1

Anthony Sotomayor

209618141

4700 Urban Studies Seminar

Jon Caulfield

Word Count: 7500

Revitalizing Derelict Unbuilt-Upon Space:

A Case Study Review

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First life, then spaces, then buildings the other way around never works. Jan Gehl

Abstract: The case study of Underpass Park unfolds the concept and the benefit of

revitalizing or repurposing derelict unbuilt-upon urban space, which only requires creativity and imagination to rededicate the space into something more benign.

The research project explores other successful case-studies around the world that

portrays this similar concept and benefit, such as the High Line, Low Line, Sugar

Beach, I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park, Diamond Hill and Burnside Skatepark. The

story of Underpass Park also demonstrates theories and practice of successful spaces and also a departure from traditional park design. The case-study serves as a lesson towards Torontos lost spaces and opportunity to re-imagine the space beneath the Gardiner Expressway.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents ii Figures and Pictures.. iii Introduction . 1 West Don Lands and Underpass Park........... 3 5

Research Aim and Methodology.. 7 8 Landscape Urbanism: What is Repurposing? .. 9 10 Repurposing Projects associated with Landscape Urbanism

High Line, New York .. 11 Low Line Delancey Underground, New York 11 12 Sugar Beach, Toronto. 12 13

Overpass Repurposing Projects I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park, Seattle 17 Diamond Hill, Hong Kong 17

What Makes Urban Spaces Successful? . 20 22 Case Study: Underpass Park 23 25 Future Opportunities the Gardiner Expressway Presents .. 26 27 Conclusion. 28 29 Works Cited.. 30 33 Appendices Appendix A Informed Consent Form. 34 Appendix B Interview Information/Questions 35 Appendix C Figures 36 47

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Figures and Pictures

Figure 1.0 Cheonggyecheon Restoration, Seoul, Korea 2 Figure 1.1 Ataratiri Social Mix.. 5 Figure 1.2 Ataratiri and the West Don Land Vision.............. 6 Figure 1.3 High Line, New York 14 Figure 1.4 Low Line Delancey Underground, New York 15 Figure 1.5 Sugar Beach, Toronto. 16 Figure 2.0 I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park 18 Figure 2.1 Kwun Tong overpass, Hong Kong 19 Figure 2.2 Traditional and Modern City Form. 22 Figure 2.3 Underpass Park Prior Redevelopment. 36 Figure 2.4 Mix Uses in Underpass Park. 37 Figure 2.5 Winter Spaces. 38 Figure 3.0 Burnside Skatepark, Portland Oregon.. 39 Figure 3.1 Graffiti Columns.. 40 Figure 3.2 The Mirage 41 Figure 3.3 Move Box. 41 Figure 3.4 Land Use.. 42 Figure 3.5 Underpass Park Lighting 43 Figure 4.0 Gardiner Expressway Future Opportunity 44 Figure 4.1: Folly for a Flyover.. 26 Figure 4.2 East River Esplanade, New York.. 45 Figure 4.3 Fort York Visitor Centre................................. 46 Figure 4.4 Shanghai Street Greening. 47

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Introduction

In the late 1960s the Richmond and Adelaide Street ramps were constructed, which divided and demolished 170 houses that were part of a working-class neighbourhood in the West Don Lands.1 The scheme of building elevated expressways in Toronto can be traced to the 1947 four-lane Waterfront Highway, presently known as the Gardiner Expressway, which was completely built in 1966.2 This expressway divided and destroyed neighbourhoods; it created the barrier effect to the citys waterfront.3 The space beneath the expressway is a wasteland of open dirt, dark, ugly and unused space. Many cities around the globe have taken different approaches to deal with this problem; remove, replace, ameliorate or do nothing about it.

In the present postindustrial society, cities like Boston have replaced its extensive elevated highway by burying it underground, known as the Boston Big Dig. Other cities like Seattle, has proposed to demolish the Alaskan Way Viaduct - an elevated expressway and replace it with a deep bore tunnel. The city of Seoul in South Korea took another approach and demolished a 6-kilometre elevated expressway that extends from the central business district to the commercial district.4 Demolishing the structure allowed the creation of a linear park (refer to Figure 1.0). However, the Richmond and Adelaide overpass located in Toronto, portrays a different case study regarding the future of these unused spaces. The research project explores this alternative planning approach to re-imaging unused spaces and will also portray examples of other cities that have taken a similar approach to successfully repurpose5 or ameliorate these derelict spaces.

1 McClelland, Michael, and Graeme Stewart. Excerpt Gardiner Expressway from Concrete Toronto:

a guidebook to concrete architecture from the fifties to the seventies. Toronto: Coach House Books, 2007. 182. 2 Ibid.

3 Ibid.

4 Waterfront Toronto (2009), Future of the Gardiner Expressway: Case Study Review. Retrieved on

14 March 2012 from: http://www.nanosresearch.com/WaterfrontTO/library/Case%20Study%20Overview.pdf 5 Repurpose has a similar meaning to adaptive reuse, in which a structure is being purposed for

something that it was not intended for. Some of the examples that I explore of this phenomena are the High Line, Low Line, Sugar Beach, I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park, Diamond Hill and Burnside Skatepark.

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Cheonggyecheon Restoration, Seoul, Korea

Source: Waterfront Toronto (2009), Future of the Gardiner Expressway: Case Study Review. Retrieved on 14 March 2012 from: http://www.nanosresearch.com/WaterfrontTO/library/Case%20Study%20Overview.pdf

Figure 1.0 (The top and bottom right) is a photograph of the linear park that was created by demolishing the 6-kilometre elevated expressway (bottom left).

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West Don Lands and Underpass Park

Underpass Park is situated in the West Don Lands, and has become an emerging example of revitalizing derelict unbuilt-upon urban space. The Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto established Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Torontos waterfront including the West Don Lands. Presently, the West Don Lands will become a temporary use as the athletes village during the 2015 Pan American Games6 to accommodate 8,500 athletes and team officials, then after the games it will be converted into a lively mix use neighbourhood.7 Previous efforts to redevelop the land began in the 1980s, where the city of Toronto imagined a new neighbourhood like St. Lawrence named Ataratiri. The city proposed creating a mix of subsidized and market priced housing community of 14,000 to solve Toronto's pressing subsidized housing crisis.8 However, this plan was postponed due to the high cost of environmental cleanup after more than a half-century of heavy pollution.9 The risk of flooding from the Don River also required a flood barrier to be in place. The ruthless hostility of the Harris provincial government of the 1990s cut any form of public-sector housing investment. By 1992, the city and province had already invested roughly $350 million, and new the estimates would put the final cost at more than a billion.10 The real estate market had also collapsed, making any private investment unlikely.11 The new provincial government of Bob Rae thus decided to cancel the project in 1992.12

During this time period from 1986 to 1996, a postindustrial shift was taking place.13 The structure of the postindustrial economy is divided into the knowledge based economy and the McDonalds economy.14 Work in prestigious realms like corporate head office

6 An Olympic-like event for athletes from North and South America, competing in a multi-sport event

scheduled in July 2015 hosted in Toronto Ontario. 7 Hume, Christopher (2010). "West Don Lands: Toronto's first 21st-century community." TheStar. 16

Mar. 2010. Retrieved on 7 Nov. 2011 from: http://www.thestar.com/yourcitymycity/article/780808--west-donlans-toronto-sfirst-21st-century-community 8 Ataratiri O.P (1991) Ataratiri Official Plan Proposals Part II. City of Toronto Planning and

Development Department. 9 Ibid.

