|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011 Abstract Our collecve human intervenons characterized by hypermobility and pervasive disturbance regimes, has endangered endemic or ‘nave’ landscapes as well as urban environments. The assault of heavy infrastructures on ecological and social systems as a concern has invited the planners and designers to look at urbanism pracces from a different perspecve. Ecology as science has been integrated into design where it be- comes the ‘infrastructure of future development’. Hydraulic systems become the under- lying mesh; ‘adapve’ and ‘performave’ forests act as flexible foundaons for future development. Looking through the given scope, the project ‘Foundaonal Grid ‘ is trying to contribute into a fundamental rethinking of urbanism within the context of Turnhout/ Belgium. The aim of this paper is to cut across recent literature and precedents inorder to frame the project within the the contemporary landscape architecture debate. Keywords : Landscape architecture ,forest urbanism , ecological urbanism , highway design, Water urbanism Architect’s brother by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison ,2010 FOUNDATIONAL GRID Water + Forest + Highway |H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,final Assignmnet Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon . Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011 Payam Tabrizian
Transcript
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 1
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
Abstract
Our collective human interventions characterized by hypermobility and pervasive disturbance regimes, has endangered endemic or ‘native’ landscapes as well as urban environments. The assault of heavy infrastructures on ecological and social systems as a concern has invited the planners and designers to look at urbanism practices from a different perspective. Ecology as science has been integrated into design where it be-comes the ‘infrastructure of future development’. Hydraulic systems become the under-lying mesh; ‘adaptive’ and ‘performative’ forests act as flexible foundations for future development. Looking through the given scope, the project ‘Foundational Grid ‘ is trying to contribute into a fundamental rethinking of urbanism within the context of Turnhout/ Belgium.The aim of this paper is to cut across recent literature and precedents inorder to frame the project within the the contemporary landscape architecture debate.
Architect’s brother by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison ,2010
FOUNDATIONAL GRID Water + Forest + Highway
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,final Assignmnet Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon . Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
Payam Tabrizian
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 2
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
Introduction
Turnhout is a medium scale city situated at the heart of the Kempen region and in the middle east-west continuum, framed and articulated by three main infastructures –The canal, the na-tional road and the highway. The historical pictures, vividly reveal an urban node determined by north-south valley structure of the river AA and dispersed patches of forest embeded in a back-ground of a duned landscape(fig1).The settlements in respect to the logics of landscape situated at the higher grounds or down to the valleys. By employing the new techniques in irrigation and planting they could convert most of the deserted lands and impossible soil to productive landscapes either as woodlands or agricultural plots. The entangled relation of development and landscape continued till 19th century were development progressivly steered along indus-trial economy. Super imposition of east-west infrastructures dramaticly altered the valley and the natural configuration of the settlements This intesified by implementation of the highway in 1973 and emmergence of the huge industrial plots together created an industrial enclave at the southern part of the city charging seroius ecological and urban problems.
As part of the MaHS/MaUSP programme at KU Leuven/Belgium , ‘Studio Turnhout’ organized to address on these issues and reveal structuring capacity of the existing fabrics .The studio involved 6 design projects investigating on alternative developments strategies testing alterna-tive development strategies focusing on strategic role of open space and nature.(De meulder et al. 2010). Within the framework of the studio, The project ‘foundational Grid ‘ focused on the southern industrial zone using the water and instustrial sprawl issues as a medium approach the context and develop the design strategy. (fig2)
(fig1) Chanlaire Captaine 1780’s showing historical Norh west Valley configuration of Tunhout. Studio proceeding ,De Meulder et al 2010
(fig2)Left:Turnhout .drawing:Ester jacobs ,2010 Right:Areal view of Turnhout southern industrial site .Google maps
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 3
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
The project proposed a multi–layered grid structure based on rationalized existing geometry of the context. The hybrid-grid embraces ecological and infrastractural demands of the project.The first layer is an autonomoos storm water management system ,Slowing down the drainage system of the highway and the industry while giving the room to the river to provide flooding extensions. The second layer inspired by Michel Desvignes ‘Bordeux ‘ project tries to define spatial structure of industrial zone by introducing new typologies of tree plantation and afforastation techniques.`Refering to ‘Platue De Kirchberg’ project in Luxemburg , the third layer envisioned as a matrix of primary and secondry infrastructures employing deception techniques to fuse the highway to the sorrounding landscape giving an urban boulvard character to it . The following part of the paper tries to descriptively render these layers by pointing out relevant precedents and litterature .
