles available.
Single Family Parking
5 City Commons 6.30% youngest and largest markets, primarily comprised of single-parent and single-person households Lowerd education levelstrive for the best for themselves and their children.
Multiunit Rentals; Single Family
Public Transporta-tionFast Food Restaurant
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East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
When designing within the 0.1-mile walking distance, considering the location, this site should be a transi-tional space to integrate the park, institution, and commercial use for a healthy development. Considering the city as a system, it is important to make changes for the whole city.
To encourage people, live a healthy lifestyle, the proposal is trying to create more open space for people to entertain. The riverside green space will be a park with walking and biking trail connect to the Eden park. By redeveloping this area, the sidewalk will be improved to encourage people jogging and running. It will be more accessible with the improvement of the sidewalk and park.
Proposed bike lane will connect with the existing bike lane in Madison road, also, creating the connection to the west uptown area.
Proposed alternative transportation is to encourage people to use public transportation instead of driving. The street car will be used to strengthened the connection of east side and west side in McMillan street. The improving of infrastructure and near to the proposed mixed use area will attract more people taking advan-tage of public transportation.
The site will be comprised of mix used retail along the Woodburn Ave, single family house in the north, office and mix used in the south. In this way, it will be a good dialogue with the ambient area.
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Framework Plan
Framework
Proposed Link
Main Link
Proposed Insititution
De Sale Corner
Madison Rd
McMilian Street Woodburn
Ave
Vict
ory
Pkw
y
Walnut Hills
East walnut Hills
East EndProposed Park
Proposed Resitential Area
Green Space Connection
HIstorical&Cultural Link
Proposed Mixed use Area
Cultural/Historical Center
Openspace Center
Commercial Center
N
East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
Framework Plan
Main Street
Historical SiteChurch
Culture Site Cluster
Proposed Culture Center
Mental Health
Exsiting Green Space
Main Green Connection
Main Point of Park
Proposed Green Space
Physical Health
Proposed LinkMetro StationProposed RoadProposed Bike RouteExisting Bike RouteProposed Bike Station
Main Link
Mixed Use Axis
Cultural District
Park
Park
His
toric
lal D
istr
ict Mixe
d Use
Axis
Residential Area
Existing InsititutionProposed Insititution
Proposed ParkExisiting Park
Exisiting Resitential AreaProposed Resitential Area
Proposed Cultural AreaProposed Mixed use Area
Mobility Network Landuse
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East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
Because it is a giant block, it is important to split it to small section to make the space more walkable. By the division of the block, it will offer more pedestrian-friendly space, encourage people walking.
Thinking about developing the whole space integrally, all the small blocks have its inner space. And all the blocks are around the center space. It is a compact and cohesive way for the development. And it is consis-tent with the context of surrounding area.
The single Family house will be located on the north side facing the existing houses, which is transition space of the context. Also, the building will set back to leave a green buffer zone to protect the houses from the busy street. All the buildings face inside, by sharing the space, it will be creating more opportunity for people’s interaction, enhance the feeling of community.
The senior apartment is located on the west side. It is isolated by the center green space. It is the quietest area and easy access to the public green space.
All the parking space is designed in the inner space, which is good for keeping cohesive of façade along the street.
Site Plan
N
William Howard Taft Rd
Proposed Street
Proposed Street
Proposed Street
Woo
dbur
n Ave
E McMillan St
Locust St
Single Family HouseFor “Rustbelt Tradition” group living, also reso-ponds to the housing in north sides.
Main developed Street: The Woodburn street would become the major space for activities.
Mix-use Retails and Apartment: For young newcomers, near bus station, restau-rants.
Library& Conference Room:For public education and activities, improve people ‘s mental health.
Senior Apartment:For elder, offering a slinece and near the green space
Mix-use Retails and Office:Offer more jobs, attract people living and work-ing in East Walnut Hills.
100 200 300 4000 50Foot
Center Space:Creating center public space, for residents rec-reation, encourage resi-dents to interaction and offer a stronger sense of community.
Section
Bell
Pl
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East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
The proposal will extend the commercial development to this site, offering retail, healthy food restaurant, coffee shop and 24hs convenience store along the Woodburn Ave. People would be easily walk to buy what-ever they want.
