END 350 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN WORKSHOP 1 UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO SECTION 2 FA 2019 VOLUME 4

Acknowledgements

END350 Methods of Design Inquiry Teaching Team: Instructor- Jonathan Bleuer Teaching Assistant- Andrew Schaefer

Table of Contents

Introduction

An overview of the course material and the most important skills learned from each assignment. The contents of this portfolio are listed with a description of each component showing my progress in the course. In addition, my overall experience in the class is summarized, as well as how I grew as an environmental design student.

END 350: Methods of Design Inquiry is the first environmental design workshop offered by the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo. This workshop introduced many useful skills in the realm of urban planning. Several of these skills include integrating research, information analysis, and how to effectively communicate ideas. This workshop was split into five main sections, each with a unique focus point, and the fifth section being this portfolio of our completed works. The different sections required new skillsets, which were gained with each new assignment. These new skills were eventually used to create a Park MiniMaster Plan, and present findings to a room of stakeholders. This workshop was a great introduction to urban planning, and the methods used by professionals.

The first section of this workshop was heavily research based. We were tasked to create a literature review with an annotated bibliography based on a topic of our choosing. The topic I chose was world population increase, and the myriad of problems that arise from an unsustainable population. In order to create the literature review, we found sixteen sources to support our arguments. We learned how to use databases to find peer-reviewed sources, and how to further examine these sources. Finding relevant sources for this assignment was definitely the most time consuming part of the process. However, once all of the sources were found, it all came together very cleanly. My approach to writing this literature review was to create a basic outline for the different sub-topics within my topic. This greatly helped to organize my thoughts, as well as create a literature review which flowed properly. The most relevant skills I learned from this assignment was how to effectively locate, summarize, and synthesize peerreviewed sources.

The second section of this workshop dealt with analyzing census tract data. We were tasked to find two cities; one with a negative growth rate, and one with a positive growth rate above 10%. I chose Bangor, Maine as the negative growth rate city, and Atlanta, Georgia as the positive growth rate city. From there, we used the US census bureau database to find different statistics. This was the first time using the US census bureau to gather information, so it was definitely a useful skill. With this information we created graphs in Excel to visualize our findings.

Something that was extremely useful we did at this stage was peer critique sessions. This allowed us to not only get feedback from the instructors, but also from fellow peers who were extremely helpful. After the visuals were finalized, we created an analytical report to form a narrative around them. This assignment taught many practical skills such as creating graphs in Excel which are visually appealing, and gathering information from the US census bureau.

The third section was about data collection, and implementing those findings into a memorandum. We were tasked to critically compare a signalized intersection to a roundabout of our choosing. This was the first group assignment, so everyone was in groups of two. After choosing to sites to examine, we spent an hour at each site gathering information about pedestrian, vehicular, and cyclist behavior. This taught us how to professionally gather data of a site through observations.

The observations were then analyzed further and put into a

memorandum addressed to the proper authorities with recommendations on how to improve the existing sites. We also made a PowerPoint presentation with a summary of our findings with added visualizations. It was recommended to not use a default PowerPoint design, so creating a unique design was an interesting part of the challenge. This assignment was very helpful since

memorandums are a common type of technical writing used in the workplace. This was a good introduction on how to write professional memorandums in a concise manner.

The fourth section was a culmination of everything we had learned so far, as well as several new skills. We were tasked to create a Park Mini-Master Plan, which all began with choosing a park to visit. In a group of four, we went to Bassett Park which is a park in Williamsville, Amherst. We visited several times to make site observations and get a good understanding of the park. Additionally, we created user survey forms which were filled out by park goers. This was an important part of the project, since many of the park visitors had their own ideas on how to improve the park, which we took into consideration. After researching the park’s history, we then began the process of writing and designing a visually appealing report.

This project required a lot of teamwork and cooperation from all group members to ensure a great final product. This project definitely further taught me how important teamwork is, and how to be an effective team member. Once the report was finished, we created a PowerPoint summary of our findings for an oral presentation given to stakeholders. Time management was an important skill for this step, since each group only had fifteen minutes to present, and another five minutes for questions.

END 350: Methods of Design Inquiry was a very informative class which taught many important skills. The most important skills I got from this class with were research, analysis, and creating visually appealing presentations. Throughout the semester, these skills were improved upon as I kept using them for each assignment. My overall experience in the workshop was a positive one, and I finished it feeling satisfied with the amount of new skills I learned.

Research in Planning

This was the first assignment in the workshop. Two topics related to urban planning issues were briefly researched, and a one-page summary for each topic was written. Additionally, a brief statement on the research method was included. One topic was then chosen by the instructor, which was the basis for the Literature Review.

Hydraulic fracturing, or ‘hydro-fracking’, is the process used to collect natural gas. The process involves drilling several thousand feet deep into shale deposits, then pumping chemicals and sand to crack the shale and release the natural gas. The main concern of this process is that the chemical and sand mixture is left underground after extraction, and can cause numerous health issues. While it is true that natural gas burns about 25% cleaner than standard gasoline, the process required to obtain natural gas causes extreme environmental damage, as well as unsafe living conditions for nearby communities. “In Colorado, for example, an evaluation of birth defects in areas with high concentrations of oil and gas activity found that mothers who lived near many oil and gas wells were 30 percent more likely to have babies with heart defects” (Srebotnjak, 2014, p. 2). In the documentary film Gasland directed by Josh Fox (2010), he visits several families who gave permission to oil companies to drill on their land for natural gas. In one famous scene, one of the residents affected by the subsequent pollution from hydro-fracking, lights the water from his kitchen faucet on fire. The water was certainly undrinkable, and the resident explained that he had to travel several miles for clean water. Hydro-fracking is a very prominent issue, especially in the tri state area, since those states are laying on top of a massive Marcellus shale deposit. Marcellus shale is one of the best shale type to drill for natural gas.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania currently allows for the drilling of natural gas. New York, however, does not. Hopefully it stays that way unless a cleaner process can be developed to extract natural gas.

I had some background knowledge for this topic, so the sources I found were ones I was familiar with. I used Google to find the journal article and documentary.

Bibliography Journal article: Srebotnjak, T., & Rotkin-Ellman, M. (2014). Fracking Fumes: Air Pollution from Hydraulic Fracturing Threatens Public Health and Communities. NRDC, 1–12. https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/fracking-air-pollution-IB.pdf

Documentary: Fox, J., & Adlesic, T., & Gandour, M., & Roma, D. (Producers), & Fox, J. (Director). (2010).

Gasland.

Over the past several hundred years, the world’s population has increased at an alarming exponential rate. In the 1800s the world’s population was 1 billion. The current population of the world is nearing 8 billion. Thanks to advances in health and technology, humans are able to live longer, healthier lives. However, with a much larger population, we need to figure out how to provide enough food and water to the ever growing population. There are currently countries that do not produce/import enough food to feed all of their citizens. It is estimated that by 2050, the world’s population will be over 9 billion (Bralower & Bice). With a larger population, and a limited amount of land, it is very possible that food shortages will become a very real threat to modern cities. “As a result of food deficits, nearly 1 000 million people do not get enough to eat and over 400 million are chronically malnourished. Every year 11 million children under the age of five die from hunger or hunger-related diseases” (Sadik). We need to start managing our land and water resources more carefully, and possibly even create population plans for developing countries to ensure an understanding of the severity of world food shortages. Living in a first world country, we often don’t realize the devastating effects of a famine. In Africa, food shortages result in mass migrations, as nearly a third of all Africans suffer from hunger (Bralower & Bice).

For this topic, I used Google to look for articles. When I use Google for initial research I usually only look for .edu, .gov, or .org websites, then analyze the article and see if it has any information that would be useful to me. When doing more in depth research, I’m familiar with the UB database, and how to find articles or books based on the information I am looking for.

Bibliography Bralower, T., & Bice, D. (n.d.). Future Population Increase and its Impact on Food Supply.

Retrieved from https://www.e-education.psu.edu/earth103/node/705

Sadik, N. (n.d.). Population growth and the food crisis. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/U3550t/u3550t02.htm

Literature Review with Annotated Bibliography

This assignment was heavily research based, and introduced new methods of how to research.

We used databases to locate sixteen peer reviewed sources based on one topic we chose. We then summarized and synthesized those sources into a cohesive narrative to support our claims.

Additionally, an annotated bibliography was written to further explain the purpose of each source.

Over the past century, world population has nearly quadrupled in size thanks to advances in medicine, industry, and agriculture. Left unchecked, an ever growing population can wreak havoc on the environment, as well as the remaining natural resources. Over the next century, solutions will have to be identified for possibilities such as food shortages, lack of access to clean water, and global climate change due to inevitable population increase. In countries such as China and sub-Saharan Africa, the effects of overpopulation are very evident.

In China, pollution from factories, as well as the dense population, makes the air almost unbreathable. In sub-Saharan Africa, children go to bed hungry due to food shortages and limited access to clean water. This is the reality of many undeveloped nations, and it soon might be the reality for the rest of the world, if population levels continue to rise at the current rate.

To understand the evolution of the mindset regarding population increase, first an examination of how this topic was perceived at first needs to be conducted. In an environmental report to President Nixon in 1970, several basic yet key ideas are unveiled.

Preservation is a common theme throughout the report, such as preservation of land resources, clean water, and plant resources. The report calls for agrarian reform to preserve arable land, reduction of water pollution from industry, and preserving plant life by reducing denudation of soil, as well as preventing overgrazing caused by livestock (United States, 1970). These concepts were the basis for Nixon’s creation of the EPA in 1970, and have greatly helped to preserve natural land and regulate pollution. Four years later, an article written by John Holdren and Paul Ehrlich provided greater insight into the dangers of population growth. Their primary focus was the relationship between civilization, consumption, and the environment.

They state that as population increases, more land is required for farming, resulting in less ecosystem diversity. Concerns such as erosion, increased use of pesticides/inorganic fertilizer, and monoculture farming are addressed as serious environmental problems (Holdren & Ehrlich, 1974). Holdren and Ehrlich also composed a simple formula to demonstrate a multiplicative effect of population growth with regards to consumption; environmental disruption= (population)(consumption per person)(damage per unit of consumption). They propose that there is no single solution to this problem, and that ecological disaster is inevitable if population

growth continues unabated. Kingsley Davis also mentions the lack of easy solutions in an article written in 1990. Davis’ approach to the subject of population increase was more of a criticism of the mindset in the 1990s. He criticizes popular ideas such as ‘carrying capacity’ and ‘limits to growth’. Carrying capacity is “the maximum population that can be sustained indefinitely into the future” (Davis, 1990). Davis argues that not only is this concept extremely biased, it does not account for human welfare. ‘Limits to growth’, is a two sided argument, with one side saying that resources are already depleting and will be gone soon, while the other side is saying that there’s no way resources are being depleted since the population is still increasing. Davis does not take one side over the other, and instead says that knowing the limits to growth is promising, however it requires more research than anyone at the time could undertake (Davis, 1990). These important concepts listed above are the beginnings of the understanding of world population growth, and its impact on the environment and human welfare.

There are many factors regarding world population increase, however, one of the most relevant topics in understanding population increase is fertility rates. In a TED talk presented

by Charles C. Mann, he describes the world’s population as being bacteria in a petri dish.

Eventually, once the bacteria reach the ends of the dish, it has nowhere left to go and the bacteria drown in their own waste (Mann, 2018). With an increase of total fertility rates (TFR) in undeveloped countries, from 3 births per woman to over 5 births per woman, implementation of voluntary family planning should be implemented to control the growth (Ezeh et al., 2012). The population of sub Saharan Africa is expected to double to over 2 billion by 2050 as a result (Dasgupta & Ehrlich, 2013). Due to falling TFR in developed countries, it is likely to see decline in growth and an increase of elderly populations. For example, currently in the US, immigration trends are one of the main contributors to growth. Elderly population is also projected to increase by 20% by 2050 (Bremner et al., 2010). Elderly populations are increases around the world as well, due to advancements in medicine over the last several decades (Baron et al., 2014). The effects of world population increase can all stem from the TFR of countries around the world, and now more than ever, it’s important to implement responsible family planning programs in many undeveloped nations.

Since 1970, society has made incredible advancements in the understanding of world population increase, especially in terms of food production. With a growing population, producing enough food will be a great challenge. One of the biggest threats to future food production is climate change. While the use of fossil fuels is a great contributor to climate change, a growing population can have drastic effects on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. In 1987, it was estimated that the amount of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel produced was around 5.65x109 tons (Banks & Vernon, 1990). However, humans produce a significant amount of carbon dioxide as well, especially with a growing population. As of 1990, the estimated total production of carbon dioxide was 1.56x109 tons, however this number assumes tidal volume and respiration rates for resting heart rates. In reality, this number should be doubled to account for discrepancies (Banks & Vernon, 1990). Climate change can also cause a plethora of issues with regards to livestock. Climate change can increase the rate at which livestock are infected with parasites and disease. Rangeland productivity can also suffer, resulting in increased competition for land and water sources (Godber & Wall, 2014). In cases like this, vulnerability analysis is often used to predict impacts on human-environment systems, which can be used to guide policies to prevent more drastic consequences. As well as vulnerability analysis, sensitivity scores are calculated to demonstrate a “nation's level of self‐ sufficiency with regard to grazing animal‐based food products, the nutritional contribution of animal‐based food products to diet and the level of food security” (Godber & Wall, 2014). For example, of the 15 most sensitive nations, 5 are African, 5 are Asian, and 3 are South American.

As populations continue to increase, these nations will have greater food demands. “As people who are initially undernourished obtain access to more food calories, they first go through an expansion phase where diets contain more food—typically, grains, roots, tubers and pulses— and then a substitution phase, where the latter are replaced by more energy-rich foods such as meat and those with a high concentration of vegetable oils and sugar” (Godfray et al., 2010).

This nutritional transition can have severe implications, since high energy food requires more resources to produce, which is more inefficient. It is possible that in these undernourished countries, food supply will increase faster than demand, resulting in cheaper food prices, which will increase the per capita food consumption (Johnson, 1999). This can result in malnutrition

and possibly a rise in obesity. In an attempt to prevent this, in 2018 a study was done regarding global nutritional needs. Using the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate (HHEP) as nutritional guidelines, it was revealed that world food production exceeds 2750 calories per person per day, which exceeds the amount needed to feed the global population. “Global agriculture currently produces 12 servings of grains, 5 of fruits and vegetables, 3 of oil and fat, 3 of protein, 1 of milk and 4 servings of sugar per person per day. In contrast, using the HHEP, we estimate that global agriculture production should provide 8 servings of whole grains, 15 servings of fruits and vegetables, 1 serving of oil, 5 servings of protein, and 1 serving of milk per person per day to provide a nutritionally balanced diet� (KC et al., 2018). According to the study, if global agriculture grew food at levels recommended by the HHEP, grain production would drop by 150 million ha, fat and oil production would drop by 105 million ha, and sugar production would drop by 30 million ha. To replace the lost farmland, 171 million ha would be devoted to fruits and vegetables, 57 million ha would be devoted to livestock, and 20 million ha would be devoted to plant protein. This study provided the most rigorous analysis of food production due to population increase, and there were several proposed solutions as well. These proposals include a shift to proteins, such as plant based protein, that require less land and produce fewer greenhouse gases, using science and technology to improve yield of fruits and vegetables, and reducing household food waste (KC et al., 2018). According to the authors, while some of these ideas are either expensive, or nearly impossible to enforce, it showcases the mindset that society needs to have when thinking of future population numbers.

The effects of world population on climate change and food production don’t stop here, however. Temperatures are expected to increase 1-3oC over the next century. In temperate areas such as the US, or high latitude areas such as Canada, crop yields may actually improve with the rising temperature. However, closer to the equator, crop yields will suffer drastic losses due to elevated evapotranspiration which can cause severe crop stress (Southgate, 2011). Increased evapotranspiration not only effects crop yields, it can also effect water supplies. In warmer climates, evapotranspiration will occur at higher rates, resulting in higher precipitation such as storms or blizzards. This means more flooding and runoff, which can result in water shortages, impacting food production (Godfray et al., 2010). The agriculture

business is one of the largest users of water around the world. Food products have a ‘virtual water’ content, which is the amount of water that was used to produce the product. For example, an apple yields 80-100 grams of water, however over 50 ‘virtual liters’ were used to produce that apple. “It takes 500 liters of water to produce 500 grams of wheat, 1,000 liters of water to produce 1 liter of milk and more than 4,500 liters of water to produce just 300 grams of beef” (Cominelli, et al. 2009). In an editorial by William J. Nelson, he proposes fairly practical, smaller scale ideas to help prevent future agricultural disaster. Some of these ideas include enforcing safe agricultural practices, and educating a workforce of future agricultural specialists to help prevent food borne outbreaks (Nelson, 2012).

World population increase is perhaps the most pressing issue of the future. Society will need to make great adaptations to support a growing population. Issues such as providing enough food and clean water will need to be examined in great detail. Voluntary family planning should also be implemented in underdeveloped countries, where populations are increasing at a much higher rate than developed countries. Climate change will still be a prevalent issue, as CO2 levels will continue to rise as population does. There are no easy, quick fixes to population increase. Solving these widespread issues will require the efforts of the entire world, and with no clear solution in sight, hopefully the effects of world population increase can be managed safely and efficiently.

Annotated Bibliography Banks, B. E. C., & Vernon, C. A. (1990). The Greenhouse Effect and Human Population. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 83(5), 284–284. doi: 10.1177/014107689008300503 This source describes the issue of pollution, specifically carbon dioxide, and its impact on the atmosphere. Banks and Vernon describe the amount of CO2 produced from fossil fuel consumption, then explain how much CO2 is produced by humans breathing. With overpopulation, humans produce nearly twice the amount of CO2 compared to fossil fuel emissions. This source will be helpful when describing the basic effects of population increase on pollution

Baron, A., Hillman, D., Waldron, S., Bagnall, S. (2014, January 28). Overpopulated - BBC Documentary. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UbmG8gtBPM This documentary goes into detail about fertility rates mostly in Bangladesh, Asia, and Africa. The documentary explains how the population inevitably will increase, as adult humans are slowly increasing the population count. Since medical advances, people are living longer, and with each generation, there are more adults, children, and old people. When the older generation dies out, there are even more adults and children to take their place.

Bremner, J., Frost, A., Haub, C., Mather, M., Ringheim, K., & Zuehlke, E. (2010). World Population Highlights: Key Findings from Prb’s 2010 World Population Data Sheet. Population Bulletin, 65(2), 2–12. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a2h&AN=60039686&site=ehostlive&scope=site This source took information from the 2010 World Population Data Sheet, and put issues forward regarding world population. Several of the issues involve fertility rates, regional population statistics from many countries around the world, economic disparities

within developing nations, and urbanization. Using the statistics and broad range of topics from this source, it will provide a good foundation for the paper and opportunities to tie in research from other sources.

Cominelli, E., Galbiati, M., Tonelli, C., Bowler, C., & Cominelli, E. (2009). Water: The Invisible Problem. EMBO Reports, 10(7), 671–676. https://doi.org/10.1038/embor.2009.148 This source goes into detail about the importance of access to fresh water, and the effect that an increased population has on fresh water supplies. The authors propose several small and large scale options for filtering water, mostly for undeveloped countries. This source provides great insight into world water usage, such as “virtual water” content of certain foods, which is the amount of water needed to grow and manufacture the product.

Dasgupta, P., & Ehrlich, P. (2013). Pervasive Externalities at the Population, Consumption, and Environment Nexus. Science, 340(6130), 324–328. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1224664 This source is a scientific journal article which examines the effects of externalities on reproduction, consumption, the environment, and governmental policies, as well as their respective subtopics. The authors provide data for the impact of a growing population on these main topics, as well as some information on the inequity of the distribution of natural resources. This source will be a valuable, since there are several topics, as well as subtopics which connect all the research very cohesively.

Davis, K. (1990). Population and Resources: Fact and Interpretation. Population and Development Review, 16, 1-21. doi:10.2307/2808060 This source is mostly a critique of many popular ideas about world population growth from the 1990s. The author critiques the idea that most authors writing about population growth and resources only focus on food production. The author’s message is that

there are no formulas to demonstrate the relationship between population and resources, and that research on the topic is years away (granted this was from 1990). This source can help demonstrate the way population growth and resource management was popularly thought about several decades ago, and tie that into what we know now.

