Biophilic Cities Journal, Vol. 2/No. 2 (March 2019)

BIOPHILIC CITIES A Global Journal of Innovation in Urban Nature Vol. 2/No. 2 March 2019 SPECIAL ISSUE Creating Equitable Biophilic Cities THE NATUREFUL CITY Working Towards a Just Urban Magic/ Tim Beatley FEATURE Inclusive Healthy Places Framework / Jennifer Gardner PROJECT PROFILE Reconciling Costa Rica’s Cities / Federico J. Cartín-Arteaga PIONEER INTERVIEW 2018 AIA President Carl Elefante / Stella Tarnay



T he Biophilic Cities Journal is produced by Biophilic Cities, which partners with cities, scholars and advocates from across the globe with the aim of helping to build an understanding of the value and contribution of nature in cities to the lives of urban residents. As a central element of our work, the Biophilic Cities Network is a global collaboration of partner cities, organizations and individuals committed to working in concert to conserve and celebrate nature in all its forms and the many important ways in which cities and their inhabitants benefit from the biodiversity and wild urban spaces present in cities. Participation in the network acknowledges the importance of daily contact with nature as an element of a meaningful urban life, as well as the ethical responsibility that cities have to conserve global nature as shared habitat for non-human life and people. Many individuals and organizations are due thanks for helping produce the Journal. We owe special thanks to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Summit Foundation for their generous and continuing financial support for Biophilic Cities. We also thank the University of Virginia School of Architecture for hosting and supporting Biophilic Cities in many ways. For more information on the Biophilic Cities, and to learn about ways to become involved in this global movement, please visit us at BiophilicCities.org. Founder and Executive Director Tim Beatley Program Director J.D. Brown Director of Graphic Design Mennen Middlebrooks Director of Partner Cities Carla Jones Director of Biophilic Research Julia Triman Partner City Coordinator Maria Tahamtani Communications Coordinators Lucia Shuff-Heck and Jamie Trost BIOPHILIC CITIES ADVISORY BOARD Julian Agyeman (Tufts University); Bill Browning (Terrapin Bright Green); Lena Chan (National Parks Board of Singapore); Richard Louv (Journalist, Author); Peter Newman (Curtin University); Wallace J. Nichols (Blue Mind Fund); Richard Piacentini (Phipps Conservancy and Botanical Gardens); Fritz Steiner (University of Pennsylvania School of Design); Amanda Sturgeon (International Living Future Institute); Catherine Werner (City of St. Louis); Celia Wade-Brown (Wellington City, New Zealand); Jennifer R. Wolch (UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design). BIOPHILIC CITIES STEERING COMMITTEE Julia Africa (Boston, Massachusetts); Amber Bill (New Zealand Ministry for the Environment); Peter Brastow (San Francisco Department of the Environment); Matt Burlin (Portland, Oregon, Bureau of Environmental Services); Rebecca Dios (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain); Scott Edmondson (San Francisco Planning Department); Nick Grayson (Birmingham, U.K.); Cecilia Herzog (Inverde Institute); Mike Houck (Urban Greenspaces Institute); David Maddox (The Nature of Cities); Luis Orive (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain); Erick Shambarger (City of Milwaukee); Jana Soderlund (Curtin University); Stella Tarnay (Biophilic DC); Helena van Vliet (BioPhilly).

CONTENTS | BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL Vol. 2/ No. 2 | March 2019 2 Front and Back Cover Image Credits: Rutas Naturbanas THE NATUREFUL CITY: 6 WORKING TOWARDS A JUST URBAN MAGIC BY TIM BEATLEY FEATURE: 10 THE INCLUSIVE HEALTHY PLACES FRAMEWORK: A NEW TOOL FOR SOCIAL RESILIENCE and PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE BY JENNIFER GARDNER 10 FEATURE: 16 22 16 PATHS TO PIER 42: THE CHALLENGES OF MAKING BIOPHILIA EQUITABLE IN 26 NEW YORK CITY BY BARBARA BROWN-WILSON 31 PROJECT PROFILE: 38 ACCIDENTAL CITIES: THE CHALLENGE of GREENING REFUGEE CAMPS 4 BY ALFONSO MONTIEL, CEO, THE LEMON TREE TRUST PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: RECONCILING COSTA RICA’S CITIES BY FEDERICO J. CARTíN-ARTEGA PARTNER CITY PROJECT PROFILE: 30 MILWAUKEE’S VACANT LOT STRATEGY: CREATING BIOPHILIC GREEN SPACES IN 32 UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS BY ERIK SHAMBARGER & TIM McCOLLOW PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: SEAHOLM WATERFRONT | AUSTIN TX ROOTS OF BIOPHILIC CITIES: 34 36 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND BIOPHILIC CITIES | THEORY and HISTORY OF 38 BIOPHILIC DESIGN BY TIM BEATLEY CITY PROFILE: THE HEART OF WARSAW - THE VISTULA RIVER BY DOMINIKA P. BRODOWICZ PARTNER CITY PROJECT PROFILE: PLANTING TREES to GROW COMMUNITIES BY CATHERINE L. WERNER

