Water Ways
Participatory Research of Public Space in the Fluvial Landscape of the City of Valdivia, Chile
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Karen Andersen Cirera
The city of Valdivia, located at the Región de los Rios in Southern Chile, and its identity have been shaped by fluvial landscapes and the use of river channels. However, the city’s changing socioeconomic realities have transformed the relationship between the inhabitants and their rivers. This has resulted in the current poor association between the people and the fluvial landscapes, in contrast to the many river-related activities that took place in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Other factors that characterize Valdivia’s identity are natural events which have occurred since the foundation of the city, constantly changing the local landscapes. The destructions and changes of the riverbanks have led to new urban structures, but also to abandoned, privatized, unsafe and contaminated waterfronts. In this presentation, we discuss our ongoing investigation supported by the Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage of the Government of Chile. This research deepens into the sensitive, perceptual and significant relationships between the inhabitants of Valdivia and the river and riverbanks through the application of a participatory study represents a case of “research in movement” and demonstrates the relevance of applying experiential methodologies to gather information. Qualitative methodologies were used to understand the phenomenological dimension of existing landscape structures. Our study findings show us different practices and ways of perceiving the urban riverbanks. This findings are relevant information to face urban design of waterfronts.
Environmental Plains and Prairie Bluffs along the Mississippi River in Southwestern Illinois
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Rolando Gonzalez
By the beginning of twentieth century the State of Illinois held important manufacturing land. However, while Chicago grew, townships all around started to decay, with East St Louis as the most critical case. This is something needing urgent attention now more than ever due the State’s political and economic situation. Today, riversides are no longer crucial for cities’ industrial wellbeing but some of them still have much to offer. This paper considers a fifty-five mile strip south of East St Louis, which is known as Mississippi Cliffs due to the dramatic topographical difference between the plain and the upper lands. This area offers wonderful views from the top to the basin. Much could be done there since recent urban development trends on first-class cities all around the nation and in Europe are searching for open lands and pocket meadows for town parks, urban farming, recreational purposes, etc. on a pursuit for a blended fabric as a matter of mixed natural/human-made weaving to enrich their city life. Such surface of over 100K acres offers a great opportunity to develop centers for sporting, recreational, touristic, amusing, urban farming, and any kind of ecofriendly activities that could match efficiently with St Louis city's crowded and busy life in a mutual benefit through attractive landscape development investments. There’s no doubt that Illinois urgently needs decentralized trends that bring steady economic opportunities everywhere else out of Chicago area, and this could be a good one.
Water: Design Innovation and Inspiration
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Filiz Klassen
This paper articulates the evolving and innovative ‘water responsive’ design approach that aims to ameliorate the conditions resulting from the growing local and global water crises. I have coined the term ‘water responsive’ to differentiate this design practice from projects built for simple consumption based on its aesthetic qualities. Emphasizing water scarcity, overflow or contamination, in addition to its visual, experiential and therapeutic qualities, many experimental projects of this nature are integrating materials and technologies that, hopefully and radically, will change how we may use or build with this natural resource that is becoming increasingly in short supply. The selected case studies, from object to building scale, demonstrate how we can harvest, filter and design water responsive objects and systems as well as ‘water positive’ buildings with enhanced performance. The research and innovation aimed at maximizing water efficiency with minimal material or energy use play an important role in the development of 'water responsive' applications. By examining several books and articles from influential authors, my aim is to shift the discussion of water from being an aesthetic or leisurely design feature in constructed environments to a powerful and fluid force driving current design practices to be more proactive for climate adaptation.
