Larimer Living City Design

BEAUTYIt’s about peopleYouthlearnplaylovefriendshipsecuritygrowthrive

home> block> neighborhood> district

physical environment + institutions

Middleworkprovidelearnbuildcommunitygrowthrive home> neighborhood> city> region

programs + networks

Seniorhealthfriendshipworshipcommunitysecuritygrowthrive home> block> neighborhood> physical environment + institutions

SPIRIT & INSPIRATION

beauty + spirit

inspiration + education

Residents’ portraits by Larry Ripple

building a community & renewinga landscape

GOAL

...how does a post industrial neighborhood transform itself into a living community?

PIVOT1995 population

3,0001975 population6,0001940 population

13,350 2011 population2,000

2035 population6,5002030 population

5,0002020 population3,0002015 population

2,0002011 population2,000

A toothless grin. The smile on a wrinkled face. Youthful display of laughter at a bike exchange. Look of enjoyment at the fall harvest.Our residents come from a variety of experiences that shape our collective future. Effective educational institutions, affordable and sustainable housing options, and employment opportunities lay the foundation for a bright future. Community members from every walk of life, from infants to senior citizens, will be instrumental in transforming Larimer from its nebulous image to one of clarity and true prosperity.The transformation will go nowhere without the inclusion and education of all the Larimer residents. To educate our community on sustainability Kingsley Association developed The Virtual Green Neighborhood software. With this innovative tool, we have the opportunity to challenge community members of all ages to develop a sustainable neighborhood, through discussion and visioning. With this tool, individuals can assess small

changes, such as how a single tree can improve the air quality of an entire block as well as improve the aesthetic quality of the street.Rarely do we speak about the presence of the strong religious and spiritual communities in Larimer. All of the religious institutions of Larimer will be important to our growth. Religious organizations in our community offer a variety of programs and services for community members of all ages. For youth and teenagers, an early childhood development center, after school program, and a mentoring program are available. For adults, rental assistance programs, community service opportunities, and ministerial courses are offered. Special programs target our senior population. To achieve our goals, we also seek to offer a myriad of workshops on the following topics:>Financial literacy and supporting a local economy>Sustainability education for households (e.g. weatherization workshops)>Storm water management training>Landscape training for unemployed workers

(including rain and rain barrel initiatives)>Understanding a comprehensive sustainable future (e.g. solar street lighting project to improve safety)>Co-design and collaborative learning opportunities to grow comprehensive sustainable projects>Cooperative business and skill development for our unemployed or underemployed young adults>To us, beauty is beyond our explicit appearances. It also encompasses the internal manifestation of beauty. We are beautiful. While our current outer visual projection may not represent that, this plan will give us the opportunity for our inner beauty to reflect our outward appearances.

250 residents joined together to help plan the community

EQUITY

Equity fuels freedom. There are social, environmental, and economic equity. We believe that to develop a sustainable neighborhood our investments need to benefit all. It must provide for each one of us to have an opportunity to be self-sufficient and healthy. To move closer to self-sufficiency, we have established community action teams: One Voice; Redd Up; Green Up; Celebrate; and Work and Wellness. These teams are resident driven. Another collaboration is with the University of Pittsburgh, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, who are assisting with an analysis of a solar- based lighting solution for a poorly lit and dangerous underpass at the entryway to Larimer. University students and

community youth are working on teams to complete this analysis and help make Larimer safer.Larimer welcomes the opportunity to provide housing to Pittsburgh Job Corps graduates. Opening up our community would facilitate an effortless transition to affordable and accessible housing options for graduates seeking to develop their work experience and increase their sustainability knowledge. Our experiential learning models include providing LEED Green Associate certification to community residents. Taught in collaboration with the Green Building Alliance and the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. By integrating recently trained and employed individuals into the Larimer landscape it will help the OPPORTUNITY, JOBS & HOUSING

provide equitable access to housing and jobs for a diversity of lifestyles

GOAL

INTERIM SCALAR STRATEGIES CURRENT KNOWLEDGE & ACTION

INCREASE REGIONAL BUSINESS DIVERSITY AND COMPLIMENT EXISTING BUSINESSES WITHOUT DUPLICATION.

Connect to regional and local education and training institutions to build workforce capacity.

East Liberty MasterplanEast Liberty Development

Community driven housing development that is non-speculative and matches income with cost, not to exceed 25% of income.

Work with elders to transfer equity from one generation to another and keep property in residents’ control.

Housing strategies like: limited equity housing cooperatvies & cohousing units; diversity of housing types for aging-in-place; subsidized home ownership for low income residents, tax relief.

Community driven strategies such as an equity fund to support residents’ entrepreneurialism - funded by market development, philanthropy, and winnings of the competition!