10 Henderson, Paul (November, 2006). West Don Lands preparing for renewal. Business Edge

News Magazine, vol. 2, No.10. Retrieved on 28 Dec 2011 from: http://www.businessedge.ca/archives/article.cfm/west-don-lands-preparing-for-renewal-12573 11

Ibid. 12

Ibid. 13

Caulfield, Jon (2005). Toronto: The Form of the City from Urban Canada: Sociological Perspectives, Harry H. Hiller, ed(s)., Oxford University Press, 2. 14

Caulfield, Jon (2005). 5.

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management, in contrast to low wage often part-time non-unionized jobs in restaurants.15 One of the effects of this shift was the Ontario and federal governments no longer seemed much interested in investing in affordable housing. There was a growing cadre of the new postindustrial elite that are inclined towards the lifestyle of districts in and near downtown.16 The West Don Lands have become one of the many places in Toronto to cater to this need. In addition, the West Don Lands will provide a 25/75 towards affordable housing, which 25% is composed of affordable rentals and low-end market; the rest is comprised of private market.17 In contrast, Ataratiri provided a 60/40 split, where 60% would comprise of cityhome, co-operatives, and other non-profit housing; the 40% would be oriented to private market (refer to Figure 1.1)18. Some similarities to note are the scale, street grid, and density between the West Don Lands and the Ataratiri plan (refer to Figure 1.2). Although, these two plans are situated in a different political and economic milieu, it is evident that these two plans placed an emphasis on different principles and goals. For instance, the Ataratiri plan emphasized in creating a socially mixed neighbourhood that would resemble St. Lawrence:

The Ataratiri neighbourhood is being planned as an inclusive community both in social and economic terms. The new neighbourhood will promote the integration of households with varying income level and cultural backgrounds.19 In contrast, the West Don Lands have placed a greater emphasis on the environment, sustainability and creating social public spaces within the community. The urban public spaces that the West Don Lands focus on are the woonerfs20, the Don River Park and the Underpass Park. This will be one of Torontos next great neighbourhoods, a community that is people focused, family friendly, environmentally sustainable and beautifully designed for living.21 This research essay will explore Underpass Park as one of the urban public spaces that the West Don Lands highlight. Waterfront Toronto unveiled Underpass Park on March 2010,

15 Ibid.

16 Ibid.

17 West Don Lands Precinct Plan (May, 2005). Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation.

Toronto, Ontario: Retrieved on October 2009, 34. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/west_don_lands 18

Burns, D. (1990). Ataratiri Business Plan. City of Toronto Housing Department. 19

Ataratiri O.P (1991) 30. 20

Woonerf is a Dutch concept, where the streets are specially designed so that pedestrians and cars are equals. That means narrow roads with no curbs or sidewalks. The main arteries will resemble any other conventional street in the city, but woonerfs have never been seen in Toronto. 21

West Don Lands Precinct Plan (May, 2005).

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which is situated underneath the elevated Richmond, Adelaide and Eastern Ave overpass.22 It was a response to the challenge of connecting the Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) project and the River City condo development to the rest of the West Don Lands. Underpass Park aims to address both the problems of an unused space and the importance of the site. The construction on the 2.5 acre site began in May 2010 and will cost $5.3 million.23 The project is divided into two phases; the first phase was completed by January 2012 and plans to open by July 2012. The second phase will be built in the near future (for further details about this site go to page 23).24 Underpass Park is a first in Toronto and it allows planners to think of an alternative method to transforming derelict and unused space beneath a series of overpasses.

Ataratiri Social Mix

Source: Burns, D. (1990). Ataratiri Business Plan. City of Toronto Housing Department.

Figure 1.1 The pie chart represents the housing composition of the Ataratiri Plan. It is divided into (60%) cityhome, co-operatives, nonprofit and (40%) private market.

22 Bowman Marcus (March 2010). Waterfront Toronto unveils Underpass Park. Spacing Toronto.

Retrieved on Nov 23 2011 from: http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/03/15/waterfrontoronto-unveils-plans-for-underpasspark/ 23

Bowman Marcus (March 2010). 24

Ibid.

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Ataritiri and the West Don Lands Vision

Source (top and bottom left picture): Ataratiri O.P (1991) Ataratiri Official Plan Proposals Part II. City of Toronto Planning and Development Department. Source (bottom right picture): West Don Lands Precinct Plan (May, 2005). Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation. Toronto, Ontario: Retrieved on October 2009, 1 -58. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/west_don_lands

Figure 1.2 (The top and bottom left) picture represent the scale, density and size of the Ataratiri plan, which is very similar to the West Don Lands future vision of the site (bottom right).

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Research Aim and Methodology

The research project uses the case study of Underpass Park to explore the concept and benefits of revitalizing unbuilt upon space into a socially inclusive space. It also draws upon other successful repurposed projects around the world to demonstrate its positive affect on society. The research methodology and analysis that are set out achieves a qualitative result. The information is derived from simple observation of the site, photography and secondary data through research articles and web-based materials. In addition, three semi-structured interviews were conducted with three professionals regarding their thoughts about repurposing and what they think is a successful public space.

The research essay is divided into three different sections, the first section, describes the discourse of repurposing that is embedded in the planning practice of landscape urbanism. Three repurposing case-studies are explored High Line, Low Line and Sugar Beach that have used landscape urbanism principles to rededicate the space for a better use. The three case studies display ideas and concepts that could be utilized in other unused areas in Toronto like the Gardiner Expressway or the space below modern high-rise apartment neighbourhoods like St. James Town. In addition, this section also explores two cities that have revitalized the unused space beneath their expressway to create a public amenity and attraction. The two case studies of the I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park, Seattle, and Diamond Hill, Hong Kong serve as an example of creativity and imagination. It also serves as a future lesson to the space beneath the Gardiner Expressway.

The second section examines theories of creating a successful space by analyzing a range of secondary sources, and a short film. These include Life between Buildings, Death and Life of the American City, Finding Lost Space and The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Jan Gehl, Jane Jacobs, Roger Trancik and William H. Whyte put forward very similar, but different theories in regards to the elements of a successful urban space. Trancik coins the phrase lost spaces, which comprises a variety of unused spaces within the city that are often lost. The phrase includes spaces beneath an overpass or expressway and provides several different solutions for planners and designers in re-thinking this lost space. The urban theories provide a framework in which is used to critique the space that is being rededicated Underpass Park and analyzes the potential success these repurposed spaces can have on the urban environment.

