“Live Together on the Edge” - Urban Canal Program

“LIVE TOGETHER ON THE EDGE” - URBAN CANAL PROGRAM

SCOPE - SOCIAL BACKGROUND

Research Question

How does waterfront landscape activate the function of high-density cities?

Guiding principle of waterfront landscape is in line with the theoretical framework of green infrastructure, involving strategic wetlands, sand dunes, mangroves and coral reefs. It reduces the threat of catastrophic floods and coastal erosion with minimal design intervention, while also revitalizing the land.

In contrast, "grey infrastructure", such as edge and seawalls used to control sea water, is often insufficient and sometimes even destructive.

Today, waterfront landscape and its surrounding vegetation cover have been proved to affect the landscape quality and overall landscape of coastal areas. This well-designed "second nature" is the second opportunity to deal with urbanization.

Green infrastructure (Herrington, 2016) exp. strategic waterfront landscape

Grey infrastructure

Research Question

How does waterfront landscape activate the function of high-density cities?

In the bustling city of Sydney, the morning peak is in the city center and the evening peak is in the suburbs, which itself is a predictable cycle. Waterfront landscape is also a predictable cycle for urban development.

Precedent

In

Predictable Cycle

Develop successional design strategies of planting, habitat and hydrology for Glebe Island to break the harsh edge of the harbour, create urban waterfront and stimulate a new ecological and social narrative.

FORWARD

Edge

“Edge restraints help define each space…Each edge section can be joined to the next in a variety of ways, creating many design possiwbilities.” (Oldcastle Infrastructure, 2019)

Principle

Natural Succession

Topic Driven

DESIGN

Process Driven

“Natural succession not interfering with land so that plants can grow back as they will, and animals return at their own rate It doesn’t cost anything...” (Facemire, 2021)

Waterfront Landscape

“Waterfront landscape are the most attractive landscapes…people always love to live close to water, and the famous ancient cities are all located in waterfront areas. Water is a good natural defense as well.” (Hou, 2009)

Landscape Narrative

"Narratives… intersect with sites , accumulate as layers of history, organize sequences, and inhere in the very materials and processes of the landscape. In various ways, stories 'take place.'" (Potteiger, 1998) Story Driven

DEFINE MEASURE OF TIME - SEA LEVEL PREDICTION

Past Landform and Reclamation

Most of the foreshore was composed of water before land reclamation in the Bays.

At least 40% of the population now live within 100 kilometers of the water body.

With global warming, sea level is rising year by year. Flood events from the ocean are expected to increase.

The Site Today

2030: Metro Station open

Sea level will rise by 0.2m... Sydney's population continues to rise...

The Site Future Development

After 100 years

Sea level will rise by 1m...

Sea level will rise by 0.5m... Projected increase in flooding events from the sea.

City will have different climates and spaces, so waterfront landscape design will become a popular choice for planning high-density cities.

DEFINE MEASURE OF TIME - THE SITE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

The Site Future Development

THE SITE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT:

1 The urban canal program will be inserted and the harbour edge will be re-edited.

2 Population introduction, community construction, commercial development. Metro Station will open in 2030.

3 Protect White Bay Power Station and Silo.

4 Green coverage will increase, and production landscape will be developed.

DEFINE MEASURE OF TIME - SUBDIVISION FUTURE

1 PURIFY 2 BREATHING 3 ACTIVATE 4 CELEBRATE

YRS.

YRS.

YRS.

The Site Future Development

YRS.

FUNDAMENTAL ASSETS - ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS

ENVIRONMENT AND MATERIALS

FRAGMENTED VEGETATION

Limit:

+ The existing concrete apron cuts off the connection

+ Hardly covered by any green space . Only some polluted vegetation grows along Lilyfield Road.

Opportunity:

+ Opportunities for developing high-rise building.

+ The harsh edge of port can be re-edited as a resilient habitat

Existing seawalls & harbour edge

ACCESSIBILITY

Existing bus route

Existing routes with wayfinding signage

Existing bike lane or low traffic street

Wharves The Bays boundary

FUNDAMENTAL ASSETS -

EXISTING LANDUSE

Limit:

+ Single connection and chaotic traffic lead to the noise of the port.