CULTURAL PROGRAMMING AND ENGAGEMENT TO INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY IDEAS IN THE DNA OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Larimer Plan Nov 2010Kingsley, Strada

LARIMER VISION PLAN • PAGE 9

community action teams: One Voice; Redd Up; Green Up; Celebrate; and Work and Wellness. At the outset of the Vision Plan process, it became apparent that the Green Up action team was especially active and involved. During the Vision process, the Strada team provided opportunities for the Larimer Consensus Group to invigorate and repopulate the other action teams. Larimer Action Teams:

Redd-Up + – clean up & fix upGreen-Up + – greening & beautificationWork and Wellness + – healthy prosperous residents, families & community One Voice + – unity, partnerships, clarity, awareness & communicationCelebrate + – pride in Larimer, community building events

Interviews with Stakeholders and ExpertsRecognizing that considerable planning work had been undertaken prior to the launching of the Vision Plan, the Strada team reviewed existing planning

documents to ensure that prior and on-going planning issues and initiatives would inform current thinking. The Strada team also reviewed the results of the interviews with neighborhood and other stakeholders conducted during the 2007-2008 community planning process. This analysis was presented to the Consensus Group for review and discussion. The Strada team rounded out the information by interviewing additional key stakeholders, including public agency representatives, realtors, developers, institutions, and business owners.

Community MeetingsTwo community-wide meetings were convened during the planning process. Larimer residents, business owners, institutional representatives, and other stakeholders were invited to these facilitated discussions. The first community meeting was convened on October 22, 2009. Participants heard a presentation on an analysis of existing

Fig. 7 & 8February 4th Meeting, the children present their ideas and drawings for the neighborhood’s future.

Images courtesy ofLarry Rippel Photography

USE VACANT LAND TO ATTRACT TEMPORARY USE BUSINESSES SUCH AS LANDSCAPE BUSINESSES OR SEASONAL MARKETS.

Provide business assistance and affordable space for minority owned businesses.

Current homeowners can participate in “house-for-a-house” to remain in the neighborhood.

Create an eco-industrial park for blue, white and green collar jobs.

The Larimer Experiment Stationproposed a forum for civic engagement in the development of a locally-based, green economy. The plan transformed vacant land into temporary uses that serves the community’s changing needs.

Kingsley Association | Studio for Spatial Practice

LarimerA Mobile Strategy

Demountable Roof Structures

Offi ce Space

Workshop

Market

Greenhouse

The Experiment Station is designed to recycle both land and materials. A variety of movable building blocks can be combined for different uses and moved from one vacant site to another. Where ever possible the station will be built from recycled materials such as used shipping containers or salvaged lumber.

combined and moved

Shared Indoor Shop

Shared Tool Storage

Leasable Project Spaces

Shared Outdoor Work Space

Recycled shipping containerscreate fast occupiable space that can be relocated later.

Roof canopy system allows for a variety of sheltered outdoor spaces.

Kitchen equipped trucks create instant food

preparation and sales area.

Classroom Space

Entrance CanopyLeasable Startup

Offi ce Spaces

Open Air Market Shelter

Mobile Food Vendors

Commercial Lightweight Greenhouse Structures

Shipping Containers

Mobile Vendor Trucks

Tool Storage

Experiment StationKingsley, Studio for Spatial Practice

PROVIDE MONETARY AND EXPERT RESOURCES FOR PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING PROPERTIES AND TRAIN FOR POTENTIAL JOBS.

Support working families by easy availability of services such as daycare, nutrition, health care and transporation.

Weatherization & Training

human scale + humane places

democracy + social Justice

rights to nature

...how can current & future residents have equitable access to jobs and housing?

areas’ unemployment rate while defending against gentrification, which is one of the greatest fears of our residents. This will strengthen Larimer’s connection with the beneficial Job Corps Center, which is less than a mile away.Unfortunately, housing costs continue to be a financial challenge for many Larimer residents, especially our older members. 30% of our residents are 60 years of age or older. Many of our homeowners are seniors; unfortunately their fixed income is not sufficient to maintain homeownership. In addition, the average household spends more than 60% of their monthly income on rent and utilities. We hope through our innovative housing designs and models and effective social programs, residents

will spend no more than 25% of their income on housing costs. This will allow our community to invest today, plan for the future and not live day-to-day lives.In terms of ownership, the median home sale value in 2009 was $5,400. Homes selling at this price are at an extreme disadvantage to our older homeowners who confidently invested in the American Dream only to experience a substantial loss of financial security to what is typically considered a safe, beneficial investment. Loss of minority homeownership means there will be not intergenerational transfer of wealth and could lead to a super-disenfranchised African American generation.

The community equity fund aims to preserve our vision for a sustainable neighborhood. It is a tool to facilitate intergenerational transfer of wealth, encourage job creation, allow for minority owned business development and facilitates investments in domestic energy generation. The equity fund leverages philanthropic funds, social investors, government funds and market rate capital to facilitate initiatives that contribute to a sustainable neighborhood. The innovation process necessary to achieve an equitable and sustainable neighborhood could lead to a strong and local economy, an economy that can withstand the shifting sands of global capital and contribute towards a healthy city and livable planet.