Lastly, I visited both Underpass Park and the Gardiner Expressway on March 2012 and took several photographs to show the components of Underpass Park and the unused

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space of the Gardiner Expressway that could potentially be repurposed. The case study of Underpass Park could be portrayed as an example or the beginning phenomena of re-imagining Torontos streetscape and unused spaces. I also observed how the Gardiner Expressway may benefit from repurposing its space below, following a similar approach as Underpass Park. I conducted three semi-structured interviews that ranged from twenty to forty minutes. The questions I asked the interviewees dealt with the common theme of repurposing, landscape urbanism, theories regarding successful public space and future opportunities (refer to Appendix B). All three interviewees signed or were aware of the informed consent form.

The first interview was with Amy Lavender Harris, a York University professor that teaches a course on urban public space. Her thoughts regarding Underpass Park was limited because she did not know what the project was about. However, once she searched the project she suggested readings and books that helped me conceptualize the topic of rededicating unused space. The second interview with Andrew Pruss, a principal architect at E.R.A. Architects Inc, provided extensive knowledge regarding the redevelopment of the West Don Lands and his involvement on the adaptive reuse of the Distillery District. His thoughts redefined the focus of this research essay by providing a clear definition to repurposing space. He also put me in touch with one of the developers right across from Underpass Park Urban Capital. The last interview with Jeff Geldart, a development manager at Urban Capital provided the challenges development firms face when constructing near an expressway. He also shared projects that have used landscape urbanism principle and how other cities have dealt with overpasses. These three interviews from various professional backgrounds have provided me with informative qualitative data and have helped me focus and develop my research essay. The next component of the essay explores the construction of repurposing that is embedded in the planning practice of landscape urbanism.

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Landscape Urbanism: What is Repurposing?

Landscape urbanism emerged during the mid-1990, it manifests a theory of urbanism arguing that landscape, rather than architecture, is more capable of organizing the city and enhancing the urban experience.25 According to Charles Waldheim, associate dean and director of the landscape architecture program at the University of Toronto, explains that landscape urbanism proposes a relationship between nature and city.26 The idea of repurposing unused spaces has been credited with the emerging planning practice of landscape urbanism. This is evident with the triumph of the High Line located in New York that has optimized landscape urbanism theory.

In the three case-studies of the High Line, Low Line and Sugar Beach (that is explored below) demonstrates the planning theory of landscape urbanism and the impact repurposing spaces can have on the society. The concept of repurposing is very similar to the phrase adaptive reuse, however, as Andrew Pruss indicated the two are distinct urban theories. Repurposing suggests adding a secondary purpose to a structure that was originally intended for a single-purpose.27 For instance, the purpose of the Gardiner Expressway is to move cars from one point to another. A secondary purpose of the Gardiner could be adding shops or playgrounds beneath the expressway for people to enjoy. Although it is not implicitly stated in the Landscape Urbanism Reader, it seems to be a theme that is embedded in the planning practice of landscape urbanism due to the construction of this term. All of landscape urbanisms triumphs so far have been in such marginal and unbuilt locations A common ground is useless without people to activate it and surround it, to make it their commons.28 In the quote mentioned above refers to successful landscape urbanism projects that have been built on derelict and unused space, and transformed into something better for people to use. Charles Jencks and other proponents of postmodern architectural culture indicate modernism inability to produce a meaningful or livable public realm. In response to this failure and inability to connect to different audiences, landscape urbanism puts forward a

25 Ibid.

26 Burga, Hector Fernando (2008). 24.

27 Pruss, Andrew (January, 2012). Interview. E.R.A. Architects Inc. Toronto, Ontario.

28 Waldheim, Charles (2006). The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York: Princeton Architectural

Press, 62 63.

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compelling theory in order to reimagine dead spaces. Le Corbusier in his Plan Voisin29 calls these spaces like the High Line or Low Line as Green Complex. It comes in a form of parks and green open spaces, which suggests that it will bring civility, health, social equity, and economic development to the city.30

A second theme that is predominant in the Landscape Urbanism Reader is the phenomenon of the horizontal surface, it suggest that horizontal surfaces is capable of organizing the city and enhancing the urban experience.31 It recommends the ability to produce urban effects traditionally achieved through the construction of buildings simply through the organization of horizontal surfaces. It perceives landscape as a medium that is uniquely capable of responding to change in the urban morphology.32 This idea emerged in Paris in the competition of the Park de la Villette, which signaled the role that landscape would play as a medium through constructing a horizontal field that might accommodate all sorts of urban activities.33 A third theme of landscape urbanism is the imaginary as the primary motivation.34 It critiques other rational planning practices that lack imagination when developing a landscape project. It is again a response to the failure of the twentieth-century planning that can be attributed to the impoverishment of the imagination with regard to the design and development practices of the public realm. Public space in the city is often perceived as a generic activity called recreation, however, landscape urbanism sees public spaces as places for geographic and social imagination to extend new relationships. In addition, it looks for other possibilities a public space may be used for. The next component of this research study will be exploring repurposing projects, where I portray famous case-studies that use landscape urbanism principles such as the High Line, Low Line and Sugar Beach.

29 Plan Voisin is a plan Corbusier wanted to do in downtown Paris, which would destroy the inner part

and put in giant cruciform towers. 30

Waldheim, Charles (2006). 35. 31

Waldheim, Charles (2006). 25. 32

Waldheim, Charles (2006). 39. 33

Waldheim, Charles (2006). 41. 34

Waldheim, Charles (2006). 32.

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Repurposing Projects associated with Landscape Urbanism:

High Line, New York

The New York High Line has been hailed as the first major landscape urbanism triumph in the United States. Previously, the High Line was designed to connect factories and warehouses, allowing trains to roll right inside the building.35 By the mid-1980s, a group of property owners with land under the line, lobbied for the demolition of the entire structure.36 As the area became gentrified in the 1990s there was a push to demolish this structure.37 However in 1999, a non-profit organization Friends of the High Line wanted to reuse and reimagine this space as an open public space that would provide a different urban experience. The park was designed by New York-based landscape architecture firm Field Operations.38 The implication of this space has turned into one of the most innovative and inviting public spaces in New York City and perhaps the entire country (refer to Figure 1.3). In terms of landscape urbanism these spaces are said to be hybrid spaces through the practice of landscape and urbanism;39 meaning the density that surrounds the project allows them to prosper. In addition, it is important to note how landscape urbanism creates projects that are environmentally sustainable that is also able to enhance the social and economic development of a city. The next landscape urbanism project I turn to is the Low Line, which is highly influenced by the success of the High Line. Low Line Delancey Underground, New York The Low Line is another landscape urbanism project which aims to convert an abandoned unused trolley terminal beneath Delancey Street into an extraordinary subterranean public park. James Ramsey and Dan Baraschs from Raad Studio40 have suggested a radical proposal that could bring the world's first underground park in Lower East Side, New York (refer to Figure 1.4).41 Inspired by the impact of the High Line, local businesses, residents, community leaders, and political stakeholders alike have voiced

