CApITOl CANOpY STRATEgIES FOR RE-ESTAblISHINg SACRAMENTO’S uRbAN TREE CANOpY WITHIN ITS publIC REAlM produced for AIA CENTRAl vAllEY THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO produced by ATlAS lAb
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VITAL CONNECTION TO THE SACRAMENTOSAN JOAQUIN RIVER DELTA 4
THE HORTICULTURAL GATEWAY
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SACRAMENTO IS THE CITY OF TREES. ITS existing tree canopy returns over $50 million in environmental benefits annually. 6
The urban forest is an important part of every thriving city a health. Tree canopies provide critical services for the city, including reducing heat island effects though the provision of shade and the creation of microclimates. With a large enough canopy, a robust tree population will reduce air pollution through bioaccumulation and the production of oxygen from carbon dioxide gas. However, the urban forest should be manifested in a different manner than the wild organization of a rural forest. While establishing a productive habitat for thousands of bird and insect species, the urban forest must be integrated with the daily functions of urban life. In terms of organization, the planting strategy should conform to the urban grid, provide year-round shade to south facing facades and allow for a varied, vibrant and continuous public realm.
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THE bIG ISSUES
AND THE URbAN CANOpY IS DECREASING
Due to a complicated lack of investment and will, the decreased canopy has yielded an increase in urban heat islands and air pollution.
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SO THE TREE CANOpY IS AGING
Planted nearly a century ago, many of the most majestic trees in Sacramento are nearing the end of their life cycle, further reducing the amount of shade and usable public space.
THEN TREE COVER MUST INCREASE
A rejuvenated canopy will reduce air pollution and urban heat island levels while establishing an enhanced pedestrian realm that is a usable and productive civic core.
pEOpLE WILL USE THE CApITOL CANOpY
With a healthy urban forest ecosystem, supplanted with vibrant social and civic uses, the Capitol Mall will act as a catalyst for a phased re-investment in the city’s urban canopy and public realm.
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PHASING
PHASE 1: EARLY WIN PROJECTS Projected timeline: 1-2 years
Working within the existing canopy, new sites will be established within the mall to attract investment in the public realm. Early win projects might include further investment in the farmer’s market and establishment of gardens and gathering areas.
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PHASE 2: REPLACE existing canopy Projected timeline: 2-5 Years
As the urban canopy ages, the trees will need to be replaced. These replacement plantings will be coordinated with the city-wide urban forestry plan to establish a continuous and vibrant urban ecosystem that extends to and connects with the Sacramento River. The amphitheater park will be coordinated at this phase.
pHASE 3: TARGET pROJECTED TIMELINE: 5-15 YEARS
Regions will be targeted that coordinate with current and projected development needs. These sites should orchestrate public and private investment to plant and maintain the adjacent urban canopies.
pHASE 4: ExTEND pROJECTED TIMELINE: 15-25 YEARS
The full build-out of this plan will never be complete, but as a principle, it should further connect the rich habitats of the Sacramento River to the Northwest regions of the city that currently lacks sufficient tree canopies and public space.
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THE CAPITOL CANOPY PRIMARY AREA OF FOCUS 1 CAPITOL CANOPY CORE
SECONDARY AREAS OF FOCUS
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2 GOLDEN STATE EVENT LAWN 3 CAPITOL BOTANICAL GARDEN 4 CROCKER ART MUSEUM SCULPTURE PARK
EXTENDED MASTERPLAN 5 GOLDEN STATE RIVERWALK 6 PEDESTRIAN FOOT BRIDGES 7 CITY-WIDE URBAN CANOPY INVESTMENT 3
OLD SACRAMENTO
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OBLIQUE AERIAL VIEW LOOKING EAST
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INTERSTATE 5 HIGHWAY
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3 DISTINCT NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES ESTABLISHING VIBRANT PUBLIC PLACES 14
CALIFORNIA CENTRAL pINE FOREST
TYpICAL SECTION OF ‘URbAN pINE FOREST’
pROGRAM: The provision of shade throughout the year on south facing facades allows the pine forest to be coupled with various active and passive programs that cater to Sacramento’s vibrant urban core. These include farmer’s markets, gardens and water features, and wifi lounge areas. HAbITAT: The pine forest offers an excellent habitat for birds and butterflies when coupled with rich understory planting. SpECIES: Latin Name P.c. murrayana Pinus albicaulis Pinus canariensis Pinus strobus Pinus sabiniana
