English Woods Neighborhood Study

FINAL PROPOSED SITE DESIGN & PLAN

By Anna Stanley

OVERVIEW OF ANALYSIS

VISION STATEMENT + NARRATIVE

FINAL PROPOSED DESIGN + SITE PLAN

BACKGROUND

CONCEPT

FINAL PROGRAM SPREADSHEET

FINAL PHASING PLAN

VISION STATEMENT + NARRATIVE Vision Statement English Woods is currently deprived. Deprived from food, money, and an opportunity to better their quality of life. My site design gives the residents of English Woods a chance to change their own living situation by bettering themselves educationally, economically recreationally, and environmentally and giving them a better quality of life. This will be accomplished by making English Woods into a live, work, play neighborhood.

Narrative Live-work-play communities are rooted in the idea that people are happier living in a neighborhood that provides for most of their needs. This has been an ongoing trend within many urban centers for a few years however, they are now being slowly implemented to many suburban neighborhoods as of recent. A live, work, play neighborhood is a development that provides a variety of housing, is close to local companies where the community works, and provides recreational outlets for eating and entertainment. This is exactly what the new design of English Woods will accomplish.

Some of the main added spaces and amenities on the site include a centralized business district complete with a small food/farmers market, large plaza for eating and entertainment, and 21 small retail food, and other businesses. This commercial district will work hand in hand with an urban farm that will be located directly behind the business market. This farm will consist of 160 raised bed planters that will be able to grow a variety of foods and crops. These crops will be sold in the commercial farmers market giving food and revenue to the residents of English Woods. The last piece of the puzzle will be an small institutional district consisting of a small library and recreational center. Classes will be taught in the rec center on how to farm and grow crops. This will allow any resident to learn how to grow plants and work on the farm.

The urban farm, commercial, institutional sections will account for the work, and play aspects on the site however live needs to be expanded. These types of neighborhoods depend heavily in a diverse housing network and that is exactly what is being built. There will be four types of housing implemented throughout the neighborhood including apartments, duplexes, townhouses, and single family detached housing. This will bring an influx of new residents and children into the neighborhood to make English Woods an extremely thriving and prosperous live, work, play neighborhood.

BACKGROUND: CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

Context is an extremely crucial element when discussing site design. English Woods is surrounded by a multitude of different under appreciated neighborhoods.

Demographically English Woods was compared to both Camp Washington and North Fairmount. Comparing English Woods to these other neighborhoods gave me a glimpse of how bad it really is in the neighborhood primarily from an economical standpoint and food standpoint.

OVERVIEW MAP

BACKGROUND: CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS Location of Food and Services

Two of the most concerning things that were pointed out will looking at context was the fact that English Woods is very much a food desert and most of its residents are living in poverty. An equitable neighborhood, especially one as typically low-income as English Woods is, should be expected to have local businesses and services that provide the neighborhood with essential things.

These are prepared food, hygiene products, clothing, and other household essentials. It’s easy to walk to or drive to a store close-by, but when resources are strained, trips out to the store, or even getting groceries on the way home, is difficult, and can levy uneven costs onto those already with financial difficulties.

BACKGROUND: SITE ANALYSIS SITE ANALYSIS

GREEN SPACES

After understanding English Woods from a comparative standpoint, the next part of the process is to analyze just the site of English Woods. Topography, water flow and hydrology, greenery and tree canopy, soils and what could be build on them (trees, buildings, agriculture), and finally bedrock depth were the most important aspects affecting development on my site. It is crucial to understand the underlying features on a site. What may seem like a perfectly flat plot of land for building might actually have very loose soil that would be dangerous to build on. English Woods has extreme variants when it comes to primarily topography.

The sloped edges and the massive tree canopy are the biggest deterrent of building on the site. What is presented however is the potential of agriculture production, and lots of underutilized space where there is flat land and little tree canopy.

SLOPES MAP

ELEVATIONS MAP

TREE CANOPY MAP

BACKGROUND: SITE ANALYSIS

SOIL TYPE

SOIL SUPPORT FOR TREES

SOIL SUPPORT FOR BUILDINGS

SOIL SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE

SOIL BEDROCK DEPTH

WATER FLOW DIAGRAM

BACKGROUND: SUITABILITY ANALYSIS SUITABILITY ANALYSIS

While site analysis lets you know what is present on the site it does not give an in depth survey of the suitability for certain kinds of development. While topographical, hydrological, and soil suitability on their own is important, it is more important to find where these factors overlap to determine the best land to develop on. Aside from physical features on the site another determining factor about development in English Woods requires knowledge on zoning. After perceiving together both the comprehensive suitability of structures and zoning regulations there are three primary uses of the site that are emerge.

