For hundreds of years the world’s population has been attracted to water for industry, transportation, and trade. This move towards industry led to the development of huge harbors to once meet the demand of trade and create a link to foreign markets. In modern times, with the decline of industrial development and a change in economic focus there has been a series of water cities left with abandon water fronts and harbors. Now the once serene water landscapes of the past are hardscapes and ruins of the industrial city.

 

    The movement of industry from the city center has given opportunity for development in once dense industrial water fronts. These areas now can be reinvented to meet the demands of the worlds growing population and need for cultural identity. The now post industrial city is looking at how to adapt to the new needs of the people. Specifically at how harbor brownfield sites can be developed and re-invented into cultural, residential, and recreational sites for the people. Are there ways to not only promote livability of the harbor but also expand for the future?

 

     On the macro scale, my focus will be on how the urban fabric and typologies of architecture promotes the livability and re-invention of industrial harbor. On the micro scale I want to understand how architecture celebrates the livability with water and softens the industrial landscape through the use of material, scale, texture and sustainability initiatives.

 

Special thanks to: Tulane Class of 1973 - JDS Architects - COBE - Tredje Natur - Bo Christiansen 

 

For more information about my research: http://reinventingtheharbor.wordpress.com/