23-November-2015 The Latest News in Landscape Architecture 2015 is sponsored by ZinCo – Life on Green Roofs – Ecological and Economical Green Roofs, worldwide. In this week’s Latest News in Landscape Architecture we showcase major, proposed urban public space projects from Helsinki to Cleveland, discuss the rise of landscape-based apps, and highlight two climate-friendly neighborhoods in Hamburg. Did you know that Hamburg and Rotterdam could be a model in preparing for the rising seas? 5 Stories In The News This Week:
- COBE to Transform Polluted Helsinki Bay into Vast Public Park
- $25-Million Project Reimagines Area Under Gardiner with Paths, Cultural Spaces
- City Unveils Framework Plan for Canal Basin Park Celebrating History and Geography
- Landscape Architecture: There’s an App For That
- Check out Hamburg’s 2 New Climate-Friendly Neighborhoods
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Latest News in Landscape Architecture
Through an extensive and ambitious water purification plan, a central bay in Helsinki, Finland known as Töölönlahti Bay is envisioned to become Helsinki’s primary urban space. Designed by Danish-based studio COBE and the Finnish practice Lundén Architecture their plan calls for a reinvigorated public space. “Töölönlahti Bay area is a forgotten pearl in the heart of Helsinki,” explains Dan Stubbergaard, founder and creative director of COBE. “Its location between the neighborhoods of Töölö and Kallio, the Olympic Park, the central station and the city center, makes the bay and its surroundings a place of great importance in 21st century Helsinki.”
- $25-Million Project Reimagines Area Under Gardiner with Paths, Cultural Spaces: The Globe and Mail
The decades old Gardiner Expressway, built in segments from the mid 1950s to mid 1960s, has been a topic of much debate during the last 15 plus years. Last Tuesday, plans for a 10-acre (4.05 hectare) public space under the highway in Toronto with an anticipated completion in July 2017 were announced. Titled Project: Under Gardiner, the $25-million project made possible by a private donation features a walking and cycling trail and a series of covered, adaptive public spaces which could be used for markets to performances. This move, to make a beautiful place out of unused infrastructure, reflects the role of landscape architects in today’s cities. “We realize we’re not going to find new public realm in the conventional places,” said Mr. Marc Ryan, principal and co-founder of PUBLIC WORK office (one of the design firms involved with the project). Related Article: Sherbourne Common Park Sets The Bar High for Sustainable Design WATCH: Tory announces $25 million donation to ‘Project: Under Gardiner’
- City Unveils Framework Plan for Canal Basin Park Celebrating History and Geography: The Plain Dealer
A “framework” design for Canal Basin Park located in Cleveland, Ohio could revitalize an overlooked piece of the city, which was responsible for growth in the 19th century. Developed by Akron-based Environmental Design Group, the 20-acre plan consists of a fusion of landscapes and amenities and would also function as the northern terminus of the 101-mile Towpath Trail. “We want to expand waterfront access and recreation, and create convenient access to nearby nabs for pedestrians and cyclists, and this is what this begins to achieve,” exclaimed Freddy Collier, City Planning Director. Related Article: $3 Million Investment in Urban Park Breathes Life into Dying Downtown
- Landscape Architecture: There’s an App For That: ME Construction News
According to a recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), 76% of respondents use apps in site analysis and 50% use apps during construction. While there are a plethora of apps on the market to assist with all phases from analysis through construction administration here are a few of the most beneficial. Planimeter, which measures land area and distance on a map to the plant identification app LeafSnap and Aconex mobile a popular construction app that allows contractors to access and capture project information on site, the industry has greatly advanced due to these applications. Related Article: 8 Apps for Landscape Architects and Designers WATCH: Phone app identifies tree species
In the catchy city of Hamburg, a hub for startups and a rapidly growing populous, it [like many cities around the world] has experienced a lack of affordable housing. However, through two mixed-use developments it has added significant housing and office space in an environmentally friendly way. Identified as Wilhelmsburg and HafenCity, both are intended to be carbon-neutral, walkable, bikeable and near transit, yet each neighborhood took a unique approach. While Wilhelmsburg is more energy independent and has better connectivity to parks and public spaces, it’s faced criticism for being spread out, lacking pedestrian vitality. In contrast, HafenCity is woven beautifully into the existing downtown fabric, however it’s missed the mark on being an affordable neighborhood. Related Article: Copenhagen’s First Climate Resilient Neighborhood WATCH: IBA Hamburg – Cities and climate change
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