+ Undeveloped land and abandoned historical heritage aggravate the urban heat island effect

Opportunity:

+ The public transportation around is good. The Metro Station will open in 2030, which will have the opportunity to increase the commercial value

+ Close to the City of Sydney and spectacular coastline, it is an opportunity to develop tourism.

+ Abiding maritime services.

FUNDAMENTAL ASSETS - WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS

A CHANGING SHORELINE

PORT WATER POLLUTION

Limit:

+Two important causes of site water pollution.

1 Pre-industrial land reclamation.

2 Tidal fluctuation.

Opportunity:

High intensity pollution

Medium intensity pollution

Low intensity pollution

TIDAL FLUCTUATION

+ Insert the dynamic waterfront landscape to break the material and harsh edge.

+ Transform the abandoned heritage as a sewage treatment plant

+ Weave the water back to the site. Opportunity is to purify the site.

Sediments & contaminants

Good water quality

The Bays boundary HARD DRAINAGE

Existing street water flow

Existing rainwater flow

Heritage

Maritime services

Existing vegetation The Bays boundary

Sea level change

Orginal shoreline

Potential sediments & contaminants

SITE SELECTION - GROUP WORK &

BUILDING TYPE SITE EXPERIENCE

BUILDING HEIGHT & GFA

SITE SELECTION - OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS

1 Increase the coverage of open green space

3 Develop ecosystems with purification function Propose production landscapes 4 Solar energy design

ANALYSIS 5 Develop public transport connections

7 Make full use of undeveloped space Re edit the harbour edge and create more internal edge conditions

8 Maintain maritime services

QUALITY ANALYSIS 9 Insert the urban canal program

Re plan the water system

history and create landscape with cultural significance

Precedent: ChonGae Canal Restoration, Central Seoul, Korea

Precedent: San Pedro Creek, San Antonio, America

Precedent: Renovation of the river Ljubljanica Barcelona Spain

Green space coverage is scarce

3 The land is polluted by industrial heavy metals The heat island effect is serious

ANALYSIS 4 Few street types and loud noise

Concrete apron - lack of community connectivity and functionality

“LIVE TOGETHER ON THE EDGE” - PRINCIPLES

& OBJECTIVES

PRINCIPLE 1

Plan for long-term growth and renewal

OBJECTIVE 1

Flexible reclaimed land development policy changes over time and site needs. Design moves include returning farmland, demolish， recycling and cut and fill.

OBJECTIVE 2

Regularly update and maintain the drainage system to maintain the functions of water circulation and purification.

OBJECTIVE 3

Introduce vegetation with purification function to establish a new ecology centered on Central Avenue and carry out natural succession.

PRINCIPLE

2

Embrace ecology and culture

OBJECTIVE 1

OBJECTIVE 2

Increase green space coverage and use sustainable materials such as porous pavement, wood and stone to minimize design intervention. Recognize the history of the site, create recreational facilities that can simulate the reclamation process or Silo shape.

PRINCIPLE 3

Enhance social interaction

OBJECTIVE 1

Give priority to green transportation, build walkable communities and bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together

OBJECTIVE 2

Use edge and surrounding building forms to re integrate undeveloped space and structure to activate various waterfront activities.

OBJECTIVE 3

OBJECTIVE 3

Design languages such as linkage, overlying and interspersed to deal with the edge of the canal and develop marine ecosystem.

Public waterfront areas provide various favorable edges, which not only provide access to water and learning opportunities for vulnerable groups, but also allow the participation of guardians

“LIVE TOGETHER ON THE EDGE” - DESIGN STAGES

STAGE 1 - "PURIFY"

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING" STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

STAGE 1 - "PURIFY"

STAGE 1 - "PURIFY"

Proposed Stage 1 Works

Concrete

top of Glebe Island.

The sea water flows into the terrain change area to create urban canal in the inner space.

