Design Activism + Adv. Digital Art
Greenbelt 101
Role
Designer
Timeline
January - May 2023
Tools
Illustrator, SketchUp
Skills
Urban planning + design, visual design,
Context
The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 authorized the construction of 41,000 miles of an interstate highway system to connect 42 state capitals and American cities with populations over 50,000. Apart from connecting major cities and for national defense (National Archives), this act served as a tool for racial segregation and a symbol of white supremacy and power. Due to the rise of the civil rights movement, city planners and policymakers felt threatened by desegregation (King), and as a result, took the red lines off of maps and built them in the physical world-- creating permanent barriers of concrete. (Silverstein) These infrastructures disproportionately affected Black neighborhoods, demolishing houses, schools, places of worship, and businesses, while also acting as a divider between black and white neighborhoods. (Archer) (Evans) For the internal refugees it created, the federal government provided no financial aid or help. (Susaneck) And the most successful efforts to stop highways were campaigns focused on environmental justice and protecting parks, not concerned with racial justice. (King) This created a generational cycle of poverty, a feedback loop which prevents those in poverty from obtaining any equity in the city. My research encompassed nine interstates developed during the Federal Aid Highway Act: Atlanta, Syracuse, the Bronx, Miami, St. Paul, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Orlando.
Key Features
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Creation of an extensive new open space with nature.
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Inclusion of functional and intergenerational amenities and recreational spaces.
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Clear wayfinding for accessibility and safety.
Project
Addressing the broader issue of interstates contributing to today’s severe racial segregation and concentrated poverty, my project centers on East Palo Alto (EPA) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Home to 30,000 residents across 16,000 acres by the Bay, EPA grapples with Highway 101, a 1,540-mile at-grade highway originally constructed in 1926. (GBCNet) However, the Federal Aid Highway Act led to its widening in EPA, further segregating the area from Silicon Valley culturally and physically. The resulting discrimination in housing, employment, and education has left EPA with limited opportunities, predominantly in low-wage jobs that have lasted generations. Over the years, EPA has experienced periods of incorporation, political adversities, white flight, and discriminatory practices. In the mid-1960s, unlike the South with overt racism such as the Jim Crow laws, covert racism in the West was designed into systems of housing, jobs, and education policies in a practice called blockbusting. (Cutler) Having grown up in Menlo Park on the opposite side of the highway, I had minimal exposure to EPA's history until this project and class and did not realize the harm done by highways and interstates. My project played with the hypothetical idea of removing of Highway 101, and having a greenbelt park to take its place. Opting for a greenbelt and park stems from my appreciation for parks as catalysts for fostering community.
Goals
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Reconnect the three cities that were previously divided by road infrastructure.
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Provide a place for rest and relaxation, encourages spontaneous social interaction and social gatherings, gives community members access to nature.
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Create opportunities for improved public space, a more sustainable environment, increased economic activity, and a reconnected urban fabric.
The Process
01
Research
My research was divided into several key areas:
From a historical perspective, I examined the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 and its impact on Black communities. I analyzed 20 case studies that explored the consequences of highway construction on these neighborhoods and investigated different approaches to reconnecting displaced communities.
From a design perspective, I researched innovative solutions for outdoor spaces, including urban design principles and park development strategies that prioritize community well-being. Additionally, I conducted a deep dive into the history of East Palo Alto, exploring its unique context and the ways in which infrastructure development has shaped the city’s landscape.
02
Early Concepts and Sketches
While conducting research, we simultaneously began setting up interviews. We spoke with 14 individuals, including mental health experts, therapists, and patients, with most participants coming from the Latinx community. After each interview, we synthesized our notes using storytelling methods. The primary note-taker and interviewer recounted the session as a narrative, while the other two team members captured key insights.
03
3D Design
Within my project, I created two 3D models using SketchUp, a 3D modeling software. One offers a bird's-eye view of Greenbelt 101, while the other zooms into specific park details. For the first 3D model, I imported the geolocation to focus on the section intended for replacement. This allowed for precise measurement of Highway 101's width and facilitated the overlay of my park design. The bird's-eye view features diverse green spaces: sports courts, recreational facilities, an outdoor track, winding forest paths, and picnic areas. I kept this design simple to serve as a bigger picture for Greenbelt 101.
For the other 3D model, I was able to build out specific details and create a slice of the park. In this design (shown below) you’ll see a transit station, the beginning of the outdoor track, and the winding forest path. To address travel alternatives, my plan includes a subway transit system to run underneath the Greenbelt.
Key Elements
I prioritized three key elements for my park. The aim was to create a space accessible to all, transcending age, ethnicity, race, language, or socioeconomic status, as evident in the park's physical designs and examples.
The creation of an extensive new open space with nature.​​​​​​​
Inclusion of functional and intergenerational amenities and recreational spaces.
It was vital to me to bridge generational gaps, ensuring that the park appeals to various age groups. If I only designed the space for kids, elders wouldn’t necessarily feel like they belong, thus avoiding the park altogether, and a similar idea to if I only designed it for older users. Looking at what I could design physically to promote these ideas are objects like benches, clear walking paths for older generations, and sports courts and playgrounds for younger demographics.
Clear wayfinding
The third key element is clear wayfinding signs designed for accessibility, safety, and inclusivity. This not only provides information like maps and place descriptions for navigation but also the history of the area and the impact of the past interstate, Highway 101.
Iteration: Initially, the signage design overlooked a language justice framework, being exclusively in English, potentially excluding some if not many of East Palo Alto's communities. If a community doesn’t see their language represented in a public space that might send a message that they don’t belong there or the space isn’t theirs to use. The final versions of these signs feature content in both English and Spanish, fostering a sense of inclusion for diverse communities.
Final Solution Video
References
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