URBAN DESIGN STUDIO III
Town, a large densely populated area, is the urban issue addressed by Urban Design Studio III.
Pedestrian Connectivity may be considered one of the most appealing attributes for Savannah. However, a disconnection between the West and East appears in the legibility of materiality and the pedestrian experience.
Through the unified use of materials, patterns and shading a more legible experience may be achieved. The East side Ward System and the Industrial age aesthetic of the West side can be unified in defining and promoting a single passage. Usage of temporary urbanism and materiality merge to promote walk ability from the edges of Louisville Rd. to East Broad St..
The I-16/Louisville Rd./Liberty St. corridors amalgamate to create a pedestrian passage through moments in history and place.
Pedestrian Connectivity may be considered one of the most appealing attributes for Savannah. However, a disconnection between the West and East appears in the legibility of materiality and the pedestrian experience.
Through the unified use of materials, patterns and shading a more legible experience may be achieved. The East side Ward System and the Industrial age aesthetic of the West side can be unified in defining and promoting a single passage. Usage of temporary urbanism and materiality merge to promote walk ability from the edges of Louisville Rd. to East Broad St..
The I-16/Louisville Rd./Liberty St. corridors amalgamate to create a pedestrian passage through moments in history and place.
Savannah Battlefield and Roundhouse Museum / Urban Design Studio III / Spring 2012
Walkability among the Edges
History, Place, Passage
The city of Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, becoming one of the most influential cities in the South. The innovative ward system introduced in the 18th century is still one of its most appealing characteristics, and remains true to its pedestrian origins.
Throughout most of the 1700s to the 1800s the ward system remained true to the Oglethorpe expansion plan. However, the proliferation of Savannah beyond West Broad St. (MLK Jr. Blvd.) began the disconnection in the grid and core.
The addendum of the west area resulted in a discrepancy within the city. Nonetheless, with the introduction of the industrial revolution in the 19th and 20th centuries, west Savannah saw a revival. Central of Georgia Railways injected a new level of development when it began to construct in the early 1830s.
The site for this project focused on the Louisville Rd. - Liberty St . corridors, which encompasses the former Central of Georgia Railways. The disconnection between both streets is clearly marked by the overwhelming amount of traffic and decreasing activity of pedestrians.
Although Savannah has remained mainly intact, the size of super blocks and the federal highway system resulted in a disconnection and then depression of the west side.
History, Place, Passage
The city of Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, becoming one of the most influential cities in the South. The innovative ward system introduced in the 18th century is still one of its most appealing characteristics, and remains true to its pedestrian origins.
Throughout most of the 1700s to the 1800s the ward system remained true to the Oglethorpe expansion plan. However, the proliferation of Savannah beyond West Broad St. (MLK Jr. Blvd.) began the disconnection in the grid and core.
The addendum of the west area resulted in a discrepancy within the city. Nonetheless, with the introduction of the industrial revolution in the 19th and 20th centuries, west Savannah saw a revival. Central of Georgia Railways injected a new level of development when it began to construct in the early 1830s.
The site for this project focused on the Louisville Rd. - Liberty St . corridors, which encompasses the former Central of Georgia Railways. The disconnection between both streets is clearly marked by the overwhelming amount of traffic and decreasing activity of pedestrians.
Although Savannah has remained mainly intact, the size of super blocks and the federal highway system resulted in a disconnection and then depression of the west side.
Walkability Among the Edges Master Plan / Urban Design Studio III / Spring 2012
I-16 / Louisville Road
Louisville Rd. was laid out midst Savannah’s expansion when the capital of Georgia was moved to Augusta in the 1800s. By the time of its layout, the city had not reached past South Broad St. (Oglethorpe Ave). Therefore the connection with Liberty St. did not occur until later in history.
The existing conditions for pedestrians lack a defined path that provides connectivity with the East side of the ward system.
The pedestrian path is interrupted through the west side by the lack of a clear sidewalk patterns. Providing pedestrians a more defined sidewalk would permit the circulation that flows in the East side to be maintained.
The repetition of the tree-lined sidewalks and streets would result in a cohesive language for the city and therefore create a uniform pedestrian experience.
Louisville Rd. was laid out midst Savannah’s expansion when the capital of Georgia was moved to Augusta in the 1800s. By the time of its layout, the city had not reached past South Broad St. (Oglethorpe Ave). Therefore the connection with Liberty St. did not occur until later in history.
The existing conditions for pedestrians lack a defined path that provides connectivity with the East side of the ward system.
The pedestrian path is interrupted through the west side by the lack of a clear sidewalk patterns. Providing pedestrians a more defined sidewalk would permit the circulation that flows in the East side to be maintained.
The repetition of the tree-lined sidewalks and streets would result in a cohesive language for the city and therefore create a uniform pedestrian experience.