35 David, Joshua and Robert Hammond (2011). High Line: The Inside Story of New York Citys Park

in the Sky. Straus and Giroux: 8. 36

Ibid. 37

David, Joshua and Robert Hammond (2011). 11. 38

David, Joshua and Robert Hammond (2011). 12. 39

Waldheim, Charles (2006). The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 23. 40

Raad Studio is located in New York; they specialize in creating objects and spaces that emphasize clean, rich, and imaginative designs. 41

Foderaro W. Lisa (November, 2011). Inspired by High Line, Park is envisioned with Sights Set Low. New York Times, Retrieve on 3rd March 2012 from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/nyregion/high-line-inspires-plans-for-park-under-delancey-street.html?pagewanted=all

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considerable enthusiasm for the idea.42 The impact of this space is more than economic revitalization opportunity but it would also represent the potential of remnant urban infrastructure, and the need for cities to re-invent the meaning of space above and below ground.43 The Low Line is essentially part of the next phase in urban design, in which human scale and increasing resource scarcity force us to imagine smarter, more creative use of public spaces. The Delancey Underground project imagines a year-round programming series, which invites the community into the space in new ways. From art exhibitions, farmers markets, educational series, to special events and promotions.44 It will generate a community, and it will inspire in the way beautiful environments can inspire. Sugar Beach, Toronto

Prior to being called Sugar Beach, it was a space was formerly used as a parking lot in an industrial area of Toronto. The name derived from its proximity to Redpath Sugar Refinery.45 In 2009, Waterfront Toronto decided to redevelop this space by transforming a surface parking lot into Torontos second urban beach at the waters edge.46 It was designed by Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes and features three distinct components: an urban beach; a plaza space; and a tree-lined promenade running diagonally through the park.47 Toronto's new urban beach, as mentioned in an article by Christopher Hume, is the perfect mix of industrial and pleasure where one can view the intricacies of a factory that uses ocean liners to unload product.48 The three case studies outline the major themes in the Landscape Urbanism Reader. Firstly, it shows how landscape urbanism principles can transform an unused space into something more useful. It also portrays the benefits a community can gain from repurposing an unused space, for instance, it attracts people to a previous undesirable space, it brings in economic development within the area, and it creates a desirable and mixed-use public space. Secondly, it displays the impact that horizontal surface can have on the urban form.

42 Ibid.

43 Ramsey, James and Dan Barasch (2011) Delancey Underground, Retrieved on 25th March 2012

from: http://delanceyunderground.org/the-project 44

Ibid. 45

Mcisaac, Nicole (2010). Sugar Beach an Urban Oasis. Spacing Toronto, Retrieved on 1st March 2012 from: http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/08/09/sugar-beach-an-urban-oasis/ 46

Ibid. 47

Waterfront Toronto. Canadas Sugar Beach, Retrieved on 4th March 2012 from: http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/east_bayfront/canadas_sugar_beach 48

Hume, Christopher (May, 2010). Welcome to Sugar Beach, Torontos latest sweet spot. Toronto Star, Online Video Clip Retrieved on 1st March 2012 from: http://www.thestar.com/yourcitymycity/article/835601--welcome-to-sugar-beach-toronto-s-latest-sweet-spot

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It becomes a place for people to interact or as Oldenburg calls it third places for people to gather.49 Oldenburg identifies third places, or great good places, as the public places on neutral ground where people can gather and interact.50 In contrast to first places (home) and second places (work), third places allow people to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.51 Lastly, these three case studies portray the re-imagination of spaces that sees spaces as more than a mere recreation, but rather a place to extend social imagination and new relationships. Furthermore, the planning practice of landscape urbanism exerts re-imagination and looks for other possibilities public space may be used for.

49 Oldenburg, Ray. The great good place: cafs, coffee shops, community centers, beauty parlors,

general stores, bars, hangouts, and how they get you through the day. New York: Paragon House, 1989. 50

Ibid. 51

Ibid.

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High Line, New York

Source: High Line and Friends of the High Line, Retrieved on 23 Feb 2012 from: http://www.thehighline.org/

Figure 1.3 (The top left) picture is the abandoned New York High Line, which the organization Friends of the High Line and Field Operations reimagined it as a potential park. (The top right) picture is how the High Line looks today, and (the bottom picture) represents how the planners and designers re-imagined the space.

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Low Line Delancey Underground, New York

Source: Foderaro W. Lisa (November, 2011). Inspired by High Line, Park is envisioned with Sights Set Low. New York Times, Retrieved on 3rd March 2012 from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/nyregion/high-line-inspires-plans-for-park-under-delancey-street.html?pagewanted=all

Figure 1.4 The Delancey Underground, also known as the Low Line, is located in Lower East Side Manhattan, which is a proposal that is supposed to repurpose the abandoned trolley terminal into the worlds first underground park.

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Sugar Beach, Toronto

Source: Waterfront Toronto. Canadas Sugar Beach, Retrieved on 4th March 2012 from http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/east_bayfront/canadas_sugar_beach

Figure 1.5 (The top left) picture is the former parking lot in the industrial area, which was rededicated to a successful urban beach (top right and bottom right picture).

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Overpass Repurposing Projects: I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park, Seattle

Cyclist and other subcultures like skateboarders, experience marginalization from spaces, whether it is on the streets or trails in the downtown area. In 2002, a group of Seattle bike enthusiast (Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance)52 constructed a wide variety of riding trails underneath Interstate 5 Highway also known as I-5 Colonnade (refer to Figure 2.0). Previously, the abandoned space was an area frequented by heroin addicts.53 Completed in 2005, the park is suitable for all levels of riders and for those with an interest in Cross Country, Freeride, Trials, Dirt Jumping, or those who just want to get an idea of what the sport offers.54 The impact of this space allows Seattle citizens or tourist to use the recreational public space in the middle of city, which is rare to find. The park also portrays the reoccurring theme of repurposing and a re-imagination of the space, allowing bike enthusiast to create and plan their own urban experience in the city.

Diamond Hill, Hong Kong

The last example of repurposing overpasses in located in Diamond Hill, Hong Kong underneath the Kwun Tong overpass (refer to Figure 2.1) which was completed in 1991.55 Although there is not much information about the repurposing of this structure, Christopher Hume has made references to this structure in various articles in the Toronto Star. The photograph in Figure 2.1 portrays the highly used pedestrian walkway, like an everyday part of life. In Hong Kong, there is very limited public space, and re-purposing the Kwun Ton overpass emphasizes the importance of pedestrian interaction with the urban fabric. These spaces are destined to become successful because of the density and mix-use that surrounds the overpass. As Toronto becomes denser, it is important to consider these case studies and think how the space beneath the Gardiner Expressway may be re-imagined. Furthermore, these two case studies portray two different examples of what other cities are doing to revitalize the space underneath an overpass. It provides a creative and imaginative solution in revitalizing the dead space underneath an overpass.