It is an early start for Aneesa, as she walks to Larimer Square to drop her kids off at daycare and catch the bus. Today is an exciting day, as she begins her new job as a physical therapist at Children’s Hospital after completing training at Chatham University and a residency at the Sports Center Clinic. Finding education and jobs in the neighborhood made it easier for her to raise her two young kids and go to school. It is a big step to leave the neighborhood for bigger opportunities, but she is joined by many others who are also waiting for their bus to arrive.

Marcus hooks the flat cart up to his bike and heads off to the greenhouses. Last spring he helped with the goats at Larimer Fields, the community supported agriculture nonprofit. This year, he is in charge of organizing the younger kids to help raise starter plants. Today they will be transfering the seedlings to bigger pots so they can grow in time for the Market Garden sale in a month. He is confident because he figures that organizing kids can’t be that much harder than herding goats and certainly less smelly.

Dorothy waits until the sun hits the pocket park outside her building before she goes downstairs to meet her friends. Since selling her home and moving to the Larimer Green apartments, she has more time to chat. She has become known as the cooking maven of the building and most morning begin with a walk to the CSA farmstand and bakery. As a long time resident, she has a lifetime farm share that keeps prices low. This is especially useful so she can cook extra for her grandkids who stay with her in the afternoon.

35 percent of Larimer’s residents are unemployed and looking for jobs

PEOPLEPOWEREDLARIMER’S STRENGTH IS IN ITS PEOPLE

SITE

limits to growth

urban agriculture

habitat exchange

car free living

REHABILITATE THE REGIONAL SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM TO SEPARATE SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM STORM FLOW.

Restore regional ecology, especially valleys and hillsides, with native harvestable resources such as nut trees.


FARMER’S MARKETS CONNECT NEIGHBORHOOD WITH REGIONAL FOOD GROWERS AND TO DISTRIBUTE NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCE.

Business clusters with codependent businesses like cooking and nutrition schools, urban ag nonprofits, bakeries, restaurants, and ag training centers.

Neighborhood scale sewage processing for low density areas.

Edible landscaping trails and green streets.

ENABLE RESIDENTS TO GROWN HIGH NUTRITION FOODS NEAR TO THEIR HOMES IN COMMUNITY GARDENS AND COOPERATIVE AG ORGANIZATIONS.

Block scale sewage processing for high density residential and commercial.

Collect biological waste (plant and human) at each household and recycle nutrients to support high yield farming.

(Re)build soil nutrients with on site recycling and intensive animal methods.

PLANTING AND PROCESSING OF CROPS ON VACANT LAND TO IMPROVE ECOLOGY AND FOR ECONOMIC BENEFIT.

Edible landscapes and gardens integrated into architecture and domestic landscapes.

Building scale collection and processing of biological waste.

Healthy Fresh Food DeliveryKingsley

Fresh Food Hard To Find Close To Home!

Come To Fresh Food Delivery!Located: 6435 Frankstown Ave Pittsburgh Pa 15206Phone: (412) 6611257Ask for Carlos Gasca

Clean Water Act Consent DecreeAlcosan, EPA

City + Farm FrameworkKingsley, Carnegie Mellon University

Urban design proposal that studied ways to aggregate disparate parcels of vacant land to create a significant area of open space for high yield farming.

Framework 3City + Farm

Taryn HumphreyPhase 1

Vacant Land Remediation Using Natural Restorative Methods

close the loops of food and waste with a highly productive landscape

GOAL

NUTRITION & HABITAT

URBAN AGRICULTURAL COMPLEXFarmer’s Market K-6 Food school Tractor mechanicUrban agriculture job trainingFood Store

EDIBLE STREETSCAPE & BIKE LOOPFruit and nut treesTypical street trees

xBUILDING RENEWABLESStraw bale constructionStewardship / Planting of Hardwoods

FRUIT & NUT TREESHigh yield

FORESTHardwoods with edibles (Oaks, Maples, etc.)

+

x

-

GARDEN TYPE 1Community Gardens - nutrientIndividual Gardens - nutrient

N

EDIBLE PARK LOOPHigh yield per square foot, fruit and nut trees, berry productionUse sheep to keep lawn below

x

M

BARNAnimal husbandryCommunity garden centerTools, maintenance

M

URBAN FORESTMaintained for acors, maple sap, othersInvasives cleared if replatedRestoration and meintenance through goat husbandry

-M

GARDEN / FARM TYPESNUTRIENTvegetables, low calorie, tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini

CALORIChigh calorie, grains, potatoes

PROTEINSbeans

MEATchicken - 50% caloric rate, eggssheep - lawn maintenancecows - milkgoats - hillside browsers, eats invasivesrabbits - high protein

N

C

M

P

GARDEN TYPE 2High production farmingRotation of heavy, light, and fallow (animal) usesBuilding renewables

+

CM

P

NUTRIENT RECYCLINGHUMAN SEWAGELocal sewage districtPrimary treatment center - powered by PVSSecondary and tertiary in working landscapeEffluent (clean) to gardens

ORGANIC MATERIALSSmall distributed composting at nutrient gardensNo fill strategy at caloric gardensHousehold yard and business organics composted or periodically processed

...how can food & waste be seen as part of the same cycle?

