P R AT T IN S T IT U T E GRADUATE ARCHI TECTURE & URBAN DE SI G N PRO G RA M A C A D E MIC R E S E A R CH - URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE

WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN UD601FA09-0910 - Vascular City - 1

DRAFT
ABSTRACT

Abstract: This ecosystem-based research project focuses on urban design solutions for high-density waterfront areas with low topography and high water table. It develops long-term climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, including an innovative infrastructure system that integrates groundwater, stormwater, rain and floodwater at many scales, while offering many urban design synergies and ecosystem services. The study area is the Canal Street waterfront on the west side of Manhattan. This report is an edited version of academic work done at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn; it has been augmented with additional research and data. Draft published July 2010. Studio: Pratt Institutes UD 601 FA09 Graduate Architecture and Urban Design studio was part of the Graduate Architecture & Urban Design programs Network for Emergent Architectural Research (NEAR). Pratts Center for Sustainable Design and Research (CSDS) partially funded the research with a federal FIPSE grant. Professor: Meta Brunzema, R.A., LEED AP, Architect and Urban Designer Faculty email: mbrunzem@pratt.edu Teaching Assistants: Jeffrey Johnson, Sanksshep Mahendra, Robert Cervellione Students: Devashish Pradhan, Andrew Peterson, Jonathan Mitchell, Bhavana Mody, Sogol Abtahi, Ninad Garware, Steven Marsanico, Naveen Mahantesh and Sang Jin Lee Key Words: Water Sensitive Urban Design, Groundwater, Stormwater, Ecosystems, Urban Infrastructure Design, Waterfronts, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation

INTRODUCTION

As a Megacity in a coastal setting, New York City is very vulnerable to climate change. The New York City Panel on Climate Change predicts that sea levels will rise 23 inches or more by 2080 and that the City will face increasing storm surges, extreme winds, as well as more intense rain fall, heat waves and threats to the quality and quantity of its water supply. New York City is highly vulnerable to hurricane and storm damages - it is second only to Miami in assets exposed to coastal flooding. In the future, dense, low-lying urban areas - such as our project site near Canal Street in Manhattan - will experience more flooding and extreme weather events. Despite the abundance of climate change data, our team realized that it would be difficult to predict the future with certainty and that we should develop solutions that strengthen urban resilience to climate change and other risks. We were interested in exploring a paradigm shift in municipal planning; the transition from large standardized infrastructures (water, waste, power etc...) to more site-specific, collaborative and hybrid solutions. This approach is all about innovative new partnerships in the design, development, technology, finance and management fields. With this in mind, we tried to imagine synergetic design solutions that produce multiple benefits for the contemporary City - while being flexible enough to adapt to uncertain future conditions. The following pages describe some speculative scenarios for the urban transformation and climate change adaptation of the Canal Street study area - between now and 2080.

P R AT T IN S T IT U T E GRADUATE ARCHI TECTURE & URBAN DE SI G N PRO G RA M A C A D E MIC R E S E A R CH - URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE

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DRAFT
CANAL STREET STUDY AREA

Pier 40 Hudson River Estuary Holland Tunnel (below) Canal Street Hudson River Park Route 9A

Piers 25 & 26 under construction

Battery Park City

Fig. 1 Study Area: Canal Street, Tribeca, Hudson Square and Hudson River Park, New York City

Minetta Brook (landfill)

Wetland (landfill)
NYC Public Library

Canal (street) Landfill Collect Pond (landfill)

Fig. 2 Historic Viele Water Map 1865 (exerpt)

Fig. 3 Rush hour traffic intensity (pink=high)

Pratt project team

Pratt project team

Historic shoreline

P R AT T IN S T IT U T E GRADUATE ARCHI TECTURE & URBAN DE SI G N PRO G RA M A C A D E MIC R E S E A R CH - URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE

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DRAFT
SITE HISTORY & DESCRIPTION

Bisected by Canal Street, our study area includes Tribeca, Hudson Square and the Hudson River Park between Battery Park City and Pier 40 in Manhattan. (Fig. 1) The Viele map of 1865 shows the area as a wetland fed by springs. Years later, a canal was built to drain the nearby Collect Pond. Subsequently, the entire area was land filled and Canal Street was built over the former water channel. (Fig. 2) Due to its relatively low topography, the area will flood during coastal storm events. (Fig. 4) A Category 3 storm surge or higher would cause lower Manhattan to be split into two islands in the vicinity of Canal Street(Jacob 144). The site also has the highest inland flood complaints in Manhattan; (Fig. 5) because the area is prone to floods caused by ground water intrusion, extreme rainfall, sewer flooding and water main breaks. The water table is very high - often less than 5 feet below grade. (Fig. 7) A site analysis revealed many additional design and economic development challenges: enormous traffic congestion on Canal Street and Route 9A (Fig. 3); air and water pollution, lack of public space, connectivity and poor ecosystem functions. (Fig. 1)