52 Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is Washington States largest mountain bike advocacy and trail

building group. Created in 1989, Evergreen creates and protects sustainable mountain biking opportunities in Washington 53

Seattle Parks and Recreation (2011) I-5 Colonnade, Retrieved on 24th March 2012 from: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?id=4446 54

Richard, Terry (2010). Mountain bikers rock under Seattle freeway on I-5 Colonnade. Oregon Live, Retrieved on March 24th from: http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2010/01/mountain_bikers_rock_under_sea.html 55

Bowman Marcus (2010). Hong Kong: Traditional markets and walkways in the sky. Spacing Toronto, Retrieved on 1st February 2012 from: http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/02/01/hong-kong-traditional-markets-and-walkways-in-the-sky/

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I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park, Seattle

Source: http://www.ridemorebikes.com/i-5-colonnade-mountain-bike-skills-park-seattle/ (Retrieved on March 26th 2012).

Figure 2.0 The I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park under the I-5 Highway is the first of a new urban model for mountain bikers. The park is a total of 2 acres. It has a wide range of technical trails for bike enthusiast or beginners.

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Kwun Tong overpass, Hong Kong

Source: Urban Toronto (2011) Retrieved on 26th March 2012 from: http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/showthread.php/11766-West-Don-Lands-Underpass-Park/page6

Figure 2.1 People walking underneath the fully rededicated Kwun Tong overpass in Hong Kong. It is another approach to repurposing space underneath an overpass.

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What Makes Urban Spaces Successful?

An urban theoretical approach put forward by different scholars suggests the elements a space needs in order for it to be successful. Gehls Life between Buildings emphasizes that life between buildings is a dimension of architecture that deserves more careful treatment. It is where social interaction and perception, urban recreation, and the sensory experience of city life take place.56 Gehl distinguishes between necessary/functional activities, optional/recreational activities and social activities in public spaces.57 Although necessary activities take place regardless of the condition of the space, optional activities are heavily influenced by how the space looks and what it has to offer. In a better space, the more optional activity would occur and the longer necessary activities last. Social activities depends on the presence of other people in the space, these activities include: children at play, greetings and conversations.58 Spaces in cities and residential areas become meaningful and attractive when all activities of all types occur in combination and feed off each other. In addition, Gehl suggests a concept of winter spaces that is evident in Underpass Park (refer to Figure 2.5). Gehl reminds us that street life does not necessarily have to be confined to the summer months, especially cities that experience winter. He asserts that winter weather require particular resources and activities, such as ice-skating rinks and kiosks selling hot soups and hot drinks. A more detailed framework in evaluating urban spaces entitled, The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, author William H. Whyte identified several key amenities that make or break public spaces. In the study Whyte and his research group, The Street Life Project, suggested an urban space should have sittable space, relationship to the street, sun, food and triangulation.59 Street life and food is what brings people to places. Food vendors often perform a social function as the mayors of a space. Whytes reference to a mayor is very similar to Jane Jacobs idea of a public character who takes a role of encouraging polite and civil exchanges in public places they inhabit. The concept of triangulation refers to street performers, police activity (extreme example; robbing a bank) or street/public art that play an important role in drawing in people in an urban space. Whyte describes this concept as That characteristic of a public space that can bring people together, strangers. It's usually

56 Gehl, Jan (1987). Life between buildings: using public space. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold,

17. 57

Gehl, Jan (1987). 5. 58

Gehl, Jan (1987). 14. 59

Whyte H. William (1988). The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Direct Cinema Limited: New York.

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an external stimulus of some kind, could be an external feature or a happening.60 Public art plays a critical role in Underpass Park as triangulation for the space and as a form to attract people. The Mirage, designed by Paul Raff, engages the public through the playful use of reflection to bounce light around the space (refer to Figure 3.2). Whyte offers us an insight regarding the tools designers and planners need to consider when creating an urban space.

Chapter 5 of Death and Life of the American Cities takes on the role that parks play in creating a dynamic and diverse community. Jane Jacobs suggests that we determine the success of parks by what we surround them with (what we give to them, not what they give to us).61 A park that is surrounded by mix-use buildings will likely be more lively and populated. The underlying theory being that at any given time, different groups of people will be using the park resulting in a continuous flow making it more lively, safe, and interesting.62 In addition, it reinforces Jacobs famous phrase eyes on the streets. For instance, the High Line is constantly used by different groups of people throughout the day allowing for a safe and lively environment. By adopting Jacobs eyes on the streets theory, in which buildings and windows face the park brings a feeling of security. The success of the High Line may also be attributed to the mix-use and density surrounding it. Jacobs also asserts that making parks successful would entail hosting community programming, offering places for daycares, or encouraging schools to use parks as a place for recreation.

In todays cities, there lies the challenge of creating an outdoor environment in spaces that have been lost due to the automobile, effects of Modern Movement, urban renewal and zoning policies.63 Trancik refers to these spaces as lost spaces, which he defines as underutilized spaces within the downtown area or undesirable areas that could potentially be redesigned to attract people back to downtown.64 Some of these spaces include: unstructured landscape at the base of a high tower, surface parking lots, abandoned waterfronts, spaces below an expressway, and industrial complexes that have moved out to the suburbs.65 He asserts redesigning principles that designers should create site plans that define exterior space rather than displace it. 66 Individual buildings should be integrated with exterior public space so that the physical form of the city does not fall victim

60 Whyte H. William (1988).

61 Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House. 90.

62 Jacobs, J. (1961). 95.

63 Trancik, Roger (1986). Finding Lost Space: Theories of Urban Design. New York: Van Nostrand

Reinhold, 1. 64

Trancik, Roger (1986). 3. 65

Ibid. 66

Trancik, Roger (1986). 18.

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to separation.67 He also suggest that we should look closely at the traditional city (refer to Figure 2.2), particularly at the principle of enclosure that gives open space its definition and connection, creating workable links between spaces.68 These different elements of what makes a space successful, allows us to rethink of spaces that could potentially be re-imagined and made into something better.

Traditional and Modern City Form

Source: Trancik, Roger (1986). Finding Lost Space: Theories of Urban Design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 19.

Figure 2.2 These drawings illustrate the spatial structure of traditional cities (above) and the fragmentary form of the modern city (below). In the traditional city, urban blocks direct movement and establish orientation; in the modern city, the fragmentary and confused structure creates disorientation.