Water : Structuring Hydraulic Unit
Although the urban region of Turnhout is situated in one of the upstream locations in Flanders, It is nevertheless challenges similar water issues. The on-going paving of the urban area is ex-tensively increasing the storm water run-off and consequent flooding downstream(fig3). On the other hand, the city itself is confronted with the problem of combined (grey and white) sewer system which is subject to overflow in the condition of heavy rains .At the southern part of the Turnhout, an industrial enclave is founded on the highly floodable valley of the river AA. Having 43 percent of permeable surfaces it acts a huge water runoff generator. This has caused immense flooding problems downstream where in the summer peak showers elevate the water level up to 1.5 meters in less than hour(fig4). Moreover, The highway and its ancillary infrastructure block the AA stream acting as a dam has intensified the flooding problem.
(fig3)Recently flooded streams (highlighted in black) ,Drawing E.Jacobs
(fig4)Top:diagram revealing flooding intensity of the river AA
Bottom: Situating existing and envisioned(by the city) industrial sites in floodable areas (higlighted in blue).Drawing(s) E.Jacobs
500 l/s -> 13.630 m3 extra in 2,5h ->waterlevelrise Aa +1m
rainwaterrun-off + overflow urban area
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 4
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
As many recent approaches to urbanism has shifted their focus to tackle landscape and urbanity issuses through ecology ,The critical role of ‘Hydrolic management’ has became apparent and consequently has been mirrored in many recent urbanism practices. Water ecology as a disci-pline has been used as a medium to understand and address the complexity of urban contexts .As such ,Works of ‘James corner’ ,‘Ajance Ter’ ,Michel Desvigne ‘ and ‘Peter Latz’,etc. are good instances of putting systematic Water dependent techniques in touch with design .Henry Bava the founder of ‘Ajance ter’ describes their analysis and design framework as below :
“We will analyze several examples taken from diffrent disciplines but that all take this approach : first some urban elements that created be linked to their environment , their catchment area ,with the aim of creating a coherent hydrological ensemble ;secondly,some large-sclae projects in which hyrological solution played a major role in the urban plan itself . thirdly ,a post industrial ,cross-border project combining environmental,economic and infrastructural concerns . “ (Lee an Bava ,2010 :2)
This as a principle is clearly mirrored in their recent project in Nimes/ France where they consid-ered the entire high school site as “a vast hydraulic unit “(Bava,2010:124). An articulated system of the drainage channels, retention pools and wetlands designed to tackle extreme flooding issues of the context and to mobilize the ‘people movement’. (fig4)The system as a whole in-creases the catchment area . The system of the raised insular platforms bordered by a sculpted landscape efficiently recieve ,maintain and evacuate the water run-off .
Encouraged by The idea of the“ vast hydraulic unit “ coined by Bava, the ‘Foundational Grid‘ proj-ect could address the site’s water problems by appropriating the first layer of the grid in a way to systematically address both temporary variation in the water levels of the river AA and heavy flooding generated by industry and the highway run-off . This underlying mesh rationalized by the existing geometry , coceptualizes the industrial estate as a ‘Sponge for the city ‘ while defin-ing a coherent framework for the indutsrial growth. (fig5)
The rigid order of the mesh is carefully Integrated to natural geometry of the river corridor ex-panded by distorted drainage ditches inspired by historical irrigation channels(fig6). This would increase the water catchment surface and accomodates the river overflow in extreme summer shower peaks .Moreover ,The expanded corridor will provide the landscape continutity and re-cliaming the “rivers’s ecological integrity”(Shannon,2004:131) disrupted by massive road and industrial construction.Corridors provide landscape connectivity .In particular the ecological integrity of wa-ter courses demands attention. Numerous of man-made corridors in the landscape (Roads ,Railroads,Powerlines,Canlals ,etc” are considered barriers or filters to connectivity.” ( Dramstad,Olson and Forman 1996:35)
(fig4) lycee philippe lamour ,Nimes france . Left : situation of the raised platforms and drainage borders . Right: Flooding zone and the water management system . Bava,2008:124
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 5
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
Dealing with highly polluted water generated by highway and industry’s runoff is main chal-lenge for the Hydraulic unit .The contaminated water demands treatment and storage before integrating with the AA river stream.The underlying industrial grid comprised by Draining chan-nels, retention ponds and ‘Blue fingers’ is systematically regulates water treatment and evacu-ation.Draining ditches are collecting the building roofs, paved surfaces and highway water run-offs partly draining and directing to the rivers in respect to the topography .Retention pools and industrial ponds strategically placed in the network efficiently slowdown the water run-off speed and treatment of the contaminated water.