Ezeh, A., Bongaarts, J., & Mberu, B. (2012). Global Population Trends and Policy Options. The Lancet, 380(9837), 142–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60696-5 This source specifically goes into great detail about population growth based on fertility in undeveloped vs. developed nations. The authors describe how fertility in on the rise in undeveloped nations, while in developed nations, it is actually falling. The authors make proposals for voluntary population policy in developing countries, such as access to contraceptives and voluntary abortion. This source provides greater insight to previous sources dealing with fertility rates.

Godber, O., & Wall, R. (2014). Livestock and Food Security: Vulnerability to Population Growth and Climate Change. Global Change Biology, 20(10), 3092–3102. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12589 This source examines the impact of population and climate change on livestock production. The authors examine the self-sufficiency of livestock production of many countries, as well as climate change, adaptive capacity of economies, and vulnerability to food deficits.

This article can be helpful in assessing the impact of an increased population on livestock food production in countries around the world.

Godfray, H., Crute, I., Haddad, L., Lawrence, D., Muir, J., Nisbett, N., & Whiteley, R. (2010). The Future of the Global Food System Introduction. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 365(1554), 2769–2777. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0180

This source examines the trends in future food supply, as well as food demand, and factors affecting the food systems such as climate change and water shortages. The authors go into detail about the drivers of demand for food, climate change, and resource competition.

This source will be useful when describing the impact of world population increase on food demand and production.

Holdren, J. P., & Ehrlich, P. R. (1974). Human Population and the Global Environment. American Scientist, 62, 282–292. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aci&AN=516725398&site=ehostlive&scope=site This is an old source from the 1970s, which mostly describes an increase in human consumption due to population, and its impact on ecology. Since this article is from the 1970s, humanity’s impact on the environment was starting to be examined in greater detail. This article shows some of the initial ideas into population growth and its impacts on the environment, food production, and climate change. No real solutions were proposed. Instead, the authors state that averting disaster will be impossible if we do not limit population growth.

This article may be useful to tie together the ideas of the past with what we know now.

Johnson, D. G. (1999). The Growth of Demand Will Limit Output Growth for Food Over the Next Quarter Century. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 96(11), 5915–5920. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=10339518&site=ehostlive&scope=site This source mainly goes into the economics of food production. The author claims that there will be plenty of food as long as the world governments carry out their responsibilities to their people. The author describes price trends, demand growth, and grain production. The

author does not believe that there will be a world food shortage, however if there is, it will be the result of world governments not taking the necessary precautions.

KC, K. B., Dias, G. M., Veeramani, A., Swanton, C. J., Fraser, D., Steinke, D., Benton, T. G. (2018).

When Too Much Isn’t Enough: Does Current Food Production Meet Global Nutritional Needs?

PLoS ONE, 13(10), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205683 This source examines the issue of food production very closely. Not only do the authors list the known facts, they also propose solutions and hypothetical situations. The authors calculate actual vs. recommended serving size of foods, as well as calculating the amount of land needed for food production, and greenhouse gas emissions. The authors propose three different solutions to ensure that food production will not fail with an evergrowing population. This source is interesting since the authors provide several solutions for both food production as well as possibilities for future diets. This source may be useful in tying together the relatively simple ideas of the past, to the more out-of-the-box proposals brought up in this article.

Mann, C. (2018, November 16). How Will We Survive When the Population Hits 10 billion? | Charles C. Mann. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmfzwwrCrrU Speaker talks about the two different types of people who talk about saving the future, wizards and prophets. Wizards believe that science and technology will let us produce our way out of our dilemmas. Prophets believe that conservation and environmental protection is the best way to move into the future. The speaker poses many hypothetical questions and scenarios while also giving his own opinions on the best way to move into the future.

Nelson, W. J., Lee, B. C., Gasperini, F. A., & Hair, D. M. (2012). Meeting the Challenge of Feeding 9 Billion People Safely and Securely. Journal of Agromedicine, 17(4), 347–350. Retrieved from

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=22994635&site=ehostlive&scope=site This source mostly focuses on farming and agriculture in the US. The editorial is mostly about safe agricultural practices, such as the prevention of food borne outbreaks, such as salmonella. The article poses many practical questions regarding agricultural education, global food security, and ensuring a sustainable agricultural workforce. This is the only source that describes food safety, so it will be useful to tie in a few of the practical questions proposed in this source to the more unusual proposals for world food production.

Southgate, D., & Morris, J. (2011). Weathering Global Warming in Agriculture: Population Growth, World Food Supplies and Minimizing Climate Change’s Impact on Crops. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1820712319/ This source goes into detail regarding climate change and food production.

While this source only mentions world population a few times in the beginning, climate change is closely related to an increase in world population, so a connection can be made. This source describes crop yield predictions in 2050 due to climate change, water availability, and poor cost recovery for farms and irrigation systems.

United States, O. (1970). Protecting the World Environment in the Light of Population Increase: A Report to the President. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015004628254 This source is an environmental report for President Nixon in 1970. There is a wide range of topics in the report, including the impacts of humans on the land, water, plant, and animal resources. It also talks about environmental issues such as air/water pollution.

Once again, this is one of several old sources, so the topics and issues that are described and fairly common ground nowadays. This source, similar to the other older sources, can provide insight to the progress we have made in terms of possible solutions.

Data Analysis Report and Visuals

This assignment consisted of a demographic analysis of two cities in the United States. Bangor, Maine (a negative growth rate city) and Atlanta, Georgia (a positive growth rate city) were chosen to be analyzed using US Census Bureau data. Once the data was gathered, graphics were made using Excel. The graphics were then used as supplements for a narrative report.

Introduction

Race in Bangor

Bangor, Maine and Atlanta, Georgia are two

For anyone who has visited Maine, it would

cities with very different demographics.

not come as a surprise that 92% of the

Maine is a mostly rural state with several

population is white. In Figure 3, this

small cities such as Bangor, with only

disparity can be visualized to show the lack

around 32,000 residents. Georgia is also a

of diversity in Bangor. Maine is mostly a

rural state, however, Atlanta is a metropolis with over 465,000 residents. In recent years, Bangor has been experiencing a small decline in population. As can be seen in Figure 1, from 2010 to 2017, Bangor has declined in growth by 2.43%. On the other

Figure 3 Figure 1 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year

U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table DP05 2017, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

estimates, Table DP05 2017, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

rural state, which means that economic opportunities are difficult to come across.

hand, from 2010 to 2017, Atlanta

When it comes to the question of why

experienced an increase in growth by

Bangor isn’t more diverse, the answer is

10.77% as can be seen in Figure 2.

simply lack of economic opportunities.

“Diversity is created by economic reality.

Currently in Maine, we don’t have those

Figure 2 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table DP05 2017, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16,

economic realities. Half of Maine is called the ‘unorganized territories’. We are a very rural state” (Long, 2012). While severe weather conditions during the winter may

2019).

be a factor of the lack of diversity in Bangor, there is a historic black community in

Maine. People who come from a more

past decade, there has also been a

ethnically diverse community may feel

significant increase in the Asian American

anxious about moving to Bangor, since

and Hispanic population. This shows that

people need support from others who

Atlanta is continuing to diversify, especially

understand them (Long, 2012).

compared to Bangor.

Race in Atlanta

Education in Bangor

Currently, Atlanta is much more diverse

Since Maine is a predominantly rural state,

than Bangor. There is a somewhat even

higher education is sometimes not needed.

split between the black and white

As can be seen in Figure 5, most residents

population, as can be seen in Figure 4.

of Bangor only obtained a high school degree. There are several colleges in and

Figure 4 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table DP05 2017, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

Figure 5 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table S1501 2017, Education Attainment, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

Atlanta is a historically black city, however,

around Bangor such as Beal College, the

between 2000 and 2006, the city’s white

New England School of Communications,

population grew faster than any other U.S.

and the Eastern Maine Community College.

city (Gurwitt, 2008). This can be attributed

It is interesting that more females opted for

to the gentrification of neighborhoods in

higher education. Perhaps this is due to an

and around the city of Atlanta. As well as

assumption that after receiving a high

the increase in white population over the

school diploma, many men simply go to

reinforces the idea that a higher education

work. There are many trades that are

will produce more wealth. In a

highly sought after in Maine, such as

metropolitan area like Atlanta, it can be

fishermen or mechanics. Since the cost of

much more expensive to live, so a higher

living in Bangor is very low, it is more viable

education would help with being financially

to secure a well-paying job right out of high

safe. It’s interesting that more females hold

school. For example, compared to my

Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees,

hometown in the suburbs of Long Island,

however, more males hold Graduate

living in Bangor would be 143.8% cheaper

degrees. Perhaps there are less

(bestplaces.net, 2019).

opportunities for women with Graduate degrees, or perhaps there are simply more opportunities for men.

Education in Atlanta Similarly to Bangor, there seems to be more females opting for higher education.

Transportation in Bangor

However, as can be seen in Figure 6, the

To get around in Bangor, it is almost

proportion of male vs. female education is

necessary to have a car. As can be seen in

not as drastic. Many more residents opted

Figure 7, the majority of residents in Bangor

for higher education in Atlanta, which

drive alone using personal vehicles. Public

Figure 6 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table S1501 2017, Education Attainment, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

Figure 7 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table S0801 2017, Commuting Characteristics by Sex, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

transportation in Bangor consists of three

transportation system. As can be seen in

inter-city bus lines and two rail systems.

Figure 8, public transportation is the second

There is also a community bus system

most popular form of transportation in

which serves about 66,000 people from the

Atlanta. The MARTA system contains a rail

urban population (choosebangor.com,

system and a bus system. There is also a

2019). Since public transportation is

2.7 mile streetcar loop with 12 stops at

limited, almost all residents drive wherever

popular parks and attractions. Atlanta also

they need to go. This is especially the case

implements a bike share system, which is

during winter, since having a reliable vehicle

becoming very popular in metropolitan

is extremely important when the roads are

areas throughout the U.S.

covered in ice and several feet of snow.

(travel.usnews.com, 2019). It is interesting that even though there is a bike share system in place, biking is the least popular

Transportation in Atlanta

mode of transportation. Perhaps biking

Similarly to Bangor, a majority of Atlanta

isn’t very popular due to lack of biking

residents drive alone using a personal

infrastructure, especially since more people

vehicle. Being a metropolitan area, Atlanta

decide to walk than to bike.

uses the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) mass Unemployment in Bangor and Atlanta Since the end of the 2007-2009 recession, unemployment rates have been decreasing steadily, as can be seen in Figure 9. Both cities experienced a rather large decrease in unemployment. In Atlanta, the number went down from 11.3% in 2010, to 5.1% in Figure 8 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table S0801 2017, Commuting Characteristics by Sex, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

2017. In Bangor, the number went down from 7.8% in 2010, to 3.4% in 2017. Since Atlanta has a much larger population than

Figure 9 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010-2017 Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Serious ID LAUCT230279500000005, Employment: Bangor city, ME (U), generated by David Tabak using BLS Data Viewer; https://beta.bls.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

Figure 10 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table S0101 2017, Age and Sex, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

to female ratio is even more exaggerated.

Bangor, it makes sense that the unemployment rate is higher. In cities with less population, it seems that it would be easier to manufacture jobs for a smaller population. Granted, the 5.1% of people unemployed in 2017 in Atlanta would account for around 23,726 residents, which is almost as many occupants living in Bangor as of 2017.

There are significantly more females aged 65-85 and over, supposedly since females tend to live longer than males. There is an interesting abnormality in females aged 3539. There is somehow half the amount of females aged 35-39 as there are who are aged 40-44. This is interesting, as no real reason can be found as to why this is.

Perhaps there were simply less females born during those specific years.

Sex by Age in Bangor In Bangor there is a somewhat disproportional amount of males to females depending on age. There is a larger amount of people aged 20-29, as can be seen in Figure 10, since there are several colleges in and around Bangor. Since Bangor is a relatively small city, with a population around 32,000, the unevenness of the male

Sex by Age in Atlanta In Atlanta, the proportion of males to females based on age is much more regular than that of Bangor’s. As can be seen in Figure 11, the sex by age of residents in Atlanta is much more proportional. Similar to Bangor, there is a large amount of people

Conclusion Bangor, Maine and Atlanta, Georgia are two cities with very different demographics.

These cities have unique geographies, which influence how people get to work, the type of education they get, the racial Figure 11 U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Table S0101 2017, Age and Sex, generated by David Tabak using American Fact Finder; https://factfinder.census.gov; (data retrieved on September 16, 2019).

makeup of residents, as well as the gender distribution of residents. When analyzed, it becomes apparent that both cities have

aged 20-29, since there are several colleges

flaws as well as strengths. For example, it is

in and around Atlanta. There are more

very cheap to live in Bangor, however, it is

females aged 60-85 and over, similar to

not a racially diverse place.

Bangor. Again, this is probably due to the fact that women tend to live longer than men. The evenness of distribution in Figure 11 may be due to a much larger base population, meaning small losses of population would not be as noticeable.

Bibliography Choose Bangor: Facts and Figures. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2019, from http://www.choosebangor.com/facts-figures/transportation.html.

Gurwitt, R. (2008, July 1). Atlanta and the Urban Future. Retrieved from https://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Atlanta-and-the-Urban.html.

How to Get Around Atlanta. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2019, from https://travel.usnews.com/Atlanta_GA/Getting_Around/.

Long, R. (2012, September 14). Why is Maine so white? And why does it matter? Retrieved from https://bangordailynews.com/2012/09/14/politics/understanding-why-maine-is-so-white/.

2019 Cost of Living Calculator. (2019, October 6). Retrieved from https://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/bangor-me/jericho-ny/50000.

Appendix

Bangor, Maine Year

Growth Rate

Population Source 2010 33,039 2010 Census 2017 32,237 2017 ACS 2013-2017 -2.43 Figure 1

Atlanta, Georgia Year

Growth Rate

Population Source 2010 420,003 2010 Census 2017 465,230 2017 ACS 2013-2017 10.77 Figure 2

Figure 3

Subject: Race

Bangor city, Maine Estimate

Race alone or in combination with one or more other races Total population 32,237 White

30,349

Black or African American

740

American Indian and Alaska Native 750 Asian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Some other race

1,064 25 233

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 4

Subject: Race

Atlanta city, Georgia Estimate

Race alone or in combination with one or more other races Total population 465,230 White

194,406

Black or African American

249,530

American Indian and Alaska Native 4,254 Asian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Some other race

22,442 636 6,220

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 5

Subject: Education Bangor city, Maine Total Estimate

Male

Female

Estimate Estimate

Population 25 years 22,530 and over Less than 9th grade 507

10,634

11,896

294

213

9th to 12th grade, noHigh diploma school

1,226

698

528

6,555

3,173

3,382

graduate (includes Some college, no 4,640 degree Associate's degree 2,105

2,243

2,397

819

1,286

Bachelor's degree

4,498

2,001

2,497

Graduate or professional degree

2,999

1,406

1,593

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 6

Subject: Education Atlanta city, Georgia Total Estimate

Male

Female

Estimate Estimate 152,454

162,179

3,766

4,155

23,943

12,492

11,451

60,920

30,051

30,869

(includes graduate no 52,910 Some college, degree Associate's degree 15,677

24,108

28,802

6,115

9,562

Bachelor's degree

85,811

41,647

44,164

Graduate or professional degree

67,451

34,275

33,176

Population 25 years 314,633 over and than 9th grade 7,921 Less 9th to 12th grade, diploma noHigh school

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 7

Subject: Means of Transportation

Bangor city, Maine Total

Male

Estimate

Estimate Estimate Population

Population

15,141

7,715

7,426

7715

7426

87.50%

87.40%

87.60%

6743

6505

Drove alone

74.40%

74.10%

74.80%

5717

5555

Carpooled

13.10%

13.30%

12.80%

1026

951

Public transportation (excluding taxicab)

1.50%

1.30%

1.70%

100

126

Walked

5.30%

5.40%

5.10%

417

379

Bicycle

0.20%

0.10%

0.20%

8

15

Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means

1.40%

1.60%

1.10%

123

82

Worked at home

4.20%

4.20%

4.30%

324

319

Workers 16 years and over

Female

Male

Female

MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK Car, truck, or van

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 8

Subject: Means of Transportation

Atlanta city, Georgia Total

Male

Estimate

Estimate Estimate Population

Population

225,667

113,924

111,743

113,924

111,743

75.60%

74.80%

76.40%

85215

85372

Drove alone

68.70%

68.50%

68.80%

78038

76879

Carpooled

6.90%

6.20%

7.60%

7063

8492

Public transportation (excluding taxicab)

10.20%

9.80%

10.60%

11165

11845

Walked

4.40%

4.70%

4.00%

5354

4470

Bicycle

0.90%

1.40%

0.40%

1595

447

Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means

1.40%

1.70%

1.10%

1937

1229

Worked at home

7.60%

7.60%

7.50%

8658

8381

Workers 16 years and over

Female

Male

Female

MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK Car, truck, or van

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 9

Subject: Unemployment

Year

Period 2010 M12 2011 M12 2012 M12 2013 M12 2014 M12 2015 M12 2016 M12 2017 M12

Subject: Unemployment

Year

Period 2010 M12 2011 M12 2012 M12 2013 M12 2014 M12 2015 M12 2016 M12 2017 M12

Bangor city, Maine

Label Observation Value Average 2010 Dec 7.1 2011 Dec 6.4 2012 Dec 5.9 2013 Dec 4.9 2014 Dec 4 2015 Dec 3.4 2016 Dec 3.2 2017 Dec 2.6

7.8 7.3 6.9 6.1 5.1 4.0 3.7 3.4

Atlanta city, Georgia

Label Observation Value Average 2010 Dec 11.5 11.3 2011 Dec 10.4 11.0 2012 Dec 9.5 9.9 2013 Dec 7.9 8.9 2014 Dec 6.9 7.7 2015 Dec 5.9 6.5 2016 Dec 5.6 5.8 2017 Dec 4.6 5.1

Source: bls.gov

Figure 10

Subject: Sex by Age Bangor city, Maine Total Total population

Male

Female

Estimate

Estimate Estimate

32,237

15,681

16,556

AGE Under 5 years

1,568

-831

831

737

5 to 9 years

1,747

-898

898

849

10 to 14 years

1,319

-708

708

611

15 to 19 years

2,056

-1073

1,073

983

20 to 24 years

3,017

-1537

1,537

1,480

25 to 29 years

3,395

-1584

1,584

1,811

30 to 34 years

2,286

-1221

1,221

1,065

35 to 39 years

1,456

-885

885

571

40 to 44 years

2,078

-921

921

1,157

45 to 49 years

1,632

-783

783

849

50 to 54 years

2,464

-1256

1,256

1,208

55 to 59 years

2,006

-918

918

1,088

60 to 64 years

2,092

-1061

1,061

1,031

65 to 69 years

1,458

-609

609

849

70 to 74 years

1,105

-467

467

638

75 to 79 years

826

-324

324

502

80 to 84 years

759

-254

254

505

85 years and over

973

-351

351

622 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 11

Subject: Sex by Age Atlanta city, Georgia Total Total population

Male

Female

Estimate

Estimate Estimate

465,230

228,038

237,192

AGE Under 5 years

26,852

-13359

13,359

13,493

5 to 9 years

25,703

-13097

13,097

12,606

10 to 14 years

22,895

-12130

12,130

10,765

15 to 19 years

30,003

-14621

14,621

15,382

20 to 24 years

45,144

-22377

22,377

22,767

25 to 29 years

50,718

-24513

24,513

26,205

30 to 34 years

44,047

-22160

22,160

21,887

35 to 39 years

35,094

-17336

17,336

17,758

40 to 44 years

31,043

-16054

16,054

14,989

45 to 49 years

29,311

-15635

15,635

13,676

50 to 54 years

27,291

-13832

13,832

13,459

55 to 59 years

23,698

-11527

11,527

12,171

60 to 64 years

21,018

-9712

9,712

11,306

65 to 69 years

17,372

-8027

8,027

9,345

70 to 74 years

14,260

-6140

6,140

8,120

75 to 79 years

9,014

-3672

3,672

5,342

80 to 84 years

5,928

-2170

2,170

3,758

85 years and over

5,839

-1676

1,676

4,163 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Memorandum and PowerPoint

For this assignment, we were put in groups of two to compare a signalized intersection and a roundabout of our choosing. We made site visits of one hour to each site, where we observed pedestrian, vehicle, and cyclist behavior. We then created a memorandum to propose slight design changes, and addressed it to the proper authorities. Additionally, we created a PowerPoint to summarize our findings and communicate them to an audience.

MEMORANDUM

TO:

NYSDOT, AMHERST PLANNING DEPARTMENT

FROM:

TYSON MORTON AND DAVID TABAK

SUBJECT:

TRAFFIC CONTROL INITIATIVE

DATE:

10/21/19

CC:

JONATHAN BLEUER, ANDREW SHAEFER

Executive Summary For this street data analysis, we made site visits to the roundabout outside of Greiner Hall (Greiner Roundabout) and the Millersport Highway/ Coventry Road intersection. Through our observation, it was determined that for the purposes of pedestrian traffic, the John James Audubon Parkway roundabout excels greatly. The roundabout sees large amounts of pedestrian traffic daily as well as some vehicular traffic and rarely sees transportation congestion. The Coventry Road and Millersport Highway intersection, while optimal for the high volume of vehicle traffic, doesn’t account for the potential pedestrian activity that could arise due to surrounding development opportunities. An example of future developments is the Hampton Inn hotel in the Northtown Center located right outside of the Millersport Highway intersection.

This hotel’s close proximity to Alumni Arena and the UB stadium creates a possibility of increased pedestrian traffic across the intersection. To properly prepare for this, a design change with elements from the aforementioned roundabout might be necessary to create a

more pedestrian friendly environment and ultimately promote connectivity through good design.

Introduction The argument of roundabouts vs. signalized intersections has been gaining traction in the United States, partially due to the success of roundabouts in Europe. Despite the fact that roundabouts are proven to be safer, with up to 75% reduction in collision injury as seen in Figure 1, many communities reject the construction of roundabouts (Roundabout Benefits).

Signalized intersections have the potential to be as safe as roundabouts, if designed correctly.

Figure 1- Collision comparison graph between Roundabouts and Signalized Intersections

Most Americans are accustomed to signalized intersections, so the topic of roundabout vs. signalized intersection comes down to community education.

In Buffalo, roundabouts and signalized intersections are the two main forms of traffic control. Roundabouts have even made it onto the University at Buffalo’s campus. For this analysis, the on campus roundabout outside of Greiner Hall was examined. This roundabout converges the John James Audubon Parkway with Core Road and Lee Road. The signalized intersection examined converged Millersport Highway, Coventry Road, and Amherst Manor Drive. Examining both of these traffic control options will provide greater insight into opportunities for connectivity through good design.

Data Sources and Methods of Analysis For our site visits, we spent a total of one hour at each of the locations at the University at Buffalo on the same day on October 11th, 2019. We visited the Greiner roundabout at around 1:30pm, and the Millersport intersection at around 2:30pm. It is important that we recognize some of the limitations of our resource gathering methods in our intersection analysis. One of which being the sample size. Despite the fact that both locations are located on North campus, they were both designed to serve different purposes. The Greiner roundabout was designed for a large amount of pedestrian traffic, while the Millersport Highway intersection was designed for a large amount of vehicular traffic. Another potential limitation of our data collection is the amount of time we had to observe our sites. The amount of traffic between automobiles, pedestrians, and public transit may vary based on the time of day, day of the week, and possible events encouraging certain traffic needs.

Roundabout Findings Background Prior to 2011, a single parking lot existed where Greiner is currently located, as shown in Figure 2. The previous intersection had very little consideration for pedestrians and cyclists alike with a single crosswalk spanning four lanes of traffic on the highway. For an area serving to be the connection between Ellicott and the academic buildings on North Campus, this was not ideal to promote pedestrian activity and safety. With the construction of Greiner Hall, a design change was needed to accommodate for the growing number of students. The current

Source: Obtained from Google Earth

Figure 2- 2008 Before the construction of Greiner Hall and Greiner Roundabout.

roundabout provided the necessary pedestrian safety and accessibility for the growing number of students living in Ellicott and Greiner Hall. The replacement of the intersection with a roundabout provided the necessary connectivity through the application of good design.

Vehicular Observations The Greiner roundabout doesn’t have dedicated traffic lights to control traffic so it relies on distinct signage to manage transportation. As seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4, this signage includes yield signs, one-way signs, pedestrian walkway signs, and speed limit signs. Also what can be seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4 is the aesthetic of the landscape, which includes plenty of grass, trees, and shrubbery which adds to the beautification of the area. The addition of crosswalk paint clearly delineates the space given to pedestrians and cyclists alike. The roundabout effectively slows down transportation by having a limit of one lane traffic with a total of four possible exits. As can be seen in Figure 5, as of 2018, the amount of daily Northbound (NB) traffic along

Figure 3- Greiner Roundabout pedestrian signs taken by David Tabak

Figure 4- Greiner Roundabout yield sign taken by David Tabak

the John James Audubon Parkway is estimated to be 2,221 and the amount of daily Southbound (SB) traffic is estimated to be 3,059 (GBNRTC.com). Along Lee Road leading to Core Road, as of 2015, the amount of daily NB traffic is estimated to be 976, and the amount of daily SB traffic is estimated to be 761 (GBNRTC.com).

Figure 5- Greiner Roundabout Traffic Management generated by David Tabak

Pedestrian and Cyclist Observations Despite not having pedestrian lights for crosswalks, pedestrian traffic continuously flows due to the nature of roundabout design. Due to the location of the roundabout outside of a major residence hall, vehicles are more aware of pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians also seem accustomed to vehicular traffic, as seen in Figure 6, and oftentimes expect the vehicles to stop for them to cross. There is a greater sense of safety in the relationship between pedestrians and vehicles in this particular roundabout due to the regularity of pedestrian traffic. In Figure 7 it can be seen that vehicles often times will form a large queue waiting for pedestrians to cross. This can be a potential problem for vehicles attempting to exit the roundabout, as it can block other vehicles

Figure 6- Greiner Roundabout pedestrian crossing taken by David Tabak

Figure 7- Greiner Roundabout car spacing taken by David Tabak

Source: Obtained from Google Earth

Figure 8- Greiner Roundabout bike lane connection to the sidewalk.

from passing. Another important feature of this roundabout in terms of cyclist safety and accessibility is the connection of the sidewalk to the bike lanes as seen in Figure 8. From our observations, most pedestrians stayed on the East-side sidewalk, allowing for separation between cyclists and pedestrians. The bike lanes taper off from the streets leading to the roundabout and are given a route that protects them from vehicles, as well as protects pedestrians from cyclists. Ultimately, the Greiner roundabout was very well designed for its purpose of handling high amounts of pedestrian traffic.

Signalized Intersection In comparison to the Greiner roundabout, the Millersport intersection yields a much higher vehicular traffic throughput. As shown in Figure 9, as of 2010, the amount of daily NB traffic along Millersport Highway is estimated to be 11,076 and the amount of daily SB traffic is estimated to be 11,186 (GBNRTC.com). Along Coventry Road, as of 2015, the amount of daily

NB traffic is estimated to be 709 and the amount of daily SB traffic is estimated to be 806 (GBNRTC.com). The design of this intersection was clearly meant for a large amount of vehicular traffic, utilizing two lanes with a designated left-hand turning lane for both.

Figure 9- Millersport Intersection Traffic Management generated by David Tabak

The design does not consider the potential of additional development which would promote an increase in pedestrian traffic. Currently, as can be seen in Figure 10 and Figure 11, there is only one crosswalk with six pedestrian lights and two refuge islands. Interestingly enough, many of the observed people didn’t wait for the pedestrian lights and just waited for a suitable gap in traffic to cross to the refuge. The rationale for this design choice can be explained by the low amount of current pedestrian traffic due to the small amount of accessible surrounding development. We noticed that there were no dedicated bike lanes in any direction leading up to or in the intersection despite UB promoting more cyclist transportation on campus and a trail located on the other side of the highway. The amount of support in the form of accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists is synonymous with how much this area is used by them.

Figure 10- Millersport Intersection’s only crosswalk Figure 11- Millersport Intersection missing crosswalk taken by David Tabak taken by David Tabak

There are plans to construct a Hampton Inn hotel in the area which would significantly impact the amount of pedestrian traffic, as well as vehicular traffic. With this future development in mind, the current design of the Millersport intersection is insufficient for

pedestrian safety and accessibility. While the Northtown Center would be the primary beneficiary of this hotel, residents of the hotel could also want to attend UB sporting events which would encourage them to use this intersection. With an increase in the amount of foot traffic, this intersection would not be able to support a higher amount of pedestrians. Due to there being no major accessible development nearby currently, there is no need for dedicated bike lanes in the intersection. This would possibly change with the construction of the Hampton Inn, especially since there is a bike trail nearby, which would gain more attention.

Conclusion Through our observations and analysis, it was determined that the Greiner roundabout and Millersport intersection are necessary for their current traffic demands. With the creation of Greiner Hall and an increase of students, the roundabout provides multiple design elements that not only promote, but protect pedestrian traffic. This can serve to be a great example for the potential design changes the Millersport intersection must go through to support the pedestrian activity that will be created by the Hampton Inn hotel. The design principles that make the Greiner roundabout the ideal option for pedestrian traffic can be applied to improve the Millersport Highway intersection.

Recommendations There are several recommendations that could improve the walkability of the Millersport intersection. One recommendation would be to add an instant response button for pedestrian lights. Low amount of pedestrian traffic would rectify adding an instant response, especially since most pedestrians did not wait for the signal anyway. Another design choice that could be added to prepare for upcoming development is creating and connecting a bike lane to the sidewalk. Similarly, to the Greiner roundabout, a bike lane that connects to the sidewalk can be added to provide greater safety and accessibility for cyclists. The bike lane could connect to the existing bike path on the other side of the Millersport Highway, as well as the hotel, improving overall connectivity throughout the design.

Works Cited

Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC), Maps and Data. (n.d.).

Retrieved October 18, 2019, from https://www.gbnrtc.org/maps.

Washington State Department of Transportation, Roundabout Benefits. (2018, September 14).

Retrieved October 18, 2019, from https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/roundabouts/benefits.htm.

Appendix

Source:

Washington State

Figure 1- Collision comparison graph between Roundabouts and Signalized Intersections

Department of Transportation, Roundabout Benefits

Figure 2- 2008 Before the construction of Greiner Hall and Greiner Roundabout.

Source: Google Earth Pro V 7.3.2.5776. (October 6, 2008). Buffalo, New York. 43° 00’ 19.46”N, 78° 47’ 09.79”W, Eye alt 1942 feet. U.S Geological Survey http://www.earth.google.com [October 18, 2012].

Figure 3- Greiner Roundabout pedestrian signs taken by David Tabak

Figure 4- Greiner Roundabout yield sign taken by David Tabak

Figure 5- Greiner Roundabout Traffic Management generated by David Tabak

Source: Data taken from GBNRTC, Visuals generated by David Tabak

Figure 6- Greiner Roundabout pedestrian crossing taken by David Tabak

Figure 7- Greiner Roundabout car spacing taken by David Tabak

Figure 8- Greiner Roundabout bike lane connection to the sidewalk.

Source: Google Earth Pro V 7.3.2.5776. (2018). Buffalo, New York. 43° 00’ 20.39” N, 78° 47’ 09.72”W, Eye alt 957 feet. Google http://www.earth.google.com [October 18, 2012].

Source: Data taken from GBNRTC, Visuals generated by David Tabak

Figure 9- Millersport Intersection Traffic Management generated by David Tabak

Figure 10- Millersport Intersection’s only crosswalk taken by David Tabak

Figure 11- Millersport Intersection missing crosswalk taken by David Tabak

Park Mini-Master Plan and PowerPoint

This was our final assignment, which we completed in groups of four. We were tasked to choose a park, make several site visits, conduct user surveys, and then culminate all of our findings in a single report. The report contained components such as research, observations, data analysis and collection, and recommendations for improvement. We then presented our findings to several stakeholders in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. In preparation for the presentation, we also created a script, as well as a handout of our findings to give to the stakeholders.

Script- David Good morning everyone. My name is David, and this is Shameeq, Letao, and Leslie. Today we will be analyzing Bassett Park. We’ll see the good, the bad, and the ugly, and make a few recommendations along the way.

Name and location: Bassett Park is a fairly small community park in Williamsville, Amherst. It is located in a primarily residential neighborhood, about a 15 minute drive from the UB North campus.

History: The land of Bassett Park was originally donated by Charles K Bassett. Decades earlier, the land, named Hidden Hills Farm was prized by Charles Bassett for horseback riding due to the rolling land. He served in WWI, and came back to his community to help improve it. In the early 1970s he donated 31.5 acres of land to build the Millard Fillmore Hospital for a new suburban location. He also donated a 35-acre plot of land which was named in his honor. This would become Bassett Park, and is still known for its natural, mostly undeveloped rolling land.

Background: In October of 2018, a sculpture named Tanglewood built by Shayne Dark was added to Bassett Park. The sculpture was added to promote art and culture, however when interviewing park goers, everybody seemed to not enjoy it. Its location seems to take away from the natural aspect of the park, since it is currently in the middle of a field. The amphitheater was also renovated in June of 2016. It is currently used to host several summer concerts which are free to the residents of the town. This renovation was part of an initiative to improve the existing site conditions such as increasing path accessibility and remediating the pond.

Area and Context As can be seen by the context map, Bassett Park is located in a primarily residential neighborhood, with several facilities in close proximity. The most prominent of which is Elderwood, a senior care living facility. With a large amount of elderly people, accessibility

becomes a large focus point. Nearby is also the Maple East elementary school, the St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Parish, and of course the Millard Fillmore Hospital.

Script – Shameeq

Hello, I am Shameeq Willis and I am going to talk about the observations that were made on trips to Bassett Park (Flips to the Condition Slide) Conditions…..The overall appearance of Bassett Park is clean and for the most part well maintained.

Two sections define the condition this park is in which is Excellent and Poor.

For Excellent we have the amphitheater, the trails, and the bathrooms.

For Poor we have the lighting condition, the playground, and the sculpture.

The amphitheater provides entertainment on certain occasions and the bathrooms are checked on regularly. Both are well kept.

One of the many complaints about the park is the statue which doesn’t fit the parks theme and is off putting.

The playground as you can see from this picture is falling apart (Flips to the next slide) Here are pictures of the walkways…trails. The natural development is a part of the parks charm. Also, from these pictures there are no lighting in sight which is needed for when the sun starts to set.

(Flips to the next slide) Some Challenges the park faces would be the low funding, the accessibility, and the layout.

For Accessibility there is a lack of handicap parking, a lack of trash and recycling bins.

For Layout there aren’t any crosswalks to get to and from the park for those who walk which creates a safety challenge.

Parks are meant to be inviting for everyone with these barriers it makes it difficult. The lack of funding increases the difficulty (Flips to next slide) Bassett Park has the lowest amount of funding, which is a challenge to make this park better. But where there is a challenge comes an opportunity.

(Flips to next slide) There are several aspects found in Bassett Park that provide opportunities for the future development of the park. The existing infrastructure can be modified.

There are two parking lots that provide ample spaces for parking that would require very little to improve their design.

There is potential for programs and interactions with the nearby school, hospital, and elder center to occur here.

Creating a space that balances the preservation of open and natural spaces at a low cost is a possibility that can happen, to make Bassett Park better than it currently is Now to talk about the demographics here is: Lateo

Script- Letao Hello, my name is Letao, and I am going to give you more information about Bassett park.

Talk about population first. Based on our researches, the population surrounding the park has continued to grow since two thousand and nine, with a population grew by close to 600 people. this number affects and increase the potential users of the park in this area. With more population, it is possible that the park gets an increase of funding. (slide population)

Here is a slide of age demographics of this area. It is obvious that the largest age group in this community is made up by the people around 85 and older, moreover, there are roughly two thousand are 60 or older, by comparison there are less than 900 children that is under the age of 18, and the adults ranging from 19 to 59 consists of about twenty-two hundred. Since there are a large number of elder populations living in this area, it is important to evaluate and design the park with the physical limitation and implications of this age group as a priority to increase accessibility. (slide age)

Income is also an important part. Based on data from census tract, less than 30% of the population have less income than the median household income of buffalo, which is 35 thousand. And the median income of this area is about 73 thousand, which is a lot more than Buffalo’s median income. Thus, we consider this community as a wealthier community.

Transportation determines how people can get to the park. For the people living in this area, the primary mode of transportation in this area is by vehicle. also, there is a number of people walked to other places, and noticeably, no one choose bus or bicycle as their daily transportation, there might be affects of the age distribution.

For more details, let me introduce Leslie to talk about our researches and recommendations.

Script- Leslie The goals for improving Bassett Park are to preserve as much open and natural space as possible. To increase accessibility with more inclusive design practices, encourage stronger interactions with nature, promote better environmental practices, develop strategies to attract a wider Range of park users, Work towards developing a new design that encompasses the

entire park with a more unified layout. Develop stronger ties with the surrounding community, more specifically, the church, school, hospital and senior living center within close proximity.

Engage park users to become more physically active. The recommendations for Bassett Park are broken down into two sections, redesigning the layout and implementing programs.

Redesigning the layout focuses on increasing accessibility by creating a paved asphalt path connecting the south side of the park near Elder wood along the outer edges of the park to the existing paved sections near the Amphitheater. This would allow access to larger sections of the park for anyone with mobility issues while still maintaining the open space within the park.

Adding designated handicap parking spaces to a select number of the current parking spaces available could easily be achieved with little effort or cost and would further increase the accessibility to the park. Provide additional bench seating throughout the park for anyone in need of a rest. Lighting is scarce in Bassett Park, especially in the winter months when the sun sets much earlier than normal. Solar lighting is a great and usable option in this condition. It not only uses clean green energy, but also is more cost effective to maintain. The lights could also be set with a timer to turn off at 10pm, when the park closes. Adding Recycling bins helps keep the park cleaner while promoting better environmental practices. Adding a crosswalk to the existing paved path on the southend of the park to connect across Youngs Road increase safety but also works to encourage alternative forms of transportation to the park. Adding bike rakes also encourages more environmental friendly alternatives to driving a single vehicle. The new layout for Bassett Park focuses on formally developing nature-oriented walking trails that promote movement through the entirety of the park with sections of integrated playground equipment to encourage natural play areas. New walking paths would benefit people who jog and walk dogs in the park, as well as all different ages who wish to be a little more active. The trails should be constructed with natural materials like gravel, dirt, or mulch to help establish an initial trail that over time could develop on its own. Again the paths should be focused on the

outer edges of the park to conserve the amount of open space within the park. The existing playground should be removed and smaller play area stations should be placed throughout various sections of the walking trails to further encourage movement between spaces. They should be composed of naturalistic materials as much as possible with a minimalistic design that incorporates activity with nature. Bring in new trees, plants, and shrubs to create more green spaces and to increase safety with a barrier between the road and the trails. A small area in the southeast corner of Bassett Park should be converted to designated space for a community garden. Close proximity to the Elderwood Senior Living would allow for increased accessibility for the aging communities involvement in the care of the garden. An example of a park that has implemented similar ideas with “nodes of natural play� is Hyland Woods Natural Park located in Beaverton, Oregon. The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District revamped the park in a similar fashion with soft surface trails incorporating the natural play areas (Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District,2019) GameTime A Playcore Company is a company that manufactures commercial playground equipment with nature designs and aesthetics. They have designed equipment that can be used along trails as seen in their playtrail design above.

Community gardens are becoming a popular trend in urban areas because of the benefits of not only eating healthier but also for the therapeutic benefits the act of gardening provides. There are a number of community garden projects throughout Buffalo but a few examples that have been successful are Fargo Estate Community Garden, West Utica Community Garden, and Food Bank of WNY Community Garden. There is a minimal cost to create the garden and additional funding for the project could be available through outside organizations like Grassroots Gardens WNY or Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants. The best way to capitalize on the natural beauty of the land and to attract more visitors to the park is to expand the programming. Increasing a broader range of programs to encompass a larger variety of age groups is a key component to the success of the park. New programming would primarily be

volunteer based and require minimal cost or renovations to implement. To promote year round use of the park there should be events for all seasons. In the winter a community snowman competition with warm refreshments like hot chocolate or coffee in the amphitheater could entice both kids and adults to show off their creativity. Montgomery Park in Maryland hosts a snowman competition that requires participants to post a picture of their snowman within the park on social media sites for judging (). This is a great way to involve more of the community in this park activity. In spring, the new community garden addition provides an opportunity where older or more experienced gardeners could volunteer to teach kids or people with less experience some gardening techniques. During the summer sports programs like soccer or yoga are a great way to encourage healthy activities within the park. Bringing in a volunteer park ranger to help teach kids works to engage kids in better environmental practices and creates stronger ties within the community. The Natural Classroom program with Urban Park Rangers is a great example of volunteers working with students to promote wilderness and natural environments with in urban areas(). In the fall different crafts or pumpkin carving could be arranged in the amphitheater for kids or adults. The Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NY hosts an adult only pumpkin carving workshop. There are a wide array of programs that could work for Basset Park but ultimately any new program implantation should be based off community input and feasibility. The cost to implement these changes to Bassett Park varies but tries to minimalize upkeep and cost. Tier 1 Elements are easier to achieve with minimal cost or renovations and should be implement first. Tier 2 requires moderate costs and renovations and should be undertaken before Tier 3 can begin. Tier 3 contains elements of the new design that require substantial funding and renovations that are contingent upon grants and outside sources. These are the long term goals for the park that could potential be done in stages when funding is available.

UB

University at Buffalo Environmental Design BA

Environmental Workshop I

METHODS OF DESIGN INQUIRY December, 2019

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Content

UB

University at Buffalo

Environmental Design BA

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Introduction P2 Research in Planning P4 Literature Review P6 Annotated Bibliography P10 Data Analysis Report P14 Data Collection Memorandum P21 Case Study P36 Appendix P91 References P95

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This is a portfolio for University at Buffalo’s Environmental Design major’s 1st workshop. This is a six-credit course that meet every week for at least six hours, and require significant amount of time working outside of the class. Both individual work and group work was assigned throughout the semester to mimic current work culture. Instructors would assign part of class lecturing, and rest of time for work session with ample help. Upon completing the course, research, writing, and design of my work had improved significantly. This final portfolio consists most of the assignment, of which can be used as personal record or presentations.

The instructor tries to hone student’s ability to research, analyze, information or raw data. One can also improve his or her writing skill pretty quick through multiple, quickturnaround research paper, or plans. All assignment is very related to environmental design. The researching, analyzing was typically just a part of assignments. At the final stage of having a complete written piece, students are asked to present their writing in the best light possible. Layout and formatting of writing was taught and critiqued throughout the subphases of a typical assignment. Some assignment would require an additional design of a PowerPoint presentation. The very last assignment of the semester required students to orally present their park mini-master plan to invited planners and town officials.

Students are exposed to a variety of media sources, including US Census, regional agency database such as One Region Forward Planning database and GBNRTC, UB library’s academic subscriptions, and field work. The course had touched upon topics such as transportation, park development, memorandum development, and data analysis. This is a very encompassing, fast-paced class that would benefit planning students greatly.

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GREETING!

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This portfolio is available in both the hard copy and on USB. It can also be accessed via UB Digication, which is an online platform to present student’s work and accomplishment at University at Buffalo. The organization of this portfolio would go from the earlies assignment to the latest one. The park mini-master plan is a stand along document that has its own appendix and reference. Other artifact’s reference and images would be a complete assemblage at the very end of the portfolio. As time is a great constraint, there might be some uncaught errors in this document. Thank for your tolerance.

Research.

Analyze.

Design.

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Huiyuan Zhang

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Best Regard,

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Research in Planning

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This assignment explores some contemporary planning related issues, researches. Given UB’s substantial library and database subscription, I was asked to narrow down to only two topics that really interested me.

• A short summary of two comtemporary planning topic would be the artifact.

• This research would either benefit or

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sets stage for later projects.

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Affordable housing is getter worse each year, according to popular press. At a personal level, I have known people who lived in New York city her whole life and all the sudden decided that it’s becoming too expensive to live there. First it was her daughter and husband who decided to move to Texas. Her old job had also offered her a position at Texas but she refused then. Ten years or so later, she had decided it’s time to see what is like to live in Texas, what is it like to live in “shopping malls”. She supports her NYC residence’s new TOD high rise development, a LI village with 90% single family structures. She thinks what drove her daughter away was that there aren’t enough “room”, while most of her villagers fear the young and unknown crowds living next to their older and vulnerable crowds and property. There are just so much research paper and press about the topic of affordable housing. It is an very serious topic.

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Research Planning

While it's common knowledge to Environmental Design students that public transportation is a way out of congestion, pollution, personal health, equal access, it does not capture enough of a crowd to make those differences. Many articles online were very pessimistic about the future of public transportation at the US. Outside of the realm of Environment Design, most people are aware that public transportation seems to be a much efficient way to transport a massive number of people. The problems are that most people are not riding, when they don’t have to. There are lots of factors for the rise and fall of public transportation ridership, and is very interesting to see how these factors weave together to be the current stage US public transportation problem.

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LIterature Review

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I was given a hypothetical situation of having a supervisor demanding new, contested urban planning related topic quick. I would have to summarize and synthesize everything I can find about this topic in ten days. • Literature review of high-quality sources regarding to public transportation ridership. • This undertaking greatly benefits research-

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ing readiness.

conducted all over the world, and we are going to look at a variety of contexts of what really works. Then we are going to see where the system is heading, drawing implications from the latest congressional report.

The US spends tons of money on transportation subsidized by public tax.

Having terrible service compared to European and Asian countries. Having consistently low level of ridership.

(English, 2018) Some critics tie the fact that most US cities are built after 1950 when cars were already dominant during the contemporary time. The sprawling follows the travel pattern

hundred-percent of people utilizing hundredpercent of service, it's more about giving plenty of service options that could potentially replace the automobile. The US seemed to miss the golden age of integrating public transit and planning. (English, 2018) If only five percent of time was spent on the planning part, or let’s say if only a majority of political representatives have ruralinterest, then the rest of the

of that of a car. But this theory can be debunked by the fact that a very similar country, Canada, has a very robust public transit system. Canada has more service, more ridership, and is significantly less subsidized. Culturally, countries outside of US treat public transit as public utility while US treat is as a social welfare program. We can see that European cities have denser cities, and that is just the opposite of cities outside of Northeast

time and the rest of the new leaders have to spend in regrets and scrawl. (Stromberg, 2015)

With the gaps in public transit, people who don’t want to drive and or having difficulty driving would have a mobile barrier. (English, 2019). At a policy point of view, a reduced vehicle-miles-traveled (VHM) is a priority at the contemporary, but that’s what where Americans are heading. According to American Fact Finder, 20102017 community survey, one-way commutes that’s over sixty minutes for those who are working increased by about eight percent. In fact, long distance commuting accounts for one third of VHM. Long-distance commuting is defined to be 50 miles to 100 miles range, 30 to 100 at European standards. At a common day a California, sixteen percent of long-distance travel are for commuting, and spend a significant

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and rustbelt. Suburban cul-de-sac is against the nature of the shortest distance between two destinations, and a low density is the best friend with increasing cost of public utility. Other countries try to keep and expand their services as time goes on.

Domestic cities like Boston had great public transit at the start and slowly minimized it to zero. Why those happened seem to be a mystery. (Stromberg, 2015)

One of the possible reasons that have an influence on public transportation is contradictory policies. Transit companies were under the pressure of having a fare cap, which was set for good reasons like keeping cost reasonable for all people, and equal accessibility. But lacking the funds to improve and expand services, there weren’t any federal subsidies either to keep this idea of equal access alive.

Cities having very low density sees public transportation as a nonviable mode of transportation that would require continual government subsidy. The cap of fare cost is still valid today. Many cities of which have extensive transit network are keeping a minimum number of services. Having the bias of viewing transit as welfare, expanding transit network seems politically undesirable. The label on public transit is incorrect, but most importantly, it was never fixed. (Stromberg, 2015)

Another difference between domestic and foreign countries is that foreign countries have longer distance between bus stops. The longer distance enabled faster service, but would also require high walkability. (Stromberg, 2015) The demand of transportation at the current stage is not easily changeable without any significant economical and infrastructural changes. And it's not about getting

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The purpose of this literature review is to gather recent research results on public transportation ridership.

While it's common knowledge to environmental design students that public transportation is a way out of congestion, pollution, personal health, equal access, it does not capture enough of a crowd to make those differences.

Some articles attribute it to lower cost of gasoline, some examine policies, some involved complex modeling. From various authors from different contexts, one can learn different ways to think about this issue. This article will consist of four parts. First, we will explore some factual evidence about what is wrong with the public transportation system in the US. Then there are a lot of theories that might conspire to revive the system. And there is a great amount of research being

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The US spends tons of money on transportation subsidized by public tax

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Public Transporation Ridership

for public transportation, at a policy point of view. (Chakraborty, et. al,2013) A study in Shanghai found that employment is the biggest factor to produce successful transit. Within a certain distance from the station, when 1000 jobs were added, as much as 20000 of rise in transit rider would be accounted. That is because beside the job that concentrated at the area, a thousand of people is also congregated, producing demand and

European statistics showed that the higher cost due to car ownership affect people’s choice of transportation. But this might not be a meaningful maneuver if an improvement in service is accompanied. (English, 2018) Papers regarding the determinants of commuting can’t be completely carried over to long distance commuting, as the latter involves more sacrifice in time and money. Long

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Public Transporation Ridership

operation cost. Looking to make the public transit a profitable line is the heart of this strategy. (Guedes, et. al, 2019) At a policy level, we see that development is mismatched with public transit. Preferences that people have is slowly slipping off of the energy and housing economic trend. This can be the result of the fragmentation of planning, the home rule scheme. More higher-level policy change can be the key to reshaping transit. But it’s not going to be easy, or cheap, to collect extensive data and build data models.

(Chakraborty, et. al,2013)

First of all, density is an imperative

supply of goods and services. And when a commercial center is also located at the station, the number of riders can double or triple. Trips that’s non-commuting is incredibly large, but they first happen when a certain threshold of job saturation has been reached. People are more affected by this coupling effect than anything else. (Pan, et. al,2017) Looking back to history, around 1950 to late 1900s, strong government intervention created a short commuting distance between residence and employment. The commuting distance only gets larger with free market force.

There are even some trends of city-to suburb commuting patterns similar to the West. (Ta, et. al,2017) China has a lot of rapidly developing metropolitan areas that need good planning, that includes transportation. Some researchers fear that what some western conclusions might not be true for China, and decided to take on a substantial amount of analysis on Chinese metropolitan areas. Similar to US, China is also finding a hard time to integrate employment-to-job, which is a huge chunk of trips that happens every day, spatially. Economic factors influencing both industrial and reals estate values make planning inconceivable. (Chen, et. al,2019) They found that residential area’s built-environment has more influence on the choice of transportation. At area with a dense amount of jobs, wealthier Chinese are more prefer to drive. What they found aligned was that people who live by the highway are more likely to drive, high density in employment area generate more non-motor transport. Higher road density leads to more non-motor transport as well. (Sun, et. al,2017)

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First of all, density is an imperative for public transportation

distance commuting accounts to about one third of total domestic VHM according to US Department of Transportation. (Mitra, et. al, 2019) In the case of California, a state having a shortage in housing. The striking price at the coastal region also hugs a high density of employment, nudging out any non-high-income residents.

It has concluded that population density, house size, car accessibility and education achievement have an impact on the decision of long-distance commuting. (Mitra, et. al, 2019)

UTNDP, urban transportation network design problem is a term in operation research as well. Brazil used to have a robust public transit system that depended solely on fares, but is declining with a 150% increase in car sales, and a 300% increase in motorcycle. (Guedes, et. al, 2019) While the transit system is in a difficult situation,

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amount of time stuck in traffic. (Mitra, el al, 2019) Ridership report collected

by American Public Transportation Association shows that starting from 2012, the first quarter of each year’s rider count is decreasing by about two percent a year. (APTA, 2019)

Having a transit system that runs all day long, would resemble very closely of owning an automobile. Having origin and destination walking to the ride would further the resemblance. Gathering up different transit service in transit planning, like commuter rail transferring to the subway, and buses can ease the inconvenience of transfer. (English, 2018)

A heterogeneous fleet size might be a helpful operational device to carry a large number of passengers at a busy interchange and in return reduce number of services. As each service an

successful works at Ottawa, New York City, and Washington DC, worth considering (English, 2018)

Some researchers decided to investigate ridership at a station to station level. He found out that during morning peak the ridership happens the dense residential areas, whereas during evening peak ridership happens at any dense residential commercial areas. What that means is that people

(Jun, et. al, 2015) Another research conducted at Seoul had found seven variables that have proven significant by the data model. They are employment, commercial floor area, population density, number of transfers, number of feeder bus line. Population that’s outside of the station is another variable that wasn’t included in data model but proven significant. An indirect relationship that the author picked up was the land use

tend to commute in the morning, and traveling a lot for commuting noncommuting reason at evenings and weekends. What this implies is that a good transit planning shouldn’t just focus on commuting. It should also consider how to connect one neighborhood to the next, connect to civic centers and commercial activities. And it could the other way around too, densify all different establishments.

(Choi, et. al,2011)

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2010)

Intermodal connection of public transit is also affecting ridership. A good feeder, seamless, can direct people to the desired direction. Travel time is another asset that public transit might want to acquire as well, according to one extensive research at station to station level at Seoul, Korea, a busy metropolitan area (Choi, et. al, 2011).

Some Researchers has rated Seoul according to TOD principles. It abides to most of what TOD requires, and is very successful too. The rail-transit system affected more people than that population resides around TOD area.

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and walkability is connected to variables like employment, commercial activities. And finally, a ‘cyclic’ relationship between the transfer connection and the commercial activities outside of the transfer. (Sohn, et. al, 2010) Ridership generation from another data model showed that diversity is more important than density. The CBD and the peripheral areas’ ridership is more influenced by density, but all other suburban areas are mostly influenced by diversity. That is to say TOD should not be used as a panacea, but should be used with each urban hierarchy with flexibility.

(Lee, et. al, 2013)

According to the US Congressional Research report. Public transit’s funding nowadays depends 18% at federal level, 26% from fares, 34% from local and 22% from state. We can see this is also a break up of planning, where home rule plays a big role. There are tons of funding program and incentive programs as a result, which might or might not have an effective stroke at the end. What the report had also mentioned was that more taxation and user fee for automobile users. Hopefully the improvement of transit could happen along according to the incentive programs.

(Mallett,2018) With subsidy mentioned again, some cities were actually successful because they have produced an up rise of ridership, when Houston and San Diego increased their services and decreased their fares. But that’s not what happened at Portland, LA, and Atlanta in the late 1900s. It’s not just about funding and subsidy, there might be a ton of work that you have to take on. (Kain, et. al, 1999) Converting existing rail line and freight tracks to passenger rail has a very low cost. There are

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less-regulated ride-sharing services are very appealing

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Public Transporation Ridership

less-regulated ride-sharing services, they are either ran big corporation or ad-hoc operation, are looming large. They are very appealing because of their flexibility and is a hundred percent profitable.

There might be security issues with these rides but that is not to say that public transportation is a safe paradise. With a gap between demand and supply, in a competing market, public transportation is finding a hard time. In the case of Brazil, corruption in government administration is another roadblock for bus operators to function properly.

(Guedes, et. al, 2019) A researcher interested in New York City and Hong Kong’s railway-based development had found that the characteristics of station itself affects the boarding at the railway station. A small-scale built environment, which is also interesting too. (Loo, et. al,

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Annotated Bibliography

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Regarding to the sources in the Literature Review, there are certain criteria that has to meet.

There should be not only an abundant number of sources, but also a diverse type of media.

Majority of sources shoulbe be peer-reviewed • Provides a short summary of each source

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for literature review.

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Why Public Transportation Works Better Outside the U.s. Citylab -2018 Johnathan English https://getpocket. com/explore/item/why-publictransportation-works-better-outsidethe-u-s This is an article from Citylab, a media you are probably following already. The author is an Urban Planning Phd. student from Columbia. The author listed some European cities that are very successful at hauling transit riders and made some suggestions based on that. Most of his ideas might not be new to you, but he included a comprehensive amount of what-wealready-learned.

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Why do they live so far from work? Determinants of longdistance commuting in California Suman Mitra-Jean-Daniel Saphores - Journal of Transport Geography 2019 This is a journal from Transport Geography. The author found that two major factors housing costs and land use have significant impact

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What determines rail transit passenger volume? Implications for transit oriented development planning Haixiao Pan-Jing Li-Qing Shen-Cheng Shi - Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment - 2017 This journal is form Transportation Research Part D: Transportation and Environment. Author uses smart transit card data to investigate the empirical tally of ridership of a transit-oriented-development at Shanghai.

It was found that employment density and station-to-home distance have the greatest impact on choice of transportation. The author also gives some suggestions on TOD. 5.

Built environmental impacts on commuting mode choice and distance: Evidence from Shanghai Bindong Sun-Alireza Ermagun-Bo Dan - Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment - 2017 This journal is form Transportation Research Part D: Transportation and Environment. This is actually a literature review plus research. The author

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This is an article from Vox. The author stated that public transit ridership sufferers because the government view public transit as a welfare program. This is a five minute read that might pop up in your news feed. It has some interesting ideas that you might not be able to find in academic journals.

on long-distance commuting. The author also compares long-distance commuting with car ownership, and investigate in the “selection” part of where to live. Survey used for the author’s data model was the 2012 California Travel Survey.

11 conducted survey at Shanghai and found out, contrary to western studies, he found out that the residential built environment is more significant than that of one’s job built-environment. The ease of living, excluding travel to work, is a potential magnet of transit ridership.

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Land use and transit ridership connections: Implications for statelevel planning agencies Arnab Chakraborty-Sabyasachee Mishra - Land Use Policy - 2013 This journal is from Land Use Policy. Author use data models to decipher the relationship between ridership and land use. Different from the above author, this one focuses on a large geographic scale, and have an influence on policy-making. It also gives two different future scenarios of transit ridership and suggest that we take on the issue.

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Discovering the spatio-temporal impacts of built environment on metro ridership using smart card data Enhui Chen-Zhirui Ye-Chao Wang-Wenbo Zhang - Cities - 2019 This is a journal from Cities, and is another journal on the subject of builtenvironment in relation to the transit ridership. Author also uses the smart metro card data and a newly improved data model to capture the spatial and temporal data. This author is also looking at a bigger geographic scale when conducting his research. Interestingly, he also found that the non-

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The Real Reason American Public Transportation Is Such a Disaster-2015 Joseph Stromberg - https://www. vox.com/2015/8/10/9118199/publictransportation-subway-buses

Annotated Bibliography

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Trends in public transportation ridership: Implications for federal policy William J. Mallett - Congressional Research Service - 2018 The author for this report is a specialist in Transportation Policy.

This very recent report could have a good amount of impact on future policies. Author considers the factors influencing ridership, current transit supply, and states the implication of federal policy. He also gives insights on fundings on riderships, sharedrides, and punitive measure on automobile.

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Vehicle scheduling problem with loss in bus ridership Pablo Guedes-Denis BorensteinMonize Visentini-Olinto AraújoAlberto Neto - Computers & Operations Research - 2019 This is a journal from Computers & Operation Research and offers insights on operation, and especially focuses on the scheduling optimization. What the computer

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An analysis of Metro ridership at the station-to-station level in Seoul

Jinkyung Choi-Yong Lee-Taewan Kim-Keemin Sohn - Transportation - 2011 This journal is from Transportation. Authors tries to aggregate data by separating the origin and destination of one’s particular trip and cut down on the errors that homogenous collection method might result.

Data model also showed that competing mode of transportation have a negative impact on ridership. Population density at the origin of a transit trip is a huge factor when the built environment wasn’t accounted.

Employment density is another factor related to the evening peak demand.

12.

Land use characteristics of subway catchment areas and their influence on subway ridership in Seoul Myung-Jin Jun-Keechoo Choi-Ji-Eun Jeong-Ki-Hyun Kwon-Hee-Jae Kim Journal of Transport Geography - 2015

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This is an online ridership report collected by American Public Transportation Association. The report included 2019’s ridership percentages compared with the past. It also contains arhivele percentages as well as methodology.

This would be an excellent source of data to look at and to draw an empirical conclusion about the rise and fall of ridership.

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8.

Ridership Report https://www.apta.com/researchtechnical-resources/transit-statistics/ ridership-report/

model that tried to accomplish was to save money by scheduling transit strategically while having a good amount of service provided. The model takes into account that small fleets, grouping a great amount of them during high demand and heading to various directions. This is an interesting piece that was written for southern Brazil and might contain some good advice for American small cities.

12 This piece is from Journal of Transport Geography. There are two objectives that the author tries to address in the journal. One is to identify the successful station’s building environment characteristics and land use pattern. And the other objective was to identify whether successful station is aligned with the TOD concept. Author concluded an ideal physical radius of a successful station. The author has found that a greater density of mixed-land use has a significant influence on the station’s subway catchment.

13.

Secrets of success: assessing the large increases in transit ridership achieved by Houston and San Diego transit providers John Kain-Zvi Liu - Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice 1999 This is a journal from transportation Research from 1999. The author was intrigued by the fact that Houston and San Diego has experienced an uprising of ridership while most contemporary cities are experiencing decline. Author concluded that ridership has a lot to do with policy, such as increasing service amount while reducing the fare. The biggest point that the author tried to prove was that the system was cost-effective as well.

14. Urban structural hierarchy and the relationship between the ridership of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway and the land-use pattern of the station areas

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commuting activities does have an impact on ridership.

15. Rail-based transit-oriented development: Lessons from New York City and Hong Kong Becky Loo-Cynthia Chen-Eric Chan - Landscape and Urban Planning 2010 This is a journal from Landscape and Urban Planning from 2010.

The author wants to investigate how a big metropolitan area would respond to TOD, that is to not just looking at the density generated ridership along. Author considers the land use, station characteristics, socio-economic and demographics, as well as intermodal competition.

This journal concluded that the station characteristic has the biggest impact on the amount of ridership.

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17. Understanding job-housing relationship and commuting pattern in Chinese cities: Past, present and future Na Ta-Yanwei Chai-Yan Zhang-Daosheng Sun - Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment - 2017 The author of this article is very fascinated about the western debate of whether government level intervention of built environment, would actually result in a shorter commute. He took on this study because few actual studies were carried out in developing context. This paper consists of a brief history of the major trends of commuting patterns of China and have concluded that some level of government intervention is helpful at shortening the commuting time. He has also concluded some successful physical characteristics that enable shorter-commuting.

13

16. Factors generating boardings at Metro stations in the Seoul metropolitan area Keemin Sohn-Hyunjin Shim - Cities – 2010 This is a piece from Cities. This author considers three categorical factors influencing ridership. They were built environment, external connectivity, and intermodal connection, of which were separated into seven variables.

Among them

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Annotated Bibliography

Each urban area has a sort of hierarchy of land use. Some are clustered with jobs while some have a mixed proportion. Urban planning and policies also has an influence on the stack of hierarchy on different parcels. Author tries to take this as a variable and tries to compare that with different control groups. He concluded that TOD plus density is a successful recipe for increasing ridership.

are employment, commercial floor area, office floor area, net population density, number of transfers, numbers of feeder bus lines, and some statistical feature that affected a particular station. This analysis is considered very detailed factors and is an interesting read.

Company Name

Seungil Lee-Changhyo Yi-Soung-Pyo Hong - Cities - 2013

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Data Analysis Report

14

This assignment utilizes Excel, US Census, US Department of Labor to delve deeper into the issue of public transportation ridership. To make more dramatic comparison, I was asked to compare a high growth and a zero-growth city.

• Comparison of a high growth, Frisco City, and a negative growth city, Syracuse.

• Demographic, economic, mode of transportation data and processed data.

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• Honed ability to deduce information from

growing shortage of affordable housing unit at local area. As more college students, professionals and elderly population arriving, they would be accommodated well along with the local residents gaining some extra income. (Roark) Frisco city is also planning to build vertically. This pending development is about 2,500 acres, projected with 10,000 homes and 18 million square feet of commercial space, costing about 12.7 billion. It’s about three times as big as the Central park, encouraged to be mixed-use.

Estimated to be developed over the next 15 to 20 years. This plan wishes to attract headquarter of big companies as well as flexibility to accommodate a great diversity.

Developer for this project hired NYC and San Francisco based planning company and envisioned the entire site to be connected with walking trails. (Brown)

Along with rental issues and new development. Frisco passed a redevelopment proposal that converted a previous office park to a mixed-use development that accommodate residential high rises, mix-use buildings and retirement house.

The main concern for residents is the shadows the would be cast by the high-rise buildings on the park, and whether the residents of high rise would seek single family houses in the future. The overall plan was not tabled because it didn’t have a minimum of at least 12 percent open space included in plan, and therefore didn’t have obligation to do so. The height of building consisting of pure residential is set to be minimum at 25 stories, while the mixed-use buildings cannot exceed 15 stories for good reasons. (Luna) Aesthetics like artificial turf was a little bit of struggle for city council members. Lots of property got cited for artificial turf and collected some

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Data Analysis Report

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Some authors argue that the public transportation ridership is mostly influenced by the policies. Some argue that it is the home rule piecemeal planning is the culprit.

This paper will look at the relationship between the individual city’s comprehensive plan and the plan’s effects. First, we are going to look at two very different city. One is rapidly growing and the other one is facing decline. We are going to construct an imagery of both cities at first, then we are going to compare the planning document of both cities and look at the possible culprit or police factor. After that we are going to give a review to both cities for stimulating ridership, and look at previous research results. Literature review will be used to expand the factors, and drawing a conclusion.

Frisco City just said yes to approve garage apartments on September

15

4th, 2019. This was a zoning ordinance amendment on renting. Previous renting requirement does not allow owner or tenants to sublet guest house and garage apartment. After this amendment, as long as the owner is occupying the main dwelling of the property, guest house and garage apartment can be available to the market.

The planning officials said this amendment would diversify the housing stock. Residents who favored the amendment for the

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Frisco City is facing housing shortage

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grievances. This issue triggered updates on ordinance, further details regarding this issue would be tabled later. This issue is very likely to change the ordinance because the irrigation and manicure of lawn is costly to maintain at the region. (Monsivais)

But not all development is welcomed by residents. Some of them said that they had seen enough, and formed a body of organization of 5,000 individuals who are mostly affluent people living in gated communities, and significant number of votes. They were on the oppose side of the redevelopment proposal that converts office park to mixed-use, and very actively proposing road expansion. The greatest concern for them was the quality of living. As it was ranked the No.1 best place to live in U.S. according to the organization, they fear the urban development would weigh the rank down, with increasing traffic and loss of rural aesthetics.

(Grigsby)

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Data Analysis Report

16

Syracuse has a very different interaction with development. A shopping mall is converting lots of its retail space into restaurant, fitness center and movie theatre with the effect of online shopping. It seeks local zoning ordinance change on the building heights, general rule of the town is not exceeding 35 feet, and not exceeding 50 feet with proper set back. The comments for this article are killing the upbeat of this development, commenting on the fact that

it can’t even keep its store front occupied. (Kinney) One thing that really makes Syracuse different from Frisco City is its historical buildings, and attempt to preserving them. Wellington House, designed by Ward Wellington, has a recent proposal for commercial development. It was voted down by the planning board for the intrusive plan that the developer proposed. Most comments on this article is regret of the loss of this property. While one commented how the house would deliberately left uncared until it collapsed if the board keep voting it down, and it’s just going to be at the cost of the property owner. The board’s official response was to expect a better plan in the future. (Doran)

Syracuse is more diverse than Frisco City, but unfortunately that didn’t lead to a good direction in history. The imposed racial zoning at local, state, and federal level destructed disadvantaged address and relocated racial minorities. Central New York

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Frisco city's daily ordinance changes

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Data Analysis Report

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commonly had similar segregation, while Syracuse has two third of its African and Hispanic residents in extreme poverty, which makes it one of the most segregated cities.

(Sirwatka) Syracuse has also been receiving a lot of complaints over the year about building permits and opening a business.

Even minor changes and fixes to residential buildings can be a hassle of paperwork, with confusions and time capital. This year the platform finally went online, designed by a San Francisco based tech company. City officials were more efficient with the online portal because all the different allowable zoning and alterations, and permit process is reachable online. (Baker)

This year, something pretty significant happened in the city. A nonprofit group proposed a 50-units development for single mothers who is receiving living assistance, and is faced with oppositions. This is an

17

Grievances at Syracuse is high, for new

article has the most comments than any other ones with all kinds of positions. Some fear the concentration the development creates. Most of them are NIMBY’s. One resident living close to the original proposal’s opposing reason was he/she bought his/her house because he/she thought the wood behind the house would be forever green.

The proposal are all single-family-looking houses and shift farther from neighbors as opposition grow. Another August update reported the proposal was approved.

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development and obstructions

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g

Data Analysis Report

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(Moriarty)

As a Texas city, Frisco city actually have been pretty conscientious with planning. It seeks a dynamic and adaptable planning style, seeing the planning as a continuous process. Citizen participation is also very active, and has a strong sense of community. One of their plan principles was to provide people with a diver pool of housing stock, accommodate their needs at any stage of their life. This is an empowering statement that you really don't see a lot in New York. Although it doesn’t have laws regulating land use, the plan broke down the city into mixed-use, public or semipublic, open spaces and flood plain area based in the varying intensity of whichever one of the labels. Other principles include people-oriented-plan, and providing public service and facilities for residents and business. They strongly encourage

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citizen participation is very active at Frisco city, Syracuse is sprawling

walkability, and upgrade roads and start looking at multi-modal-choices of transportation, but spend most of its transportation focus on motorway improvement. (2015 Frisco City Comprehensive Plan)

Syracuse, having a strong desire to create employment opportunity, shifting from manufactured jobs to service jobs, having less property exempt from property tax, improving overall residents’ education status. Principles are listed as key words;

they are land use, sustainability, historical preservation, bicycle plan, plastic art, pedestrian infrastructure, and park/open space. It has formal zoning ordinance and development regulation, and has ability to protect architectural assets it has.

It is most concerned with ensuring development fits the characteristics of the surrounding. The population loss of the city is primarily due to the urban sprawl to neighboring rural area. The city tries hard to attract infill developments while it realizes the vehicle dependency of the city overall is failing behind the parking available at downtown. It promotes private sector for bicycle infrastructure walkability, and aiming to increasing public transportation ridership. Mixed-use and TOD development also shows up at the transportation section. (City of Syracuse Comprehensive Plan 2040)

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due to population loss

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We can see that plans more or less affects character of the city. Frisco city says yes to almost everything and it had collected almost everything, except public transportation ridership, but more people are living at where they work. Syracuse wants to protect the overall characteristics of the city and it did; it input more effort into multi-modal transportation and it is less car-dependent and less motorized.

Both cities are doing equally bad at public transportation. Frisco has some of the good factors like mixed-use, people oriented, but lacks multi-modal service. Syracuse, at the least the downtown has high density of employment, but that goes to a very disperse residential spread. Is policy the most important factor on ridership though?

I think that population reside in the city, their votes, their business effort, their attitude toward changes is the most

19

plans more or less affects character

important factor. We can see that planning, ordinance change does inquire input, the appointed official is subjected to change.

The only thing we can conclude is that these two cities doesn’t possess all the factors to generate significant amount of public transportation riders.

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of the city

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Education attainment

Architect Company Template | 43 Company Name

Data Collection Memorandum

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Purpose of this assignment is to be familiarize with the process of writing a formal memorandum.

We were given the topic of roundabout versus signalized intersection as traffic control devices, and examine their efficiency. • Two site visits with data collection as a group, experienced writing formal memorandum. • Having PowerPoint presentation that can

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stand along without oral presentation.

To: The University at Buffalo Campus Planning Director From: Jake Wozniak and Huiyuan Zhang CC: Mr. Jonathan Bleuer and Mr. Andrew Schaefer Date: October 21, 2019 Subject: Roundabout Intersection Comparison

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Data Collection Memorandum

To touch on the subject of different roundabouts and intersections, we have compiled data for certain locations containing these systems of traffic control. We have investigated the roundabout located at the meeting of Lee Rd. and Audubon Pkwy. on the north campus of the University at Buffalo. The data we have collected pertains to the action and flow of pedestrians, traffic, and other means of transportation including skateboards and bicycle use.

The most interesting thing we found was the cohesion between the traffic awareness and pedestrian crossings.

The traffic flow and pedestrian flow seemed to be moderate as well as coming and going in different waves during the time frame we studied.

Overall this roundabout seemed to be a safe environment to be in with the intent of high pedestrian flow. We also studied the intersection located at the crossing of Millersport Hwy. and Coventry Rd. also on the north campus of the University at Buffalo.

Much like the roundabout, most of the information we had collected pertained to the action and flow of pedestrians, traffic, and other means of transportation such as skateboards and bicycle use. The most interesting thing we found was the amount of traffic compared with pedestrian use.

We were also surprised with the lack of skateboard and bicycle use around this area during the time we spent there. Overall, we concluded this intersection was designed mainly for traffic flow and minimal pedestrian flow with a moderate safety factor.

These two different areas have provided us with very useful data and information. They are both very efficient designs

Ever since the creation of the automobile there has been many concerns with safety and convenience. The world has adapted and developed many ideas to combat the problems people have faced during transport. Some of these ideas have presented stop signs and stop lights which have created safer intersections for not only automobiles, but also pedestrians and bike users. Other ideas have presented yield signs and roundabouts to create a more efficient and quicker way of travel with similar safety levels for all users. We want to compare these two forms of traffic control by taking field observation at the intersection located at the meeting point of Millersport Hwy. and Coventry Rd. on the University at Buffalo north campus. Also the roundabout located at the meeting point of Lee Rd. and Audubon Pkwy. on the University at Buffalo north campus. We want to see how these two locations are used while collecting certain data to find the pros and cons of each place.

For each site was observed, with different traffic flows for about an hour. Data collection sheet was prepared prior to the field study. We had strategically chosen one roundabout and one signalized intersection, which were our interests of study while comparing them side to side. Both sites are very busy and located on a college campus. To ensure minimum variance of factors such as peak usage, we visited two sites almost back to back between 10:45 am to 12:45 pm. Field study was conducted on Friday, October 11, with good weather conditions. Our data collection took into account the number of converging streets, motorway variances, number of lanes and turning lanes, non-motorized accommodations, on-street

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Executive Summary

Architect Company Template | 47

Roundabout

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Data Collection Memorandum

Intersection

parking and bus lanes, use of landscaping and surrounding context. Also taking into account the effects of different traffic control on a diversified transportation mode, data collection block was tailored for each mode of transportation. Each mode of transportation included speed, gap acceptance, waiting time, and perception reaction time, which are all important to any type of transportation. Also turning recognition, breaking behavior, and the stopped distance to leading vehicle and head way is very crucial criteria for automobile safety, especially safety for pedestrians and bike users who were less protected. While for pedestrians and bikers, their visual acuity and route directions became extremely critical for our data collection.

The pictures taken are all original photos. These photos can give a sense of the environment surrounding both the roundabout and intersection. Photos show the general landscape of the roundabout. Both transportation forms of automobile use and pedestrians walking came in different waves, were the transportation flows would fluctuate. At the time these photos were taken, the traffic flow was at its lowest. The highest point of traffic flow was around the same time classes would conclude.

The roundabout located on north campus of the University at Buffalo.

School is in session during the time frame we had collected the data. You can find this roundabout at the intersection of Lee Rd. and Audubon Pkwy.

The signalized intersection is also located at the north campus at the University of Buffalo, close to UB Alumni Arena. You can find intersection along Millersport Hwy. and across Coventry Rd. Overall, both areas we

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Architect Company Template | 49 Company Name

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John James Audubon Pkwy shows a greater amount of traffic compared to the amount of traffic of Lee Rd.

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Data Collection Memorandum

attended were very safe based on our experience. For both the roundabout and intersection, the surrounding landscape are serving as buffers between pedestrian and vehicles, with presence of trees, grass, and bushes.

Screenshots at right show the birds eye view of the locations studied. It shows that the crosswalk at the signalized intersection was also intended to accommodate bikes, skateboards, and wheelchairs.

Another interesting fact that surprised us was the way leading from bookstore of the University at Buffalo to the roundabout was intended to be a bike lane, which is often taken over by vehicles. We did see a higher traffic on the signalized intersection with 20 seconds to 1 minute of wait time, depending on right turns or waiting for stop lights.

The speed limit is 45 mph, which cars are fluctuating in speed around that average with low gaps, high volume, and discourage crosswalk usage. Wait time for pedestrians who decided to use the crosswalk was around a minute. We did not encounter any bicycle or wheelchair movement at this intersection. We see a high pedestrian flow at the roundabout with vehicles stopping at yield signs with their own judgement.

Wait time for both vehicles and nonmotorized are about 0 to 2 seconds depending on the cars in the way.

They are moving at a lower speed, but with pretty large gaps and the intention to minimize unnecessary yields. The rationale for the signalized intersection is to rotate waiting traffic, while the rationale for the roundabout is more about the rights-of-the-way and judgement by both pedestrians and automobile drivers. Both designs seem safe and easy to use at eye level.

The highlighted numbers shown indicate the amount of traffic flow from each direction.

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signalized intersection handling lots of traffic, and roundabouts continuously circulation high volume of pedestrians with sparse traffic.

25

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Data Collection Memorandum

The GBNRTC (Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council) is a website containing a very large amount of data for the traffic of both pedestrians and automobiles throughout the entire Buffalo-Niagara region. To reference GBNRTC’s Annual average daily traffic, we see that the daily traffic from both directions show about 7000 cars on average, while the signalized intersection is responsible for 24,000 cars each day. In this case the high speed and safe traffic control is appropriate for signalized intersections. Personable and diverse traffic movement is appropriate by the roundabout. Both are very well devised. Much like the roundabout, the highlighted numbers indicate the amount of traffic flow for this intersection. As seen from figure 12, Millersport Hwy shows a greater amount of traffic flow compared to Coventry Rd.

To conclude this data collection, we are able to present the important data collected for both locations studied. Both signalized intersections and roundabouts are different, but they share similarities and goals. Both of these traffic control techniques are meant to be as user friendly as possible. While the signalized intersection is a more convenient way to move higher speed traffic, it lacks the pedestrian usage. Whereas the roundabout is more convenient for lower speed traffic with minimal stoppage, and higher pedestrian usage. Both traffic control systems have about a similar degree of safety.

While some may favorite a certain system over another, we believe both works very well and also work to the extent they were designed for. Overall, each system has its pros and cons and we think both systems are going to continuously be used throughout the United States. They are also used very appropriately in this case, with

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Architect Company Template | 52

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Comparison between the Roundabout and intersection END 350 JAKE WOZNIAK, HUIYUAN ZHANG

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Presentation

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Page 2

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- The world has adapted and developed many ideas to combat the problems people have faced during transport.

- Stop signs and stop lights which have created safer intersections for not only automobiles, but also pedestrians and bike users.

- We took into account the number of converging streets, number of lanes and turning lanes, non-motorized accommodations, on-street parking and bus lanes, use of landscaping and surrounding context.

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- Design ideas have presented yield signs and roundabouts to FUHDWH D PRUH HɝFLHQW DQG TXLFNHU ZD\ RI WUDYHO IRU DOO XVHUV - To ensure minimum variance of factors such as peak usage, we visited two sites almost back to back between 10:45 am to 12:45 pm.

- Field study was conducted on Friday, October 11, with good weather conditions. - Speed, gap acceptance, waiting time, and perception reaction time, which are all important to any type of transportation.

-Turning recognition, breaking behavior, and the stopped distance to leading vehicles and head way is very crucial criteria for automobile safety.

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field study

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North Campus Traffic Viewing from Alumni Arena

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- Vehicles would come from threedirections, at low speed less than 25 miles per hour.

- Vehicles would line up in the roundabout depending on who JHWV WKHUH ȴUVW PRYLQJ LQ RQH GLUHFWLRQ RQO\ - During their movement at the roundabout vehicles would have to yield to pedestrians and bikes, and sometimes cars. $ ORW RI DWWHQWLRQ LV UHTXULHG GXULQJ EXV\ SHDNV 7UDɝF ȵRZ ZDV PRGHUDWH

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roundabout

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- Pedestrian walks at very low speed.

- Pedestrian are ususally very attentive to the left or right, depending on the crossing point.

- There were a great number of pedestrians and bikers at the roundabout.

28 Roundabout Viewing from Greiner Hall

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roundabout *%157& %LNH 0DS

- Vehicles come from the West, East, and North side of the roundabout.

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- It is very bicycle friendly.

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- An interesting fact that surprised us was the way leading from ERRNVWRUH RI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ DW %XÎ?DOR WR WKH URXQGDERXW ZDV LQtended to be a bike lane, which is often taken over by vehicles.

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GBNRTC Bike Map & Birds Eye View of Roundabout. Bike lane is accomodated across Lee Rd

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intersection

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6WUHQJWKV RI WKH LQWHUVHFWLRQ RÎ?HUV D IDVWHU SDFH RI WUDÉ?F ZLWK PRUH ODQHV WR choose from. The intersection is more controlled with lights and signs. Automobile friendly. :HDNQHVVHV RI WKH LQWHUVHFWLRQ RÎ?HUV KLJK WUDÉ?F DQG ORQJHU ZDLWLQJ WLPHV Higher speeds may cause higher safety risks, also not very pedestrian friendly.

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- Pedestrians would press the walking light at the crossing parallel to Coventry Rd. - Pedestrians would wait for about a minute.

- Pedestrians are very attentive at observing vehicle movement before they start to cross.

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Signalised Intersection Viewing from Alumni Arena

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intersection *%157& %LNH 0DS

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- The crosswalk at the signalized intersection was also intended to accommodate bikes, skateboards, and wheelchairs.

31 GBNRTC Bike Map & Birds Eye View of the Signalised Intersection. Bike lane is accommodated acorss the highway.

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Average Daily Traffic *%157&ȇV $QQXDO $YHUDJH 'DLO\ 7UDÉ?F

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:H VHH D KLJK SHGHVWULDQ ČľRZ DW WKH URXQGDERXW ZLWK YHhicles stopping at yield signs with their own judgement.

Wait time for both vehicles and non motorized forms of transportation is about 0 to 2 seconds. They are moving at a lower speed, but with pretty large gaps and the intention to minimize unnecessary yields. The rationale for the roundabout is more about judgement by both pedestrians and automobile drivers.

Both designs seem safe and easy to use at eye level.

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differences

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Image taken at roundabout

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Case Study

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Parks has benefits of increasing tax base, sustainability and physical health. But a lot of parks are not in very good shape. We are free to propose improvement of any park around UB. • Composing Mini-Master Plan for Riverside Park as group of four in three weeks.

• Oral presentation to local government planner, accounting guests.

• The project synthetized all skills honed from tation and design.

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researching, data analysis, field study, presen-

Architect Company Template | 75 Company Name

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Riverside Park Mini Master Plan

City of Buffalo

University at Buffalo END 350

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November 2019

Riverside Park Mini-Master Plan 2019

2

Foreword………………………………………………………..………………..…………………………5 Context and Background…………………………………..…………………...…………………………...6 Neighborhood Relations………………………………..……………………………..…………6

Planners

History…………………………………………….…………………………………..………………….…8

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Table of Contents

Frederick Law Olmsted: Buffalo Parks and Parkways…………………………………..…...…8 Riverside as an Olmsted Park………………………………………...…………………………9

Felicia Fortunato

Observations at Riverside…………………………………..…………………………..……………..…..10

Cameron Leber

Conditions: Appearance, Quality, and Working Order……………...…….…………..………..10 Challenges: What are some of the Obstacles Facing the Park?...................................................13

Omar Tantawy

Opportunities: Why should Riverside be Improved? Does it Stand a Chance?............................16

Demographics: Statistics on Particular Groups at Riverside………………..…………….…..19 Recommendations………………………………….…………..………………………………………….27 Past Funding and Budgeting…………………………………..……..…………...…………...…27 Improvements for Proposed Mini-Master Plan & Former Case Studies as Examples…………..29

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Data Analysis and Collection………………………………….………………………..………....………19

Huiyuan Zhang

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Safety…………………………………..…………………………………….....…………………29 Unity…………………………………..……………………………………..……………………31 Bring back the Past……………………………………….….………………………….………..33 Adult Age Group Focus…………………………….………………………………....….………35

Professor: Jonathan Bleuer

Awareness………………………………….………………………….……………………...…..36

Teaching Assistant: Andrew Schaefer

Concluding Analysis of Mini-Master Plan for Riverside Park……………………………………..……..37 Appendix………………………………………………………………….…………………….…………39

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References…………………………………..…………………………………..……………………....…52

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Context and Background

Foreword

Neighborhood Relations Riverside Park is a 22 acre plot of land located along the Niagara River in Buffalo, New

The case study on

York as shown in Figure 3. The borders of the park are outlined by Vulcan Street to the north,

Buffalo’s Riverside Park, as

Tonawanda Street to the east, Crowley Avenue to the south, and Niagara Street to the west

part of the Olmstead Park

(Google Map, n.d.). Dividing the park, Hotaling Drive runs parallel to Vulcan Street and

System is where research and

perpendicular to Tonawanda and Niagara Street, enabling traffic to cut through Riverside Park.

development of ideas as

On the west side of the park, across Niagara Street is the Irene K. Gardner pedestrian bridge,

planners connects. This Mini-

which extends over the Interstate 190 and connects a portion of the park to a bike path along the

Master Plan of Riverside Park

Niagara River (Google Maps, n.d.).

ultimate recommendations of advancement will benefit the park users. Each section of the case study will organize the research and conclusions of face-to-face interviews of park users, online public opinion, research on the

The recent restoration Company Name

will demonstrate why the

of Riverside Park has been

39

developing quickly since the

history of the park, first-hand experience, pictures of the park, demographic data analysis,

turn of the century. Designed

challenges, conditions, opportunities, and examples of other case studies of similar proposals.

in 2004, the indoor Bud

Combining all the information coherently, the recommendations for planning the improving future of the park will be presented in this Mini-Master Plan. Recognising the history and present planning efforts of Riverside Park, and using them and other case studies to further examine and

Bakewell Ice Rink, a River Rock Garden to restore the rain watershed system, and

justify the extended conclusions for the ideas of improvement to Riverside Park.

more plants and trees were implemented at Riverside. A grant was awarded to

further development, which Riverside Park Mini-Master Plan 2019

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Riverside Park in 2011 for

Street was relit for aesthetics, not for ships. There was once a boating port to import and export

History Frederick Law Olmsted: Buffalo Parks and Parkways

goods and passengers, but it is no longer functioning. The park used to host a few festivals and celebrations like the annual Friendship Festival during Independence Day weekend, as well as

Fredrick Law Olmsted (Figure 4) created the field of landscape architecture by designing

some Canadian celebrations. The park also used to host a seasonal farmer’s market and other

every detail of the paths, landscapes, and views of natural landscapes in his work. In Buffalo, he

community-based events such as indoor lacrosse in the Ice Rink during summer (Riverside Park, n.d.). There is a cemetery that faces the river adjacent to the Bud Bakewell Ice Rink, and many

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was mostly used to develop sports fields. In 2012, the Riverside lighthouse along Tonawanda

constructed the first park system by connecting the parks through parkways.

people in the 1800s used to enjoy picnics in the cemetery, as part of the park’s history (Buffalo

Central Park in New York City is the

Olmsted Parks Conservatory, n.d.).

first park Olmsted designed, and still

The surrounding neighborhood of Riverside is roughly 2 square miles and is home to

serves as an outstanding precedent in

roughly 12,000 residents (Riverside Neighborhood, 2017). Riverside residents use the

landscape architecture today. Born in

accommodating sports fields and equipment provided in the park. On site is the Bud Bakewell Ice Rink which is home to many different organizations including Hasek’s Heroes, Bud

Company Name

Hartford, Connecticut in 1822, he

40

began work as a surveyor at the age of

Bakewell Ice Hawks hockey team, and the Buffalo Speed Skating Club. Along with the Ice Rink, there are several baseball fields which are used and maintained by the River Rock Baseball

18, then attempted scientific farming, but never made a profit. In 1857,

League. Running along Tonawanda Street is the Dick Mathewson football field where the Black

Olmsted found a job supervising a

Rock Riverside Little League Football and Cheerleading play and practice. Also, along

public works project in New York City,

Tonawanda Street are two tennis courts and two full basketball courts. On the south end there is

as the supervising designer of Central Park, tasked with connecting systems of roads, bridges,

parking along Crowley Avenue with a playground and small public pool (Riverside Park’s

and walkways. As a democrat, his main goal of his parks, specifically Central Park, was

Reuben, n.d.).

democracy. Olmsted’s vision was for all classes, races, and religions to be discussing current affairs and participating in healthy, peaceful debates. In his vision, he foresaw the need for places

city life. New Yorkers would flock to Central Park every weekend to get away from the pollution

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like Central Park, and how humans need nature and conversation as an escape from the hectic

partnership with his friend Calvert Vaux, making his landscape architecture designs possible. In

park. Olmsted wanted people to be happy, and follow their “pursuit of happiness”, as was the

1868, Vaux and Olmsted turned their attention to Buffalo, one of the largest cities in America at

people’s right in the Declaration of Independence. Along these lines, the act of staring at scenic,

the time. After Olmsted faced many family problems and the Financial Panic of 1873,

natural beauty was observed to be scientifically proven to promote the feeling of happiness (Pbs,

construction for the Buffalo Parkway System began. The key to his design of Olmsted’s parkway

2014).

systems was to show off the characteristics of each neighborhood and city they were created in.

Riverside as an Olmsted Park

They also developed landscapes in Washington DC, and preserved the natural beauty of

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and overcrowding of the city, to enjoy nature and have discussions during strolls through the

Niagara Falls, by creating walkways to expose specific viewports, or “landscape portraits,” as

Riverside Park made its debut in 1898 – 1899 by Fredrick Law Olmsted’s sons and

shown in Figure 5, at the right times and angles. Olmstead wanted the land to be available for all

successors, as part of the Olmstead Architectural Firm, after Fredrick’s retirement in 1895.

people, to protect the scenic beauty, and to create spaces for people to be together. The way he

(Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, 2019) The last park designed by Olmsted for Buffalo was

designed the parks was through artificial design, as everything (rocks, hills, trees) was carefully

Riverside Park. After Central Park, Olmsted’s business went bankrupt. He formed a business

planned out, placed and sculpted to come together to form the perfect views, or “landscape

Observations at Riverside Conditions: Appearance, Quality, and Working Order

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portraits” (Pbs, 2014).

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The conditions observed at Riverside on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 at 5:00pm were not ideal with cold weather, cloudy skies, sprinkles of rain, and low light conditions. On the second site visit on Wednesday, November 15th at 3:00pm there was snow and ice covering the park, hence the photographs taken with and without snow. There were twenty people in the park at the time of the first visit, and while some engaged in activities of group exercise, others watched the groups on the sidelines: a group of 5 teenagers playing football, 3 teenagers playing baseball, a group of 4 children playing catch, 2 parents watching the kids play catch, 3 bikers, and a team of teenagers playing hockey on the indoor Ice Rink. The age groups observed were

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children, teenagers, and adults, with no seniors present. Through our entire observation process,

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people were observed in the park only at the locations specified: the football field, the Ice Rink and an adjacent small grass field. All three of these locations are next to each other on the north end of the park, south of Hotling Drive. The overall mood of the park was quiet and calm.

People enter the site in many different ways, and there is not a unifying place for designated entry. Some users enter through the Tonawanda Street sidewalk (mostly used by teenagers walking to the park), while others parked at the Hotling Drive, Crowley Avenue or the Bud Bakewell ice rink (Figure 8) parking lots. There were many pedestrians who were observed to be using the sidewalk cutting through the park to get to Tonawanda Street and Niagara Street but none of them stopped in the park to do any activities.

The park is not only disconnecting people from each other, but the road that cuts through the middle of the park really divides it socially, and the highway that disconnects the park from the waterfront is a huge obstacle of park unity. There is a pedestrian bridge (Figure 9) sponsored

The general upkeep and maintenance of the park was surprisingly exceptional given the

by Irene K. Gardener that leads to a bike path on the other side of the park, but the disconnect

amount of users that frequented the park. The grass was mowed (Figure 6), the playground

from the water, and the danger of crossing the highway, deters people from experiencing the full

equipment was new and clean (Figure 1), there were new sports fields (Figure 7), and paved

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value of the park.

walkways. Some of the negative aspects included geese droppings, the rock garden missing

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rocks and poor lighting. Specifically, more lighting is needed at the Rock Garden, the paths along the cemetery, playground, basketball court, and along the waterfront. During the observation period it was noted that there was no one in these areas, and that could be due to the

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poor lighting in these areas.

The challenges described in the face-to-face interviews by the park users were very

example of how the park lacks unity, and it is different from how the park used to look, when

similar to the online comments. The teenage age group (playing football) commented on how the

there used to be more trees, altering the overall mood of the park, giving it a feeling of

park used to be a nice place, but now the drive-by shootings make people not want to come. The

disconnect.

adult age group who were interviewed, suggested more accommodations to the Bud Bakewell

Challenges: What are some of the Obstacles Facing the Park?

Ice Rink, as they did not have any activities to do in their age group in the park.

The biggest issues of the park are getting people to interact within the park by increasing

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The trees lack density, as they are spread too far apart from one another. This an

Opportunities: Why should Riverside be Improved?

The main reason why this park is a candidate for improvement is because the park users

safety measures, locational unity, awareness, making the park more of what it used to be at its

still care about Riverside, feel connected to the history, and they enjoy all the accommodations

In order to get a wider pool of comments and concerns for Riverside Park, online reviews

the park used to offer. After asking people the survey questions and researching the park, it is

are a broader research source that this report turned to. The majority of people think that overall,

clear that people still want this park in their community, and it has so much potential to offer the

the park is great, with many activities, and the overall average score of the park is a 4.1 out of 5

public: its waterfront location, many sports facilities and fields, and open space. There is already

(Comment Section, 2019). But, many of the reviews, even some of the people who gave higher

a movement for the Olmsted Parks to be improved, but now that many structures are fixed and

scores, note their observations and concerns of safety, cleanliness, disconnect, and decrease in

maintained, the park needs to now focus on safety, unity, past activities reactivated, more

park events (Appendix Figures 10-14).

activities for the parents who bring their children, and an increase of awareness on what the park

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prime, and creating more activities for the adult age group.

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can offer.

Safety concerns expressed, based on the park surveys (Fortunato, F., et. al., 2019), included drive-by shootings, homeless people, gang activity, and crime. Cleanliness is shown to

Riverside Park is beloved by its users, as observed in our survey questions to park users

be a troubling aspect as litter, such as bottles and cigarettes (Figure 12), and mold in the

(Fortunato, F., et. al., 2019). The furthest distance traveled was 35 minutes by a mother at the

bathroom (Figure 11) is observed. People want past events restored such as the fireworks and

hockey rink, and most of the football teenagers biked or walked from their houses to get to the

farmer’s market festivals (Figure 10) and the park’s appearance as it was in the past (Figure 13 &

park. People will still travel at long distances and make efforts to use the park because of the

14), such as unifying and expanding spaces for families to all sit together. The benches and

existing sports facilities, but more people could be using the park and staying longer if they felt

chairs are too spread out and separated, not creating a healthy environment for democratic

safer, and if there were more features to make people stay.

by shootings. They think the general maintenance is good, but are not aware of any public events

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The park users interviewed were frequent visitors, but all mentioned the crime and drive-

debate, as Olmsted envisioned.

see the sunset is not big enough, and more people should be given the opportunity to the

and fireworks. There is an opportunity to hold more events in the park, with increased safety

waterfront views. Hotaling Drive segments the park along its horizontal axis, and many people

measures. The reason that the firework festival is not put on at Riverside anymore was because

do not want to cross a street in the middle of a park to see the Rock Garden, pavilions and other

of a fight during the last event, approximately 5 years ago (Reviews of the Public Park, 2019).

activities the park has an opportunity to connect. Riverside Park also has potential to connect

This kind of problem should not keep an entire festival from being put on each year, and if there

back into the Olmstead Parks through parkways.

were more security and police patrolling the event, they could have stopped it before it got out of control and put the community in danger.

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in the park, except the ones that used to be held, but are not hosted anymore, such as the festivals

Bringing back old events and festivities with increased safety, unity, and awareness measures will give Riverside a better chance of attracting more people, and making the park

The kids have the playground, the teenagers have the sports fields, but what does the

vibrant again, like it used to be. The Rock Garden could be enhanced by adding the 1899

adult age group have? This is an important question because it can bring more people into the

minnow pools back, as they used to be there for watershed purposes, bees and ecosystems,

park and have them stay longer if parents have something to do besides waiting for their kids’

children, and the natural beauty of the landscape (Figure 15).

sports practice to end. Parks need to act as a gathering point for all age groups, and Riverside has Company Name

a lot of potential for a unifying node for people to enter and exit from. Nodes, in this context are defined as places people can enter and exit from in one common area (Gehl, 2010). Riverside has

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many places people park, walk, or bike across for park access, but no space in the park is a single, unifying area where people can enter to gather and exit from. According to Gehl, usually a landmark is in the center of a node; this is opportunistic to Riverside, with all its historical landmarks and statues. A common meeting point to enter the park with other people would encourage people to use the park, and bring back and enunciate the history of Riverside. There are statues, gardens, and a lighthouse to serve as a visible entry point.

Another aspect of the park that has been divided and segmented from the park’s attractiveness is the waterfront. The Interstate 190 and the New York 266 Highway cut off park users from the waterfront and the adjacent bike path. This is opportunistic to a park named

The amount of open space was proven to be important to members of the community

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through the survey collection, and this gives ample opportunity space for more activities geared

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“Riverside” Park because the tiny pedestrian bridge that allows access to fish, look at the water,

friends, exercise themselves, and more if they had more places to sit, and a place for equipment.

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toward the adult age group. While they wait for their kids at sports practice, they could meet with

Data Analysis and Collection Demographics: Statistics on Particular Groups at Riverside

With the safety improvements enacted, a possibility of more benches and covered seating areas can be possible, perhaps with a small coffee shop or book collection connected to the relaxing area. Olmsted wanted more democratic conversations, and there is plenty of space to add seating clusters to do so. There are many exercise related activities observed, but not a lot of relaxing places to give people the opportunity to relax in the park. This is why Riverside has a chance and

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opportunities to be a vibrant park again.

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Everyone has access to Riverside Park, however, it is safe to assume that the primary

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users of the park will be the populations (Census tracts 57, 58.01, 58.02, 84) near the park. The total population of these surrounding communities is 13,691 (Figure 18), and the high amount of

46

traffic and population in comparison with neighboring communities is higher than average (Figure 17). The population is spread out fairly evenly in terms of age, meaning Riverside Park should have activities that appeal to all age groups, and not just facilities for activities that require a high level of physical demand. Seeing as the park already has an abundance of sport fields, some additions that can appeal to adult populations would be needed, according to the research. It has been shown that when people have increased interactions with nature and increased physical activity, their mental health and cognitive functions can improve greatly (The

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Importance of Nature in Older Populations, 2016).

The disability rate in the surrounding Riverside Park populations is surprisingly high,

twenty-four is severely lacking in college educated youth. To help those who could not pursue a

especially when considering that the total population is 13,691 (Figure 21). The two primary

college education, or even finish high school, Riverside Park can hold a job fair to help those

disabilities affecting most of the community is difficulty hearing and seeing, or ambulatory

find careers who do not have a college education, thus bringing back past festivals and enhancing

(difficulty walking) related; as such, the park should enact more relaxing activities in the park,

them for community needs to the park. Looking at the education attainment for those who are

and not just exercise related structures. The research shows that the adult age group has the least

twenty-five years old and up, more of the population is advanced in their continuing education,

amount of infrastructure, and they have the age group with the most disabilities, thus showing a

but many have not completed high school (Figures 19 & 20), and all age groups could also

higher need at Riverside for relaxing activities and infrastructure, such as places to sit and talk in

benefit from such job fairs and festivals brought back in the park. However, since older

clusters of seating, as Olmsted wanted for democratic debate between many diverse people.

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The surrounding Riverside Park education attainment for the population ages eighteen to

populations are more likely to already have a career in place, another program that can be offered is a community outreach program to help older populations earn college degrees through methods other than the traditional 4 year program. Thus, the demographics of education Company Name

attainment show that there are social and communal problems with education that must be addressed, outside of park planning.