67 Trancik, Roger (1986). 18.

68 Trancik, Roger (1986). 19.

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Case Study: Underpass Park

The Underpass Park is the first attempt at transforming the space under and around a series of overpasses in Toronto - and by far the most ambitious redevelopment of its kind in Canadian history.69 The park will be 2.5 acres, boast 54 new trees, and convert a neighborhood liability into a welcoming and distinct public space, according to Jeff Geldart.70 Underpass Park is situated in the West Don Lands, and has become an emerging example of revitalizing derelict unbuilt-upon urban space that only requires creativity and imagination to rededicate the space to something more benign. Previously, it was a derelict area with abandoned cars, old tires, garbage and broken chain link fences sitting under the Eastern Avenue, Richmond and Adelaide Streets overpasses between Cherry Street and Bayview Avenue (refer Figure 2.3). The imposing concrete structure of the overpass used to act as a barrier between the north and south parts of the community. However, Underpass Park innovatively re-engineers the area under the overpass to create an inviting public space that connects the two parts of the West Don Lands. It contributes to the vibrancy of the neighbourhood and the success of the development projects underway in the area. Underpass Park represents a departure from traditional park design, and a movement towards a hybrid landscape or socio-nature.71 Harris refers to the societal relationship with nature, as well as the transformation of nature into commodities, infrastructure and urban form itself.72 Designed by a landscape urbanism firm Philips Farevaag Smallenberg places an emphasis on mix-use of space that is not evident in traditional park design (refer to Figure 2.4). It provides different activities for a range of age groups, which includes places to sit, chess tables, market space, community garden, basketball courts, ball hockey courts and a skatepark. By placing courts and a skatepark underneath the overpass, it alludes to Gehl winter spaces that allows recreational space during the winter months for the public or residents to use (refer to Figure 2.5). In terms of the different components that Gehl sets out for a successful public space necessary, optional and social activity Underpass Park has potential for all three. It offers an attractive space for a range of age groups; kids playing in the playground, teens or adults playing

69 Hume, Christopher (May, 2011). Underpass Park will change the city forever. Toronto Star,

Retrieved on 30th March 2012 from: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/997723--hume-underpass-park-will-change-the-city-forever 70

Geldart, Jeff (February, 2012). Interview. Development Manager at Urban Capital. 71

Harris, Lavender Amy (Jan, 2012). Interview; Parks and Public Spaces. Professor at York University. 72

Desfor, Gene, and Jennefer Laidley (2011). Reshaping Toronto's waterfront. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 308 318.

24

basketball or ball hockey that leads to social activity; more people coming into the space because of the presence of others.73 However, since this space officially opens in the summer of 2012, it is hard to judge whether it meets Gehl criteria. It should also be considered that the community surrounding Underpass Park will fully be occupied by 2015. The skatepark being built in Underpass Park provides an opportunity for Toronto skaters to claim a piece of urban space in downtown Toronto. Burnside Skatepark in Portland, Oregon can be seen as a case study that displays the benefits of rededicating space into a skate park (refer to Figure 3.0). Previously, it was a safe haven for the homeless, squatters and drug users during 1980s.74 In 1990s, skaters kept lobbying for a skate park in Portland. In response to the citys ineffectiveness, skaters took matters into their own hands and decided build the Burnside Skatepark under the Burnside Bridge.75 It gained popularity with local business owners due to the revitalization of the area. In 1992, the city passed a resolution, which allowed the skatepark to be in place.76 Today, it is maintained by individual members of the Dreamland Team77, and it remains one of the skateboarding world's most revered, challenging, and highly respected locations.78

The rededicated space of the Burnside Skatepark allowed for skaters to claim a space within the city. Skaters are usually a product of marginalization due to the lack of space the city provides for them. Portlands Burnside Skatepark is a model for other cities to follow, in which parks can be socially inclusive towards this subculture. Secondly, it portrays the theme of repurposing; skaters were able to revitalize and rededicate a derelict space of the city into one of the most known skate parks of the world. Lastly, Border suggests urban space is a continual reproduction, involving not just material objects and practices, not just codified text and representations, but also imaginations and experiences of space.79 By building a skatepark in Underpass Park, it contributes to the attractiveness and desire for skaters and other people to use the space.

Graffiti artists are often another subculture group that is marginalized from public spaces. When visiting the site, there were a few columns that were slightly covered in graffiti

73 Gehl, Jan (1987). 14.

74 Full Tilt Boogie: Burnside Skatepark Story. Dir. Chris Bredesen. Dreamland Skateparks (2009).

Film. http://www.dreamlandskateparks.com/index.html 75

Ibid. 76

Ibid. 77

Dreamland Team is a small skatepark building firm located in Portland Oregon. They are known for the Burnside Skatepark in Portland and other major projects around the world. 78

Full Tilt Boogie: Burnside Skatepark Story (2009). 79

Border, Ian (2003). A Performative Critique of the City: the Urban Practice of Skateboarding, 1958 98 from The City Cultures Reader, Malcolm Miles, et al, ed(s)., 2nd edition, Routledge, 291.

25

(refer to Figure 3.1). An idea to make the park more attractive would be to allow graffiti artists to paint over some of the columns or designate specific columns for graffiti artists. Graffiti artists would play a role of triangulation within the area, especially during the summer months, similar to Graffiti Alley, in which people walking by would watch the graffiti artist as he works on a piece of art. However, graffiti often has a negative stigma attached to it that might push away children or families from the park.

In terms of Whytes principle of triangulation, Underpass Park launched a public art competition, which the Mirage by Paul Raff was selected from the entries (refer to Figure 3.2). The Mirage will use reflectivity to draw people into the space. The concept is to engage the public through the playful use of reflection to bounce light around the space and emphasize its positive qualities in an interesting and sculptural way. The Mirage is also supposed to create a connecting environment between the two neighbourhoods that is separated by the overpass. The role of food vendors and cafs that Gehl highlights will also have space within Underpass Park called the vendors prerogative or community space (refer to Figure 2.4).80 In this space, they plan on putting a move box, which is essentially a containerized box that is solar powered; it opens in twenty one seconds, the seats pop out and someone is ready to serve coffee (refer to Figure 3.3).81 As Whyte suggested by allowing food vendors into an urban space, they play a critical social role as mayors of the space. In addition, people eating often attract more people to the space.

Underpass Park reinforces Jane Jacobss principle of eyes on the street and surrounding a park within a mix-use community. By 2015, when the site becomes fully built, River Citys five condominium developments will face the park, alluding to Jane Jacobs eyes on the street theory in keeping a watch over the park.82 In addition, the park is surrounded by mix-uses, which will make the space feel safe due to the continuous flow of people throughout the day, as seen in Figure 3.4. Lastly, lighting which is a key feature of the parks design ensures that the area is safe and inviting at all times of day. The park is lit by a combination of LED lighting on the columns, and illuminated concrete ribbons at the seating areas which create a variety of different illuminating effects.83 More than 50 overpass columns will be colourfully lit using diffuse LED spotlights (refer to Figure 3.5).

