“The Breathing Green Spine” — A Carbon Negative Pioneer Zone of Barcelona

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THE BREATHING GREEN SPINE

New urban structure is proposed to connect and interact.

New identity is built up as a carbon negative pioneer zone.

New green ecological and economical model will boom at Sant Adria.

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The "backyard" shall one day be the pearl along Barcelona coast in leading a green and sustainable life.

CHAO, BAO, NAYVA An urban model that adopts sustainable responses 2 and rigorous planning to achieve a carbon negative economic model adapting to the impacts of climate change and striving towards positive impact on the globe.

The climate challenges faced by 2050 CO2 emission is the main reason for flooding, rise in global temperature and intensified hurricanes.

Statistics prove that 300 million population will face the threat of flooding by 2050. Thus, Barcelona city declares climate emergency and aims to reduce 200,000 tons of co2 by 2030.

The opportunity for Saint Adria to become a carbon negative showcase for Europe Seacoast of Saint Andria has an opportunity of development.

Taking advantage of the three chimneys, seacoast and the industrial setup in the neighbourhood stretching from Gran Via to seacoast Saint Adria can be envisioned for carbon negative emissions and be a showcase for

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A NEW CENTRALITY ALONG GRAN VIA

AMB and Europe. Three chimneys contribute as attractor for R&D units and investors and the existing industrial area can be used for productive purposes supporting the R&D units and infills of residential units and facilities with provisions which can make us of renewable sources for energy production, help completing the cycle of heat and energy flows.

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Gran Via is a major infrastructure which cuts the Barcelona throughout and connects Barcelona, Saint Andria and Badalona.

There are different zones developed in line with the Gran Via. For example, the series start with the plaza Europa which is a mixed-use development, followed by plaza d Espania which is the cultural district with Montjuic a part of it followed by Plaza Universitat which falls into historical development and change its phase to an innovation district. In continuation the proposed site acts as an ecological district with a spine development connecting plaza Saint Andria to the wetland nature park designed tapping on the sensitivity of its location and contributes to a diverse function in the coastal line. The development strives for a carbon negative zone having a balance of biodiversity and live-work-play scenario.

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1 Exhibition 2 Wetland Zone 3 Algae Farming 4 Viewpoint 5 Sports & Activities 6 Research Hub 7 Riverside Park 8 Mixed Residential Unit 9 Culture Centre 10 Mixed Business Unit 11 Commercial Plots 12 Educational Centre 13 Productive Plots 14 TOD + Commercial 15 Hybrid Towers 16 Plaza Sant Adria 17 Centre Park + Infrastructure 18 Urban Park + Carbon Machine

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CARBON SINK FINGERS Central spine stretching from hybrid mix towers to the three chimneys is a system of urban park+ carbon machine facilitating algae features and infrastructure for metabolism purposes and CO2 absorption. Features developments are related to business, commercial and hybrid mix by knowing their advantages of proximity to three chimneys, central urban park and the R&D units.

Other spine is developed concentrating community life such as residential and SOHO units with facilities, local activities and enhancing the cultural link connecting town hall to wetland and river side park.

Horizontal spine enhances vertical spines by connecting them with series of city scale facilities.

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5 Urban structure of the Learning District. Functional distribution, pedestrian connectivity, main accessibility, commercial nodes —

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In year 2050, new projects will play a role in carbon mitigation mission. Buildings will be more engaged with CO2 absorbing facilities.

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CARBON ABSORPTIVE RESIDENTIAL UNIT

CARBON ABSORPTIVE MIX-USE PROJECT UNIT

The carbon absorptive residential unit in 2050 shall be more green and hybrid comparing to todays' residential blocks. The concept of balancing live and work is considered and office buidling comes with each unit. The good proximity of working spaces saves people lots of time traveling on cars or on public transportation. The commercial and facilities take up an appropriate proportion which allow residents get access to them without traveling long distance.