CANAL STREET

Fig. 4 Storm Surge elevations (Cat. 1 thru 4)

Fig. 5 Frequency of inland flooding incidents

Pratt project team

Fig. 6

50 and 100-year flood zones

Fig. 7 Groundwater elevation map

Pratt project team

Pratt project team

P R AT T IN S T IT U T E GRADUATE ARCHI TECTURE & URBAN DE SI G N PRO G RA M A C A D E MIC R E S E A R CH - URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE

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DRAFT
ADAPTABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

This project develops new and engaging ways to make urban life and infrastructure more ecologically productive, diverse and adaptable to climate change. Specifically, it envisions a new kind of integrated and multi-functional urban water system that includes storage tunnels, collect ponds and branching surface water channels cut into existing streets. These channels are gravity fed with storm water and/or pumped-up ground water that will be used, evaporated, recycled or returned to the River. Operating at multiple scales, this vascularized system addresses both inland and coastal floods. (Figs. 8 -13). In addition, this system provides ecosystem services (evaporative cooling, stormwater capture etc...) to a busy and densely built area with narrow streets where large horizontal vegetated areas dont fit or function well. In fact, large raingardens may not be desirable in this area, due to a very high watertable - which is likely to go up in tandem with rising seas. High groundwater is commonly found in post-industrial waterfronts and former marshes - it causes costly infiltration into pipes, subways, and basements. To counteract the pressure, groundwater can be drawn to generate potable water [i.e. Jamaica, Queens (2019)] (NYCDEP 6) or tapped for non-potable municipal uses [i.e. Barcelona, Spain].1 (Petrovic 36). We propose yet another way. See #1 to # 4 below. The system components have a flexible and adaptable configuration that can be gradually implemented in future decades: 1. Traffic/Water tunnels to bypass and redirect regional traffic from Canal Street and Route 9A; they are also a water pipe /emergency storage system: (Fig. 8; #1) System analysis: Solving traffic congestion on Canal Street & Route 9A is essential for Downtowns future: economy, environment, climate adaptation etc... Function: Tunnels divert traffic from the Holland Tunnel entry; tunnels also serve as storm water pipes/retention tanks and emergency flood storage tanks. Vertical local/regional traffic split leads to narrower streets & more connectivity. Air and noise pollution problems and related health effects will be mitigated. Synergy: Excavation spoils are used as fill to re-naturalize river edge. (Figs. 9-11) Precedent: S.M.A.R.T. Stormwater MAnagement and Road Tunnel, Malaysia.

S.M.A.R.T. Vehicular Tunnel

Tunnel + Large Water Pipe / Tank

Emergency Water Storage Tank

Fig. 8 Ph. 1 Traffic/Water tunnels

Fig. 9 Ph. 2 Collect Ponds

Fig. 10 Ph. 3 Water Channels

Fig. 11 Ph. 4 Water Network

Pratt project team

P R AT T IN S T IT U T E GRADUATE ARCHI TECTURE & URBAN DE SI G N PRO G RA M A C A D E MIC R E S E A R CH - URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE

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DRAFT
ADAPTABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

2. Collect ponds are located in the lowest areas of the district (near Canal Street): Function: Collect water from branching surface water channels. Extra capacity for flood events. Water gets sand and carbon filtered at the bottom of the pond and gravity-fed into a larger Traffic/Water tunnel that leads to the River. Amenities: The Collect Ponds are deep urban lakes with constantly circulating water that provide evaporative cooling - i.e. cool zones to the City. (#2) Precedent: Rotterdam Waterplazas - with more functionality. 3. Surface Water Channels are cut into the streets to collect storm water, rain and groundwater; they are sometimes brimming with water or dry; depending on the ground water pressure, rain fall or season. Channels can be covered where needed (#3): Geometry: Section= gravity slope; plan= vascularized flow pattern (Bejan 1337) Diversity: Depth, width & aeration patterns vary; bio-filtration plants may occur. Redundancy & Modularity: designed for extra capacity to achieve flexibility. Phasing: Multi-year adaptation & expansion as road repair becomes necessary. Irrigation: Provides water to street trees and planting areas where possible. Economics: Adds value/marketability to the adjacent real-estate & district. Precedents: See next pages. 4. Ground Water pumps relieve excess water into the Surface Water Channels (#4): Function: This system regulates the height of the watertable with sensors; pumps activate when water level is too high. Groundwater and storm water is used for a variety of ecosystem services; watering plants & trees, evaporative cooling, recreational or ornamental purposes. Regulating mechanism controls water level and prevents over-pumping and salt water intrusion. Synergy: Groundwater saves drinking water. It can be used for non-potable uses: cleaning, irrigation, geothermal energy etc... See (Petrovic 36) for more. Location: Solar powered pumps feed groundwater into the channels at the outer edges of the high water table area. P.V. panels on adjacent buildings. Filtration: The groundwater water will be aerated with a bubbling fountain; bio-filtration of water optional. Collect Ponds complete the water filtration. Precedent: Inner Harbor District, Duisburg-Nord Germany. See next pages.