80 Pruss, Andrew (January, 2012). Interview. E.R.A. Architects Inc. Toronto, Ontario.

81 Geldart, Jeff (February 2012).

82 Geldart, Jeff (February 2012).

83 Geldart, Jeff (February 2012).

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Future Opportunities the Gardiner Expressway Presents

From the 1990s until today, there have been many radical plans to alter the Gardiner Expressway. However, most of these plans were never accomplished due to disagreement or opposition from citizens. During my field study along east of Spadina and Lake Shore Blvd W, I identified unused spaces beneath the Gardiner that could potentially be re-imagined for another purpose (refer to Figure 4.0). Along this corridor, outlined in the red box on Figure 4.0, it is home to multiple condominium units that are within metres of proximity, Exhibition Place and Fort York. According to Hume, as more and more condominiums continue to be built, there has been given little thought of what is happening down below where glass meets grass.84 Since there is a high-density surrounding the Gardiner, between Spadina and Dufferin, Hume suggests altering this unused space into parks, playgrounds, shops, restaurants or other amenities.85 The Gardiner Expressway could take a similar approach as the case studies mentioned above, turning the unused space into a skatepark, mountain bike park or a public amenity. In London, England a building appears between the west and east overpass called Folly for a Flyover that hosts a successful summer-long program of cinema, performance and play, and boat tours (refer to Figure 4.1). The space was rededicated by a non-profit organization Assemble during a course of one month and has become a very popular space.

Folly for a Flyover

Source: Folly for a Flyover Assemble (2011). Retrieved on 5th April 2012 from http://www.dezeen.com/2011/07/05/folly-for-a-flyover-by-assemble/

Figure 4.1: Folly for a Flyover is the work of Assemble, the group of ambitious young architects and designers. During the day and evening theres a simple cafe on-site, once dusk hits, it becomes a place to watch films that has become very popular.

84 Hume, Christopher (March, 2012). Torontos towers and life under the Gardiner. Toronto Star.

Retrieved on 10 March 2012 from: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1152503--most-torontonians-have-never-stood-here-that-s-about-to-change 85

Ibid.

27

An expressway comparative analysis by Waterfront Toronto suggests that an infrastructure does not exclusively need to be a single-purpose.86 Cities like Paris and New York have taken the initiative to rededicate the space below the expressway as linear parks and public amenity space (refer to Figure 4.2). In 2009, Fort York took the first steps in in attracting people under the Gardiner by putting up Watertable strings of blue LED lights and sound installations but it did not really attract people because it had nothing to offer.87 On December 2009, Fort York announced the winners of the Fort York Visitor Centre design competition Patkau and Kearns Mancini Architects which integrates the Visitor Centre adjacent to the Gardiner Expressway, and re-imagines the space for public use (refer to Figure 4.3).88 The front entrance of the Visitor Centre, as seen in Figure 4.3, is inviting, engaging, and visually stimulating to draw visitors to the space. The design proposal has also made the space underneath the Gardiner more appealing by placing sittable space, bicycle parking, and green space. The Visitor Centre will also have exhibits, meeting rooms and a caf attracting a broad range of age groups to visit the site.89 Furthermore, the other three proposals that were submitted integrated the space underneath the Gardiner and imagined this space as an opportunity to beautify and invite pedestrians. As cities are becoming denser they are taking the opportunity to revitalize lost spaces that could serve another purpose to enhance the public realm. Getting rid of the Gardiner is not part of the solution, although it would be a brave message to Toronto. According to the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Task Force, they have recommended in retaining the elevated portions from west of Dufferin Street to Spadina Avenue.90 The part that may be removed is east of Yonge Street, but to the west is a fixture. The Gardiner can also become environmentally friendly by placing planters along the Gardiner as seen in Shanghais expressway (refer to Figure 4.4). In addition, it could possibly integrate trees and grass below irrigated from the vast storm water runoff of the roadways. However, another approach to the unused space beneath the Gardiner is to become similar to the case studies explored in this research essay, which reimagines the unused space into something more creative and appealing.

86 Waterfront Toronto (2009), Future of the Gardiner Expressway: Case Study Review

87 Bruun-Meyer, Nicole (2009). WATERTABLE: art commission under the Gardiner unveiled. Spacing

Toronto, Retrieved on 13 March 2012 from: http://spacingtoronto.ca/2009/10/22/watertable-art-commission-under-the-gardiner-unveiled/ 88

Fort York National Historic Site Visitor Centre (2009). Patkau/Kearns Mancini Conceptual Design. City of Toronto, Retrieved on 23 March 2012 from: http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/visitorcentre.htm 89

Fort York National Historic Site Visitor Centre (2009). 90

Waterfront Toronto (2009), Future of the Gardiner Expressway: Case Study Review

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Conclusion

After careful examination of the several case-studies presented, it is evident that repurposing derelict unbuilt upon space can provide a great benefit to a community. The case studies portrayed in the research project demonstrates that post-modern cities are creating socially inclusive space, by transforming spaces that once was thought of as derelict, dangerous, unused, ugly and scary. Underpass Park is a case-study that offers informative lessons about the changing dynamics of public space and emerging landscape urbanism theories. The research project also explores an alternative planning approach that suggests a departure from traditional park planning towards a hybrid mix-use park planning. There is an emphasis on mix-use recreational activities that attracts different age groups, food vendors and subcultures like skaters. It also reimagines the space and opens up a gap that has been ignored for decades. Not only will people around the neighbourhood use the space, but people all across the city.

The concept of repurposing is also a lesson to Torontos lost spaces especially the space below modern high-rise apartments such as St. James Town that can possibly be re-imagined for a greater utilitarian use, as seen in the film One Millionth Tower. In the portrayal of the documentary, it tackles and reimagines old modernist buildings that have failed to create a lively community within the spaces below. Both the Mayors Tower Renewal and the re-imagination of the space below, can be an initiative that can demonstrate the importance of community space and the preservation of old modern buildings. It could potentially result in a significant improvement to the conditions of a declining urban area that is often linked to crime, drugs and violence. Underpass Park case-study is just one idea of thousands of possibilities; implementing repurposing in underused areas could potentially have a drastic change and affect in the Torontos streetscape. The case-study of Underpass Park also portrays characteristics of a successful urban space according to the different scholars explored in this essay. The space contains the principles of triangulation, eyes on the street, winter spaces, mix-use activities, the role of the food vendor, lighting safety and surrounded by a mix-use community. It provides an opportunity for park planners, developers or designers to reimagine other spaces in response to modernism inability to create significant and lively space. It is also an opportunity to rethink about the space below the Gardiner Expressway, and possibly create an environment that accentuates its surrounding neighbourhood. Cities have taken different approaches to deal with the expressway problem. Some cities have removed it others have replaced it, or done nothing about it. This research project reveals the benefits in

29

repurposing space and the potential benefits it could have on a community. Instead of emulating our American counterparts like Boston or San Francisco, who have demolished their elevated expressways perhaps this, is a chance for Toronto to embrace its own culture and circumstances. A greater more interesting future is possible. It begins by embracing projects like the Underpass Park that have successfully rededicated and reimagined an urban space. By reimagining the Gardiner, it heals this neglected seam in the downtown and envisions civic spaces that Torontonians can be proud of.

30

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Appendix A Informed Consent Form My name is Anthony Sotomayor, and I am working on a project for a class at York University in which I am doing research about revitalizing derelict un-built upon urban space. One way I am doing this research is by talking with people who are familiar with adaptive reuse, landscape urbanism, theories about successful public spaces and about their experiences and impressions of it, and I hope to secure your consent to speak with you. Your identity will remain anonymous; our conversation will remain confidential; and you may end this conversation or decline to answer my questions at any time you choose to do so. I am also happy to provide you with a summary of the results of my research when it is done if you request this. If you would like more information about my project, please contact my instructor, Jon Caulfield, at warbler@yorku.ca or 416-736-2100, extension 30125; or I may be found at sotoa@yorku.ca or 647-248-9264. Thank you for considering participation in my research.