More importantly, public spaces are more emphased here in 2050 units. A certain proportion of public green are required to equip algae trees which absorb CO2 efficiently. Along the cultural spine, Extra public spaces are set aside which make more room for residents get around and enjoy dining or social life. The proportion of vehicle ways are cut down which makes more room for shaded pedestrian pathes. For the building itself, roof greenery and PV-alge panels both contriute to the green life style.

The carbon absorptive mix-use project units in 2050 are not solely buidling units. More than that, the most important feature of them is the facade furnishing. The north-oriented algae panels are attched to the office buildings in an appropriate proportion which makes the buildings CO2 sequestering machines themselves! The development also emphases on pedestrian over cars. Vehicle ways are set at the back of the building units which allow the facade facing the central spine to be totally pedestrian oriented. The buildings and the central spine work together to be the CO2 absorbing machine. Systems of water treatment, energy distribution, rain water harvesting and bioreactor tanks are buried underneath the surface of the central spine.

Spatially, the project unit has seen a height change from the cental higher ridges to a height simliar to that of surrounding buildings, which contributes to the spactial coherence.

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THE BREATHING GREEN SPINE

SANT ADRIA GATE-CENTRALITY AT THE GRAN VIA Central Spine is designated to have two destinations as the end point of the spine, one end being the three chimneys and the other is the Sant Adria Plaza which is a new centrality in continuation along the Gran Via. Plaza is a mixed-use development with business units and commercial activities which are set up in individual towers connected with bridges.

This helps in achieving porosity and gets well oriented according to the existing morphology. Gran Via passes above the central spine with vehicular movement which does not disturb the pedestrian activities underneath. As a junction between the green algae spine and the metropolitan infrastructure, the Plaza is a window that shows the characteristic of the Sant Adria carbon negative zone. Moreover, TOD development and hybrid functions bring vigorous to the region which help to boost the economic and cultural booming of Sant Adria.

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CENTRAL GREEN SPINE The spine is designed with a complexity of urban activities and local activities as it houses mixed use development on either side.

The majority of it is dedicated to the green landscape which housed the Algae trees and other features which help with absorbing CO2. Water treatment facilities, energy disrubution facilities are buried under the central park which also planted with Algae trees. The bioreactors allow CO2 to be absorbed while energy and biomass are in the meantime produced. The "green" also sprawl on building facades which even makes the spine more dramatic with the theme of CO2 sequestering. Spatially, this spine terminates at the three chimneys which being the identity of Sant Adria.

WETLAND PARK ALONG THE COAST This view is from the pier which sprawling through the wetland and end at the junction of the sea and the wetland park. The pier is also the end of a pedestrian spine, the Cultural Spine. This pier acts as observation deck of the wetland scenario and the three charming chimneys. The wetland park is an extension of the River Besos river mouth, whose end part is currently a natural life reserve zone. Every year Barcelona invests a large sum of capital in maintaining the beach.

However, here in our wetland zone the opportunity is given to the nature itself. The park will be the new habitat of birds and other wild animals, which help with the restoration of ecological diversity.

Researches and observations could be carried out here in our wetland park. What makes it more meaningful is that the park also serves as a sea level sensitive park. The large proportion of green coverage allows it to be a CO2 absorptive park, which shall mitigate the sea level rise and protect urban environment.

THE BREATHINGREFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIC GREEN SPINE

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Climate change in Catalonia. Executive summary of the Third Report on Climate Change in Catalonia.

Available at: http://cads.gencat. cat/web/.content/Documents/ Publicacions/tercer-informe-sobre-canvi-climatic-catalunya/ Resum_executiu_TICCC/RESUM_ EXECUT_TICCC_web_EN.pdf .

Green Earth Appeal. (2020). Available at: Agroforestry Carbon Sequestration Rates Jennifer Kite-Powell. (2018). See How Algae Could Change Our World.

Available at: https://www.forbes. com/sites/jenniferhicks/2018/06/15/ see-how-algae-could-change-ourworld/#75f99f8c3e46 Manuel de Sola-Morales (2008). De Cosas Urbanas The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2020). Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/

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