Date of Award

Spring 6-1-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Department

Landscape Architecture

First Advisor

Emily Vogler

Second Advisor

Claire Fellman

Abstract

Across the United States, we can see examples of cities where highways and railways pass between two ethnic communities or through communities of color and are used to further divide and segregate cities. Increasingly we are seeing a new typology of landscape architecture projects to transform, redesign, or remove transportation infrastructure to help ameliorate the negative impact of transportation infrastructure on neighboring communities and support public uses. However, these projects often lead to gentrification, whereby surrounding housing prices rise, and the original residents are displaced or lose their sense of belonging. The goal of my research is to understand how landscape architects are redesigning transportation infrastructure to address divisions within cities, as well as possible ways to prevent and address issues of gentrification. Eventually making benefits to community members and enhances their understanding and communication between each other. After study of examples of landscape projects reusing transportation infrastructure in several North American cities, design principles, guidelines and toolkits are developed to guide the similar types of design. Finally, these are teste on a site of Providence city which has a long segregation history due to the construction of the I-95 corridor. New community gardens, terrace lawn, gathering plaza, small business programs are working together to make a strong link for the long divided surrounding neighborhoods.

Comments

View exhibition online: Ruochen Wang, Across the Boundary

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