The library and conference room will create a space for people to learn and improve their knowledge level. Considering the long term development, education is a vital part not only for the individual improvement, but also in the development of the entire society. It will lead to a harmonious community, offering more jobs and opportunity for people with low education level. Moreover, it will create more public actives in the Woodburn Ave, which emphasizing the community character and creating the feeling of belonging.
While in the inner space of the block, there are will be a public space for community use, which will be of-fering more green space, also lightened by the light sculpture, creating art atmosphere. At the same time the well light system will keep the space safe and active both in daytime and nighttime.
Design
Public Transportation
Pedestrain
Car
Density Space TransitLanduse
Single Family
Office
Apartment
Mix-Use
Mix-Use
http://concreteplayground.com/sydney/design-style/sustainability/could-this-new-sky-garden-be-the-workplace-of-the-future/
Conference room along the street, for education activities.
http://la.streetsblog.org/2013/07/02/bringing-broadway-back-council-backs-plan-to-halve-car-lanes-in-favor-of-pedestrian-space/
Sidewalk with parkland and frontage
http://simbiosisgroup.net/23677/erie-street-plaza-stosslu-us
Center public space, with artworks, sculpture, and lights.
Space among residential area.
http://planphilly.com/articles/2015/10/16/committee-proposes-permanent-redesign-for-grays-ferry-triangle-plaza-
at-23rd-and-south
Plaza facing the church, for people’s activities
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http://www.architecturee.co/new-apartments-in-washington-dc/incredible-inside-potomac-yards39-brand-new-apartment-building-notch8-throughout-new-apartments-in-washington-dc/
East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
Studio: 8 units1-Bed Room: 21 units2-bed Rooms: 34 units3-bed Rooms: 6 units Townhouse: 5 unitsSingle-Family House: 9Senior Apartment: 30 unitsNon-Residential Uses:Office: 16412 Square footRetails : 22339 Square footLibrary: 13890 Square footConference Room : 1704 Square footParking: On Street: 40 Off street :303
The Quantity Information
4
6
5
7
1
32
8
SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE
PUBLICSPACE
LIBRARY&CONFERENCEROOM
OFFICEWITH RESTAURANT
2-BED ROOMAPARTMENT
1-BED ROOMAPARTMENT
SENIOR AMARTMENT
OFFICEWITH RETAIL
28%
18%
18.2%
7.6%
6.4%
Market
Olds & Newcomers
Social Security Sets
Modest Income Homes
Rustbelt Traditions
City Commons
1
1
3 4
6
6
7
7
3 4
Housing Type
esri 2014: Tapestry Segementation.
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East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
4
5
54
12
21
3
6
63
3
Usi
ng U
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uild
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Hea
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Pla
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oolk
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Inco
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Des
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wel
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tree
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twor
ks a
t the
hum
an s
cale
Prov
ide
side
wal
ks a
nd e
n-tic
ing,
ped
estr
iano
rient
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stre
etsc
apes
Prov
ide
infr
astr
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re to
sup
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ikin
g.
Prov
ide
high
-qua
lity
spac
es
for m
ultig
ener
atio
nal p
lay
and
recr
eatio
n
Build
pla
y sp
aces
for c
hild
ren
Incr
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acc
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to n
atur
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Min
imiz
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ise
pollu
tion
Faci
litat
e so
cial
eng
agem
ent
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Bird Eye View
East Walnut Hills Neighborhood Business District
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References and Bibliography
P4. Data : esri 2014: Tapestry Segementation.
P7. Woodburn Avenue NBD Historic District Designation Report
p11: Photo:http://2015.designphiladelphia.org/events/shifting_the_public_realm_from_streets_to_plaza
http://la.streetsblog.org/2013/07/02/bringing-broadway-back-council-backs-plan-to-halve-car-lanes-in-favor-of-pedestrian-space/
http://www.architecturee.co/new-apartments-in-washington-dc/incredible-
inside-potomac-yards39-brand-new-apartment-building-notch8-throughout-
new-apartments-in-washington-dc/
htt://simbiosisgroup.net/23677/erie-street-plaza-stosslu-us
http://planphilly.com/articles/2015/10/16/committee-proposes-permanent-
redesign-for-grays-ferry-triangle-plaza-at-23rd-and-south
http://concreteplayground.com/sydney/design-style/sustainability/could-this-
new-sky-garden-be-the-workplace-of-the-future/