Ecologies in Balance: integrating high-density development with an ecosystem at-risk

M. Arch thesis studio project

Ecologies in Balance: integrating high-density development with an ecosystem at-risk M. Arch thesis studio project Samuel, Douglas Ecology Preservation (function) Wetlands Economic development Mixed-use developments Riverfronts At the mouth of the Raritan River, New Jersey’s largest inland river, sits a vast tract of land that has been at the center of debate between developers and preservationists in recent years. On the economic side, the land is an ideal spot for a high-density, mixed-use redevelopment that would rescue the surrounding towns’ failing economies. On the side of the preservationists, the site is ringed by a vast system of tidal and freshwater wetlands. These serve as an important habitat for various species, a means of natural water filtration and as protection from storms and flooding. At the mouth of the Raritan River, New Jersey’s largest inland river, sits a vast tract of land that has been at the center of debate between developers and preservationists in recent years. On the economic side, the land is an ideal spot for a high-density, mixed-use redevelopment that would rescue the surrounding towns’ failing economies. On the side of the preservationists, the site is ringed by a vast system of tidal and freshwater wetlands. These serve as an important habitat for various species, a means of natural water filtration and as protection from storms and flooding School of Architecture publication. (Troy, NY: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 2007) Balfour, Alan 2007-05 Images Digital Jpk2 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Ecologies in Balance: integrating high-density development with an ecosystem at-risk

M. Arch thesis studio project

Samuel, Douglas

Ecology

Preservation (function)

Wetlands

Economic development

Mixed-use developments

Riverfronts

At the mouth of the Raritan River, New Jersey’s largest inland river, sits a vast tract of land that has been at the center of debate between developers and preservationists in recent years. On the economic side, the land is an ideal spot for a high-density, mixed-use redevelopment that would rescue the surrounding towns’ failing economies. On the side of the preservationists, the site is ringed by a vast system of tidal and freshwater wetlands. These serve as an important habitat for various species, a means of natural water filtration and as protection from storms and flooding. At the mouth of the Raritan River, New Jersey’s largest inland river, sits a vast tract of land that has been at the center of debate between developers and preservationists in recent years. On the economic side, the land is an ideal spot for a high-density, mixed-use redevelopment that would rescue the surrounding towns’ failing economies. On the side of the preservationists, the site is ringed by a vast system of tidal and freshwater wetlands. These serve as an important habitat for various species, a means of natural water filtration and as protection from storms and flooding

School of Architecture publication. (Troy, NY: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 2007)

Balfour, Alan

2007-05

Images

Digital

Jpk2

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY