Chicago Knee Deep: Making Room for Water Resiliency in Chicago

Chicago Knee Deep

Making Room for Water Resiliency in Chicago University of Illinois at Chicago Master of City Design Spring 2022 Studio

Flooding & the Climate Crisis

The Master of City Design Spring Studio focused on ecological design for cloudburst flooding. Planning for cloudburst events is a new concept, which has typically been addressed through special area plans, systems thinking, and blue-green infrastructural interventions. Some resiliency plans have incorporated ideas related to flash flooding, but the acceptance of cloudburst flooding has become increasingly important as torrential rain events across the globe continue to occur with increased frequency and ferocity. Chicago Knee Deep: A Vision for Water Resiliency reimagines the near southside of Chicago including Grant Park, the Amtrak Rail Yards, The 78 site, Northerly Island, the Museum Campus, and the city’s urban grid to accommodate pluvial, fluvial, and coastal flooding between Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/10/23/20928878/lake-michigan-water-level-waves-erosion-flooding

Cloudburst flooding is caused by sudden, substantial rainfall events that can overwhelm stormwater systems and lead to excess water pooling across a city.

Partially due to Chicago’s unique location on the precipice of two major environmental systems - the Mississippi River watershed and the Great Lakes basin - adverse and extreme precipitation events are expected to increase in coming years. Acknowledging this now is crucial to address concerns for the years ahead. Cook County’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) was commissioned in the 1970’s at a time when climate change’s impact on weather was not fully understood. Creating additional stormwater capacity through sustainable solutions is critical to contend with coming storms.

Cold air at high altitude Clouds increase in size Hot & cold air meet and condensate

Hot air rises

1

Pluvial Flooding

2

Fluvial Flooding

3

Coastal Flooding

Process

Thorough analyses of natural and built environments, discussions professionals, and explorations of sites lead to the founding of fundamental principles that can inform fresh, fluid designs for the future.

Guiding Principles 1. Rethink Urban Surfaces 2. Create hybrid models of soft & hard infrastructure to manage water flows 3. Re-evaluate above & below ground infrastructure 4. Develop a systems approach to climate change planning in Chicago 5. Achieve a better balance between development & ecological restoration 6. Improve urban health and quality of life through innovative interventions The Study Area: Near Southside Chicago 1 Grant Park

Urban Grid

2 Rail Yards & 78

3 Museum Campus

Flood Risk

Water Pooling

Land Cover

Soil Composition

The Straw The Siv

Ridge line Retention Streets Release Streets Stormwater Movement

Grant Park

Forever open, clear, and free eternally. Reimagining the iconic landmark to function as part of both Chicago’s urban systems and ecosystems.

While Grant Park has long been a staple of the Chicago lakefront, its entirely artificial surfaces do not offer the benefits that a naturally occurring landscape would provide. Redeveloping the site as a multi-use space that blends infrastructural, environmental, and cultural needs for the present and the future would help to accommodate water, wildlife, and the wider population.

Status Quo

Loam Sand Blue Clay Bedrock

Re-programming

The Rail Yards & 78

77 is enough. Redeveloping prime land along the Chicago River would improve stormwater capacity for adjacent neighborhoods and communities downstream.

Imagining this site as an area that can transform from vacant land and industrial drab to an ecological environment of water and fauna would do profound good. Introducing wetlands that can soak, store, and filter water while simultaneously preserving historic structures and introducing recreational assets would help to make the area environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable for existing residents and future investors.

Status Quo

Re-programming

Loam Sand Blue Clay Bedrock

Northerly Island & Museum Campus

Melding the logical with the ecological. Reinterpreting a massive site of inefficient structures to introduce combative, green countermeasures and spaces for culture.

Playing host to the largest convention center in North America, multiple museums, and an immense stadium - the Museum Campus, adjacent Northerly Island, and extensive contextual location, occupy massive swaths of lakeside land while contributing nothing to the success of local ecosystems.

Naturalizing these expanses and existing structures, while envisioning new prospects for established systems is vital to reinvigorating the city for centuries to come.

Status Quo

Re-programming

Loam Sand Blue Clay Bedrock

Enabling flow and growth for the future of Chicago.

MCD DIRECTOR Professor Sanjeev Vidyarthi INSTRUCTORS Dr. Sevin Yildiz Philip Enquist TEACHING ASSISTANT Alexandra Pollock STUDIO MEMBERS Chuck Klutho Prayag Bagde Katanya Raby Bridget Barnes Aakash Basantani Yi Zhou Rajani Kotaru Tia Decker