Interactive embankment: topography of fluctuating water levels and human interaction

Chen, Yu

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Description

Title

Interactive embankment: topography of fluctuating water levels and human interaction

Author(s)

Chen, Yu

Issue Date

2014-01-16T17:57:53Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Deming, Margaret E.

Department of Study

Landscape Architecture

Discipline

Landscape Architecture

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.L.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• embankments
• Interactive
• flood wall
• floodplain

Abstract

Interactive embankments, as a boundary surface or structure, mediate between land and water, potentially change the landscape, restore the ecosystem, and promote public access to a waterfront. It is a reflection of societal values in direct dialogue with the forces of nature. Water level fluctuations reflect changes in river discharge, a natural attribute caused by climate and human intervention, which also creates the dynamic riverfront landscape. Contemporary urban riverbanks, when armored with levees or flood walls, usually hide this feature, limit the potential benefits it may bring to the landscape, and often lack public access. This thesis studies precedent embankment types in order to address better riverbank design treatments for fluctuating water levels. It starts by investigating speculative and un-built edge conditions found in architectural and landscape renderings. Existing and speculative (un-built but visualized) interactive embankment types will be categorized and new design prototypes generated. As a demonstration of their values, these design prototypes will then be projected upon real site conditions, especially the riverbank of Hart Plaza Detroit in Detroit, Michigan.

Graduation Semester

2013-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46657

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2013 Chen Yu

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