Common Name Lodgepole Pine Whitebark Pine Canary Island Pine White Pine Gray Pine
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3 DISTINCT NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES FOSTERING ROBUST URBAN HABITATS FOR THE CITY 16
CALIFORNIA CENTRAL OAK WOODLAND
TYpICAL SECTION OF ‘GOLDEN STATE EVENT LAWN’
pROGRAM: The deciduous oak woodland offers a pleasant complexity to the pine forest, allowing for sunshine in the cooler months and mottled shade during the summer. The program activities in these areas primarily include a richly vegetated amphitheater. HAbITAT: The oak woodland provides critical habitat for migratory birds, butterflies and other insects crucial to the Central California ecology. SpECIES: Latin Name Quercus douglasii Quercus agrifolia Quercus wislizenii Quercus borealis Quercus palustris
Common Name Blue Oak Coast Live Oak Interior Live Oak Northern Red Oak Pin Oak 17
3 DISTINCT NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES RECONNECTING THE CITY TO THE DELTA 18
RIpARIAN RIVER bELT
TYpICAL SECTION OF GOLDER STATE RIVERWALK pROGRAM: The water’s edge offers a significant opportunity to reconnect the Capitol Mall back to the river. An varied edge will allow the public to experience the riparian ecology of the river through boardwalks that meander through the vegetation. Boat launches and docks are maintained and integrated throughout the new river edge. HAbITAT: The river belt will create new nesting sites for native California birds as well as protected pockets for valuable aquatic habitat. SpECIES:
Latin Name
Common Name
Salix babylonica Fraxinus latifolia Platanus racemosa Acer macrophyllum Aesculus californica Juglans californica
Weeping Willow Oregon Ash California Sycamore Bigleaf Maple California Buckeye California Black Walnut
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pROGRAMMING THE MALL
THE CAPITOL MALL SHOULD BE EASILY IDENTIFIED AS A COHESIVE + DISTINCT PLACE. CREATING PROGRAMMATICALLY VARIED ZONES THAT ENGAGE A WIDE RANGE OF DEMOGRAPHICS WILL HELP ENSURE THE MALL IS USED AROUND THE CLOCK.
CApITOL CANOpY A re-invigorated capitol canopy that utilizes native oak + pine communities to foster a health urban forest. The canopy facilitates the passive + active uses below CApITOL pLAZA Civic gathering space at the west + east ends of the capitol mall, facilitating public organization CApITOL MARKET The new Capitol Mall market canopy CApITOL bIKEWAY A dedicated bike way fostering a decreased reliance on the car REGIONAL TRANSIT LIGHT RAIL + bRT An integrated public transit link 20
DECREASED LANE WIDTHS Strategic lane re-sizing will help to establish the mall as a rich pedestrian realm DISCOVERY GARDEN pODS Vibrant collections of native plant communities, integrating local native plants into the canopy WATER pLAY pODS Interactive water features fostering family oriented play WIFI pODS Wifi hot spots that cater to the business community surrounding the mall AMpHITHEATER pARK A multi-use park catering to active + passive recreation and amphitheater event programming
SACRAMENTO WATERFRONT A re-configured waters edge that establishes an ecological corridor from the rich delta ecosystem into the capitol mall and the city itself WATERFRONT MARINA An activation of the current marina that allows easy transportation connections from the river as well as recreational boating.
SACRAMENTO CApITOL CIVIC CORE
STROLLING, SITTING, VIEWING
SHOppING, SELLING, DEMONSTRATING, STROLLING, SITTING
SHOppING, SELLING, STROLLING, SITTING
STROLLING, GARDENING, pLAYING, VIEWING, SITTING
STROLLING, GARDENING, VIEWING, SITTING
SITTING, CHATTING, MEETING
CONCERT GOING, pLAYING, SUNbATHING, SITTING, WALKING, VIEWING
STROLLING + VIEWING
STROLLING, VIEWING, SITTING, SHOppING, bOATING + FISHING
SACRAMENTO RIVER CALIFORNIA STATE CApITOL
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U.S. bANK
DETAILED AxONOMETRIC AREA CALIFORNIA DEpARTMENT OF EMpLOYMENT
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DISCOVERY GARDENS NATIVE GARDEN + WATER pODS
SACRAMENTO MARKET CANOpY NATIVE GARDEN + WATER pODS
STATE & CONSUMER SERVICES AGENCY CALIFORNIA STATE CApITOL
OF
0’
pEOpLE’S pLAZA CIVIC pLAZA
GARDENS ExISTING
75’
150’
SACRAMENTO CApITOL CIVIC CORE
300’
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SACRAMENTO RIVER
DRExEL UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
FORES pARK
MARRIOTT AMpHITHEATER pARK
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INTERSTATE HWY ENHANCED pED. CONNECTIONS
AMpHITHEATER OpEN pARKLAND + EVENT
REST ARK
TER pARK ENT pROGRAMMING
TOWERS ON CApITOL MALL
COMERICA bANK
DETAILED AxONOMETRIC AREA
WELLS FARGO bANK
CIVIC COLLECTOR CApITOL pROMENADE ENTRANCE
DISCOVERY GARDENS NATIVE GARDEN pODS
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THE CORE FEATURES
SAFE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS
AN OUTDOOR FARMERS’ MARKET CANOPY 26
DEDICATED BIKE LANES
GARDEN PODS
FEWER VEHICULAR LANES
