BUCKEYE BANDS
21st century cities are driven more by private development than by public infrastructure. This results in an anemic, provisional infrastructure that falls prey to the trends and idiosyncrasies of the private sector; which in turn creates a series of disconnected and isolated private developments that have their own robust infrastructural systems while making no contribution to the public realm.
Our proposal provides a more symbiotic relationship between the desire for amenities typically found within the private realm and the necessity for community connectivity that nurtures a more sustainable public realm.
We propose the design and development of new “Amenity Infrastructures” that provide private development opportunities within and along clearly identified connective public infrastructural networks that are latent within the existing city limits.
These new public/private landscapes provide serenity, beauty, accessibility and identity that facilitate the dynamic
urban development of a 21st Century city. We have identified six complementary infrastructural Bands that together establish a framework of amenity infrastructures. We call them The Buckeye Bands.
White Tank Mountains - Edge Ascent
Desert Wash - Wildlife Corridor
I-10 freeway - Right-of-Way Linear Park
Sun Valley Parkway - Scenic Park-ing Way
Agriculture Land Use - Urban Agri-grid
Gila Flood Plain- Reclaimed Recreation
Right-of-way Linear Park
In collaboration with Matt Carras
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINEAR PARK
Our proposal is to create different spaces or “rooms” along the I-10 corridor, such as the riparian, ironwood bosque, and open space. The ecological condition of the land is improved by the addition of native plant material. Multimodal trail connections, scenic routes, trailheads adding visual connectivity to the programmed areas, and activities are enhanced by the different types of access to the park.
We researched case studies to determine the most appropriate programs to fill in the voids. These programs varied from bike paths and riparian areas to BMX courses and rodeo grounds. Some of these are also heterotopic. Despite being needed programs for the city’s function, you would not have them on your back yard.
The creation of a linear park will allow for this edge condition or boundary to become a destination in the City of Buckeye. This will not only promote movement to the park but also through it. Additionally, it is in this way that the connections between north and south of the freeway will improve.
PARKing Way
In collaboration with Ann Rothove
SUN VALLEY PARKWAY / SCENIC PARK-ing WAY
As city growth continues, there are certain restrictions that prevent compact development. Some of these are the right-of-way of utility lines and roads. Once design review meetings conclude and developments are approved, conventional extensive parking lots next to roads prevent commercial, retail, office, and housing development to develop adjacent to the streets. This prevents pedestrian oriented designs and inhibit community interactions.
Scenic park-ing ways establishes the possibility of utilizing the utilities’ ROW for solar powered parking lots, open green spaces, trails and other gathering areas. This allows for more compact development, increasing community activities. Shared parking lots will also reduce the parking area required for nearby commercial structures.