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popular, their response was simply the increasing violence/crime in the area made it so that the

Riverside are higher

park is no longer safe for people to use recreationally. They said they began to notice changes in

than Buffalo as a

the parks attendees in the past four to six years; before the situation got too dangerous, Justin

whole (Figure 22 & 23), and it has been proven that neighborhoods with high levels of poverty are much more likely to need physical activity infrastructure (Cohen, et. al., 2017). As shown in Figure 24, the average house/condo value in Riverside is far less compared to the house/condo

talked about the football, basketball, and baseball tournaments the Boys and Girls Club would set

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just him and his friends using the fields. When asked about what caused the park to become less

Poverty levels in

up at the park, but unfortunately stopped interacting and having events at the park. According to Census Data, the crime rates are shown to be much higher than the US average (Figure 26).

values in the rest of New York; this shows that the community has need for aspects that raise their property values and renter contracts, such as reconnecting to the waterfront, as waterfront housing can make property more desirable. Programs that have been proven to combat this include having free classes that promote physical activity, such as Central Park’s (an Olmsted

Despite this, both Jason and Justin said the park is still very well maintained, minus the

Park) activities such as yoga (Figure 35). Another program that has had success in the past is

would go to another park if available, and when they replied no they continued to say that despite

activity within the community, but also visits to the park (Cohen, et. al., 2017).

Riverside Park is open to the public, however, the park is being used primarily by either residents who live in the immediate vicinity of the park and do not have the means to go to other

everything that has been going on, that this is still their neighborhood. This shows the strong

Company Name

geese that would cover the sidewalks and pathways with droppings. They were asked if they

offering a reward for those who frequent the park most, which not only increases physical

48

community ties and opportunity the park has to be great again.

parks, or those who only visit the park twice a week to use the ice skating rink for their hockey practice. When observing the park, interviews a handful of the neighborhood teenagers, who at the time were using the park’s football field, were conducted. Two of the teenagers interviewed, Justin and Jason, said they only lived 4-6 blocks away from the park, and usually come once a

waiting inside the ice-skating rink for their children to finish up their hockey practice at the Bud

week to use the parks basketball courts and football fields with the rest of their friends. Jason said he liked how the park has become more deserted in recent years because it allowed for him to do whatever he desires without having to wait for others or have others interfere with his

Bakewell Ice Rink. There is a higher population of single mothers in Buffalo displays the need for children’s activities with adults (Figure 24). Lisa and Susan were 2 mothers interviewed who

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were sitting separately, as the seating was not set up in conversational arrangements, showing a

activities. On the other hand, Justin said he misses when the park was full of life and it was not

Riverside Park Mini-Master Plan 2019

Another group of people interviewed were the adult age group as mothers who were

thirty-five to forty minutes away by car, awhile Susan said she only lives five to ten minutes

The main goals of this Mini-Master Plan of Riverside Park are to improve public safety,

away. Both of them seemed to be very disinterested in the park as a whole, and said they only

unify the segmented park by connecting it with its people, its own features, and the surrounding

came here for their children’s hockey practice twice a week. They did not have anything they

Parkways of Buffalo, increase awareness, reclaim the park’s original activities and features that

particularly liked about the park due to this. The one piece of feedback they did offer about the

made it great in the past, and add more activities and built environment for the adult age group.

park was how more parking needed to be added. This shows a need for more adult age group

Architect Company Template | 99

Recommendations Past Funding and Budgeting

need for more seating for relaxing in the park, and not just exercise. Lisa said she lives roughly

Riverside Park is already undergoing a transformation and restoration as part of the 5

activities and seating for conversation, a place to congregate, and an addition for exercise

Year Plan for Olmsted Parks in Buffalo by the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. This

equipment, so a workout is possible while their children also exercise.

upcoming plan of 2020-2024 has been made possible by state awarded grants to remove and replant trees in the Olmstead Parks, (Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, n.d.), UB School of Architecture and Planning, UB Regional Institute, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo,

organization partnership that works to improve Buffalo. Plan for the 21st Century (2008 — 2018) states that the cost of Riverside Park racked up a total capital investment of $2,522,525, as shown in Figure 28.

Company Name

and partnering with Mayor Byron W. Brown. This is a not-for-profit, independent community

49

The overall race of surrounding Riverside neighborhoods is white, but also has a black and Asian population (Figure 27). This diverse neighborhood has a need for a democratic space to discuss politics and neighborhood issues, as Olmsted would have wanted for the people, to

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improve their happiness, as in “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

funds are stated to have been used specifically for a new playground structure, enhancing the public restrooms, concession shelter building, baseball field, 11 park benches, 5 picnic tables, in the past decade. Through a 2015 grant received by the conservancy, 2,300 linear feet of

Safety The top priority improvements recommended are based on concerns with public safety.

pathways were constructed, creating a new circulation loop to the park entrance gateway at

The demographics show that many single mothers live in the area and public opinion has

Crowley Avenue and Niagara Street, which strengthened the connection to the nearby George

expressed concerns about homeless people, drugs and gang activity. Therefore, the proposal

Washington Park. Granite curb parking was designed to function a rain-garden to lessen the

recommended is for more security and officers to be present in the park with temporary police

wetness of the area, while paying

building as a base, and an area for the substation can be viewed in Figure 30. Riverside is in

tribute to Olmsted’s minnow ponds,

District D of the Buffalo police section, but the nearest Buffalo police station is more than 15

with the Rock Garden in the same

minutes away from the park by car. More lighting on the south end of the park could improve

spots, installed in 2014. The Niagara

visibility and safety as well.

River Overlook Enhancement was constructed as part of the 1997

Canalside, within the past 5 years. Mayor Byron Brown of Buffalo used $21 million of state

Riverside Park Master Plan. The

funds to improve many aspects of the downtown infrastructure in Buffalo, including making a

current 2020-2024 plan wants to redo

temporary police substation on the corner of Marine Dr. and Hanover St. A fair estimate based

the football and baseball field (The

on the funds for Riverside would be a range from 500,000 to 2 million to put a substation or a

Olmsted City 5 Year Plan, 2019).

few officers patrolling the park daily, from state/government funds.

A pie chart showing how the city of Buffalo received money to update Olmsted Parks in the past

Company Name

A good close-to-home example of improved safety in a public outdoor space is

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Improvements for Proposed Mini-Master Plan & Former Case Studies as Examples

This is a fairly sized amount of budgeted money, earmarked for individual Olmsted Parks. The

50

From a case study published by Environment and Behavior, there is a concerning

is shown in Figure 29. Most of the funding (65%) is from state grants from the government, and

relationship between low-income populations and lack of physical activities. There are two

the Olmsted Foundation provides 25%, and non-profit organizations fill in the remaining 10%

aspects mentioned in the article that had hindered people taking advantage of good parks in

(Figure 29). This knowledge of funding can help our Mini-Master plan budget funds by

Kansas City, Missouri. One is the social interactions happening at the park and the other is the

predicting how much the plans will cost, and who can pay for them.

physical structure of the park itself. In this case there are plenty of parks, but less qualitative

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equipment and activities. Safety concerns are expressed in five main themes: violence,

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Unity

concerning behavior, lack of maintenance, lack of lighting, and traffic /busy roads. Safety was concluded in this case study to be a key factor of a decrease in park related physical activities and showed that there are more visits if a park is perceived as safe (Groshong, 2018). Fear is a constraint for women and adults and as the demographic research shows, many single mothers with children live in the area with these fears of safety. The bottom line is that people would feel safe when then see other friendly people, such as dog walkers, someone pushing a baby stroller, people who are conversational, security officers, and park staff. Signs that show park rules,

Company Name

opening/closing times would also give a sense of security.

51 Unity of Riverside Park can be accomplished on many levels: by making nodes (designated entryways) for unifying one, clear entry point (point 1 by the lighthouse in Figure 31), unifying the North and South side of the park by taking out Hotaling Drive (point 2 in Figure 31), establishing a police substation to increase safety and lessen crime (point 3 in Figure 31), unifying the park and the waterfront of Niagara River by rerouting the roads and connecting directly to the bike path (point 4 in Figure 31). On a broader scale, unifying the Olmsted Parkways by adding more parkways along Buffalo roads and reconnecting with the community history by showcasing more nature and less big box stores (Figure 32). If you recall from the history section, the parks and parkways were to be set up to display the character of that area, as

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Olmsted designed. On a smaller scale, unity can be achieved through the addition of more

Buffalo’s streets to take out the highways along the Niagara River, and give the waterfront back

chance to do in his parks.

to the people and the park would probably estimate to about 2 million, most likely paid for my

Company Name

state funded grants.

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clustered seating for talking and discussing world affairs, as Olmsted wanted people to have a

52

Bring back the Past Many aspects of Olmsted’s vision and time have been brought back or paid tribute to recently. The rock garden paying homage to the minnow ponds, the lighthouse being re-lit, and landscape portraits being re-imagined are recent examples. But based on the research, people want more activities like fireworks, festivals, boys and girls club tournaments, and waterfront access. An example of this would be New York City’s renovation project to Macneil Park in

from Buffalo (Figure 33). In an article titled. “Don’t think Buffalo can Remove a Highway?

College Point’s access to the waterfront (Figure 34). This NYC Park cost $5.4 million to

Rochester Did,” $21 million was used from state funding in order to develop many parts of their

renovate, so that would be a good estimated cost of bringing back old systems, paid for by

downtown, similar to Buffalo. Based on this example, a good estimated cost for re-routing

sponsors to the park such as the sponsors of the Olmsted Foundation and non-profit

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An example of this unification is Rochester’s downtown, which is only a few hours away

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organizations that are enacting the 2020-2024 plan of Olmsted Parks, presently (The Olmsted 5 Year Plan, 2019).

According to the 2008 case study about natural resource amenities, rural and biologically rich, diverse, water amenities, and other man-modified natural and recreational attractions is very attractive to adult and senior age groups. Economically speaking, those who are physically and financially healthy are a desired group of the population among city residents. This study revealed that adult, senior, and retired people’s migration often brings great economic development to the region they permanent migrated to (Poudyal, 2008). Having this knowledge, Riverside Park is a candidate for attracting more adults and seniors back into the neighborhood, as the demographic section revealed not many seniors live there. Most of the infrastructure at Riverside Park caters to sports such as baseball, football, basketball, swimming, and playground

Adult Age Group Focus

seating clusters and conversation. Looking back at some of Olmsted’s original designs of the

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As many parents drop off their children for sports practice, they really have nothing to do

park, there was a small retention pond that was converted to a Rock Garden, more seating, and

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activity for children and teenagers, but not relaxing or less intense activities with a focus on

more festivals and picnics. Restoring the old park features would enable more adults and people

while their kids exercise. This is the age group with the least amount of infrastructure designed

with disabilities to participate in park activities, as well.

for them, but could really use a lot more planning. More places to talk, as Olmsted wanted, for a democratic space for open debates and discussions would encourage more adults to stay in the park and not just drop off kids or walk through to go to another place. Perhaps more indoor seating within the Bud Bakewell Ice Rink, exercise equipment for adults, more relaxing seating, and books for reading could really help invite people back to the park again, and enjoy themselves, rather than just treating the park as a waiting room. A good example of this is another Olmsted Park, Central Park in New York City. On their website, as shown in Figure 35,

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hundreds of activities and events take place every month, started mostly by not-for-profit groups,

would attract city dwellers, tourists, and city planners. Noting that the biggest cities of India only

other fun things. Perhaps in Buffalo a job fair to help with the income in the neighborhood,

accounted for 12% of tourist, and 32% of Chandigarh tourist coming from surrounding cities are

daycare for single mothers located in the park, fishing events, chess/checkers tables like New

more interested to move out. Estimation of urban park benefits are often underestimated.

York City, biking, specific seating for fireworks or to watch the sunset, and other ideas to invite

Participants were asked for the percentage of Chandigarh’s greenery was responsible for

people to be active in the park and neighboring businesses would be good for the community.

attracting tourism. They were presented with multiple choice of 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%. Out of

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scheduling meet-ups for group exercise, yoga, festivals, walks dedicated to certain trees, and

904 participants, 89% of them think greenery is responsible for 75% of tourism attraction. 76% tourists think the green cover have been continuously improving over the last 15-20 years.

Another interesting fact is that 92% of visitors would not visit nature reserves, if there was a park nearby instead, but the biggest factor was that they do not know where the parks are. So this brings the importance of advertising, making features known to users. Riverside Park should have its own park map, brochure, and signs around the edges of the park to let people know

thing is that most tourists come to cities for urban parks and gardens rather than nature reserves, showing the priority parks take in people’s daily lives. This makes sense because urban planning

Company Name

what is available, not within a pamphlet about all Olmsted Parks, as they do now. The second 54

uses art and research to determine what goes into parks are what represents a city or neighborhood, such as Riverside in Buffalo (Chaudhry, 2010).

Awareness Bringing back past events ties in with the idea of awareness, and how flyers, pamphlets,

The sum of recommendations is carefully constructed to bring back the legacy of

and online scheduling can really promote and change a part of a city. Central Park does this on their website and around the local residential districts (Figure 35). The cost would be lower than

Olmsted Parks, embrace public input, synchronize demographic data and analysis, and combine research and other case studies into the recommended Mini-Master Plan for Riverside Park. The

$100,000 depending on if Buffalo had a specific design team they needed to pay to design and

purpose of a mini-master plan is to focus on a single area, such as a park, for developing

In a case study about tourists, and what attracts more people to a certain area, the authors

planning in that specific area; Riverside must be looked at through a broader view of the connecting parks and parkways of Olmsted, in order to bring together the connecting city as it

used the example of the famous Nek Chand’s Rock Garden to show that well maintained parks

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distribute flyers, or if not-for-profit organizations worked for Olmsted Park promotion.

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Concluding Analysis of Mini-Master Plan for Riverside Park

based on the park location to the Niagara River. Physical and relaxing activities are both needed

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feel connected to Riverside’s history, and love the park, which gives potential and opportunities

Appendix

Interviews Questions for interviewees:

for all age groups, and more clusters of seating are needed for democratic discussions, as

1.) How far away do you live from the Riverside Park?

Olmsted originally hoped for, by the people who would use his parks. All are welcome to this

2.) How often do you visit Riverside Park? (Frequently, Sometimes, Rarely, Never)

public park, and increased police and safety patrols would lift the burden of worry from many

3.) What do you enjoy about riverside and what activities do you participate in?

mother’s shoulders, who are hesitant to bring their children to Riverside Park at the present time.

4.) General Upkeep and Maintenance? (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)

In turn, many public events would make an easier comeback with increased safety, and

5.) Do you attend public events in the park? Which ones?

awareness and promotion of events around Riverside would encourage more people to

Responses:

experience the park. The hope with this plan is for Riverside to join together with its waterfront,

Hockey Rink, Adult, White, Female: Lisa 1. 35 minutes 2. 2x a week (just for hockey) 3. No other activities in the park, only in building 4. Old rink, outside nice, needs update, expansion 5. Just skating Bonus response: Riverside is accomodating, open space is important, but nothing for her

its community, and reconnect with Buffalo as part of an Olmsted Park and Parkway system.

Hockey Rink, Adult, White, Female at table: Susan 1. 3 miles (5 to 10 minutes) 2. Sometimes 3. Just hockey 4. More parking 5. Important, but nothing for her except come her for hockey

Company Name

was intended, on a larger pattern of connectivity. The people in the surrounding communities

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Football field, teen, POC, male: Jason 1. Not far, 2 blocks 2. Whenever he has time to 3. He likes that its empty and no one usually comes 4. Well kept except for the geese poop 5. Football, basketball, and baseball tournaments Bonus response: Field used to be more popular until people started moving away due to danger, and better neighborhoods

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Football field, teen, POC, male: Justin 1. 4 blocks away 2. Once in a while 3. Basketball and football 4. Park is well maintained and clean 5. The boys and girls club have 3 on 3 tournaments Bonus response: people who were in charge of the tournaments started being less active and thus the park died out [Fortunato, F., Leber, C., Tantawy, O., Zhang, H. (2019).]

User Survey for Riverside Park.

Digital Map 3. Riverside Park Scattered Benches. Data Source: Google.com/maps (n.d.).

Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Riverside,+Buffalo,+NY+14207/@42.9557769,78.908255,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89d36cc63bce4295:0xc5102fbb4ab873c6!8m2!3d42.9561426!4d-78.9033627

Figure 1

Figure 4

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Figures

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Digital Photograph 1. Riverside Park Playground and Recreation Building. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

Figure 2

Frederick Law Olmsted [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aoc.gov/ capitol-grounds/frederick-law-olmsted

Figure 3

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Digital Photograph 2. Riverside Park Scattered Benches. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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Figure 5

Figure 8

Digital Photograph 5. Riverside Park Lighthouse along Tonawanda Street. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

Digital Photograph 8. Riverside Park Indoor Ice Rink. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

Figure 6

Company Name

Figure 9

57 Digital Photograph 6. Riverside Park Maintenance of Mowed Lawn Space. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

Figure 7

Digital Photograph 9. Irene K. Gardner Pedestrian Bridge across Niagara Street and above the 190. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

Figure 10

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Digital Photograph 7. Riverside Park Football Field with Geese. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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Figure 11

Figure 15

Figure 12

Trendler, A. (2013). Kowsky, Francis R. The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the Buffalo Park System.

Library Journal, 138(17).

Figure 16

Company Name

Figure 13

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Population Density Surrounding Riverside [Map]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.socialexplorer.com/

Figure 14

Figure 17

Figures 10-14: Comment Section. (2019). Reviews [Review of the public park [Title of Reviewed Work]]. Retrieved from Google.com/maps website: https://www.google.com/maps/ place/Riverside+Park/@42.9560873,-78.9108928,17.5z/ data=!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d36cb84b3f4d25:0x14f5afa8dd5e528a!8m2!3d42.9566856!4d-78.9095352!9m1!1b1

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Traffic Proximity and Population of Riverside [Map]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/comparemapper.htm

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Figure 18

Figure 20

Figure 18: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S0101, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.census.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

Figure 20: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1501, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.census.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

Figure 19

Company Name

Figure 21

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Figure 19: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1501, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.census.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

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Figure 21: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1810, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.census.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

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Figure 22

Figure 27

Figure 22: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1701, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.census.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

Figure 23

Figure 27: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S0601, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.census.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

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Figure 28

Figure 24

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Figure 25

Figure 26

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Figures 23-26: City Data. (2017). Chart of Poverty [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Riverside-Buffalo-NY.html

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Figure 29

Figure 31

Figure 32

Company Name

Figures 28-29: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (2019, October). Total Capital Investment [Map]. Retrieved from Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (2019, October).

The Olmsted City 5 Year Plan 2020-2024. Retrieved from Bfloparks.org website: https://www.bfloparks.org/ planning-the-future-of-your-olmsted-parks-5-year-plan/5-year-plan-report/

Figure 30

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Canalside Police Substation [Photograph]. (2016). Retrieved from https://buffalonews.com/2016/07/13/ beefed-up-canalside-security-to-include-police-substation/

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Figures 31-32. Digital Map. Riverside Park and Parkways. Data Source: Google.com/maps (n.d.).

Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Riverside,+Buffalo,+NY+14207/@42.9557769,78.908255,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89d36cc63bce4295:0xc5102fbb4ab873c6!8m2!3d42.9561426!4d-78.9033627

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References

Figure 33

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (n.d.). Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy: Riverside Park. Retrieved from https://www.bfloparks.org/parks/ riverside-park/ Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (2019, October). The Olmsted City 5 Year Plan 2020-2024. Retrieved from Bfloparks.org website: https://www.bfloparks.org/ planning-the-future-of-your-olmsted-parks-5-year-plan/5-year-plan-report/

Cohen, Deborah & Han, Bing & Derose, Kathryn & Williamson, Stephanie & Marsh, Terry & Raaen, Laura & Mckenzie, Thomas. (2017). Promoting physical activity in high-poverty neighborhood parks: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Social Science & Medicine. 186. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.06.001.

Rochester Downtown after Highway Moved [Illustration]. (2018). Retrieved from https://buffalonews.com/2018/07/06/ dont-think-buffalo-can-remove-a-highway-rochester-did/

Comment Section. (2019). Reviews [Review of the public park [Title of Reviewed Work]]. Retrieved from Google.com/maps website: https://www.google.com/maps/ place/Riverside+Park/@42.9560873,-78.9108928,17.5z/ data=!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d36cb84b3f4d25:0x14f5afa8dd5e528a!8m2!3d42.9566856!4d78.9095352!9m1!1b1

Figure 34

Gehl, J. (2010). Cities for people / Jan Gehl. Washington, DC: Island Press.

Four Million Renovation Project Restores Waterfront [Photograph]. (2019).

