Poster Abstract Details

Author(s):
Shelby Newman

Affiliation:
Auburn University

Presentation Type:
Poster

Topic Area:
Ecosystem impacts on human communities (e.g., human health, economic well-being, political action)

Abstract Text:
The purpose of this project is to incorporate green infrastructure into a downtown community located along an eight-block stretch on Dauphin Street in Mobile, Alabama. The overall objective of this project is to improve economic development and aid in the “green streets” initiative in the downtown Mobile area. The use of a community design charrette helped in obtaining local input on the project. This process along with sketches, models, and further analyses contributed to a design that would both meet the “green street” initiatives and also push the limits of traditional methods for water harvesting. In order to address this goal, I am proposing the re-use of boat materials to serve as a cistern for water harvesting. Recycling (reuse) of materials is a practice that has been around for thousands of years. Specifically, the reuse of water is one of great importance when regarding stormwater runoff or wastewater. One method for collecting stormwater and reducing runoff is to employ the use of cisterns, large containers used to collect stormwater. For my design, I decided to link the boating/shipping industry history of Mobile to the new practices being employed in their “green street” initiative. I conducted my project by following the design process. First, I participated in a public charrette in Mobile, Alabama where I was briefed on the interest of Mobile residents to add improvements to the downtown area, along Dauphin Street. Then, I examined existing conditions through models and sketches. Knowing that some citizens mentioned the use of cisterns, I began to look for possible locations to store them. I located a large, open alley on Dauphin Street between Bienville and Cathedral Squares. Following more abstractions of the city, sketches, working drawings, calculations, and models, I came up with the idea to create a cistern in the alley through the potential re-use of a boat. Lastly, I will discuss possible challenges and implications of my project. A few challenges that were mentioned include size and number of boats to be used as cisterns and structural integrity of the design. More technical drawings of the project were requested to better visualize the project plan. I also plan to discuss other multi-use ideas for the boat structure, i.e. children interaction and learning or restaurants. The intended product for this project is a different approach to a water storage area for later re-use in the downtown area that could reduce current runoff loads of the existing stormwater system, while also serving as a link to historical Mobile, Alabama industry.