These include residential development, commercial development, and the implementation of urban agriculture. The final step in determining suitability is to create an area by area analysis. This allows us to see the ideal locations for these types of land uses based on suitability.

ZONING MAP

BACKGROUND: SUITABILITY ANALYSIS

BACKGROUND: SUITABILITY ANALYSIS

Commercial suitability has been determined by the combined building suitability of topographical, hydrological and soil factors, and accessibility to roads. English Woods median household income is $8,474 which is severely below the poverty line.

The residents are severely in need of some income boosting commercial activity and job opportunities.

Residential suitability has been determined by the combined building suitability of topographical, hydrological and soil factors, and proximity to sewage infrastructure. Luckily most of the small residential “district” that is currently in English Woods, is build on both the suitable land and in areas with direct accessibility to infrastructure.

BACKGROUND: SUITABILITY ANALYSIS

Urban Agricultural suitability has been determined by the combined soil and tree suitability, as well as water flow. Currently there is one soil type present that can accommodate agriculture. English Woods is identified as a food desert and is in desperate need of some sort of food source. The implementation of urban agriculture could solve this.

CONCEPTUAL PLAN COMMERCIAL

Conceptual Map/ Land Use

One of the biggest change in land use will be the expansion of the commercial use. The market currently on site will remain there and will serve as the base of the commercial market

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL The North West of the neighborhood will consist of single family detached housing. This will offer more diverse housing options and allow a more unique range of people to move in

MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL Currently the largest land use in the neighborhood is multifamily residential. I would like to expand these homes to the South West and add apartment style multi family housing, duplexes, and townhouses as well as to the North East and add large duplexes adjacent to the single family residential

INSTITUTIONAL Located near the top of the neighborhood next to the single family residents will be a small institutional district equipped with a library and small rec center

URBAN AGRICULTURE Towards the back of the commercial district will be two large plots of land dedicated to urban agriculture. Here food will be grown in raised bed planters and sold in the commercial market

My overall conceptual plan for English Woods focuses primarily on bringing necessary quality of life benefits to the present and future residents of the neighborhood. I have done this using four key land uses, commercial, urban agricultural, institutional, and public space. The intended idea is that on both entrances to the neighborhood, both Sutter Ave and Westwood Northern, there will be two large residential districts that will be sectioned off from the roads using tree buffers. Attached to both residential districts will also be some from of public space with the Northern half being near the institutional area and the Southern being near a playground. In the middle will be the main business district and recreation spaces with an urban farm located behind the commercial district that will produce a variety of crops and goods to then be sold. English Woods must be attractive to other people outside of the neighborhood in order to increase revenue in the area however, noise and traffic are a huge issue that often come with commercial structures and is why the residential districts will have ample amounts of tree coverage.

TREE CANOPY The largest land use on the site will be dedicated to tree cover.

English Woods is a very sloped neighborhood and requires many trees in order to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion.

PARKS / OPEN GREEN SPACE There will be three designed parks located in the neighborhood.

Two will be attached to hiking trails and one will be located next to the multi-family housing and will include a play ground

FINAL DESIGN: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Final Design Development Map

There is a large mix of uses present in my conceptual design of English Woods.

The flattest and most prime location for a business district and urban farm are located right in the middle of the neighborhood. This means that anybody who is traveling to the commercial district will need to pass some sort of residential district from both the Sutter Ave, and Westwood Northern entrances.

This could create noise pollution and a high traffic flow which could disturb the residents. To combat this tree buffers will be very necessary in the neighborhood. They should line Sutter Ave whenever there is a residential district up against it to ensure that the residents remain separate from the commercial district and farm.

This design is intended to provide more food and jobs to the residents as well as ample recreation space and parks.

Hopefully my making the area more suitable it will attract more residents to want to move into the area and make English Woods the best it can be.

FINAL DESIGN: STREETS, BLOCKS, & PUBLIC SPACE

Street Layout

Block Layout

Public Space Layout Pocket Parks

A

Commercial Plaza

B

Large Park Park + Playground

F E

D

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300

600ft

N There are 5 main roads/pathways present in this conceptual design. The largest road, Westwood Northern, is the only example of an arterial road on the site and outlines the upper edge of English Woods. Additionally there are sidewalks all throughout the neighborhood, along with multiple walking trails for outdoor recreation.

