Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Studio and Student Research and Creative Activity
Publication Date
Winter 12-2010
Abstract
This studio was based on the Fairmount Greenway that was developed through a series of public meetings with the neighborhood community and with consultants from the firm Crosby, Schlessinger and Smallridge (CSS). The Fairmount Greenway, while drawing its identity from the traditional greenway model is in fact a reinterpretation of an urban greenway. The greenway path follows along both primary and secondary city streets because of the lack of space along the rail right-of-way. The Fairmount Greenway begins at what will be a new station stop at New Market South Bay near Upham’s Corner in northern Dorchester. The greenway follows adjacent to the Indigo transit line, the commuter rail that connects South Boston communities with South Station situated in proximity to Boston’s central business and tourist districts. The greenway corridor, like the transit line, stretches along a strong central north-south axis but does not follow a straight line. Instead the greenway veers east and west through Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park crossing the Indigo line at Ceylon Park, Geneva Avenue, Washington Street, under the historic Woodrow Avenue Bridge, Morton Street and River Street near the Neponset River Greenway. The greenway terminates at the Readville Station in Hyde Park. Secondary auxiliary loops extend from the central corridor connecting various recreational, cultural and economic sites with the greenway. These extensions also connect with the greater regional green space network, which will be described more in detail in the assessment to come. The defining third component of the Fairmount Greenway is the periodic greenspaces that fall along the greenway corridor. Some of these public spaces currently exist as parklands and community gardens; others are primarily publicly owned vacant lots that are planned for future development.
Included in
Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons, Environmental Design Commons, Forest Management Commons, Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons, Landscape Architecture Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons
Comments
The student studio team of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning acknowledge the following organizations and individuals who contributed their time and resources as we worked on this special and significant project. A special thanks to both Greater Four Corners Action Coalition and Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation for their hospitality and guidance throughout the semester. In particular, thank you to Joan Tighe, Gail Latimore, Marcos Beleche, Cullen Deas, Marilyn Forman of the Codman Square CSNDC and ‘Mela’ Bush, Latoya Bush of Greater Four Corners Action Coalition who familiarized us with the greenway and associated neighborhoods and provided us with valuable feedback on our planning concept and design ideas. Thank you Gideon Schreiber and Filomena Riganti from the Urban Ecology and Institute for sharing with us important information about urban ecology as well as for your presence at our meetings and your critiques of our work. A huge thank you to Professor Robert Ryan who saw us through twelve weeks offering expertise and experience to buttress us in our efforts to achieve a deeper knowledge and understanding of greenway development, particularly as it pertains to a unique urban context. Additional thanks to Professor Paige Warren of the Department of Environmental Conservation - UMass-Amherst for educating us on the importance of the urban tree canopy and biodiversity. And to Kate Tooke, the research assistant for the ULTRA-EX grant, thanks for your support and for helping