Martin Blas - Urban Planning Portfolio

MARTIN BLASURBAN PLANNING|Graphic Design

IntroDUCTIONWelcome to my portfolio!

My name is Martin Blas and I am an Urban and Regional Planning graduate from Cal Poly Pomona. This portfolio will highlight some of the many projects I worked on throughout my student career. Based on my interests and what i have learned, I envi-sion myself focusing on sustainable planning in the future.

I am a motivated young urban planner and graphic designer looking to gain valuable experience in sustainable development and international planning. As an ambitious, hardworking, fast learning individual who works well with others, I hope to work with a professional organization with a positive outlook and one in which I will be chal-lenged regularly. Implementing efficient planning techniques and policies is crucial to creating a sustainable community. I am confident that with design and policy I can positively impact communities in a meaningful way. To accomplish my goal in creating a sustainable future, I plan to acquire my Masters Degree in Urban Planning in the next five years. If hired, I hope to acquire vital planning knowledge and experience. I am an extremely motivated individual who is anxious to learn the ins and outs of the private planning sector.

Along with my passion for planning, i thoroughly enjoy traveling. I appreciate experi-encing the world through the eyes of an urban planner. Visiting several countries has helped broaden my perspective. As a planner, I hope to continue traveling and through my experiences expand my way of thinking aboout people, planning, culture, and identity

Course ListThe following are a list of courses I took at Cal Poly to give the reader a better understanding of my student background:

CORE COURSESART 150- Introduction to DesignENV 101- Design FoundationsURP 102- Process and Theory of PlanningURP 120- Information Systems for PlannersURP 202- Planning Design AwarenessURP 203- Communication Graphics for PlanningURP 331- Research Design for PlanningURP 332- Applied Quantitative Methods for PlanningURP 334- Planning Policy AnalysisURP 335- Urban Land Planning and TheoryURP 337- Planning Public InfrastructureURP 351- Institutional Framework for PlanningURP 352- Intergovernmental Framework for PlanningURP 431- Community Planning Studio 1URP 432- Community Planning Studio 11

ELECTIVE COURSESURP 475- Cities in a Global EconomyURP 482- California WaterURP 483- The Urban Development ProcessURP 485- Urban Design SeminarURP 486- Planning Information SystemsURP 488- Local Transportation PlanningURP 491- Climate Change and PlanningURP 498- Advanced Planning Studio (SCAG Studio)URP 498- Advanced Planning Studio (Rail Planning Studio)

11377 Pope Ave Lynwood, CA 90262

MARTIN BLASURBAN PLANNING | Graphic Design

[email protected]

Table of Contents

1. CULTURAL ASSET MAPPING : DISCOVERING LYNWOOD’S IDENTTY

2. PACIFIC ELECTRIC RIGHT OF WAY: FIRESTONE STATION

3. DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE: SITE ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION

4. CITY OF CORONA: ESTATE VILLAGE CENTER

5. City of POMONA: Revitalizing Antique row & Arts colony

Cultural Asset maPPING : DISCOVERING LYNWOOD’S IDENTITY MethodologyIdentity is essential to cities because it creates a strong relationship between the residents and the built environment. This connection increases the vibrancy of the community and encourages people within it to interact and discuss important issues. For my senior project I focused on using GIS to discover the identity of Lynwood and using that information as a baseline for the creation of a cultural dis-trict. With the creation of a cultural asset map, Lynwood will be able to locate and catalog its assets, create discussion about concerns in the community, discover important organizations and leaders, use the data to analyze other issues, and, most importantly, discover the city’s identity. Once a city finds its identity, they can use the information to effectively create a district that builds a strong relation-ship with the residents and organizations of the city. The strong link between the residents with the city and the emphasis of identity will increase the activity within the city and create a cohesive community.

By analyzing six case studies, I was able to construct a useful methodology for creating a cultural asset map for Lynwood. After determining my objectives and designing the framework for the map, I gathered my data by using an online survey and researching various documents, such as the city’s general plan. I was able to acquire hundreds of responses by working with the then incumbent mayor who helped spread my survey to the Lynwood community. Consequently, I created a database on Excel using the survey responses and the research I gathered and input the data into the GIS program. I created five maps based on cultural catego-ries and then overlayed all five into a single map. By analyzing the maps and survey responses, I was able to provide a basis for a cultural district in the city.