Most of the roads on site are local roads going through the residential sections, with one main collector street, Sutter Ave, splitting the neighborhood down the middle. Sutter is a two lane, medium sized road that will effectively allow for a large density of people to navigate.

This is important primarily for the commercial district as this needs to be accessible to other neighborhoods in order to gain a profit.

0

C

300

600ft

N By strongly defining their edges, perimeter blocks enable the streets and squares of a city to be thought of as positive spaces. By placing commercial uses in direct contact with this public realm, the perimeter block provides the best possible opportunity for contact and exchange.

This is exactly what I did for my design of English Woods. There are six blocks present, four residential, one commercial, and one institutional.

The main theme throughout the design is interconnectedness and that is exactly what the blocks do. They serve as positive spaces with the institutional commercial, and residential blocks all working together t create one positive urban space for the residents of English Woods.

0

300

600ft

N Public areas shape community ties in neighborhoods. They are places of encounter and can facilitate political mobilization, stimulate actions and help prevent crime. They are environments for interaction and exchange of ideas that impact the quality of the urban environment. Public spaces also present health benefits, both physical and mental, people feel better and tend to be more active in attractive, public spaces. This is especially important in a live, work, play neighborhood. The entire design hinges on the idea of public space which is why there are ample amounts present in my design.

From the commercial plaza to the 3 large public green spaces and multiple pocket parks equipped with playgrounds, hiking, trails, and gazebos.

FINAL DESIGN: AMENITIES Public On Site Amenities

Map Key

Public Parking

There will be an abundance of public parking added to the site. I am proposing the addition of multiple public, high density attractions such as parks and a commercial market, requiring the need for lots of parking

Public Playground

The park sandwiched in between the multi-residential and commercial land uses, will have a large public playground. It is located in an area with lots of housing and I want to provide an area in which the children can go and play.

Commercial Plaza

Parks, schools, small retail, and transit are some of the amenities that make for a rich urban experience. When considering development and redevelopment potential it is important to also consider how investments and amenities can change the desirability of an area.

My site design is truly centered around one idea: a live work play neighborhood. I want the residents of English Woods to be able to eat, live, and work all in the same area. The addition of the farm and commercial district will allow the residents to grow and produce, as well as sell their own food. The construction of the library and rec center will also work hand in hand with the agriculture and commercial district to teach the residents how to work on the farm. Add recreational hiking into that mix and you have an extremely positive system of amenities that will increase the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Located in the center of the business district will be a very large open plaza. In the plaza there will be a large fountain as well as a multitude of outdoor seating. This is to provide a public area in where everyone who visits the market will be able to enjoy

Recreation Trails

Two of the large parks on site will include nature/hiking trails. English Woods has an abundance of trees which make it difficult for development. Instead of having them sit there and be idle I am adding nature trails for recreation and appreciation of the beautiful tree canopy.

FINAL DESIGN: AMENITIES + PUBLIC SPACE 8: Public Parking

7: Public Library

1: Urban Farm

2: Commercial Plaza

6: Recreation Center 7

6

5

8

8 2

8 4

4

1

5

3

3: Residential Playground

5: Walking/Hiking Trails 4: Public Gazebo

FINAL DESIGN: VIEWS Single Family Residential

Birds Eye Northern Residential District

Multi-Family Residential Duplexes

Map Key *Each colored view corresponds with the pictures outlined title*

FINAL DESIGN: VIEWS Larger Multi-Family Apartments + Parking

Smaller Multi-Family Apartments + Parking

Multi-Family Duplexes

Multi-Family Townhouses

FINAL DESIGN: VIEWS Commercial Business Market

Institutional: Rec Center

Urban Farm

Institutional: Library

FINAL DESIGN: SECTIONS The section shows two large 40x30ft single family homes on wither side of the street, with a 12ft setback, 4ft sidewalk, and 3ft berm on each side. Because this street is a collector road it is smaller and has 9ft lanes going both ways. It is important that a lot of the berm area is also paired with trees. This helps to section off the residents from the busy street and commercial district nearby

