Introduction - What is 'Philadelphia Coke'
For Master's thesis, I have chosen ‘brownfield redevelopment’as topic to study.
I have selected an 63 acre ex-industrial, vacant land, located by the Delaware river in North east Philadelphia, in the community of Bridesburg. It once housed a gas and coke manufacturing facility which was shut down in 1980s. Another large brownfield called as the 'Rohm and Haas / Dow chemical', is located few blocks from Philadelphia Coke. All the structures on site demolished and today, it is overgrown with vegetation and fenced off with barbed wire.
My goal is to analyze the environmental, economic, social, historical and experiential factors affecting the site, to develop a program which is contextual and sustainable.
Having consulted with members of the community, the city planning commission and designers working on similar project in the neighborhood, I strive to include all input from all stakeholder in my analysis, giving it a broad scope and depth.
Environment
The environmental context is one of the most important angles of looking at the site owing to the fact that it is a brownfield and sits by the Delaware river. Understanding how the site fits within the neighborhood, Delaware river ecology and general environmental attributes of the region is extremely essential.
Economics
Looking at the economic aspects of Bridesburg like job density, beneficial land uses, transportation, income, employment and poverty, the goal is to assess how the neighborhood performs and what areas can be targeted for economic development
Social
The social traits of the neighborhood like Demographics, crime, schools and the most important aspect - community input - sheds light on community unity and diversity as well as how one can strengthen these bonds.
Experiential
The experiential board takes us visaully through Bridesburg, showing the conditions around the site, important landmarks in the community as well as how it has developed through time.
Historic
The historical piece looks at the development of Bridesburg through time, its ups / downs and the people / circumstances which affected its development.
The community vision is a culmination of analysis and programming for the site. It looks at the neighborhood from a 'quadruple bottom line' perspective - the economic, social, environmental and experiential to peek into the future and see what is possible.
Vision
Looking at the future, the site’s isolation from the community is long forgotten. It is an integral part of Bridesburg contributing positively to the community. Children and youngsters always flock to the variety of recreational opportunities. The proximity to the east coast greenway adds to the advantages as most of the youngsters can bike to center city. The senior population particularly love the community facilities and the landscaped areas which provide a safe and healthy environment for outdoor activities. It is also a hub for everyone to gather, interact, share and celebrate their community.
The community also benefits from job creation that have resulted in people from other parts of the city visiting Bridesburg. It has resulted in more foot traffic for the local business, high activity on the streets which along with the street improvements has made them safer. These businesses complement and support each other economically and invest in the betterment of the community. The public and private realms go hand in hand as they share their resources and synergistically use them to create a smaller carbon footprint.
The enhanced wetlands by the river and the restored riverfront are assets providing dual benefit of protecting the community from flooding and serves as a resting place for migratory birds, aquatic flora and fauna. It is loved by nature enthusiasts and environmentalists, who can observe wildlife from a high point at a distance without disturbing them.
The community also benefits from job creation that have resulted in people from other parts of the city visiting Bridesburg. It has resulted in more foot traffic for the local business, high activity on the streets which along with the street improvements has made them safer. These businesses complement and support each other economically and invest in the betterment of the community. The public and private realms go hand in hand as they share their resources and synergistically use them to create a smaller carbon footprint.
The enhanced wetlands by the river and the restored riverfront are assets providing dual benefit of protecting the community from flooding and serves as a resting place for migratory birds, aquatic flora and fauna. It is loved by nature enthusiasts and environmentalists, who can observe wildlife from a high point at a distance without disturbing them.
Concept Map
Concept map, looks at the schematic design for a development framework on site.
Master Plan
Axonometric View and Impacts
Framework for Development of Industries on Site
1. Architecture:
- Blank walls to be minimized. Use of living walls, mural arts, innovative cladding material etc. to enhance aesthetic quality of street frontages.
- High contamination area shall not have any food facitlities / cafeteria / permanently occupied spaces.
- Building to be raised above ground, as part of flood mitigation. Area with no structures to be paved with permeable pavers and
native vegetation, with maximum tree cover to mitigate the heat island effect.
- PV panels to be installed on roof for electricity production and southern part of roof could be a green roof.
2. Transportation:
- Use of Orthodox St for all employee and truck access.
- Only bikers / pedestrians can access from the passive recreation area.
- Shuttle service to bridesburg station, Frankford transportation center and Erie Station on Market-Frankford Line.
3. Water and Vegetation:
- Ground to be graded such that all the stormwater flows into the central wetlands. All water on roof to be stored and reused.
- South part of roof may be a green roof, to encourage give more habitat space for birds.
1. Architecture:
- Blank walls to be minimized. Use of living walls, mural arts, innovative cladding material etc. to enhance aesthetic quality of street frontages.
- High contamination area shall not have any food facitlities / cafeteria / permanently occupied spaces.
- Building to be raised above ground, as part of flood mitigation. Area with no structures to be paved with permeable pavers and
native vegetation, with maximum tree cover to mitigate the heat island effect.
- PV panels to be installed on roof for electricity production and southern part of roof could be a green roof.
2. Transportation:
- Use of Orthodox St for all employee and truck access.
- Only bikers / pedestrians can access from the passive recreation area.
- Shuttle service to bridesburg station, Frankford transportation center and Erie Station on Market-Frankford Line.
3. Water and Vegetation:
- Ground to be graded such that all the stormwater flows into the central wetlands. All water on roof to be stored and reused.
- South part of roof may be a green roof, to encourage give more habitat space for birds.
Partnerships -
1. With the John Heinz at Tinicum , as a field office for research on wetland enhancement at the Philadelphia Coke and Pleasant Hill and Lardner’s Point park.
2. Merging the sports fields in the active recreation zone with the recreation center, which will ensure proper care and maintenance of the sports facilties.
3. The historical center + reserach center, use special tours, walks to incerase awareness and education about the site’s history, problems of brownfields, about the Delaware river ecology.
4. Collaborate with the Bridesburg Boys and Girls Club, fas volunteers for the maintenance of recreation zones. Collaborate with ‘Job Corps of Philadelphia’ - during the construction phase as a way to train people to work in the construction industry.
1. With the John Heinz at Tinicum , as a field office for research on wetland enhancement at the Philadelphia Coke and Pleasant Hill and Lardner’s Point park.
2. Merging the sports fields in the active recreation zone with the recreation center, which will ensure proper care and maintenance of the sports facilties.
3. The historical center + reserach center, use special tours, walks to incerase awareness and education about the site’s history, problems of brownfields, about the Delaware river ecology.
4. Collaborate with the Bridesburg Boys and Girls Club, fas volunteers for the maintenance of recreation zones. Collaborate with ‘Job Corps of Philadelphia’ - during the construction phase as a way to train people to work in the construction industry.