1. 2. 3.
pond stormwater runoff fountain gutter

PV

1.
Fig. 12 Vascularized System

2.
SMART tunnel

3.

4.
groundwater pump

1.

1.

Fig. 13 Diagram (NTS)

Pratt project team

P R AT T IN S T IT U T E GRADUATE ARCHI TECTURE & URBAN DE SI G N PRO G RA M A C A D E MIC R E S E A R CH - URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE

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DRAFT
PRECEDENTS: URBAN SURFACE WATER CHANNELS

LONDON, ENGLAND

NIJMEGEN, NETHERLANDS

FREIBURG, GERMANY

This ornamental water channel leads to the Thames River in London, England. It is a central feature of a new transit-oriented mixed-use business district for 20,000 workers near the Tower Bridge that includes Londons New City Hall. The More London Master Plan (2003) was designed by the firm Foster + Partners.

This new stormwater channel in the downtown area makes clean water important and visible to the public. Fluctuations and change become part of urban life. The water is used and recycled for a variety of purposes. It is part of a larger stormwater plan that lowers treatment costs, increases water quality and prevents urban flooding. (Geldof 42)

This urban water channel system is approximately 700 years old. It is fed by a brook and storm water. The network is gravity fed and measures 5.6 miles including 3.2 miles above ground. It has become a major tourist attraction in one of Germanys greenest cities. The channels are complemented by a modern waste water system.

CHANNEL DETAILS & POTENTIAL DESIGN OPTIONS

Permeability, aeration, irrigation, vegetation, biodiversity etc...

1. 2. 3.
Flickr: Marc VC

London, England Nijmegen, Netherlands Freiburg, Germany Seville, Spain Beer, Devon, England Seattle, WA, USA Shimabara, Japan

4.
Trip Advisor

Rob Telford

5. 6. 7.

Flickr: Jill and Jason

City of Seattle WA

Flickr: jennschac

Phil Beard

Freiburg-schwarzwald.de

Todd Haiman

G. D. Geldof

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DRAFT
PRECEDENT: ECOLOGICAL GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT IN DUISBURG-NORD, GERMANY
Innenhafen Duisburg Entwicklungsgesellschaft

Friedhelm Krischer

INNER HARBOR DISTRICT

URBAN CANAL SYSTEM

GROUNDWATER FOUNTAIN

Three new canals are part of larger system to protect new mixed-use real-estate development from rain, groundwater and the floodprone Rhine River. A harbor was converted into a lake near the old center of Duisburg. The Inner Harbor District Master Plan (2003) was designed by the firm Foster + Partners.

The canals are fed by groundwater and stormwater from adjacent roofs and grounds. The water flows by gravity away from the urban area into the Inner Harbor where excess water can overflow and recharge the aquifer. To relieve the very high watertable makes real-estate development more feasible and affordable.

At the head of each canal, groundwater is drawn up as needed to lower the water table or to compensate for evaporation. Each pump has a maximum capacity of 24 million gal/yr. Groundwater pumps are powered by solar panels on adjacent buildings. Bio-filtration plants on terraces slowly purify the water.

