A look into transect design served as a way to observe and analyze adjacency relationships as urban program zones dissipate throughout a city. In depth mapping and diagramming was carried out in a study of the Cuyahoga Valley in the greater Cleveland area, focusing primarily on zones of: urban, industrial, suburban, village, and rural/natural characteristics. It became apparent that the Cuyahoga River was, and still is, a crucial part of Cleveland’s development over the years. The graphics (above and below) show the concentration of industrial, commercial, residential, and essentially all other aspects that make Cleveland the urban center it is, clustered around the river’s edge and then dispersing outwards as necessary.
In addition to programmatical relationship studies, a deeper look was also taken on differing land cover (i.e. natural vs manmade, grass, vegetation, asphalt, etc.). Comparisons of current and historical maps were made to evaluate the changes the Cleveland area has made and the reasons behind them. Although tree development and cover has grown significantly, there has also inevitably been a high level of suburban sprawl. In all 5 regions of the transect crucial open spaces exist and tend to increase exponentially while distance increases from the urban center. Re-investigation of this notion of open space was taken into consideration, which led to focusing attention on a more abstract definition of open space as voids, such as railroads, vacancies, rooftops, corridors (roads).
As the analysis continued to progress the question of how to utilize these urban voids became a re-occurring theme. Due to the significance and desire for open space (at all scales of a city) it was never intended to fill all voided areas of the city with development, but rather attempt to re-evaluate the use of these spaces in an effort to better connect the many components of the region, keeping in mind sustainability and urban economics. With all things considered, a more detailed study will be taken of the Industrial precinct of Cleveland for several reasons: 1) with Cleveland’s Industrial influence now lacking, the historical areas of ripe for re-invention 2) the amount, as well as the nature, of the open spaces are prime and allow for a great deal of flexibility/opportunity and 3) its location acts as a connection between the urban center and highly influential suburban zone.
In addition to programmatical relationship studies, a deeper look was also taken on differing land cover (i.e. natural vs manmade, grass, vegetation, asphalt, etc.). Comparisons of current and historical maps were made to evaluate the changes the Cleveland area has made and the reasons behind them. Although tree development and cover has grown significantly, there has also inevitably been a high level of suburban sprawl. In all 5 regions of the transect crucial open spaces exist and tend to increase exponentially while distance increases from the urban center. Re-investigation of this notion of open space was taken into consideration, which led to focusing attention on a more abstract definition of open space as voids, such as railroads, vacancies, rooftops, corridors (roads).
As the analysis continued to progress the question of how to utilize these urban voids became a re-occurring theme. Due to the significance and desire for open space (at all scales of a city) it was never intended to fill all voided areas of the city with development, but rather attempt to re-evaluate the use of these spaces in an effort to better connect the many components of the region, keeping in mind sustainability and urban economics. With all things considered, a more detailed study will be taken of the Industrial precinct of Cleveland for several reasons: 1) with Cleveland’s Industrial influence now lacking, the historical areas of ripe for re-invention 2) the amount, as well as the nature, of the open spaces are prime and allow for a great deal of flexibility/opportunity and 3) its location acts as a connection between the urban center and highly influential suburban zone.
