Fulfilling downtown. Strategies for public space and urban model for Atlanta

The American urban environment has been created under various economic, demographic and political conditions over last two centuries. These conditions initiated great city transformations, among which were modern urban planning initiatives that gave American cities their identity, but inevitably, they also produced certain urban conditions that need to be changed for contemporary society and for new economic realities. This thesis project is concerned with the question of the urban renewal of American cities and especially the use of public space as a catalyst for redeveloping blighted areas. By renewal we consider designs for underutilized areas, abandoned industrial zones, historic sites and various other urban revitilization initiatives. To explain this issue in American cities, we first study the history of American urbanization - key points of American urban planning from the 19th century. Furthermore, we point out the problems of the urban environment and factors that contributed to the ‘lost space’ concept: zoning, land use policies, car dependence, relocation and abandonment of industrial sites. Finally, we present contemporary solutions for these problems and new strategies that include changes in urban planning and transportation. These urban improvements are shown in case studies where we consider: Portland for traffic solutions, Pittsburgh for economic change and Philadelphia for their Delaware waterfront renewal. Our study of these examples serves as references for the design proposals for the urban renewal of Atlanta’s downtown ‘Gulch zone’. The term ‘fulfilling downtown’ shows the intention to add a broad spectrum of values, such as: a variety of activities, designed public spaces, pedestrian movement, new residents, tourism and new public life. The idea is realized by imposing an urban city matrix, then proposing built forms and finally inserting a specific element called the ‘connector of spaces’ whose main role is to connect the sparse city fabric, by pedestrian pathways on the surface and by commercial activities inside of it. Infrastructure is also part of the collector and is placed as a base for complete redevelopment. On the upper pedestrian level there are a series of open public spaces for the neighborhood and also for city as a whole. This urban model is generated for the city of Atlanta in its own special context, but the more general idea can be implemented in any American downtown that needs urban renewal.