______________________________________

Participant Signature

______________________________________

Researcher Signature

______________

Date

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Appendix B Interviews Questions Questions for Amy Lavender Harris:

1. What is public space? What is a private space? What is a hybrid space? 2. What do you think of the redevelopment of the West Don Lands and Underpass

Park? 3. What other cities have taken this approach to revitalize the space beneath the

expressway instead of demolishing it? 4. Where do you see this type of adaptive re-use going in the future? 5. Would this form of adaptive re-use be a good idea for the Gardiner

Expressway? Questions for Andrew Pruss:

1. Tell me about the adaptive re-use project youve done at the Distillery District? 2. Do you think Underpass Park is an adaptive re-use project? 3. Why would you call it a repurposing project instead? 4. Where do you see this idea of repurposing going in the future? 5. How does this idea apply to Tower Renewal? 6. How does this idea apply to lost spaces parking space, unstructured landscape

at the base of a high tower, space beneath expressway? Questions for Jeff Geldart:

1. How did Underpass Park become develop? Did Urban Capital have a plan or design before Underpass Park?

2. What do you think of Underpass Park? 3. What were some challenges? 4. Do you see development firms approaching overpasses differently in the future? 5. In regards to the condominiums being built near the Gardiner Expressway, East

of Spadina and Lakeshore, what approach should they take beneath the space under the Gardiner Expressway?

6. Why is it better to create an amenity space beneath the expressway? 7. Are there other examples of cities that have revitalized the space underneath the

expressway?

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Appendix C Figures Underpass Park Prior Redevelopment

Source: McKeown, Shawne (2011). Construction starts on first phase of Underpass Park. Citytv, Toronto; Retrieved on 1st April 2012 from: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/133453--construction-starts-on-first-phase-of-underpass-park

Figure 2.3 A photograph of the derelict area under the Eastern, Adelaide and Richmond overpass that sat abandoned for many years.

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Mix Uses in Underpass Park

Source: Urban Toronto (2010). Retrieved on 1st April 2012 from: http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/showthread.php/11766-West-Don-Lands-Underpass-Park/page2

Figure 2.4 The (top picture) portrays the many different mix uses found in Underpass Park. This space moves away from the traditional park design through the range of activities that target different age groups and subculture groups (skateboarding). The (bottom right) picture represents the playground groove and the community garden in place.

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Winter Spaces

Figure 2.5 The basketball courts, future ball hockey and skatepark depicts Gehl concept of winter spaces. It allows people or residents in the area to play basketball during the winter months that could potentially attract other people to engage in these sports.

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Burnside Skatepark, Portland Oregon

Source: Full Tilt Boogie: Burnside Skatepark Story. Retrieved on 15th March 2012 from: http://www.dreamlandskateparks.com/index.html

Figure 3.0 This space used to be home for drug users, and homeless transformed into one of the most admired skate parks in the world.

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Graffiti Columns

Figure 3.1: The photograph shows two graffiti paintings scattered around the columns Underpass Park.

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The Mirage

Source: Urban Toronto (2012). Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from: http://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/underpass-park

Figure 3.2 The Mirage is a honey-comb mirror that the light reflects of the glass creating a connecting environment between the two neighbourhoods.

Move Box

Source: River City 2. Urban Capital, Toronto. Retrieved on 23rd February 2012 from: http://rivercitytoronto.com/

Figure 3.3: The move box is found in the vendors prerogative; it is able to move to different locations and opens within 21 seconds.

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Land Use

Source: West Don Lands Precinct Plan (May, 2005). Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation. Toronto, Ontario: Retrieved on October 2009, 37. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/west_don_lands

Figure 3.4 Within the black box are the mix uses that surround the Underpass Park, which include retail, office and residential. Although the legend does not show, there are a few Toronto Community Housing buildings within the box. In addition, there are a few surviving industrial uses as well. It portrays Jane Jacobs principle of surrounding a park with mix uses, in order to have a continuous flow of people throughout the day.

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Underpass Park Lighting

Source: Urban Toronto (2012). Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from: http://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/underpass-park

Figure 3.5 Lighting is an important safety element in Underpass Park; it provides lighting throughout the park, along 50 columns (as seen on the top left side), and on the ceiling of the overpass (bottom right side).

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Gardiner Expressway Future Opportunity

Figure 4.0 The area outlined in the red box, as seen in the map on top, represents opportunities for development firms or park designers to reimagine the space below the Gardiner. The area within the blue box is designated for automobile use. The picture on the (bottom left) is a condominium construction site between Spadina Ave and Bathurst St. that is within metres of the Gardiner Expressway. Within the last few years, this area has been surrounded by more and more condominiums. It presents a great opportunity to repurpose the space beneath the Gardiner Expressway due to the high density this area will have within a few years. Lastly, the picture on the (bottom right side) represents the area near Strachan adjacent to Fort York and Exhibition Place. This area also represents a great opportunity to repurpose the space beneath the Gardiner, due to the amount of people that visit the Canadian Exhibition Place during the summer, and due to the proximity of adjacent neighbourhoods like Liberty Village.

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East River Esplanade, New York

Source: Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (2007). East River Waterfront Final Environmental Impact Statement. November. New York, NY. Retrieved on 30 March 2012 from: http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/Complexe_Turcot/documents/DA59/DA59_GardinerExpressway_Toronto.pdf

Figure 4.2 The East River Esplanade that is below the Frank D. Roosevelt expressway has transformed a dilapidated space into an open and attractive public space in 2011. Adjacent to the financial district of New York it offers sittable space, biking routes and spaces for people to walk their dogs. As cities become more populated it forces planners and designers to reimagine lost spaces like underneath an expressway due to the land scarcity within downtown areas.

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Fort York Visitor Centre

Source: Fort York National Historic Site Visitor Centre (2009). Patkau/Kearns Mancini Conceptual Design. City of Toronto, Retrieved on 23 March 2012 from: http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/visitorcentre.htm

Figure 4.3 The winning design proposal by Patkau and Kearns Mancini Architects plans on making the space underneath the Gardiner Expressway more inviting and pedestrian friendly. The innovate design of the Visitor Centre, as seen in the bottom picture, provides programs, exhibits, and a caf that will captivate visitors of all ages.

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Shanghai Street Greening

Source: Waterfront Toronto (2009), Future of the Gardiner Expressway: Case Study Review. Retrieved on 14 March 2012 from: http://www.nanosresearch.com/WaterfrontTO/library/Case%20Study%20Overview.pdf

Figure 4.4 In Shanghai landscape planters are placed along the expressway to enhance the visual appeal and create environmental awareness. This is possible an approach the Gardiner Expressway could follow by integrating trees and planting both above and below the elevated highway.