Roundhouse / Battlefield
In the midst of prosperity, the Central of Georgia Railways brought an enlightenment to the city of Savannah. The Roundhouse built in 1855 was to provide the complex with the facilities to maintain the trains.
Closed in 1963, the Roundhouse was abandoned until 1973 when the City of Savannah began acquiring the Central of Georgia Railway buildings. The Roundhouse Museum stands today as a reminder of the years of cotton and railway prosperity in Savannah.
Nonetheless, the site remains the least visited among the complex. Although it shares boundaries with the historic setting of the Savannah Battlefield.
In providing a clear passage that invites into the area, and an opening to a natural amphitheater would increase visitation to the site. Making the pedestrian experience emphasize on the importance of both the Battlefield and Roundhouse
In the midst of prosperity, the Central of Georgia Railways brought an enlightenment to the city of Savannah. The Roundhouse built in 1855 was to provide the complex with the facilities to maintain the trains.
Closed in 1963, the Roundhouse was abandoned until 1973 when the City of Savannah began acquiring the Central of Georgia Railway buildings. The Roundhouse Museum stands today as a reminder of the years of cotton and railway prosperity in Savannah.
Nonetheless, the site remains the least visited among the complex. Although it shares boundaries with the historic setting of the Savannah Battlefield.
In providing a clear passage that invites into the area, and an opening to a natural amphitheater would increase visitation to the site. Making the pedestrian experience emphasize on the importance of both the Battlefield and Roundhouse
Old Liberty / Median Passage
Liberty St. is one of the major pedestrian and traffic streets in Savannah. It is peculiar in its median who’s proportion is greater than the street itself. Characterized by the numerous historic oak trees, it brings a unique spirit to the pedestrian.
The grand parade of oak trees and vegetation has given Liberty Street an ideal micro climate. It has created a safe environment that incites pedestrian activity along its generous sidewalks. Along the path, the prevalence of historic buildings that encompass the different architectural styles unite in the ultimate Savannah experience.
The median which is generous in size does not engage in much pedestrian activity. Therefore in accordance to the ward system, a path is inspired.
The concept is to bring the spirit of Liberty and pedestrians into the median. Taking the concept of the grid and dividing it in half, results in a unique design that resembles the ward and is not as invasive to the median. By pulling pedestrians and historical markers into the median, a visual experience and a historic journey is achieved.
Liberty St. is one of the major pedestrian and traffic streets in Savannah. It is peculiar in its median who’s proportion is greater than the street itself. Characterized by the numerous historic oak trees, it brings a unique spirit to the pedestrian.
The grand parade of oak trees and vegetation has given Liberty Street an ideal micro climate. It has created a safe environment that incites pedestrian activity along its generous sidewalks. Along the path, the prevalence of historic buildings that encompass the different architectural styles unite in the ultimate Savannah experience.
The median which is generous in size does not engage in much pedestrian activity. Therefore in accordance to the ward system, a path is inspired.
The concept is to bring the spirit of Liberty and pedestrians into the median. Taking the concept of the grid and dividing it in half, results in a unique design that resembles the ward and is not as invasive to the median. By pulling pedestrians and historical markers into the median, a visual experience and a historic journey is achieved.
Liberty St. median, inspired by the Savannah Ward System
Civic Center / Parking Lots
When Montgomery St. was modified to become part of US Federal Highway 17, the city of Savannah went through its most intense interventions. The creation of the superblocks in the 1970s broke the ward system between Barnard, Jefferson and Montgomery streets.
The reconfiguration of these streets ending I-16 into Montgomery St. resulted in an interruption to the pedestrian experience. Overwhelmed by the scale of the Savannah Civic Center, pedestrians perceive that the historical city has ended.
Therefore it creates an obstruction from visitation to MLK Jr. Blvd. and the Central of Georgia Railways.
Reconnecting Jefferson St. and bringing the spirit of the Liberty St. into the parking lots, would provide a temporary urbanism solution to the scale.
The imprint of the City of Savannah logo in the pavement gives it a uniqueness of identity.
When Montgomery St. was modified to become part of US Federal Highway 17, the city of Savannah went through its most intense interventions. The creation of the superblocks in the 1970s broke the ward system between Barnard, Jefferson and Montgomery streets.
The reconfiguration of these streets ending I-16 into Montgomery St. resulted in an interruption to the pedestrian experience. Overwhelmed by the scale of the Savannah Civic Center, pedestrians perceive that the historical city has ended.
Therefore it creates an obstruction from visitation to MLK Jr. Blvd. and the Central of Georgia Railways.
Reconnecting Jefferson St. and bringing the spirit of the Liberty St. into the parking lots, would provide a temporary urbanism solution to the scale.
The imprint of the City of Savannah logo in the pavement gives it a uniqueness of identity.
Median and Pavement Detail
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Savannah Ward Pavement
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Jefferson Street re-connection / Urban Design Studio III / Spring 2012