Cultivate aquatic vegetation with purification function in urban canal.

The top of Glebe Island is reserved for site water circulation.

Plant salt tolerant vegetaion centered on Central Avenue.

Mostly concrete pedestrian street

Set bicycle lanes on Central Avenue and "Leisure" Street.

Set double lane on "Leisure" Street. Cars can turn around at Landmark Building.

The first floor of Landmark Building is used as car park.

INITIATING PROGRAMS

1. Topographic change

DESIGN MOVES

Present:

Existing concrete apron

2022-2023: Concrete apron is being converted and demolished 2023-2024: Topography change: Cut and recycle

STAGE 1 - "PURIFY"

STAGE 1 - "PURIFY"

STREET TYPES SECTIONS

Scale: 1:200

Purification function aquatic vegetation cultivation

Elodea canadensis

Temperature: 0-28℃

Grwth rate: 0.1m per week 2.5m deep urban canal

Intercept silt and sediment

Salvinia natans

Temperature: 0-18℃

Grwth rate: Up

STAGE 1 - "PURIFY"

UNFINISHED WATERFRONT WETLAND PARK

Material - Industrial palette

1-5

Aquatic vegetation with purification function

Elodea canadensis (Waterpest)

Temperature: 0-28℃

Grwth rate: 0.1m per week

Public open space, mainly pedestrian

SCALE: 1:150

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

Proposed Stage 2 Works

Cut and fill the terrain of Central Avenue Linear Waterfront, "Leisure" Street, "Floating" Walkable Laneway and Waterfront Wetland Park, and develop the terrace landscape.

Add low depth canal to the pedestrian street around "Floating" Walkable Laneway and "Leisure" Street.

Increase the green space coverage and native vegetation planting and let it natural succession.

Use many sustainable materials.

Set the seating platform, vegetation buffer, walkways, biological habitat and water contact opportunities according to different edge conditions.

Develop marine biodiversity (“Living Seawall”).

Keep Salvinia natans.

Waterfront Wetland Park. Returning farmland, changing terrain and increasing waterfront landscape. Increase public trails.

INITIATING PROGRAMS

1. Ecological recovery

DESIGN MOVES (UPDATE)

5th Year:

Existing topography, groundwater system and aquatic vegetation

6-7th Year:

1. Removal of Elodea canadensis

2. Collect the purified water from stage1 for 1-5 years in the underground storage tank

3. Maintain the supply of fresh water on site while cutting and filling

8th Year-:

Terrace Landscape: seawater adaptation topography intervention

DESIGN MOVES (NEW)

5th Year:

Existing concrete apron

6-7th Year:

1. Concrete apron is being converted and demolished

2. Topography change: Cut and recycle

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

LAND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

5-15 YRS.

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

Proposed activities

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

5-15 YRS.

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

CENTRAL AVENUE LINEAR WATERFRONT 32m (PUBLIC OPEN SPACE)

5-15 YRS.

+ Car free street, mainly pedestrian + 2.5m deep urban canal

5-15 YRS.

SCALE: 1:300

Salt tolerant vegetation

Groundcovers

Grasses

Shrubs/ small trees

Abstract effect

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

CENTRAL AVENUE LINEAR WATERFRONT 32m (PUBLIC OPEN SPACE)

Eco palette

5-15 YRS.

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

SEAWALLS"

5-15 YRS. "LIVING

Strong reproductive ability and difficult to control Imitate Imitate

of oyster shell

WATERFRONT WETLAND PARK SCALE: 1:200

Design Language "Overlying"

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

WATERFRONT WETLAND PARK (PUBLIC OPEN SPACE)

Proposed marine biological chain

LEVEL 3

ENERGY

LEVEL 2

ENERGY

LEVEL 1

CARNIVORES

5-15 YRS.