215acres

15percent

18ac

14ac YIELDS

1400tons/year

2/lbs/sf

1.05FAR

per LCC requirement

only 44 percent of county residents have access to affordable whole food

“Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise.- George Washington CarverTo understand our community landscape, it is important for us to intimately know our land. We need to clearly articulate acceptable areas of development how to adequately restore and protect current development, and to encourage pedestrian and nature-centered realities. With our smaller population our plan looks to increase the density of our residential areas, which will open up space for agriculture, energy production, and ecological restoration.Unfortunately, automobiles have become an integral part of our lives and communities without much regard for green spaces or people. With our plan, we seek to restore our neighborhood, in terms of habitat and development, to its natural beauty while simultaneously creating a pedestrian, walking and bicycling, centered community with an abundance of green space.

Our plan is to separate sewage effluent and storm flow. The sewage will be treated on site and support the Consent Decree. This will reduce the need for new infrastructure while saving taxpayers money by not building larger treatment facilities. Sewage can be used to our advantage to capture nutrients and reinvest them into our agriculture production. Agriculture and garden plots are integral to our plan. Our early success with the already existing Larimer community garden will help as we introduce twenty acres of concentrated urban agriculture. Our farms will focus on providing nutrients, calories, and protein to our residents by utilizing a diverse crop selection. We will bring animals back into the urban landscape, goats on the hillsides, sheep mowing our lawns, chickens and rabbits in our back yards, and milking cows used in field rotation.Like many places in Pittsburgh Larimer needs to remediate soil and address pollutants on our land. We intend to utilize natural vegetation

methods to remediate soil conditions. Community residents will have the opportunity to train in conservation and land restoration and naturalist training. We will use the restoration process to provide new careers opportunities and jobs to our community residents. We believe there is a demand in Pittsburgh for rentable garden plots, which currently some community gardens have a 15-year waiting list. Many of the plot users are elderly Italian-Americans who grew up in Larimer. We would appreciate giving them the opportunity to return to Larimer and sharing their talents with our youth.To allow our residents to share in George Washington Carver’s beauty our plan encompasses the planting of over 1,400 trees, fruit trees around our parks, native oaks in our valleys and shade trees along our pedestrian corridors. These trees will sequester 480 tons of CO2. We decided to share the thoughts of George Washington Carver not only because he was a great African-America, but because he was a great agriculturist; something that we all strive to be.

WATER

STORMSHED REDISTRICTING AND REESTABLISHMENT OF VALLEY FLOWS

Rehabilitate the regional sewage treatment system to separate sewage effluent from storm flow and infiltrate rainwater on site.

Separate stormwater from potable water and take sewage treatment plants offline

LESSEN DEMAND WITH BUIDING SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS RAIN BARRELS AND OTHER STORAGE, INFILTRATION GARDENS, IRRIGATION, ETC., AND CHANGE SOCIAL NORMS WITH EDUCATION.

Create intuitive ways of engaging the community in visioning and modeling changes to their community. Give metrics for quality of life.

INTEGRATE EXPERIENCE OF WATER INTO OPEN SPACE AND STREETSCAPE SYSTEM TO MAKE EVIDENT NATURAL SYSTEMS.

Aggregate functions for infrastructure to serve more than one purpose (water management, habitat, trails, etc.,) to offset first cost investment.

Designate a community development position to advocate for stormwater grants and funding sources for neighborhood projects.

Create coops to allow smaller property owners to pool nvestments for neighborhood based collection and treatment.

Keep water on-site for use and reuse with closed loop storage and infiltration and waste processing.

Create districting strategies and find funding for block and building based funding and improvements.

Stormwater Master PlanEast Liberty

The Promenade Carnegie Mellon U.

New Parks & Greenspace on the Edge

Transform vacant edges to a promenade park

Transform vacant spaces to pocket parks

Environment & Energy Outreach Community CenterURA

Community education and training center with stormwater BMP demonstrations.

Checkerboard Green14. —Activities within the residential core should focus on the clearance of dilapidated structures, the rehabilitation of sound structures, the disposition of vacant lots and side yards to adjoining homeowners and the reclamation of open spaces for community gardens, green infrastructure and farming.

The Forbes Health Facility15. at the corner of Frankstown Avenue and Washington Boulevard presents a long range opportunity.

