Tube City

Maketheabandonedrailwayanurbanamusementparkwithintertwininggreen&greyinfrastructures

During this Urban Design Studio, we were challenged to look at the potential of urbanism through the lens of landscape. Embedded in a complex urban context in the neighborhood of Jersey City, the site we worked on contained two distinctive parts: the Embankment and the Arches. Both as part of an abandoned railroad system, the Embankment was a segmented masonry and earth structure around 3 stories above the ground, while the Arches was a railroad trench around 5 stories below its urban context. Our goal was to transform this underutilized space into a public corridor that can benefit the existing community.

Goal & Strategies

The goal of my design is to reduce the burden on current storm drain system caused by intense rainstorm, meanwhile offer people an all-weather pathway. Judging from their location and soil drainage capacity, I decide that the Embankment and the Arches should develop in different ways. Located in the middle of a prosperous community, the Embankment should serve as a flood-resistant community center with outdoor and indoor recreational spaces. The Arches, with its sunken landscape, is good for holding water for the upland area. An all-weather path will connect both sites, enabling people to travel between work and home with enjoyable experience. Tubes, with its strong guidance quality, become a tool to manage both the flow of water and people.

Site Analysis

Terrain& Soil Drainage Capacity

Flood Zone Storm Drain System Green Space

Section of the Embankment

This drawing visualize my crazy idea of a “Tube City”. Tubes become container for both water and human activities. Though the intervention may be too bold to be carried out, it gives me a chance to rethink about the relationship between architecture, infrastructure and landscape.

Site Plan of the Bergen Arches

Playground SkateparkSandFilters

Main Focus-The Arches

Upgraded Parkings

Planting Zones

Circulation&Entries