HERBIVORES

PHOTO-AUTOTROPHS (PLANTS)

Purification function aquatic vegetation cultivation (stage1 Elodea canadensis)

TEXTURE DETAIL PLAN

SCALE: 1:300 Historical significance

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING"

WATERFRONT WETLAND PARK (PUBLIC OPEN SPACE)

Sustainability - Material & Edge condition

Imitate the shape of Silo

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

Stage 3 - "Activate" Plan

Scale: 1:2000

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

ABSTRACT DESIGN EFFECT

Exquisite urban interior space

CONCEPT MODEL

Stage 3 - "Activate" Plan

Scale: 1:2000

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

ECONOMIC INNOVATION FUNCTION

ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

CENTRAL AVENUE LINEAR WATERFRONT (exquisite urban interior space)

15-50 YRS.

Design language: "Interspersed"

1-5 YRS.

5-15 YRS.

Purification function aquatic vegetation cultivation (Elodea canadensis) Wooden terrace platform

Scale: 1:200

15-50 YRS.

Opportunities for direct contact with water

Scale: 1:150

15-50 YRS.

Scale: 1:200

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

CENTRAL AVENUE LINEAR WATERFRONT

+ Car free street, mainly pedestrian + 2.5m deep urban canal

EXTENDED WOODEN PAVILION

CENTRAL

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

CENTRAL AVENUE LINEAR WATERFRONT (exquisite urban interior space)

15-50 YRS.

0.5m deep urban canal design

Recreational facilities simulating cultural heritage

"FLOATING" WALKABLE LANEWAY (exquisite urban interior space)

Design language: "Interspersed"

1-15 YRS.

"FLOATING" WALKABLE LANEWAY STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

15-50 YRS.

15-50 YRS.

Redesign of 0.5m

1-15 YRS.

Salvinia natans: The purification function is strong, but the reproductive ability is strong and uncontrollable 15-50 YRS.

Scale: 1:200

Handrail design (Education)

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

"FLOATING" WALKABLE LANEWAY

Scale: 1:100

15-50 YRS.

Scale: 1:150

ART GALLERY IS ON THE EDGE OF THE

AREA (Cultural popular science)

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

"FLOATING" WALKABLE LANEWAY (exquisite urban interior space)

15-50 YRS.

0.5m deep urban canal design

Recreational facilities simulating cultural heritage

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

"LEISURE” STREET

(exquisite urban interior space)

Design language: "Interspersed"

1-15 YRS.

Purification function aquatic vegetation cultivation (Elodea canadensis)

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

"LEISURE” STREET

(exquisite urban interior space)

15-50 YRS.

15-50 YRS.

Scale: 1:200

"CROSSING TUNNEL" - Recreational facilities simulating Silos

Scale: 1:150

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

"LEISURE”

STREET

(exquisite urban interior space)

15-50 YRS.

Recreational facilities simulating Silos

LANDMARK BUILDING

(exquisite urban interior space)

15-50 YRS.

Top of the building: Solar swimming pool 2 floors ≈ 6m

Hotel 13 floors 39m

Mix use: Cooperate with the local government to explore how to update underground drainage system, develop new agricultural model and cultivate greenhouse vegetation. 4 floors 16m

Car park 1 floor 5m

Scale: 1:300

LANDMARK BUILDING - Solar swimming pool (top of the building)

Solar collector(heavy-duty rubber)

Collector tilt +\-15°

Concrete platform edge

Scale: 1:300

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

WATERFRONT WETLAND PARK (rough growing port edge)

5-15 YRS.

15-50 YRS.

Purification function aquatic vegetation cultivation (Salvinia natans)

When sea level rises...

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

WATERFRONT WETLAND PARK (rough growing port edge)

15-50 YRS.

Through tidal fluctuation, it can arouse people's memory and stimulate daily sensory experience.

The extended iron support simulates the original coastline

Oyster lantern net 1mx1mx0.4m

Maintain port operations

Precedent

STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"

THE

BAYS

PROMENADE

(rough growing port edge)

15-50 YRS.

When sea level rises...

BAYS PROMENADE - offer job opportunities

STAGE 1 - "PURIFY"

STAGE 2 - "BREATHING" STAGE 3 - "ACTIVATE"