The area bounded by Frankstown, Lincoln, 16. Mayflower and Paulson is a mix of retail, light industrial and residential. Opportunity for neighborhood scale retail such as ALDI or others, focused on Frankstown.

The Hamilton Avenue Corridor17. serves a range of manufacturing, distribution, service and craft related businesses, providing jobs and economic activity in Larimer. Enhance as a center for green jobs/light industrial development. Adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

The Housing Authority owns part of the 18. property designated as green space by this plan. The Housing Authority has goals for building and managing new housing in the Larimer Avenue corridor that must be addressed before they agree to their current site being green space. Sites for this housing, both scattered and assembled at larger scale need to be identified.

Stormwater collection and treatment9. is both a green sustainability strategy and a park amenity utilizing natural terrains and drainage systems and reducing sewer demand.

Field house: a year round regional 10. destination. An alternative to a single field house is to have several smaller facilities dispersed through out the park. A feasibility study for the park and available financing opportunities will drive the preferred alternative.

Urban Farm: 11. provides opportunities for urban agriculture, associated with new green space.

Provide smaller, more concentrated 12. residential clusters to strengthen the neighborhood. A number of community organizations have plans for new development within the residential core which can form the basis of these clusters.

The eastern extents of the park are flexible.13. The border may change depending on vacancy and needs for development.

Expand and Connect to Highland Park.1. Create a complex with rectangular fields and a field house for an active, year round destination. Rectangular fields are in short supply in the region and will draw people to Larimer.

East Liberty Boulevard as green boulevard2. —connecting the new Larimer Park and Mellon Park with green infrastructure, bike and pedestrian amenities.

East Liberty Boulevard and Negley Run 3. Boulevard will be a key gateway to Larimer Park and the new Larimer.

The new Environment and Energy 4. Community Outreach Center on East Liberty Boulevard is a new development likely to be a destination in Larimer and should be highlighted as a key gateway. This will also be gateway to the new Larimer Park.

Create Park Edge5. with new housing fronting the newly created Park.

Create opportunities for development and 6. neighborhood connection with a new land-use plan for East Liberty Gardens, the ball feild, Enright Court, and St. Peter and Paul Church

Kingsley Center7. on East Liberty Boulevard should be highlighted as a key gateway and face of the neighborhood.

East Liberty Boulevard and Penn Avenue is a 8. key location for a Larimer gateway, especially given its proximity to the new Bakery Square Development.

RE-IMAGINING A More Sustainable Cleveland 19

FIG 18-19 Design concepts for vacant land in headwaters areas

GreenSpace

Retail/Commercial Residential Light

Industrial Institutional Existing Parks

Highland Park

Mellon Park

Port

Authority Garage

East Liberty Bus Stop

Larimer Avenue

Meadow Street

Frankstown Avenue

Hamilton Avenue

Auburn Street

Washington Blvd.

E. Liberty Blvd.

Penn Avenue

Paulson Avenue

Lincoln Avenue

Negley Run Blvd.

Colli

ns A

venu

e

10

9

1

11

14

13

1516

17

18

12

2

3

4

7

8

5

5

6

Calvin College

Environment and Energy Community Outreach CenterExterior Perspective 1

19 January 2010Fukui Architects

november 2010 2 0 y e a r l a r i m e r v i s i o n p l a n pittsburgh, paneighborhood

land use vision plan

Image courtesy ofCleveland Urban Design Collaborative & Neighborhood Progress, Inc.

Proposed NewStreet Connection


net zero water + improved ecological water flows

GOAL

USE & ECOLOGY

net zero water

ecological water flow

BLUE NECKLACE

WATER STREETS

STRUCTURED STORAGE

GREENWAY LINEAR BIOSWALE WITH SIDEWALKS

BUILDING RESERVOIRS

BELOW GRADE STORAGE

BELOW GRADE CONVEYANCE

ABOVE GRADE STORAGE AND INFILTRATION

We in Larimer see water everywhere; whether it is the Allegheny River or the largest reservoir in Pittsburgh, both within a mile’s reach. To engage our residents in better water management practices we intend to storm water management to jobs. For example, nine senior homeowners volunteered their homes for rain garden and rain barrel installations in order to provide summer employment to youth. It is anticipated that the cost of water and sewage will increase by at least 50% in the Pittsburgh region over the next 15 years and if we can take preventative measures today, we can ensure our residents are not hit hard economically by the price increases. Through co-housing development and neighborhood co-ops, property owners will be able to pool investments for larger scale collection (i.e. cisterns) and treatment. This will make our efforts more effective and cost our residents less.

