Thesis Draft

In an effort to reverse some of the damage we inflicted upon our environment with industrial development, the South Waterfront is a progressive leader in redeveloping our waterfront. There is a drive to not only restore the contaminated land, but to give back to it. Currently the development has made great progress sustainable building, but there is a lack of connection between the buildings. I propose to design a network of interdependent buildings sharing resources as well as creating a community within the residents.
Tim Hill has talked about Civic Ecology, a community built around ecology, economics, and social factors. An ecodistrict should be based on resource flows, not only natural, but managing a successful local economy and promoting a self governance. The current South Waterfront district is lacking the independence as a community and interdependence on each other for a successful ecodistrict.

My goals include:

-Design a clear hierarchical street system
    -Promote emphasis on retail vs. residential streets
    -Facilitate bicycle traffic

-Create a strong community connection
   -Public Gathering Space
   -Community Gardens
   -Local Market 

-Emphasize sustainable systems and sharing resources
   -Efficient Water Collection
   -Solar Energy
   -Heat Coil heat and cooling system between residential and commercial buildings

-Establish strong and constant connections back to the river and the natural environment
   -"Arterioles" of water system
   -Green Corridors leading to water front
   -Further develop connections between green spaces

My specific site it located next to OHSU, at the intersection of SW Whitaker St and SW River Pkwy. I am proposing that the current parking lot next to the site be turned into open park or market space which would continue all the was down to connect to the current U-pick dahlia field on the waterfront. On my specific site would either exist a branch of OHSU for Physical Rehabilitation as well and public facilities to integrate the community, or a Community Arts Center to engage the community and the newly established public green space connecting to the river.

Resources:
Portland Development Commision: North Macadam
http://www.pdc.us/pubs/type_list.asp?id=16

South Waterfront Plan
City of Portland Bureau of Planning

Portland South Waterfront Greenway - Buster Simpson