Poster Abstract Details

Author(s):
Will Hargrove

Affiliation:
Student, Year II Master of Landscape Architecture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Presentation Type:
Poster

Topic Area:
Alteration of natural disturbances due to urbanization

Abstract Text:
This project was a part of an effort to develop ideas for a “Green Streets” campaign in historic, downtown Mobile, Alabama to reduce the volume of stormwater that reaches the city’s outdated stormwater infrastructure by implementing sustainable stormwater best management practices, as well as spur economic development within downtown Mobile. The city’s aging stormwater system has led to several floods causing monetary damage and making it difficult to navigate through the city. Several local water bodies have also been listed as contaminated by the EPA. The particular site I chose to work on is currently being used as a surface parking lot, even though it is located directly adjacent to a historic park, Bienville Square. The need for an active use along the edge of the square spurred my decision to reinstate some residential units above retail establishments including a grocery store, a bookstore, a record store, and a fine dining restaurant. Also within this site I provided outdoor seating and permeable paving to increase stormwater infiltration into the soil. To correspond with the three clusters of buildings within the block, I implemented three rain gardens to capture the first inch of rainfall off of the buildings (the first inch contains the highest concentration of pollutants). These rain gardens would act as filters to clean the water before it was released into a storage cistern that city water trucks access to irrigate existing plantings. The cisterns would have an emergency outflow into existing storm infrastructure. The process I implored involved a rigorous investigation of existing conditions of the site and anything adjacent to it. By constructing an existing land use map, I was able to determine the needs of the mixed-use building and the potential lots available for a parking garage to eliminate the large amounts of surface lots, reducing the amount of impervious surfaces in the downtown region. I also illustrated section drawings from existing conditions to determine spatial qualities for the proposed building and gardens. After a historical investigation of the sites previous uses, I determined that the successful Cawthon Hotel, was formerly on the site. This discovery allowed for the placement of a 7-story, multi-story mixed-use retail and residential building on the corner of the block, across from Bienville Square. In conclusion, this project used elements of urban design mixed with sustainable stormwater management practices to provide flood alleviation and spur potentials for economic development. This project is an example of a site-specific method of addressing stormwater quality and quantity issues, while providing a livable and pleasant downtown area that enhances the current experience without taking away from current uses. Through an integration of both ecological and social needs of the site, I believe that these implementations could have a positive effect on the issues of both stormwater and downtown activity.