Larimer is home to two aesthetically beautiful habitats, Negley Run and Washington Run, which are largely ignored because busy roadways and unsightly infrastructure create an unwelcoming environment. With the proper resources, these natural habitats can be restored to their original state of beauty for the enjoyment of the Larimer community and all citizens of Pittsburgh. This restoration will allow for the natural flow of water through the valleys and into the Allegheny River.In Pittsburgh, we have monumental issues surrounding our Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) being housed in a decaying 100-plus year old infrastructure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated improvements to the aging infrastructure with the Clean Water Act Consent Decree by 2023. This current

system combines raw sewage and storm water in the same pipe. During heavy storms, this system overflows and releases raw sewage directly into our rivers, which happens on average 75 times a year. By keeping water on-site Larimer will help to reduce the number of times this happens, allowing for greater recreation use on our three rivers by all the residents of Pittsburgh.

...how can a community improve the region’s water cycle?

commercialavailable

26 mil cf

TOTAL ANNUAL

RAINFALL

residential5 mil cf/yr

5 mil cf/yr

3.5 mil cf/yr

infilt

rati

on 12

.5 m

il cf

/yr

dom

est

ic w

ater

po

p. 6

00

0

storage

ave. household

use in one year

10,950 gals/yr

dom

est

ic w

ater

infilt

rati

on 8

mil

cf/y

r

po

p. 2

000

15,330 gals/yr

commercial

available

26 mil cf

TOTAL ANNUAL

RAINFALL

residential3 mil cf/yr

7 mil cf/yr

8 mil cf/yr

ave. household

use in one year

rebuilding the city’s sewers may cost as much as 50 billion dollars

ENERGY

net zero energy

RAISE AWARENESS ON REGIONAL AIR QUALITY ISSUES.

Decrease number of coal fired power plants in airshed

Reduce dependence on combustion

Address social justice and pollution issues in low income communities.

Transform high output systems, such as public transit, to alternative fuel sources

Housing PlanKingsley

Undergraduate engineering students examined ways that small scale technologies can be incorporated into neighborhood culture and activities.

District heating and cooling and utility sharing.

Create a Business Improvement District for energy investment and cooperative ownership.

Utilize cogeneration as an interim fuel strategy until technology is available to meet demand given solar resources.

Provide multimodal transit options for neightborhood and decrease dependence on combustion vehicles through ride sharing and shared electric vehicles.

USE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY AND HEAT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES, LIKE PVS, SOLAR THERMAL AND GEOTHERMAL FOR MULTIUNIT AND BLOCK SCALE INITIATIVES.

Create energy coops for affordable access to technologies and to offset first costs.

Building integrated energy generation technologies.

DIY DISTRIBUTED POWER GENERATION.

Lessen demand with building envelope and systems improvement.

Mapping Mortalilty ExposePost Gazette

Bakery Square Solar InstallationWalnut Capital


net zero energy and equitable energy creation & use

GOAL

CREATION & USE

PARK & AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURESBUILDING

Energy density = solar incomeClosed loop with current solar income

LOW RISE RESIDENTIALHOUSING BLOCK

Energy density = solar incomeClosed loop with current solar income

COGENERATION UNIT

AREA OF SOLAR PANELS REQUIRED FOR

RESIDENTIAL ENERGY BALANCE

AREA OF SOLAR PANELS REQUIRED FOR COMMERCIAL

ENERGY BALANCE

ECO INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL ZONENEIGHBORHOOD

Energy density = solar incomeInterim energy strategy is cogeneration until technology advancesRoof mounted PV - daytime energy use

ELECTRIC BUS DEPOTREGIONALEnergy density = solar income even with increased equipment efficiencyClosed loop with solar income and cogeneration from local natural gas (clean fuel)

TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL BLOCK1 Geothermal deep field

Two vertical wells/unit @ 100’ deep

2 Geothermal coilsHorizontal under alley units can connect incrementally

3 Geothermal deep wellunder new infill units2-3 vertical well/unit @ 100’ deep

2

3

3

1

1

...how can energy independence make a community more resilient?

2035 2011

2011131 kBTU/sf total energy use44% of total energy is electric57.64 kBTU/sf electrical energy use

2035 (50% better efficiency)30.2 kBTU/sf electrical energy use.61 sf of PV / sf of commercialFAR 1.44

63 acres pv

COMMERCIAL

40 acres pv

2035 2011

RESIDENTIAL201155.9 kBTU/sf total energy use65% of total energy is electric36.3 kBTU/sf electrical energy use

2035 (50% better efficiency)18.2 kBTU/sf electrical energy use.36 sf of PV / sf of housingFAR 0.83