DUISBURG - NORD INNER HARBOR DISTRICT : GROUNDWATER AND STORMWATER CANALS

The groundwater / stormwater canals keep local stormwater out of the municipal waste water treatment system

Meta Brunzema

Meta Brunzema

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DRAFT
CONCLUSION

Fig. 14 Groundwater streaming into Canal Street Sewer

www.undercity.org

This project offers a poetic way to integrate water into urban life: it proposes an innovative tunnel/pond/channel network that offers multiple cost and ecosystem benefits for a very dense urban neighborhood. The proposed traffic/water tunnels are located in one the most floodable downtown areas - at the Rivers edge and on Canal Street. (Fig. 8) The new T-shaped tunnels connect to the Holland Tunnel and split the regional and local traffic vertically. This addresses the areas #1 complaint: traffic congestion - i.e. lack of connectivity as well as air and noise pollution. We think that this the right location for a flood-smart tunnel system because in the future, the existing roads and utilities will sustain increased damage from floods and saltwater corrosion. The proposed design project reduces expensive Water Pollution Control Plant use, eliminates local CSO water pollution, reduces and controls inland flood damage and diminishes the use of scarce fresh water resources. Also, by keeping the height and pressure of the watertable in check, below-grade structures in low-lying areas will be cheaper to build and maintain. In addition, the new surface water channels and ponds will create a unique Canal District identity that could add buzz and real-estate value to the entire area. This exciting system has enormous urban design potential; it can link to buildings and landscapes or to larger geothermal or irrigation systems...[ It is easy to imagine a variation on this concept that uses the groundwater pumped from the MTA subway system; 8 to 13 million gallons per day! (MTA 51) ] Finally, this speculative design proposal is based on lessons learned from ecosystem management: it directly engages the public - increasing local knowledge of the climatesensitive water cycle and preparing it for future surprises; its configuration is diverse, multi-scalar, modular and somewhat redundant to enable the area to adapt to unknown or extreme events; and it demonstrates the enormous ecosystem benefits of water - and the need to preserve it as a precious common resource. Significant engagement with public agencies and local stakeholders as well as more design and engineering work would be required to take these ideas to the next level.

Fig. 15 Duisburg-Nord, Germany - Pumped-up Groundwater for Urban Canal System

Meta Brunzema

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DRAFT
NOTES

1. The City of Barcelona Spain has been tapping groundwater for non-potable municipal uses for decades; however sharply rising exploitation - 370 million gallons in 2007 - depressed the watertable consistently below sea level, causing marine intrusion and groundwater salinization. When Barcelonas supply/demand ratio became too small due to diminishing freshwater resources and aquifer over-exploitation, the city decided to build one of the largest reverse-osmosis water desalination plants in Europe - it was completed in 2009. Careful use of groundwater for non-potable municipal uses continues to this day. Also see Petrovic 32-37.
WORKS CITED

Bejan, Adrian, Sylvie Lorente. The constructal law of design and evolution in nature. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2010 365, 1335-1347 .Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.constructal.org/en/art/Phil.%20Trans.%20R.%20Soc.%20B%20 (2010)%20365,%201335%961347.pdf >. Duisburg. mai-nrw.de. Museum fr Architekturkunst M:AI. n.d. Web. 20 July 2010 . <http://www.mai-nrw.de/Innenhafen-Duisburg.38.0.html?&L=1>. Geldof, G.D. Coping with Complexity in Integrated Water Management. On the Road to Interactive Implementation. Tauw, Deventer. 2005.Web. 20 July 2010. <http://www.geldofcs. com/pdf/Boekje/Coping_with_complexity_in_integrated_water_management.pdf>. Jacob, K., V. Gornitz and C. Rosenzweig. Vulnerability of the New York City metropolitan area to coastal hazards, including sea-level rise: Inferences for urban coastal risk management and adaptation policies in Managing Coastal Vulnerability. L. McFadden, R. Nicholls & E. Penning-Rowsell, Eds. Elsevier, 2007. Web. 20 July 2010. MTA Blue Ribbon Commission on Sustainability. Greening Mass Transit & Metro Regions. www.mta.info. MTA. n.d. Web. 20 July 2010.<www.mta.info/sustainability/>. NYCDEP. New York City 2009 Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report. 2009. Web. New York City Panel on Climate Change. Climate Risk Information. 2009. Print. New York City Panel on Climate Change. Climate Change Adaptation in New York City: Building a Risk Management Response. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Volume 1196. May 2010. New York Academy of Sciences. Print. PlaNYC. Progress Report 2010 - A Greater Greener New York. n.d. Web. 20 July 2010. Petrovic, Mira, Antoni Ginebreda, Jordi Martn Alonso, Miren Lopez de Alda, Damia Barcel. Water supply for the Barcelona metropolitan area. Gosciences #10. Dec. 2009: 32-37. Web. 20 July 2010. < http://www.brgm.fr/dcenewsFile?ID=1051>. S.M.A.R.T. Stormwater MAnagement and Road Tunnel. smarttunnel.com.my. n.d. Web. 20 July 2010. < http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/>.