Walkable Communities & Signature Green Space

Essay 18.2

Walkable Communities & Signature Green Space Inviting Public Realms Create Communities

Hines’ Aris Market Square in Downtown Houston

ZIEGLER COOPER

160

Number of Acres at Buffalo Bayou Park

LINEAR PARKS Urban linear parks are hardly a new thing. However, in relation to the cycle of urban development, it is perhaps quite remarkable that, worldwide, more than two dozen major new urban linear parks projects have been created in the last 20 years. In a class of international projects from London to Seoul, one of the most successful is Houston’s Bayou Greenways project.

The 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park, originally created in 1929 is now a vital thread in the fabric which connects downtown to the Galleria and other vibrant, surrounding neighborhoods.

The city plans to further develop this system to provide 20 miles of trails

High-density urban living plugs into the linear park system of Buffalo Bayou

along this major waterway.

THE URBAN FABRIC MASTER WEAVERS

Architects are challenged to design a

beautiful,

safe,

functional,

and

Until recently, the missing element to

creating

a

vibrant,

sustainable

resilient component of the public realm.

downtown

community

was

the

The mass of a building provides shelter

residential

component.

High

rise

and stability, but too often is made

living now brings people to the streets

waterways,

to be a monolithic barrier between

to visit restaurants and

roadways, tunnels, and byways, so it

form and function. In the hands of

local stores outside of the workday.

could be said that a city’s natural and

an experienced architect, the form

Walkable

man-made infrastructure is the warp, or

provides the opportunity to enhance

upon the residents; their activities,

longitudinal thread, of its urban fabric.

the interaction between the street

their eyes, to make the street exciting,

What, then, would be the fabric’s weft

and the building’s ground floor. Well-

interesting and safe every day, not just

- that part which weaves in and out to

designed, this street scene becomes a

during community and public events.

create the texture and character of the

compelling experience for residents,

Linear Parks, like Buffalo Bayou, bind

fabric? A city’s character is influenced

workers and visitors, as at the entrance

communities

greatly by its architecture.

to Aris Market Square, on the cover.

opportunities for urban living.

Our cities have developed around an

infrastructure

2

of

community

and

to shop at is

contingent

create

attractive

AN INVITING PUBLIC REALM Creating a community that works and keeps working for everyone means that an enormous number of willing participants, both private and public, must take hold of a vision and have the will and capital to see it through.

A

sustainable

urban

community

must be people-focused rather than catering

to

automobiles.

Walkable

districts have clearly defined shopping places and provide comfortable, safe, and purposeful activity. Compelling architecture is a vital component of a more pleasant and engaging stroll. A lively mix of urban living has developed around Houston’s entertainment venues, Caydon’s 2850 Fannin is a 27-story apartment high-rise located directly opposite to the new Midtown Park

theaters and parks, and is evident at Caydon’s 2850 Fannin in Midtown.

The street scene at 2850 Fannin in Midtown boasts retail and shopping options, with access to the Metro Light Rail system 3

TREE-LINED STREETS

shade of a tree in the midday sun. With projects like Catalyst Houston, below, creating more street activity, a canopy

Houston has been counted among Tree City, USA communities for 30 years.

of trees provides shade and offers a sense of permanence, and tranquility.

One of the signature goals of Houston’s

Beyond shade, trees improve air

long range planning is to create grand,

quality by conversion of greenhouse gas

tree-lined avenues. For many years,

emissions to valuable oxygen, and help

Houston’s downtown tunnel system has

mitigate storm water runoff. Tree-lined

sheltered workers from searing summer

streets also increase safety by creating

heat. New development is inviting

a physical barrier between pedestrians

As Founding Principal of the firm and

them back onto the streets to enjoy an

and automobiles, as seen along Texas

leader of the Urban Architecture Studio,

al fresco dining experience under the

Avenue at Catalyst Houston.

Scott’s design experience reflects his

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SCOTT ZIEGLER, AIA

belief that beautiful architecture enriches people’s lives and expresses the spirit of our time through art, craft and technology.

As Residential Practice Area Leader, Scott plays an active role in shaping the urban landscape through his published writings in professional journals on the subjects of sustainable urban growth strategies and high-density mixed-use developments.

Ziegler Cooper Architects 700 Louisiana, Ste 350 Houston, TX 77002 t: 713.374.0000 The tree-lined streets along Texas Avenue at Catalyst Houston

POCKET PARKS: SECRET GARDENS FOR RESIDENTS A

pocket

park

is

an intimate urban garden. It reinforces pedestrian activity by affording access to public transportation for residents, and echoes the building’s extensive

typically

array of street access to restaurants

accessible to the public and frequently

and clubs in the Downtown Houston

created on a small, irregular piece of

neighborhood.

land. In the case of Hines’ Aris Market

During the months of temperate

Square, right, the developer had to

weather, pocket parks provide a place

stitch together seven adjacent parcels of

for enjoying a regeneration of urban

land in order to create the development

wildlife and they add great quality of

site. An awkward space then became

life to the community.

4

www.zieglercooper.com

The private park at Aris Market Square