Bridging Gowanus
Neighborhood Brief
Gowanus is a neighborhood situated on the southwest side of Brooklyn in New York City. Currently a 1.8 mile toxic canal, the result of poor drainage, and byproduct waste, runs through the heart of the community. Plans are in the works for restoration, making it a prime target for developers and eventual gentrification. The goal of our proposal was two fold: Revitalize and connect the canal edge to the community, while proposing a Form Based Code that would discourage neighborhood-wide gentrification. As we developed our master-plan, we were careful to preserve the neighborhood’s existing character, building stock and local job supplying Industrial Business Zone (IBZ). Additionally we sought to create essential nodes along the canal to further a sense of place and identity within the community. The resulting design is a highly active and resilient canal edge, well connected to the Gowanus urban fabric and surrounding neighborhoods.
Current Influential Analytical Components
Neglection of Canal-Front
Proposed Activation and Water-Front Types
Water-Front Close Up Details
Esplanade and Arts District
Gowanus Conservancy and Waterfront Park
Current Zoning Code and Resultant Neighborhood Fabric
Proposed Regulating Map and Form-Based Code
Building types determining Form Based Code
Creating a Sense of Place