In order to achieve our goal of identifying alternative energy sources in Larimer, we need to a) raise awareness on regional air quality issues, b) utilize alternative energy technologies, and c) build integrated energy generation. In the 21st century, Pennsylvania continues to use coal-fired electricity. This outdated practice continues to be environmentally detrimental and is compromising to the health of Pittsburghers, which has near the worst air quality in the nation, even with all of the steel plants leaving. It is also financially challenging for consumers, especially our residents who spend up to one- third of their income on utilities. We need to identify alternative means to providing these services while also minimizing the financial strain these costs have on residents.To bridge the transition to 100% renewable energy we plan to utilize cogeneration plants and district heating which can utilize the excess heat generated by the cogeneration plant. These

plants will begin by operating with cleaner natural gas but will over time transition to run on biofuels. Our future energy envelope will be mostly solar (photovoltaic and thermal) and geothermal. One way of closing this gap is through the development of electric buses and automobiles. These innovations not only relieve our current dependence on finite natural resources but they also indirectly improve the air quality, and consequently the health of Pittsburghers who have been severely affected by the old steel industry. By developing a neighborhood wide energy plan which will utilize smart metering we can charge our electric automobiles at the most efficient times.In Larimer, we seek to build an environment that relies solely on renewable forms of energy and operates year round in a pollution-free manner. Additionally, we aim to prioritize reduction and optimization techniques

before brand new technological solutions are applied to eliminate wasteful spending. We also seek to export tools and knowledge to other neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh region. Our model can be seen as a “renewable energy” neighborhood that can be duplicated elsewhere.

low income households spend 1/3 of their budgets on energy

civilized environment

healthy air

biophilia

HEALTH

Decrease air pollution from coal fired electricity generation (#1 cause in region) by decreasing energy demand.

Decrease air pollution from transit (#2 cause) by improved public transit networks and with alternative fuel sources.

City Biking Map and Bike Commuting GuideBike Pittsburgh

Steelers Coach Mike TomlinSteeler Nation

Larimer Athletic Fields Master PlanURA

Bike CoopFree RIde

Free Ride is not a traditional repair shop that fixes your bike for you but instead teaches you to fix your own bike and build a community of bikers.

DEVELOP A RICH DIVERSITY OF TRANSIT CHOICES AND EMPHASIZE WALKABILITY THROUGH DENSITY, CLUSTERING AND DISTRIBUTION OF SERVICES AND QUALITY LIVING STREETSCAPES.

Create networks for non combustion vehicles and connect to existing rails-to-trails networks.

Develop a density and quality of street life that invites walking and biking.

CAPITALIZE ON THE HIGH PROFILE OF THE CITY’S PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS AND HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITIVENESS TO INSPIRE ACTIVITY.

CREATE A SPORTS COMPLEX AND A PUBLIC MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL DEDICATED TO HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EDUCATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES, ESPECIALLY IN THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

Design playgrounds and access for sports facilities

INTEGRATE BIKE STORAGE INTO PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND TRANSIT AND SUPPORT THE CULTURE OF BIKING AS A MEANS OF ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION.

CREATE COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORT FOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF BIKES AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION.

Larimer Plan 11.2010Kingsley, Strada

LARIMER VISION PLAN • PAGE 1

1. Executive SummaryThis land-use vision plan addresses the opportunities and challenges identified in the Place & Environment Goals in the Larimer Community Plan completed in 2008 by Jackson/Clark Partners. Many of the challenges faced by Larimer, such as high vacancy, an older housing stock and a shrinking and aging population are problems faced by many communities across the Pittsburgh region and across the country. The opportunity here is to address the very real problems of the neighborhood in a manner that is a state-of-the-art model for the Pittsburgh region.

Building a Sustainable CommunityA major goal is to establish a new identity as a state-of-the-art green community. To achieve this goal the community should take steps to set itself apart as innovative and green. In addition to providing ecological benefits and distinguishing

Larimer within the region, urban sustainability strategies can contribute to the economic revitalization of Larimer.

Addressing the excess of vacant and underutilized land will bring the neighborhood closer together, creating a more concentrated, vibrant residential core. This strategy will create connections and increase visibility within the neighborhood, city and region. Larimer’s natural physical and historical connection is to East Liberty. Larimer’s connectivity to public transit will allow it to pursue important urban sustainability strategies, such as walkable communities and transit oriented development.

Consolidating AssetsThe isolation of Larimer from other communities was identified in the Larimer Community Plan as a challenge. But Larimer also has opportunities for connections. Larimer is largely flat, making it well suited for a variety of developments, including housing, recreation and urban agriculture. Visual and physical connections should be enhanced to create more development opportunities.

Fig. 1 Concept Plan

Penn Avenue

Larimer Avenue

Negley Run Blvd.

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Lincoln AvenuePaulso

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Meadow

Street

E. Liberty Blvd.

Frankstown Avenue

Hamilton Avenue

Highland Park

Larimer Park

Urban Farm

Recreational Complex

Village Green

Green Light Industrial

Neighborhood RetailBus

Station

Green

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Mellon Park

Washington Blvd.

