Site Analysis - Proposed Site for Field Station

Site Selection

By using the GIS process, i have decided where my field station will be located.  I actually picked multiple sites, so i can spread out my project and join the surrounding neighbourhood.  

Design Concept

I will dredge the canal and joining 3 ends together not only to create 2 islands which will be the 'oasis' of my design, but also to circulate the canal so that the canal will be easier to maintain/clean in the future.

Buildings that are located on each side of the canal will be bridged together and create a connection between all sides of the canal and also provide a unique experience/tour through the oasis while using these bridges.

Site Analysis - Final GIS Map

From all the condition we looked and mapped, we now understood more about Gowanus even without physical presence.  The reason to conduct such a detail and time consuming mapping process is to help us select the most suitable site for our project; and Geographic Information System (GIS) is the way to achieve this.


To start the map layering process, first i need to identify what are the most important factors that will influence my decision of suitable site:

1. Development Opportunities - Carparks, vacant lots and parklands
2. Brownfield Opportunity Areas - BOA identified by Star Whitehouse
3. Historical Significance - Heritage listed (or should be listed)
4. Artists and Studios - With an approx. 200m radius of influence
5. Transportation - With an approx. 800m radius of walking distance

GIS Process (White area means suitable area)

Final GIS Map

Site Analysis - Artists and Studios

The last piece of the puzzle for my site selection is artists and their studios; they are the core of my design concept and will affect the location of my project. The 'Social Services' map that i created using data set from New York City Government only shows galleries in Gowanus areas.  Therefore, i decided to redo this condition in a finer details; by also locating studios and art related educational facilities.


Artists and Studios

Site Analysis - Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) by Star Whitehouse

Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) are areas previously used for industrial purpose that might be contaminated with toxic pollutions, and has potential to be reused once it is cleaned up.  The 19 BOA identified by Star Whitehouse are either vacant, contaminated or underused. These areas can be used for my field stations or just potential areas once the field station is build, they are key areas to take into consideration in my site selections.


19 BOA By Star Whitehouse

Site Analysis - Development Opportunities

After realizing I cannot just focus on abandoned building, I went back to the maps and looking for another answer.  And I started to look on a different perspective, instead of searching at places that are ‘ready’ for development, I broaden by view and considering at areas that have potentials in them. 

Development Opportunity

• Carparks, vacant lot will have a lot of potentials in them especially in the early stages of the project; they have the most flexibility and easier to acquire compared to vacant buildings with multiple owners.

• Parks are great space to be utilised, it provide greenery and can be connected to my design because of its similar characteristic; providing a retreat in the urban city.

• Once the area is flourished with artists and tourists, vacant and abandoned buildings can then be renovated into accommodations, gallery and studios.

Site Analysis - Income Map

Next condition we mapped is the income map, shows the earning of families around the Gowanus areas.

Income Map

Site Analysis - Ethnic and Youth Population

We started too look into the demographic of the area, what kind of people lives around the Gowanus Canal.  And also youth population because one of our member is addressing the youth issues in Gowanus areas.

Communities of Colour

Youth Population

Site Analysis - Vacant Land

Vacant map simply shows what opportunity is available to the site, it shows the potential of the site.  For the project we have to look into the future of Gowanus and mapping this condition give us the development potential of this area.

Vacant Land Map

Site Analysis - Social Services

The next condition we look into is social services, especially art and education related institute.   Because from the research of stakeholders we found that some of them are planning and hosting art related events, and also open studio to encourage the artists to interact with the public.

Social Service Map

From the map we can see that heaps of educational facilities spread across the area, museum and art gallery concentrated on north and east side of the site.

Some of the events hosted by stakeholders are:

• Open gallery
• Artist meeting
• Classes
• House tour
• Other events and activities

It is a interesting piece of information we found out and in the future we might look more into this particular condition.  

Site Analysis - Coastline

A coastline map is made just to show the history and change of the canal, and give us an idea of how the canal has been modified to suit the user of that time.

Coastline Map

Site Analysis - Transportation

The accessibility of the site is very critical; the project is to design a field station so we want it to be popular and easy to get to.  We choose to look into transportation so that we can locate our building in a easily accessible area.

The information is gathered by my team member, but i redid so that i can use it on my own purpose.


Transportation Map

Formatted





























By looking at the map, we found that almost the whole site has access to public transportation.  There are strong connection between public transportation and commercial streets, but few links between two sides of the canal.

Site Analysis - Land Use Map

The next condition we decided to map is land use, we want to see what kind of space is next to the canal.  We will be focusing on industrial areas, commercial areas, residential areas and also the layout of the land types.

The map is done by my group member but i took its information and redid it so that i can use it for my own purpose.

Land Use

From mapping this condition, we found that the canal is mostly surrounded by industrial areas, and also commercial streets going vertically.  However, there are weak to no connection between two side of the canal because most of the streets are cut off by the canal itself.  By comparing with land type data dated around 50 years ago, we can see a decline in industrial areas around the canal.

Site Analysis - Historical Significance

Brooklyn is well known for its economic growth and massive industrialisation during the 19th century, and even referred as 'twin city of New York' inside a poem written in 1883.  However, this did not last too long, Brooklyn's growth period declined and left around 1950s, leaving the city with many deserted manufacturing plants.

Today, those abandoned industrial building are testimonies of Brooklyn's history.  Some are reused, renovated, protected, but more are abandoned and even demolished. 

Map of historical significance

Formatted

Site Analysis - Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS)

Why mapping?

Mapping helps us to understand the context, problems, to see insights and things that ordinary picture just can't tell.  It also help us to make decisions, to give reasons and meaning of our design.

We are introduced to Geographic Information System (GIS), a way to select most suitable, desirable site by layering maps.  And by changing the ranking of maps, it will change the preferable destination of site.

For this project, we will be doing some intense mapping, and which will allow us to understand the context better and hopefully capture some insights that might give us a direction to tackle this project.