WATER PLAY + GATHERING PODS
PU
CO
BL
IC
MP
IL
RE
AL
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PR
OG
RA
MM
IN
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E
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MARKET CANOPY
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DISCOVERY GARDENS
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AMPHITHEATER PARK
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AMPHITHEATER PARK
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about
ATLASLAB
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ATLASLAB is a design and research lab founded by Kimberly Garza and Andrew tenBrink. The lab synthesizes
expertise in landscape, urbanism and planning to imagine inventive approaches to unique design challenges at varying scales in the urban landscape. While the primary interest of ATLAS engages the cartography of urban infrastructure, it maintains a strong research agenda that implicates landscape in workings of political economies as well as the unique ability of landscape to perform as art. ATLAS has been recognized by the Rotterdam Biennial, the European Landscape Biennial in Barcelona, the city of Sacramento as well as a wide variety of books and publications. ATLAS has been published internationally in Europe, Canada, South America, South Korea, China as well as the United States. ATLAS has been recognized in the following design competitions and publications: Juried Selection: 2012 International Garden Festival “15 Knots” Reford Gardens: Grand Metis, Quebec, Canada. First Place: Catalyst: Sacramento Capitol Mall Competition “Capitol Canopy” City of Sacramento: Sacramento, California. October 2011. Selected Contributor: Landscape Architecture China “The Agency of Infrastructure” Beijing, China. November 2011. Selected Contributor: Environment & Landscape of Korea “The Agency of Infrastructure” Seoul, Korea. April 2011. Finalist: 2010 Delta Competition “deDamming Urbanism” Royal Haskoning: Netherlands. November 2010. Selected Contributor: Bracket: Goes Soft “undamming the Dutch Delta” edited by Mason White. Actar: forthcoming 2012.
Selected Contributor: Water Urbanisms 2 “deDamming the Dutch Delta” edited by Kelly Shannon. Sun Publishers: forthcoming 2012. Selected Contributor: GSD Platform 3 “The Agency of Infrastructure”, “Estuarine Urbanism” edited by Emily Waugh. Actar: 2010 Selected Contributor: GSD Platform 2 “Peer to Peer Open Spaces” edited by Felipe Correa. Actar: 2009 Selected Contributor: Ecological Urbanism “Peer to Peer Open Spaces” edited by Gareth Doherty. Actar: 2009 38
www.atlaslab.net
Kimberly Garza holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. During her time at the Graduate School of Design, she was awarded the ASLA Merit of Excellence and two Penny White Traveling Fellowships. She has served as a studio instructor for the Harvard Career Discovery Program, as well as a teaching fellow for courses ranging from landscape representation to theories in landscape urbanism. In 2011, she co-founded ATLAS a design and research lab. Kimberly’s work has been published in: Bracket: Soft Systems, Water Urbanism 2, A View on Harvard Vol. 3, and GSD Platform 2, and design blogs such as Mammoth and Picturing Place. Recently, she was the selected winner of the 2012 International Garden Festival in Grand-Metis, Quebec, and was awarded 1st place in the Catalyst: Sacramento Capital Mall Competition. Kimberly has practiced professionally in Massachusetts, California and Texas at both landscape architecture and architecture firms. Currently, she is a landscape designer at Reed Hilderbrand LLC in Watertown, MA. kimberly@atlaslab.net
Andrew ten Brink holds a Master of Landscape Architecture with distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, with honor, from Purdue University. While at Harvard he received the ASLA award of excellence, the Charles Eliot traveling fellowship, the Gerald McCue Medal, and was the University Olmsted scholar his graduating year. He also received the ASLA honor award and the Don Molnar award for his undergraduate work. In 2011, he co-founded ATLAS a design and research lab. Andrew’s work has been published in Landscape Architecture China (LAC), Environment & Landscape Architecture of Korea, Loft Life, Ecological Urbanism, GSD Platform 2, 3 and design blogs such as Mammoth and Disturbed Sites. He is the co-author of Transurban: Sarriguren and Valdespartera, which critique the development of purported eco-cities in Spain. Recently, Andrew was the selected winner of the 2012 International Garden Festival in Grand-Metis, Quebec, and was awarded 1st place in the Catalyst: Sacramento Capital Mall Competition. Andrew has practiced professionally in New York, Massachusetts, Indiana and Texas. Currently, he is a landscape designer at James Corner Field Operations in New York. andrew@atlaslab.net
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produced by ATlAS lAb