Retrieved from https://qns.com/story/2019/10/25/ 5-4-million-renovation-project-restores-waterfront-access-to-macneil-park-in-coll ege-point/

Company Name

[Google Map of Riverside Park] [Map]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/maps?q=riverside+park+buffalo&uact=5&um=1&ie=UTF8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwibi6qy09nlAhVSwVkKHX3wDpgQ_AUIFCgD

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PBS. (Summer 2014). Frederick Law Olmstead: Designing America [Video file].

Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/show/ frederick-law-olmsted-designing-america/

Figure 35

Riverside neighborhood in Buffalo, NY 14207, 14216 detailed profile. (2017).

Retrieved from City-data.com website: http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/ Riverside-Buffalo-NY.html Riverside Park's Reuben "Bud" Bakewell Ice Rink. (n.d.). Retrieved from: Haseksheroes.org website: https://haseksheroes.org/facilities/ riverside-park/

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Central Park Webpage of Attractions [Image]. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/attractions

Company Name

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1

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Riverside Park Mini Master Plan City of Buffalo

Presentation

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Felicia Fortunato Cameron Leber Omar Tantawy

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Cameron: Title Slide Good morning and thank you all for coming.

Name Slide My name is Cameron and beside me are my group members Huiyuan, Felicia and Omar

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Presentation

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Company Name

Company Name

Huiyuan Zhang

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Table of Contents Context History Observations Conditions, Challenges, Opportunities Demographics Recommendations

Concluding Analysis Riverside Park Mini Master Plan Fall 2019

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Table of Contents Slide Context, History, Observations of Conditions, Challenges, Opportunities, Demographics, Recommendations with Funds, Past Finance, Safety, Unity, Past, Adults, Awareness, and the Concluding Analysis

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Safety, Unity, Past, Adults, Awareness

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Funds, Past Finance

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Context -22 Acres of Land Along the Niagara River in Buffalo

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Presentation

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Digital Map 3. Riverside Park Scattered Benches. Data Source: Google.com/maps (n.d.).

Company Name

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Context

Digital Photograph 8. Riverside Park Indoor Ice Rink. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

Company Name

Company Name

Digital Photograph 1. Riverside Park Basketball Court and Trees. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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. -Riverside park features Bud Bakewell • -2014-Rock Garden was Ice Rink, River Rock Garden, trees, sports signed to pay tribute to fields, lighthouse original minnow ponds -2008-2018-Buffalo Plan for the 21st help with ground runoff Century installed a new playground structure, concession shelter building, flooding problems baseball field, 11 park benches, 5 picnic tables, and enhanced the public restrooms in the past decade

dethe and and

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Context

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-2015- 2,300 linear feet of pathways were constructed, creating a new circulation loop to the park entrance gateway at Crowley Avenue and Niagara Street, which strengthened the connection & unity to the nearby George Washington Park

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• -The current plan is The Olmsted City 5 Year Plan 2020-2024 & wants to redo the football and baseball fields for Riverside Park

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Digital Photograph 11. Riverside Park Pavilion. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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Context

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Digital Photograph 5. Riverside Park Lighthouse along Tonawanda Street. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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-Riverside Park was designed in the years • -The goal of his parks was to 1898 – 1899 by Fredrick Law Olmsted’s sons connect people to nature and and successors, as part of the Olmstead have a space to meet and have Architectural Firm, after Fredrick’s healthy, democratic debate. retirement in 1895.

-Part of the Olmsted Parkway System in • Now i will turn the floor over to Buffalo Huiyuan - Olmsted created specific viewports, or “landscape portraits”

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Architect Company Template | 138 Company Name

History

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Huiyuan.

We visited the Riverside park on October, Wednesday, 5:00pm, with cold sprinkles.

However, there were about twenty people present. We can say that the people like this park.

The park has multiple entries, and has a good maintenance. The picture on the left is the main entrance of Riverside Park.

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• This picture on the right is the entrance of another park at Long Island. It has a lot of rules listed.

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Digital Photograph: Avalon Park Sign Photographer: Margaret Hovestadt Source: Google Reviews

Digital Photograph 13 . Riverside Park Sign.

Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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Observations

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Digital Photograph 7. Riverside Park Football Field with Geese. Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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Digital Photograph 1. Riverside Park Playground and Recreation Building.

Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

We observed a lot of teenagers playing sports, most having their parents and guardians as spectators.

One Google reviewer commented on Riverside Park ‘do something about the ducks, before you stepping on something.

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• we did observe poor lighting at the southern side of the park, where the playground is located.

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Observations

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Architect Company Template | 145 Digital Map 15. Riverside Park Satellite Image. Data Source: Google.com/maps (n.d.).

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Digital Photograph 9. Irene K. Gardner Pedestrian Bridge across Niagara Street and above the 190.

Data Source: Apple iPhone Camera.

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Another thing with Riverside park was that • Where can you find a safe place at the waterfront is obstructed by highways.

2am at Buffalo? According to one of Riverside park has a natural advantage in my GIS professor, it’s 2 miles radius wayfinding. But As a first-time visitor to away from donut shop this park, wayfinding was a little difficult.

We can also see from the satellite image • this park and its surrounding is mostthat Riverside park consists mostly about ly on curfew after 11pm. That was our sports field. It lacks leisure activities. observation on Wednesday evening We can see that business surrounding this park are all local-owned.

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Challenges

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Omar Demographics - slide 11 -There is a large density of people in the Riverside area, with the total populations of these surroundings communities, which includes census tracts 57, 58.01, 58.02, and 84, being 13,691. The amount of traffic and population in comparison with neighboring communities is higher than average. (Socialexplorer.com)

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Architect Company Template | 147 Population Density Surrounding Riverside [Map]. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.socialexplorer.co m/

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Demographics

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. Demographics - slide 12 • According to our park user sur-The population is spread out fairly evenly veys, many parents were waitin terms of age, meaning Riverside Park should have activities that appeal to all age ing for their kids inside the ice rink, because there are not groups, and not just facilities for activities that require a high level of physical many adult activities to draw demand and are generally catered to them to use the park themyounger populations selves. (Factfinder.census.gov)

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Architect Company Template | 149 Figure 18: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S0101, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.census. gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

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Demographics - slide 13 -With low educational attainment, Riverside Park can hold a job fair to help those who do not have a college education find careers. (Factfinder.census.gov)

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Architect Company Template | 151 Figure 19: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1501, generated

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Demographics - slide 14 - However, since older populations are more likely to already have a career in place, another program that can be offered is a community outreach program to help older populations earn college degrees through methods other than the traditional 4 year program. (Factfinder. census.gov)

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Architect Company Template | 153 Figure 20: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1501, generated

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Demographics - slide 15 - The overall race of surrounding Riverside neighborhoods is white, but also has a black and Asian population.(Factfinder. census.gov) This diverse neighborhood has a need for a democratic space to discuss politics and neighborhood issues, as Olmsted would have wanted for the people,

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to improve their happiness, as in “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.�

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Riverside Park Mini Master Plan Fall 2019

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Architect Company Template | 155 Figure 27: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.

Table S0601, generated by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.ce nsus.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

Company Name

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Demographics

Company Name

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Riverside Park Mini Master Plan Fall 2019

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. Demographics - slide 16 -Poverty levels in Riverside are higher than Buffalo as a whole, and it has been proven that neighborhoods with high levels of poverty are much more likely to need physical activity infrastructure. (Cohen, 2017)

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Architect Company Template | 157 Figure 22: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Table S1701, generated

by Omar Tantawy using census lookup, https://factfinder.c ensus.gov (data retrieved on November 4, 2019)

Company Name

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Company Name

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Felicia: Recommendations -Here is a map of our recommendations, which we will go through by number.

-Designated entry point can be the lighthouse landmark, where signs and information can be displayed as people enter the park, increasing awareness -Getting rid of Hotaling Drive would promote safety and unity to Riverside

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Architect Company Template | 159 Digital Map 3. Riverside Park Scattered Benches. Data Source: Google.com/maps (n.d.).

Company Name

Architect Company Template | 158

Recommendations

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Architect Company Template | 160

Recommendations ✓ Improve public safety ✓Unify ✓Increase awareness

Riverside Park Mini Master Plan Fall 2019

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List The goals of our recommendations are to improve public safety, Unify the park, Increase awareness, Reclaim past activities, and incorporate more adult activities and built environment

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Company Name

✓More adult activities and built environment

Company Name

✓Reclaim past activities

Company Name

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Map Here is a map of how Riverside could look after our proposal is implemented. The paths connect without roads or highways and extend directly to the waterfront of the Niagara River, more vegetation is planted, police building for safety, and a direct entrance with informational signs about the park’s features are shown.

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Architect Company Template | 163 Drawn Map 1. Riverside Park Proposal.

Data Source: Google.com/maps (n.d.).

Company Name

Architect Company Template | 162

Recommendations

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Architect Company Template | 164

Past Finance

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Past Finance -The previous 2008-2018 plan states that the cost of Riverside Park was a total capital investment of $2,522,525.

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Company Name

Company Name

Figures 28-29: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (2019, October). Total Capital Investment [Map]. Retrieved from Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (2019, October).

The Olmsted City 5 Year Plan 20202024. Retrieved from Bfloparks.org website: https://www.bfloparks.org/ planning-the-future-of-your-olmstedparks-5-year-plan/5-year-plan-report/

Presentation

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Riverside Park Mini Master Plan Fall 2019

Funds -Riverside Park’s current 2020-2024 plan for Olmsted Parks in Buffalo by the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy has been made possible by state awarded grants, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and nonprofit sponsors.

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Company Name

Company Name

Figures 28-29: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (2019, October). Total Capital Investment [Map]. Retrieved from Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (2019, October).

The Olmsted City 5 Year Plan 2020-2024. Retrieved from Bfloparks.org website: https://www.bfloparks.org/ planning-the-future-of-your-olmsted-parks-5-year-plan/5-year-plan-report/

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• -In an article titled. “Don’t think Buffalo can Remove a Highway? Rochester Did,” $21 million was used from state funding in order to develop many parts of their downtown

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Funds

Company Name

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Riverside Park Mini Master Plan Fall 2019

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-The demographics show that many single • in Buffalo, including making a temmothers live in the area and public opinion porary police substation at Canalside. has expressed concerns about homeless A fair estimate based on the funds for people, drugs and gang activity. Therefore, this would be a range from $500,000 the proposal recommended is for more security and officers to be present in the to 2 million to put a substation or a park with a temporary police substation as few officers patrolling the park daily, a base. from state/government funds.

-Mayor Byron Brown used $21 million of state funds to improve infrastructure

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Architect Company Template | 169 Canalside Police Substation [Photograph]. (2016). Retrieved from https://buffalonews.com/2016/07/1 3/beefed-up-canalside-security-toinclude-police-substation/

Company Name

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Safety

Presentation

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Company Name

Company Name

Rochester Downtown after Highway Moved [Illustration]. (2018). Retrieved from https://buffalonews.com/2018/07/06/ dont-think-buffalo-can-remove-ahighway-rochesterdid/https://qns.com/story/2019/10/25/54-million-renovation-project-restoreswaterfront-access-to-macneil-park-incollege-point/

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Based on this example, a good estimated cost for re-routing Buffalo’s streets to take out the roads along the Niagara River, and give the waterfront back to the people and the park, would probably estimate to about 2 million, most likely paid for by state funded grants.

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Architect Company Template | 170

Unity

Company Name

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Based on the research, people want more activities like fireworks, festivals, boys and girls club tournaments, and waterfront access. An example of this would be New York City’s renovation project to Macneil Park, which cost $5.4 million to renovate, to bring back the waterfront. Riverside could accomplish this with sponsors of the Olmsted Foundation and non-profit organizations.

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Architect Company Template | 173 Four Million Renovation Project Restores Waterfront [Photograph].

(2019).

Company Name

Architect Company Template | 172

Bring Back the Past

Architect Company Template | 175

Architect Company Template | 174

Adult Age Group Focus

Central Park Webpage of Attractions [Image].

(2019). Retrieved from

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Adult -Central Park features many adult activities on their webpage.

-To encourage more adults to stay in the park, perhaps more indoor seating within the Bud Bakewell Ice Rink, exercise equipment for adults, more relaxing seating, and books for reading could really help invite adults back to the park again.

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Company Name

https://www.centralpark. com/things-todo/attractions

Architect Company Template | 177

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Awareness

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Awareness -Riverside Park does not feature any activities on their webpage; their calendar is blank -Bringing back past events ties in with the idea of awareness, and how flyers, pamphlets, and online scheduling can really promote and change a part of a city.

Riverside Park’s webpage does not have events like Central Park.

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The cost would be lower than $100,000 by nonprofit organizations, most likely.

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Company Name

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. (n.d.). Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy: Riverside Park. Retrieved from https://www.bfloparks.org/parks/ riverside-park/

Architect Company Template | 179

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Conclusions Long term solutions ✓ Safety ✓ Unity

Company Name

✓ Awareness ✓ Reclaim the Past ✓ Adult Age Group Focus

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Cameron -To conclude our presentation, I am going to run back through the long-term and short-term goals of our Mini-Master Plan.

The Long-term goals are to improve public safety, and to unify the park by reconnecting it back to its neighborhood and waterfront. The short-term goals are to increase awareness of park events and activities, reclaim some of the park’s

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• original features that made it great in the past, and lastly add more activities and features to draw in older age groups.

• Thank you all for your time.

Now we will open up the floor for questions.

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Riverside Park Mini Master Plan Fall 2019

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Company Name

Short term solutions

Felicia Fortunado

Cameron Leber

Omar Tantawy

Huiyuan Zhang

Architect Company Template | 181

Architect Company Template | 180

University at Buffalo

Riverside Park Mini-Master Plan

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Life Large density of population,13,691; high traffic. Population spread out fairly evenly in age; should have activities appealing to all ages, and not just facilities that require a high physical demand.

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Liberty Low educational attainment; should hold fairs to improve education and career. Overall race is white, with black and Asian population. Higher crime rates deter mothers from bringing their children to park.

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Pursuit of Happiness High poverty levels; population with high levels of poverty are in need of more physical activity infrastructure.

Rent in Riverside is lowest in Buffalo; reconnecting to waterfront can make property more desirable.

Recommendation

G

oals are to improve public safety, Unify the park, increase awareness, reclaim past activities, and incorporate more adult activities and built environment. Paths connect without roads or highways and extend directly to the waterfront of the Niagara River, more vegetation is planted, police building for safety, and a direct entrance with informational signs about the park’s features are shown. Demographics show that many single mothers live in the area and public opinion has expressed concerns about homeless people, drugs and gang activity. Therefore, the proposal recommended is for more security and officers to be present in the park with a temporary police substation as a base.

Company Name

Analysis

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Riverside Park does not feature any activities on their webpage; their calendar is blank.

Flyers, pamphlets, and online scheduling can really promote and change a part of a city.

To encourage adults to stay in the park, more indoor seating in Bud Bakewell Ice Rink, exercise equipment and books could invite adults back to the park again.

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy has been made possible by state awarded grants, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and nonprofit sponsors.

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Company Name

esigned 1898–1899 by Fredrick Law Olmsted’s sons, park is part of the Buffalo Parkway System. Olmsted created specific “landscape portraits,”; goal was to connect people to nature and democracy. It is 22 acres of land along the Niagara River. Park features Bud Bakewell Ice Rink, River Rock Garden, trees, sports fields, lighthouse. 2008-2018-Buffalo Plan installed playground, concession shelter building, baseball field, benches, picnic tables. 2014-Rock Garden designed to pay tribute to the original minnow ponds and to ground runoffs. 2015-2,300 feet of pathways created a new circulation loop and strengthened the connection with nearby George Washington Park.

Architect Company Template | 183

Architect Company Template | 182

Riverside Park , Buffalo

Riverside Park , Buffalo

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

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Riverside Park , Buffalo

Riverside Park , Buffalo

Riverside Park , Buffalo

Population Percentage Growth

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2010-17

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Company Name

Riverside Park, Buffalo

Company Name

Riverside Park , Buffalo

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Architect Company Template | 184

Age Distribution, Frisco City

Race Percentage, Frisco City

Digital Image retrieved from Dallasnews.com

Digital Image retrieved from Dallasnews.com

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

2010-17

2010-17

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Syracuse's "Segregation" Map

Syracuse

Race Percentage, Syracuse

Age Distribution, Syracuse

Digital Image retrieved from specialsyracuse.com

Digital image retrieved from syracuse.com

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

2010-17

2010-17

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Company Name

Frisco City

Company Name

Frisco City's New Plan

Architect Company Template | 187

Architect Company Template | 186

Mode of Transportation, Frisco City

Unemployment Rate, Frisco City

Education Attainment, Frisco City

Riverside Park , Buffalo

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Data from US Department of Labor Unemployment by city

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

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Mode of Transportation, Syracuse

Unemployment Rate, Syracuse

Education Attainment, Syracuse

Lee Rd Roundabout

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Data from US Department of Labor Unemployment by city

Data from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Digital Image shot by Jake Wozniak

2010-17

2010-17

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Company Name

2010-17

Company Name

2010-17

Architect Company Template | 189

Architect Company Template | 188

Roundabout Traffic Count

Digital Image shot by Jake Wozniak

Traffic Count Screenshot from GBNRTC

Traffic Count Screenshot from GBNRTC

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Roundabout Pesestrian Crossing

Intersection Pesestrian Crossing

Riverside Park , Buffalo

Bicycle Trail Screenshiop from GBNRTC

Bicycle Trail Screenshiop from GBNRTC

Digital image shot by Omar Tantawy

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Intersection Traffic Count

Company Name

Millersport Hwy Intersection

Luna, Nicole. Frisco Planning and Zoning Oks Residential Use in Hall Park https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/city-county/2019/01/09/ frisco-planning-and-zoning-ok-residential-use-in-hall-park/

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Monsivais, Lindsey. Frisco To Reconsider Whether Some Developments Can Use Turf https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/frisco/citycounty/2019/03/19/frisco-to-reconsider-whether-some-developmentscan-use-turf/ Grigsby, Sharon. Frisco City Hall Is Facing Something New: Residents Who Say 'we've Seen Enough' https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/03/13/friscocity-hall-is-facing-something-new-residents-who-say-we-ve-seenenough/

Moriarty, Rick. Neighbors Fighting Proposed Syracuse Apartments For Poor Families https://www.syracuse.com/news/2019/07/neighbors-fighting-proposedsyracuse-apartments-for-poor-families.html Moriarty, Rick. Syracuse Board Ok's Low-income Apartments Opposed

By Neighbors https://www.syracuse.com/news/2019/08/syracuse-board-oks-lowincome-apartments-opposed-by-neighbors.html

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Brown, Steven. First Look: Frisco's 2,500-acre Fields Development Will Have a New City Center and Thousands of Homes https://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2019/06/24/first-lookfrisco-s-2500-acre-fields-development-will-have-a-new-city-centerand-thousands-of-homes/

Doran, Elizabeth. Town of Manlius Rejects Zoning Change Needed For Wellington House Shopping Plaza https://www.syracuse.com/news/2019/04/town-says-no-to-wellingtonhouse-proposal-denies-zone-change.html

2015 Frisco City Comprehensive Plan https://www.friscotexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4926/2015Comprehensive-Plan-PDF?bidId= Excel Data from US Census Bureau (American Fact Finder), Dept. of Labor Images from Dallas news.com, Special Syracuse.com, Syracuse.com Maps and Data. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gbnrtc.org/maps.

Company Name

Reference

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Roark, Chris. Frisco To Allow Rental of Guest Houses, Garage Apartments https://starlocalmedia.com/friscoenterprise/news/frisco-to-allow-rentalof-guest-houses-garage-apartments/article_585473a0-cf2f-11e9-bdb9974d1ea8d4df.html

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Kinney, Jim. As Movie Theater Plans Advance, Holyoke Mall Seeks Zoning Change https://www.masslive.com/business/2019/09/as-movie-theater-plansadvance-holyoke-mall-seeks-zoning-change.html Sirwatka, Cooper, Rhodes, Wendy. Hear How Segregation, Redlining Shapes I-81 Debate (commentary) https://www.syracuse.com/opinion/2019/09/hear-how-segregationredlining-shapes-i-81-debate-commentary.html

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Baker, Chris. City Hall Takes Step Towards Cutting Red Tape on Syracuse Building Permits https://www.syracuse.com/news/2019/05/city-hall-takes-step-towardscutting-red-tape-on-syracuse-building-permits.html