The same intervention can be exemplified in ‘Platue de Kirchberg’ project in Luxemburg by Latz + partner Architects.They articulated an efficient storm water management system for the high-way and the adjacent industry integrated to the landscape through open ditches and retention pools.(Fig8) The spiralling, rough texture of rainwater channels reduce the speed at which the water flows, so that larger trash and debris is caught on the way to the retention pond. Rain water management therefore, is successfully addressing the flooding issues originated by urban-izing the 360 hectares of industrial lands and high and highway . (Shannon and Smets,2010)
Interwoven with the drainage and water channels systems are elongated , depressed ‘Blue fin-gers’ working as floodable extentions of the valley (fig9). The are slightly sloped in opposition with topography and planted with grassess and willows to accomodate the river overflow in ex-treme flooding conditions . They would also provide aesthetic landscape qualities and encourage soft transporation. Moreover,The blue fingers are bordered by cycle patchs and urban walkways and linking the desperate entities already in space : Industrial strongholds ,infrastructures and the highway .(Fig10)
(Fig 5) The Historical valley ,1878 ,(Re)drawing:Author (Fig 6) The conceptual grid integrated with the restored vally .Drawing:Conor O’Brien,2010
(Fig 8) ‘Platue de Kirchberg’ Luxemburg. Left: Spiral drainage channel and retention ponds. Middle : Sculptured and scratched duned shape Landscape remarkably slow down the water run-off. Right :the site Water management system ,Weilacher,2008:62,64
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 6
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
Plantation as one of the most important components of hydraulic mangament sytems has been carefully pointed out by the project .It plays a crucial role in slowing down the peak showers of summer(on dry soil) and constant winter rainfalls (on saturated soil).A decidous forest therefore, is proposed as an infill for the grid which is not only functioning for the rainwater management also acts a flexibe foundation for the spatial configuration of the proposed industrial sites. (Fig10)
Forest : a ‘Flexible pre-set’
Employing Forests as means of creativity and production holds a strong tradition in Flanders and more specifically in the Kempen region. The ancient Grotenhout Bos to the southwest of Turnhout, dated back to 1320, served as a hunting ground for the nobility for centuries. As early 18th century by the advent of fertilizers and advanced irrigation system, enabled them to plant the sandstone and clay to forest patches for wood production. This as a trend continued when at early 20th century the scattered forest patches formed a green necklace surrounding the city from the south and the eastern borders. The dynamic evolution of the forests reversed by industrialization and implementation of the highway and massive urbanization .The green belt started to shrink forming large forest patches caught between paved areas or small patches between agricultural matrixes. The industrial zone eventually, found itself bordered by a variety
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
of forest patches to the north, south and the west(fig11).‘Frac natural reserve’ and ‘Stad park’ in the North,’ Dongen bos ‘ and ‘Grotenhout Bos’ in the south, all hold immense ecological and recreational values. On the other hand The ‘Neuw Veijdeijk ‘ industrial site recently realized in the southern edge of the highway intensifies the industrial growth southwards. The on-going sprawl of the industries as an immense urban and ecological concern in one hand and uncertain character of future industries on the other, invited the Project to examine the merit of the grid from a diffrent perspective. More specifically the grid should provide an eco-logical continuity , a coherent structure for the industrial growth and a flexible framework for the shifting nature of industries.
Marcel Smets in his influential paper ‘Grid,Casco ,Clearing and Montage’ set forth the shifting ideology of the grid from highly rational to flexible in current European Practices. There, he points out the proposal for redevelopment of Poble Nou in Barcelona as an inspiring reference where the grid there has foreseen as a flexible framework for the future development of the Barcelona within a specific ‘pre-set configuration ‘(Smets,2002).
Acquiring this as an insight, the second layer of the grid, foreseen as a forest system acting as an space generator for the existing and proposed industries while determining a rational framework for the industrial growth.In ‘Foundational grid’, whether for recreation or production, there is an omnipresent rational. Grid structures ultimately determine the configuration of the forest. There are a multitude of variable elements that establish the grid, ranging from the choice of tree to the underlying soil and hydrological conditions. The constructed forest creates a continuum of space, a milieu for industry rooms to be carved out and created from(Fig12). The forest becomes a flexible frame, a guiding framework for future development .As industrial buildings expand, contract, amalgamate or disintegrate over time, the forest constant and roots the industrial zone.
