Oral Abstract Details

Author(s):
Mark H. Curry

Affiliation:
Auburn University College of Architecture Design and Construction

Presentation Type:
Oral

Topic Area:
Urban forestry and urban agriculture

Abstract Text:
The City of Mobile partnered with Auburn University and Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium in the fall of 2009 to do a Study of Green Streets within downtown Mobile. From the study several key problems were identified. One of the major problems was the undersize and outdated stormwater drainage system. With inadequate revenues and manpower to update the system to accommodate the surface runoff Auburn Graduate Students in Landscape Architecture looked for alternative sources to help alleviate the problem. In the study area it was found that almost all of the surface area was impermeable surface and approximately 65% of that area was designated to open surface parking lots. In order to identify key locations that would not interfere with traffic, parades, economic development zones and areas that would allow for maximum percolation of stormwater, a network analysis model was built in GIS to determine key locations for design implementations. From the model four key locations was determined, all being open surface parking lots. After having a design charette with city officials, they oriented our studio by identifying key areas where they had stormwater issues as well as where they wanted to see economic development occur in order to help promote tourism. It was also noted that to do this they wanted to increase local restaurants and bars in the downtown area. In order for this to happen however, the city needed to reduce its over head in order to make it feasible for local market business to occur. Through research and design it was determined that in order to help the city reduce its cost which can in turn reduce the expenses of local business they needed ideas on how to become more sustainable in their spending. By using ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel and Google Sketch-up I was able to generate an in depth analysis of ecological, economical and design techniques to help identify possible solutions to the stormwater problem. From these techniques the idea of developing Urban Farms to help in the reduction of stormwater runoff was chosen to explore. The major question is how they could fit into the urban and economic fabric of the city. The idea behind this is to develop a master plan and design in which the city can implement community gardens that will allow local restaurants use for produce. This will help reduce stormwater runoff into the system as well as generate local business for the downtown district. In order for this idea to come together a historical study of community gardens needs to be completed. How they work, how they are designed in different climates, and how they can be economically benefitting to the city and local businesses. In the end the ultimate goal is to develop a methodology that will allow for municipalities to use Urban Farming to help alleviate stormwater treatment and increase economic development with local businesses.