Urban Acequias and the Desert Oasis

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 placemaking around urban drainage corridors. 3. Examine how these principles can be incorporated in green infrastructure and placemaking efforts.

The Problem

The Problem What more could it be?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100 The Problem How did it get this way?

Paradigm Shift Water People Transportation Centralized Systems Wildlife/Nature Recreation/Health Decentralized Systems 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/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100569/ Place-Making Principles

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. Photo: Bill Tondreau Image: Middle Rio Grande Conservancy 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

Albuquerque, New Mexico Regional Parallels 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)

Albuquerque, New Mexico Regional Parallels 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

Albuquerque, New Mexico Regional Parallels Mendoza, Argentina

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=587698 1 The Oasis

The Oasis- Beginnings Mendoza, Argentina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mendoza,_argentina http://www.rumbofamiliar.com/destinos/argentina/cuyo/mendoza/only-k

The Oasis- City Identity

The Oasis- City Identity Corridors http://zapallar.wordpress.com/ Tunnels Hallways http://spagushroom.blogspot.com/

http://www.argentinaesmendoza.com.ar/mapas-de-mendoza.html The Oasis- Beginnings

Acequia System- Canal

Acequia System- Madre

Acequia System- Typical Street Profile

Typical Profiles-Traditional

Typical Profiles- Contemporary

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

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlhelinski/3616100 569/ What more could it be?

Conclusions Place holder

Conclusions

Photos/Images: San Antonio River Authority Conclusions

Photos: Urbanination.com (Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project Seoul N. Korea) Conclusions

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 functions with natural processes to achieve greater benefits. Reduces impacts on the surrounding environment. Serves as a public amenity and contributes to a sense of place. Our infrastructure can become, once again, a testament to our technology, progress, and our true potential.

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-ofparts.

FRAMEWORK WHAT Current Infrastructure Paradigm Stormwater Management Infrastructure Integration Place-Making Alternative Infrastructure Paradigm 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 kitof-parts can be easily understood through typology.

DESIGN

KIT OF PARTS Regional Elements and Inspiration 6th Street Stormwater Strategies

REGIONAL ELEMENTS AND INSPIRATIONS

STORMWATER STRATEGIES 6th Street Storage Infiltration Conveyance

STORAGE STRATEGIES

INFILTRATION STRATEGIES

CONVEYANCE STRATEGIES

SITE 6th Street Central Ave 2 nd Street

TYPOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS 6th Street Conveyance Infiltration Place

Demonstration 1- Conveyance

Demonstration 2 - Infiltration Demonstration 2 - Infiltration

Demonstration 2 - Infiltration

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: Abernard@sites-sw.com Office: 505-822-8200 Albuquerque, NM. El Paso, TX.