(fig12)left: Bird view showing the forest and the proposed industrial typologies.Top:Scheme showing the flexible forest infill on the grid. Bottom: Perspective of 150 x 150 industrial parcel and adjacent green boulvards .Drawing(s): Author
(fig11)Dynamic evolution of the forest . 1770 1870 1970 2000
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
The idea of the ‘foundational forest’ can be exemplified in recent urban practices by French and Dutch designers.Desvigne and Dalnoky’s proposal for the redevelopment of Bordeaux’s Right Bank transcend the similar visions in utilizing the forest(fig13). Through developing the concept of ‘replanting the urban ‘, they envisioned the forest system as a foundation for further develop-ment. As the city’s post-industrial waterfront, slowly changes to forest, it accommodates urban development that will build on its foundation, which in turn was formed by the distribution of derelict industrial terrain. Although ‘Bordeaux’s Right Bank’ approached an abandoned industrial site, but the concept of ‘forest as a framework’ highly inspired the ‘foundational grid’ project. Moreover, subtle em-ployment of the existing forest patches, abandoned infrastructure appreciated and consciously taken into account(fig14). The most inspiring fact about constructed and spontaneous urban forests is the inseparable and dominating factor of time and flexibility in relation to space and performance. As Desvigne describes:“…In Bordeaux, the proposed forest entity led us to work around the landed propriety restric-tion, hence the texture of the plantings and their specific density. The physical result that was obtained will give the sense of time that is necessary for this design” (Desvigne,2009) The tree typology and the forest system differs from the ‘Bordeaux›s Right Bank’ taking to ac-count flooding interception issue and highway visibility and context ecological specifications. Therefore, a deciduous forest comprised by Alder and Ash proposed. The distance of the trees in a row defines the hierarchy for the industrial roads. Density of the plantation in industrial parcels is variable by the demand of the future industrial blocks ranging from small research labs to huge ware -houses and commercial buildings.Along side the highway larger commercial plots pro-posed which demand a better or iconic presence (fig14). These blocks spaced with monumental planted boulevards and ‘Blue fingers, provide a façade of attractive international manifestation.
(fig13)Desvigne Bordeaux right bank project. Left :The forest eveloution plan .Right: Forest definign space for the development(INTERMEDIATE NATURES,Landscapes of Michel desvigne ,
Top:Existing parking lots and open spaces .Bottom:Plantation typology. Drawing :Author(fig14) Forested indutrial site and highway
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 9
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
E34 MotorWay: Turnhout’s Gateway
“The terretorial dimension of infrastructure-its sheer bigness and muscularity-categorically en-sures it is visually impressive whitin the landscape “ . “Shannon and Smet ,2010:23”
Implementation European route E34 in 1973, can be seen as a continuum of the progressive vi-sions of automobile high-speed circulation fashioned in the second half of 20th century. Opposed to the North-South orientation of Turnhout fabric, it cuts the AA and Visbeek valleys expressing its noticeable dimension and contrast with the surrounding landscape. Acting as a magnet for the industrial activities, almost hundred hectares of manufacturing plots emerged along the highway invading the southern green lands of the city as well as the river’s corridors. The central Positioning of the industrial site in between the city centre, Zevendonk residential neighbourhood to the south and ‘Parkveijk’ neighbourhood on the north, resulted to immense accessibility and congestion problems for the city specially in peak hours when the local traffic and trucks collide. The cited problems put mobility reconsiderations as an important concern for the project .
In order to mobilize the industrial accessibility and disconnect it from the local traffic, the project widened the 35 meters motorway to almost 50 meters ,2 one-way Lanes bundled and latched to the highway circulating around a loop(fig15). The first lane individually mobilize the truck circula-tion and provides access to the industrial plots via series of tentacle shaped cul -de -sacs aligned to the drainage channels . The existing east west industrial-urban roads downgraded to bicycle tracks and bus lanes running flacked to ‘Blue fingers’.
The second lane accommodates car-only circulation to ease the heavy traffic from the national roads and unload the highway from the unnecessary urban traffic. The new bundle reinforced with the modified interchange system efficiently mobilizes the industrial access while discon-necting it from the local traffic(fig16).
Utilizing the ‘deception strategy ‘(Shannon et al 2010) for the highway modifications can be considered as a breakthrough for the project. 2.7 kilometres of the highway planted in 8 rows of Ash an alder trees in order to present an (urban) boulevard character to it while fusing it to the forest structure. The planting technique renders an explicit introduction to the eightfold avenue and give the almost 3 kilometer long boulevard a new spatial profile(fig17). Alder trees planted in two rows mark the middle of the widened road, flanked on either side by two oak avenues and ash trees, blending the car and truck access to the dense forest or façades of the industrial buildings.