A Vision for Larimer

facilitate active lifestyles with sports and athletics and integrate into daily activities

GOAL


MOVEMENT

SPORTS FACILITIES

...how can a legacy of sports championships promote active lifestyles?Pittsburgh is known as a “City of Champions” - Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins - and that characteristic should reach beyond our sports teams. Champions should be manifested in every neighborhood through healthy and active lifestyles. Clean air complemented with recreational exercise and a balanced diet will lead to healthy youth and, in turn, healthy adults.At the same time we understand that sports are important to Pittsburgh, and that they often embody something more than just physical activity. Saturday morning pee-wee football for example is so much more than just a game, it’s a community event where neighbors can connect, grandparents can cheer on grandchildren, brothers and sisters can play. Unfortunately the current site for pee-wee football is dilapidated and is not conducive to any of those activities. One highlight of our plan is the inclusion of a sports focused high school and new playing fields. These improvements will allow for the beautiful play of our youth to happen on a surface deserving of it.Our community currently has limited green space and it affects our well-being. The additional 10 acres tree and of green space in our plan will have an inverse effect on our air quality as well as the overall improvements

to our residents lives. The improvement in air quality has the potential to address the high rates of asthma amongst our youth. The more clean air available, the better air quality, the less likely youth will be affected by asthmatic or other health triggers.The bike community in Pittsburgh has a strong presence. However, here in Larimer bikes as primary form of transportation has not yet taken hold. We are working with FreeRide to provide bikes to youth. Bike lanes have been introduced at the edge of Larimer as part of a larger effort by the City of Pittsburgh to establish bike paths. The opportunity to introduce our residents to biking could lead to healthier lifestyles Improving access to public transportation addresses a host of environmental and health issues. A decrease in air pollution is bound to occur if people are able to utilize public transportation versus their own personal automobiles. 48% of our residents already use public transportation but we see no reason that it cannot be 100%. Getting automobiles off the road increases opportunities for bike lanes and more pedestrian friendly thorough fairs. Our plan adds a Larimer stop to the main bus-way and surrounds it with Transit Oriented Development.

high school athletes are 2 times more likely to attend college

red list

embodied carbon footprint

responsible industry

appropriate sourcing

conservation + reuse

MATERIALSredevelop with existing material assets and create a sustainable business model for use in other places

GOAL

New Found ResourcesKingsley

Alternative Construction Coop HousingKingsley, Pitt

Used Building Material WarehouseConstruction Junction

A business plan for a deconstruction and reuse business scaled to the needs of the neighborhood and creating local workforce capacity.

CONSIDER ALL EXISTING BUILDINGS AS A COMPILATION OF MATERIAL SYSTEMS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE VALUE AS ASSEMBLED AND OTHERS WHICH HAVE MORE VALUE IN DISASSEMBLY.

Move high value houses that are within deconstruction zones. Deliver historic preservation training when these units are moved.

DECONSTRUCT STRUCTURES AND HARVEST MATERIALS. KEEP HEAVIEST MATERIALS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Excavate previously demolished houses to mine sites for materials.

Actively cultivate, harvest and process living and renewable building materials, including straw bale and lumber.

Use regionally harvested, extracted or manufactured materials that are appropriate to the performative needs and create a unique sense of place for the community.

BUILD A COMMUNITY-LED BUSINESS FOR DECONSTRUCTING, STORING, PROCESSING AND REUSING MATERIALS. IMPLEMENT THE BUSINESS TO BENEFIT FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND PROFIT-SHARING.

Identify and give business support to existing construction and building material businesses in the neighborhood and encourage co-location of building materials businesses. Recruit new businesses into area.

Create training programs for neighborhood construction so that workforce can respond to regional demand. Export the model first, and materials second.


USE & REUSE

...how can discarded materials bring economic and social value?With 40% of our homes vacant along with hundreds more buried underground (current demolition process) we have an abundance of housing materials which we plan to use in the transformation of Larimer. It is estimated that we have over 17 million bricks at our disposal for example. Through a focus on reuse, deconstruction, and renovation we can create numerous jobs around these processes. This will also greatly reduce the need for raw materials along with the distance that materials need to travel. We just celebrated our 121st birthday and because of that fact 45% of our homes were built before 1940. Sadly many of these older homes are in poor shape but by implementing weatherization programs we can make our current homes more efficient and make our entire community more sustainable. Weatherization is also a huge economic opportunity. Action Housing, a local nonprofit committed to providing affordable housing has hired local residents to take part in their training programs and work on their weatherization teams. We also predict new businesses being created to support this work.Co-housing allows for the sharing of resources meaning fewer materials in new construction. Larimer is already a community that shares, we have to look out for each other to get by, so it is a natural step for us to find ways to live, work, and play together.

a typical house in Larimer contains 60 tons of brick 23

JOBS70 JOBS

780 JOBS

DEMOLITION

JOB CREATIONDECONSTRUCTION

RENOVATION

Larimer Living City Design

Real Estate

Transcript of Larimer Living City Design