Seattle, Washington: Redevelopment Project

Posted on November 7, 2018 by jehollow

City: Seattle
Country / US State / US Territory: Washington
Type of Solution: Vacant Properties and Lots
Climate Impact: Extreme Precipitation and Flooding
Social Value Created: recreation; public gathering space; social cohesion; connectivity; employment; benefits vulnerable communities

The City of Seattle recently redeveloped undertook a nine-acre redevelopment project to repurpose an underutilized parking lot and the surrounding area. The Thornton Creek restoration is one component of the restoration project. Thornton Creek was previously been forced below the surface as the urban area developed.

The restoration project aimed to restore the creek to manage stormwater runoff from 680 acres. Impervious surfaces were also reduced by 78%, improving ground water infiltration and thereby reducing runoff. Native species were used for 85% of the project’s landscaping, reducing water consumption for landscaping and reducing maintenance needs. The project design also improves stormwater filtration to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff, removing 40-80% of total suspended solids from 91% of runoff in the 680 acre drainage basin.

Thornton Place is a combined residential and commercial space created in the redevelopment. The project added 530 units of mixed-income housing and 50,000 square feet of retail space, including 143 units of assisted-living housing for seniors. Thornton Place also includes a 14-screen cinema and a plaza area for public gatherings. Additionally, pedestrian links were created to link adjacent commercial and residential neighborhoods, improving walkability. Transit access was also improve by the design, increasing mobility and diversity of transportation.

Sources:
Benfield, K. (June 6, 2011). How to turn a parking lot into an ideal green community. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/06/how-to-turn-a-parking-lot-into-an-ideal-green-community/239973/.

Benfield, K. (June 7, 2011). A seattle redevelopment that is greener than green. Grist Magazine. Retrieved from https://grist.org/urbanism/2011-06-06-seattle-urbanism-transit-state-of-the-art-green-mixed-planning/.

Portland, Oregon: Tanner Springs Park

Posted on November 7, 2018 by jehollow

City: Portland
Country / US State / US Territory: Portland
Type of Solution: N/A
Climate Impact: Extreme Precipitation and Flooding, Air Quality
Social Value Created: Public Spaces; recreation, arts and culture; active living; transportation diversity

Tanner Springs Park is a park located in Portland, Oregon. The park mimics a wetland that captures and filters stormwater, reducing flooding during extreme precipitation events and improving water quality. Additionally, the wetland helps to improve air quality. The wetland design helps to promote biodiversity, as well.

The project also provides the community with accessible public space and has a number of social benefits for the community. Tanner Springs Park features a boardwalk and art installation on the east side of the park, and there is a recreational path running through the central area of the park. The art installation contributes to the community’s arts and culture. Recreational trails contribute to active lifestyles, as well as improve walkability and bikeability that contributes to diversity of transportation.

Community members were also engaged in the design process through surveys and planning charrettes in order to provide socially valuable features for that particular community.

Fig: The environmental services offered by Tanner Springs Park. Image credit Dreiseitl. (Photo retrieved from https://land8.com/tanner-springs-park-an-oasis-in-the-middle-of-the-city/)

Fig: Residents using the park for recreation. Photo credit: Lavalle Linn. Photo retrieved from (https://land8.com/tanner-springs-park-an-oasis-in-the-middle-of-the-city/)

Fig: Blue Heron using the wetland area in the park. Image credit Dreiseitl. (photo retrieved from https://land8.com/tanner-springs-park-an-oasis-in-the-middle-of-the-city/)

Sources

Landscape Architects Network. (May 5, 2015). Tanner Springs Park, an oasis in the middle of the city. Retrieved from https://land8.com/tanner-springs-park-an-oasis-in-the-middle-of-the-city/.