An Ecological Los Angeles:
Presentation to Woodbury University Sept 23, 2011
Jessica Hall
Just add water political will.
Excerpts from:
Public Works for Ecological Urbanism
Moving away from cars
Alternative transportation in Bilbao, Spain
Streets and Public
Rights-of-Way for
Public & Alternative
Transit
Complete Streets treat stormwater,
enhance habitat, promote safe
walking & bicycling.
Return treated wastewater to groundwater
Arcata Marsh treatment wetland
Humboldt.edu
CREEKS & Greenways are working infrastructure
Boulder, Colorado
Stream, Wetland, and Waterbody Protection Program
Photo: Biohabitats
Atlanta, Georgia
Greenway Acquisition Project
http://www.cleanwateratlanta.org/greenway/
http://www.laforum.org/images/issue5-chris-2.jpg www.tollesseawalls.com/gallery_riprap1.htm
http://frugalbastard.blogspot.com/2005/02/trip-to-grandmas-
house-24th-january-we.html
Low functioning Higher functioning
CREEKS & Greenways are working infrastructure
Image: Mia Lehrer + Associates
CREEKS & Greenways are working infrastructure
Combine public facilities to create watershed restoration opportunities
Naturalize Flood Control Channels for riparian function
Remove hydraulic constrictions
Daylight culverted streams
Compton Creek Earthen Bottom Enhancement Feasibility Study
Client: Los Angeles + San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council
Mia Lehrer + Associates Restoration Design Group
Image: Mia Lehrer + Associates
Compton Creek Earthen Bottom Enhancement Feasibility Study
Approaches
Compton Creek Earthen Bottom Enhancement Feasibility Study
Compton Creek Earthen Bottom Enhancement Feasibility Study
Compton Creek Earthen Bottom Enhancement Feasibility Study
Rendering: Mia Lehrer + Associates
Combine public facilities to create watershed restoration opportunities
Ballona Greenway Plan, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission/Restoration Design Group
Naturalize Flood Control Channels for riparian function
Naturalize Flood Control Channels for riparian functions, esp. sediment transport
Illustration : Josh Link, Ecotone Studios
Illustration : Josh Link, Ecotone Studios
Naturalize Flood Control Channels for riparian functions, esp. sediment transport
Naturalize Flood Control Channels for riparian functions, esp. sediment transport
Cheonggyecheong River, Seoul, Korea
Removal of freeway to daylight 6 miles of river
Remove hydraulic constrictions
Daylight culverted streams
Willamette River, Portland, Oregon
Removal of the Harbor Drive Expressway
Downtown Waterfront Urban Renewal Plan
Utilities relocation
Mixed-use design competition
Planned electrical station relocation
Bonds passed for public improvements
37-acre waterfront park
Remove hydraulic constrictions
Bringing it together
Photo: Natural Channel Design
las virgenes creek Project Design: Questa Engineers
Public Works in action
Photo: Jessica Hall
las virgenes creek Project Design: Questa Engineers
Photo: Jessica Hall
las virgenes creek Project Design: Questa Engineers
Photo: Jessica Hall
las virgenes creek Project Design: Questa Engineers
2007 Photo: Jessica Hall
las virgenes creek Project Design: Questa Engineers
las virgenes creek
2008 Photo: Jessica Hall
Project Design: Questa Engineers
2009 Photo: Jessica Hall
las virgenes creek Project Design: Questa Engineers
Elysian Valley 2006
But it takes Planning to create long term sustainability
Sprawl
Los Angeles River Flood Channel
Imported Water
Toxic Industry
Depleted Groundwater
Imported Agriculture
Paving
Basins
% Impervious
Cover
Seasonal
Recharge
Reclaimed
Recharge
Cistern
Capture
San Fernando Valley <10% 79,569 66,592 -
Hollywood sub-basin 50% 2,875 2,060 2,464
Watersheds
% Impervious
Cover
Seasonal
Recharge
Reclaimed
Recharge
Cistern
Capture
Ballona-excl. Basin 75-100% 11,088 40,656
Compton 35-50% 4,760 4,080
Eastside 35-50% 2,875 2,464
San Fernando Valley-excl.
Basin 35-50% 75,043 64,323
Calculations
Elysian Valley 2050
Concentrated populations
Unpaving
Restored natural processes
Local agriculture