1. Planning a. Develop partnerships: Develop partnershipswith community leaders to ease in the map creating process and provide insight. b. Determine Objecives: Use partnerships to determine objectives.2. Project Design a. Design Inventory: The framework is categorized into 6 areas: creative occupations,-cultural heritages, natural heritages, facilities and spaces, festivals and events, and community organizations.3. Implementaion A. Gather Data: Obtain available data from a variety of sources, which include the US Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, business listings, city documents. and the public through surveys and workshops. B. Build Database: Organize data according to the tombstone data method provided in the Cultural Resource Mapping Toolkit, which is broken down by Name, Address, x and y coordinates, category, and subcategory. 4. Synthesis A. Create Visual Tools: Use GIS software to input data and overlay with qualitative data to create maps. B. Analyze Results: Conduct visual and qualitative analysis on the maps. Analyze other relevant information that may not be able to be displayed on a map including data acquired through other forms of research. C. Provide Recommendations: Provide recommendations regarding efforts to enhance the identity of the city, specifically for the creation of a district.5. Update Map a. Create and Present Report: Assemble the information into a final report and present findings to the city and the community leaders. b. Present To Public and Receive Feedback: Receive feedback on recommendations, how the maps can be improved, important resources not presented, and on what can be emphasized. C Use Feedback: Use the information received from the feedback to update database,-maps, and analysis.

Los

Angeles

5

freeway

60

freeway

10

freeway

710

freeway

105

freeway

110

freeway

9 miles

to LA

12 miles

to Beach

& LAX

LA

River

Lynwood

LOCATION CONTEXT

MARTIN BLAs - uRBAN PLANNING | GRAPHIC DESIGN 6

$

Total P

opulation Hispan

ic Population

86.6%

African American-10.3%

Other-3.1 %

100%

0-34

yea

rs -

60.3%

35+ Y

ears

- 3

9.7

27.9

Median

age

CAlifornia

Lynwood

People per Household

1 out of 2

people

graduate

high school

Peop

le w

itho

ut a

Bach

elor

’s o

r high

er -

95%

$california

$60,190

Lynwood$41,864

InfogrAPHICS

mARTIN BLAS - uRBAN PLANNING | GRAPHIC DESign 7

Cultural Organizations - This category represents community cultural organizations involved in arts and heritage activities. Data records are usually captured by municipal cultural ser-vices, community arts councils and/or Community Information Centres/Services etc.

Cultural Heritage - This category includes establishments involved the preservation and exhibition of objects and sites of historical, cultural and educational value.

Spaces & Facilities - These are places designed to host cultural activity.Categories include spaces and facilities in the not-for-profit, public and private domain.


Cultural Events & Festivals - This category represents festivals and events that recuron an annual or regular and predictable basis.

Natural Heritage - This category includes natural wonders and areas of natural heritage and environmental significance.

GIS COMPOSITION - This maP INCLUDES ALL OF THE PREVIOUS CATEGORIES COMPILED INTO ONE MAP USING GIS. THE BOXES INDICATE THE BEST LOCATIONS FOR A DISTRICTBASED ON LOCATION, THE GIS COMPOSITION, AND COMMUNITY I NPUT.


Pacific electric right of WAY :FIRESTONE STATIOnMetro and the Southern California Association of Governments presented student within the School of Environmental Design and the School of Engineering with an unique opportunity to work with other planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering students. Metro and SCAG are looking to convert the Pacific Right of Way into a Light Rail Line that runs from Los Angeles throught the heart of the South East LA communities to the edges of Orange County. As part of the project, we were split into several groups each focusing on one of 13 possible train stations along the Pacific Electric Right of Way. I was assigned to work with the group that focused on designing the proposed station in South Gate.

In order to create an effective design, we conducted a site analysis to give us a better understanding of how to move forward with the site design. A traffic anal-ysis showed that heavy traffic runs through the main streets adjacent to the site. Based on those findings, the group thought it was best to have an above grade station to allow traffic to flow fluidly around the site. After the engineering stu-dents carefully calculated the exact dimensions and materials needed to safely support the train and the station, we, as planners and landscape architects, began designing the site plan that best catered to the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. The graphics on the following page illustrate the process we used to achieve our design. Once our site plan was complete we presented our designs to members of SCAG and Metro. Our proposal included a traffic analysis, station engineering dimensions, a site plan and community integration strategies.