Street Cross Section

N/S Cross Section Location W/E Cross Section Location

Map Key

West to East Cross Section Nature Trail

Tree Canopy

Pavement

Roadway

Urban Farm

Business Market

Nature Trail

0

300 100

600ft 200ft

Nature Trail

Nature Trail

Parking Public Park

Nature Trail Tree Canopy

North to South Cross Section Apartmen

t

0

0

300 100

600ft 200ft

Tree Canopy

Library

300

Roadway

Single Family Housing

600ft

Parking

Recreation Center

Roadway

Public Park Roadway

Apartm

ents

Tree Canopy

FINAL DESIGN: GROSS AREAS Total Land Areas COMMERCIAL

Total Sf: 300,000

Block Sizes

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

Total Sf: 250,000 MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

Total Sf: 800,000 INSTITUTIONAL

Total Sf: 100,000 URBAN AGRICULTURE

Total Sf: 180,000 PARKS / OPEN GREEN SPACE

Total Sf: 520,000

FINAL DESIGN: UNITS PER BLOCK Total Units Units Per Block

COMMERCIAL

Total Units: 22 Level of Intensity: High SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

Total Units: 18 Level of Density: Low MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

BLOCK 1 Total Units: 320 Level of Density: Very High BLOCK 2 Total Units: 28 Level of Density: Medium As far as block size and densities on the site go, the area with the highest density will be the apartment complexes located in the West corner of the neighborhood. These apartments will house 320 residents on 300,000 square feet of land. The duplexes both to the North and South will have a medium level of density and there are quite a few people living all around each other and the single family will have a low density.

As far as intensity goes the business district will have the highest amount of traffic and number of people using it. The thing that will make the business district a higher density than the institutional district which has a medium density, is that the commercial district will have a lot of people coming from outside the neighborhood while the institutions will most provide for English Woods Residents

BLOCK 3 Total Units: 36 Level of Density: Medium INSTITUTIONAL

Total Units: 2 Level of Intensity: Medium

PROGRAM SPREADSHEET Program Spreadsheet

Block Spreadsheet

PHASING PLAN: OVERVIEW Phasing Plan

Phasing Map

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 1 will consist of building a new complex of 10 story apartment buildings to the lower West corner. In this phase Marquet Manor will be torn down so to offset the displaced people these apartment buildings must be built before the demolition

Phase 2 will consist of the building of a new business district and urban farm. The farm and business district will work together to provide both food and income to the residents of English Woods

Once the area is economically sustainable phase 3 will start to build more diverse housing options. This will include townhouses, two kinds of duplexes, and single family residential. These housing options will be found at the very North and South of the neighborhood

The final phase 4, will consist of the construction of a new library and recreational center.

Phase 4 will provide an institutional learning space for all of the new residents and children that will have moved in as a result of phase 3.

PHASING PLAN: PHASE 1 & 2 Phase 1

Total Square Footage: 532,000 sf

Phase 2

Total Units: 320 units

1st part of phase

Total Square Footage: 217,800 sf

Total Units: 21 units 160 planters

2nd part of phase

Phase 1 will consist of building block D in the site plan. 2 large 10 story apartment buildings will be build first followed by 4 smaller 10 story apartments.

These will be built to offset the displaced people that will need a home after Marquet Manor is destroyed in this phase

1st part of phase

2nd part of phase

Phase 2 will consist of building block E in the site plan. There is currently a commercial market on the site we be revamped and act as the starting point to the commercial market. After the market is built 160 raised bed planters will be put in behind the market to provide close proximity.

The food grown will then be sold in the market

PHASING PLAN: PHASE 3 & 4 Phase 3

Total Square Footage: 88,2000 sf

Phase 4

Total Units: 82 units

1st part of phase

2nd part of phase

3rd part of phase

Phase 3 will consist of the building of blocks A, B, and C, and will add more diverse housing. Townhouses and duplexes will be built first across the road from the apartment complex and added on to the current sutterview homes. Next larger duplexes will be built towards the North and single family detached housing will be build adjacent to the duplexes.

This phase will implement a lot of housing for new residents to move in as opposed to accounting for current displaced residents like in phase 1

Total Square Footage: 12,500 sf

Total Units: 2 units

1st part of phase

2nd part of phase

3rd part of phase

Phase 4 is the final phase and will consist of the building of block F. The library will be built first as it is smaller and less expensive, followed by the recreation center. During this phase recreational paths will also be made throughout the tree canopy and the entrances will start in the two large parks. This phase will mostly introduce the play aspect in the live, work, play neighborhood and will hopefully create a very strong sense of institution and community within English Woods.

FINAL PROPOSED SITE DESIGN & PLAN

Thank You!