Sustainability Statements

Balancing regional infrastructure with ecology and local urban life

This project recovers Charlesgate for people and natural systems after it was enshadowed and fractured by elevated roads for a generation. Pathways are designed to double-function for equipment access (lift and vacuum trucks) for viaduct maintenance and repair. Rain-gardens in recreation areas treat roadway runoff, store floodwater and create pollinator habitat. The rivers edge is reshaped to protect from floods, and also provide public access and riparian species habitat. The design utilizes standard material palettes of the involved public agencies (transportation, parks and water) in unexpected ways to allow for easy co-maintenance. By integrating considerations of infrastructure, natural systems and public realm, there is sustainability through shared use, maintenance and investment.