Los Angles River

ProPosed Location

RIGHT OF WAY

FIRESTONE BLVD

AZALEA PLAZA

Pacific Electric Right of Way

SITE LOCATION


Current Conditions

Site accessibility

Right of Way Restoration

proposed perimeter Station Location

park Opportunities Building Distribution

P

DROP-OFFAND

PICK-UP

Pedestrian Walkways

Designated Bike Lanes

Main Roads

Alignment

Proposed RoadsShuttle Road

High Density Roads

Open Space

AlignmentLow Density Roads

Residential

Mix-Use Complex

ParkingCorridor

Light Rail Station

Pedestrian Walkways

Bike Trails

Roadways

Land Use

Park

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS

DESIGNATED BIKE LANES

DESIGNATED BIKE LANES

HIGH DENSITY ROADS

RESIDENTIAL

SHUTTLE

LOW DENSITY ROADS

CORRIDOR

LIGHT RIAL STATION

PROPOSED ROADS

ALIGNMENT

PARKING

ALIGNMENT

OPEN SPAE

MIXED -USE

PARK

BIKE TRAILS

ROADWAYS

LAND USE

OVERALL COMPOSITE

CIRCULATION HIERARCHY

Community Integration


Corner Main Entry

Park

Multifamily residences

terrace connection


Atla

ntic

Ave

Firestone Blvd

Route A

Route B

Route C

Firestone/AtlanticStation

Possible Route Stop

Current Major Bus Route

Green Line Stop

Community Integration


Diamond Valley Lake :Site analysis and RecommendationDiamond Valley Lake is a man made water reservoir that was created by the Metropolitan Water district to service Southern California in the event of a drought. The lake is fed by the Colorado River Aqueduct and is located just south of the City of Hemet. After construction of the lake was finished, MWD was left with a surplus of property surrounding the lake. There was a total of 6 properties: the South property (740 acres), the West property (670 acres), Domenigoni Parkway Corridor (265 acres), the Warren proerty (175 acres), the North property (742 acres) and the East property (1020 acres). MWD has hired numerous firms to present them with possible uses for the property, but have yet to encounter a solution that fits their goals as well as the City of Hemet’s.

My classmates and I were tasked with working with the Metropolitan Water District and the City of Hemet to create feasible uses for the land adjacent to Diamond Valley Lake. We conducted an extensive analysis including environmen-tal implications, infrastructure needs, available transportation methods, and relevant policies. The analysis revealed the main factors that would hinder devel-opment are environmental constraints and the lack of infrastructure. Additional-ly, MWD made it clear that people cannot have body contact with the lake. Along with MWD’s property, there is land north of the West property and Domenigoni Parkway, which is owned by a local Native American Tribe. We decided to include that land in our plans to create a unified vision of the surrounding property. The city and MWD would present our plans to them should they come to fruition. Based on these limitation and opportunities, we created a long term proposal for the land with potential uses and presented them to officials from MWD and the City of Hemet.


Fault Zone Wildifire zone Slope stability

flood zone liquefaction


SR-79

O�ceRacino

Festival And EventsCommercialSmall Scale Sustainable AgricultureBig League DreamsManufacturingAction Sports Camping GroundsMultigenerational Housing

ManufacturingResearch And DevelopmentCommercialHealthcareBusinesses

Lake RacinoResortsCommercial

Undevelopable LandConserve Land

Live and play

Legend

Conservation

Research and development

Site Recommendations

High ImpactFuture Adjecent Developments(Non-MWD Property)

Entitle & Sell

Keep & Lease

Sell to Conservation Agency

Proposed Metro Station


IMPLEMENTATION - PHASING

SHORT0-5 YEARS

MID5-10 YEARS

LONG10-20 YEARS

festivals and events multigenerational housingconservation Healthcare Resorts

big league dreams manufacturingaction sports camping grounds research and development Racino

Small scale sustainable agricultur Commercial development Future Lake Renovations


City of POMONA :Revitalizing ARTS COlony & Antique RowDowntown Pomona used to be an exteremly successful and vibrant area but the addition of malls in the surrounding communities and the introduction of the 10 freeway drove business and customers out of town. Recently, Pomona has increased its efforts to make the downtown a relevant entertainment destination. The city has revitalized many of the blighted historic buildings and has introduced events such as the artwalk and the farmer’s market, but work still needs to be done to make Downtown Pomona a popular destination again.

As part of a project my group was tasked on creating ways to reviatlize the arts colony and antique row, two of the most important sections of Downtown Po-mona. To better understand how to improve the two areas, we took a visit and assessed the weaknesses and opportunities. Immediately, the group took notice of the lack of activity. The areas seemed abandoned, hidden and the building facades were unappealing. A first time visitor would have a difficult time finding parking as it was hidden behind the buldings. The area lacked nodes, landmarks and seating. Antique row had little positive asects to it. Many of the stores were empty or closed. The Arts colony on the other hand had the Glasshouse, a popular music venue, and hosted the artwalk.

We split our solutions into two categories, physical and non-physical. Our physical solutions can be seen in the lynch diagram in the next page. The non-physical solutions included promoting artists to display their artwork, inviting food vendors, and utilizing the open spaces to host events such as movie nights, cookoffs,etc. With these solutions, we hope to draw more people from the Pomona community and students from the Cal Poly Pomona campus.

GAREY AVENUE

MA

IN STR

EET

THO

MA

S STREET

GIB

BS STR

EET

LOC

UST STR

EET

1ST STREET

2ND STREET

3RD STREET

Pedestrian Circulation

Automobile Circulation

Metrolink

Bike Path

Public Recreation

Resturant

Public Space

Commercial

Public Seating

Node

Landmark

Roundabout

Before


GAREY AVENUE

THO

MA

S STREET

GIB

BS STR

EET

LOC

UST STR

EET

1ST STREET 1ST STREET

2ND STREET2ND STREET

3RD STREET

MA

IN STR

EET

Pedestrian Circulation

Automobile Circulation

Metrolink

Bike Path

Public Recreation

Open Space

Resturant

Public Space

Commercial

Mixed Use Residential

Public Seating

Node

Landmark

Roundabout

After


City of COrona :Estate village centerAn essential aspect of a vibrant and active community is the fact that there are a variety of land uses and activites in which the residents can participate. In one of my classes, I was asked to focus on a neighborhood that lacked zoning diversity and to create solutions in hopes of creating a thriving neighborhood. The proposed project site is located in the City of Corona, CA. Within the Alquist-Pri-olo Fault Zone, the City of Corona has zoned the area as low medium residential and estate residential. The site is mostly residential and lacks any other type of development. Most residents commute to Orange County for work and entertain-ment.

According to its general plan, Corona is a growing city with a distinct small town image it is trying to uphold. They are not in the market for huge commercial complexes in their residential neighborhoods instead they long for neighborhood shopping districts. The citys wants to bring new businesses and open space developmemt to provide services to residents. Corona is a wealth and youthful city with the majority of the population in the middle and upper class and under 40 years old.

By looking at the composite map, one may notice that the southwestern corner of the site is undevelopable due to the steepness of the land. It is apparent that the area with the least amount of negative environmental impacts is the north-eastern portion of the site. Although much of the middle of the site is located in a flood zone, a susceptible area, and area with liquefaction, these low impact environmental obstacles can be surpassed with the use of modern technology. The site is also very inaccessible and has no connection to the city’s downtown area.

With all of the above under consideration, I concluded that the site needs more commercial development, better accessibility, a connection to downtown, and more open space.

ProjectSite

fault zones flood zones subsidence liquefaction

Topography

composite


5ʼ 5ʼ7ʼ 7ʼ8ʻ 8ʻ4ʼ 4ʼ20ʼ

Sidewalk Sidewalk

Landscape Landscape

Shoulder ShoulderBikeLane

BikeLane

Travelway20ʼ

Travelway

Cleveland Way

Bike Lanes

Street Cross Section

corona Bus Routes PROPOSED Bus Routes

Existing Bike Lanes Extended Blue Line Route

Existing Blue Line Route

Cleveland Way

New Bike Lanes Extended Red Line Route

Existing Red Line Route

Downrtown Corona

Site Access


Cleveland Way

Cro

wn

Ranc

h Ro

ad

Gib

ert A

venu

e

8.25 Acres

RuralResidential

EstateResidential

Santa AnaMountains

Minor Road

Major Road

CityBoundary

500 Ft

before


Cro

wn

Ranc

h Ro

ad

Gib

ert A

venu

e

Mai

n St

. (ex

tend

ed)

Cleveland WaySportsComplex

Playground

OpenSpace

IndoorRecreation

Picnic/BBQArea

SkatePark

Park OfficeBuilding

Dog Park

Golf Course

PaintballArena

IndoorRockclimbing

Mixed UseCommercial/Residential

Parking

Body ofWater

8.25 Acres

Landmark

Node

Bus Route/Bike Path

ModifiedStreet

after


Martin Blas - Urban Planning Portfolio

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