(fig15)Top:Scheme Showing the loop and the new traffic circulation .Middle: Truck Circulation in the industrial zone(fig16)Existing and proposed interchange system.Drawing(s):Author
Picture: Ludo Verhuven,Tunhout 2009
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 10
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
Deception strategy as to deal with mega-scale infrastructures and massive urbanization can be exemplified in many European recent design practices.Shannon and Smets point out ‘Platue de Kirchberg’ project as an explicit sample where the N51 city motorway transformed into a ‘domesticated avenue ’(Shannon et al 2010), a lively urban boulevard for pedestrians, cyclists, private and public local traffic.(fig18)
The proposed 8 meter elevated Lingotto shaped interchanges in composition with the forest and water features illustrate a distinct profile giving an international dimension to the entrance of Turnhout distinguishable from kilometres away. Highlighting the territory through consciously designing profiles as a technique resembles the A29 highway in Esturias /France where repeti-tion of ‘standard profiles gives‘ an specific identity to the territory in relation to the landscape.(fig20)
As to compensate the removed industrial parking spaces of the industry ,2 indoor and one open space parking sites are located adjacent to the loops . The entrance and circulation of the cars in the parkings is fully adapted to the one-way car lane alongside the highway. The huge parking buildings in composition with the interchange profiles define an impressive gate-way for turn-hout (fig21).
Fig 19 :Section showing the planted highway in relation to Industrial buildings ,forests and water features.
Fig 21 :Perspective and section of the Turnhout entreance and the modified interchange .Drawing(s):Author , Conor O’Brien
Fig 18 :‘Platue de Kirchberg’ project , Downgraded motorwayWeilacher,2010:60
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 11
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
E34
Bus stop
Shuttle stop
Car access
Motorway
The 5 hectare open air parking surface is subtly comouflaged whitin the row of dense ash fulfill-ing the parking requirements of the new industrial zone .A shuttle bus service connects these parking facilities to the train station to the north, serving the existing and proposed industries along the way.The removal of heavy trucks from the urban streets allows for the reprogramming of the existing east-west roads for slow transport modes. These roads accommodate bicycle paths that connect the new parking structures to the industries as well as also serving as part of the city and regional bicycle track networks.
The composition of the water features aligned with the forested secondray roads gives a distinct urban feeling the industrial landscape while successfully responds to the flooding problems.The variation between tree typologies and water features and infrastructure generates diverse expe-riences within the industrial zone. (fig22)
Fig 21 .Left: Parking in relation to the shuttle and pedestrian flow Right:Car circulation and the parking buildings . Drawing(s):Author
Fig 21. Site plan .
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 12
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
References :
BAVA ,Henri , “Urban water landscapes of resilience :Towards Resilient Water Landscapes – Design Research Approaches from Europe and Australia”, In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Water Landscapes at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, October 2009, Karlsruhe, KIT Scientific Publishing, 2010,PP.123-125
DeMEULDER,B,BOGDAN,O,NOLF,C(eds.), ”Turnhout : Water,Forest and heath urbanisms”, Ku leuven Studio proceeding,Leuven,2010,PP. 4-8
SMATES,Marcel ,”Grid,Casco,Clearing and Montage” in: Robert Schafer and Claudia Molls(eds.)About Landscape:Essays on Design ,Style ,Time and Space, Munich , Birkhauser,2002 ,pp.128-141
SHANNON, Kelly ,”Rhetorics and realities :Addressing landscape urbanism,Three cities of vietnem”,Leuven,Unpubmished doctorate ,K.U Leuven,2004,P.131
SHANNON, Kelly and MARCEL,Smets , The landscape of contemporary infrastructures , Rotter-dam Nai ,2010
TATOM,Jacqueline,”Urban higways and reluctant public realm”,in:Cahrles Waldheim (ed.) ,The landscape urbanism reader;New york:Princton Architecture press,2006,pp.179-195 .
TIBERGHIEN, Gilles A., “Intermediate natures : the landscapes of Michel Desvigne” / Gilles A. Tiberghien, Michel Desvigne, James Corner ; translated by E. Kugler.Basel , Birkhäuser, 2009 ,pp.49-58
WEILACHER, Udo (ed.) ,”Syntax of Landscape :The Landscapes Architecture of Peter Latz and Partners” ,Basel, Birkhäuser ,2008 ,pp.56-70
Architect’s brother by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison ,2010
Foundational Grid Water+Forest +Highway 13
|H03N1a| Landscape Architecture ,Supervised by Professor Kelly Shannon , Katholiek Universiteit Leuven ,Jan 2011