PARNTER CITY PROJECT PROFILE: 42 GOVERNING A REGIONAL BIOPHILIA BY MENNEN MIDDLEBROOKS PROJECT PROFILE: 48 TRILLIUM and CULLY PARKS: ENGAGING DEEPER PLACE HISTORIES 40 BY TIM BEATLEY PROJECT PROFILE: 52 PUSH BLUE: DEVELOPING an EQUITABLE GREEN ECONOMY in BUFFALO BY KEN PARKER, PUSH BLUE PROGRAM MANAGER PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: 56 A BUILDING THAT BLOOMS BY TIM BEATLEY CITY PROFILES: 58 51 PIGEONS in TALLINN and TURTLES in TARTU BY MARIA TAHAMTANI PIONEER INTERVIEW: 62 68 THE FUTURE of CITIES is BIOPHILIC and INCLUSIVE: AN INTERVIEW WITH 2018 AIA PRESIDENT CARL ELEFANTE BY STELLA TARNAY RESEARCH NOTES: DESIGNING EQUITABLE BIOPHILIC CITIES BY JULIA TRIMAN 66 THE BOOK SHELF: 70 PALACES FOR THE PEOPLE BY ERIC KLINENBERG REVIEW BY LUCIA SHUFF-HECK BOOK SHELF: 71 WEATHERING THE DECADES WITH WISDOM BY JAMIE TROST 73 REVIEW OF THE GRANITE GARDEN BY ANNE WHISTON SPIRN REMEMBRANCE: REMEMBERING MARY OLIVER BY TIM BEATLEY 70 68 BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 5

BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL / THE NATUREFUL CITY Ontario Place (Trillium Park) Photo Credit: wyliepoon at Flickr The Natureful City: Working Towards a Just Urban Magic By Tim Beatley I am happy that there are ever Forests have always evoked for fish, all of the whales, and mystery for us but increasingly all of the creatures of the sea.” I more stories to tell of the magic we understand the wonderful don’t usually conjure an image of nature in cities. As we continue and unexpected ways in which of whales when I walk in the to build relationships with the they work together to survive woods, but there is a lot to that cities in our Network, new cities and thrive. As we walked through forest that we did not understand that are considering joining, the forest that day, Beresford- before the walk. and grassroots groups pursuing Kroeger spoke of the miraculous We are living in remarkable their own biophilic agendas, ways that trees “farm the sun,” times when there is so much we continue to learn about and and function like “molecular new research showing the document the magic and mystery machines.” She told us that they complexities and surprising they seek to uncover, protect and are the source of sixty percent social life of trees. Few sources celebrate. of the medicines we use. She of magic in the city are as readily One of the highlights of a visit to made a compelling case for how available and watchable as Toronto (a city that we hope will we are more like trees than not. trees. The attention received by be joining the Network soon) was We are made of much of the German Forester Peter Wohlleben a medicine walk with cultural same compounds and tissues, and his popular book, The Hidden botanist Diana Beresford-Kroeger she tells us. We are so intricately Life of Trees (a book I have been who spoke of the magic of trees. interdependent. Beresford- assigning in my Nature + Cities Converging on High Park, an Kroeger explained that the trees class), has certainly helped to enthusiastic group of around and the savanna ecosystem that broaden our view of trees. A crop fifty of us listened closely and we walked through that day tie of younger forest ecologists, followed her as she guided us us to our oceans and planet; including Annie Desrochers of from tree to tree, telling us about explaining the essential role the University of Quebec and their intimate biology, as if these that tree leaves play in providing Suzanne Simard of the University trees were her own relatives (and iron to marine microorganisms: of British Columbia, are also she would likely say they are). “they’re the feeding foundation 6

adding much to our knowledge the prairie. These are healing and wellbeing. But access to of these hidden lives. A group of places, Beresford-Kroeger tells that magic is variable and often European tree researchers has us, where miraculous biology is a unfairly distributed. been using laser scanning to daily occurrence. Many of the stories to follow will detect the overnight drooping Unfortunately, the magic of highlight the successes cities of tree limbs and the new places like Toronto’s Black Oak are having in committing to a understanding that trees actually Savanna is not equally or evenly just nature. The stories of Cully “sleep.” Trees were always enjoyed. There are profound Park, in Portland, and Trillium mysterious but we are learning and deep inequities in the Park in Toronto, are inspiring and more as we listen and walk distribution of nature in cities, show that it is possible to share along with people like Beresford- and that is the special theme power, to design inclusively, and Kroeger. of this issue of the Biophilic to deeply engage underserved High Park is one of the last Cities Journal, and indeed an communities and neighborhoods remaining places in Toronto essential part of the vision and of color. Both Trillium and Cully where a Black Oak Savannah can movement of biophilic cities. The Parks show that it is possible, be found. It is a place where the natural magic of our cities -- their indeed essential, to connect to city undertakes prescribed burns forests and parks, the birds and the deeper past, creating spaces each year to mimic natural fires living creatures that animate and places together with the that would have taken place on them -- are key to our health native peoples who were the the original owners and stewards production of Biophilic Films. Diana Beresford-Kroeger of these lands, and in the process 2018 saw the release of our Photo Credit: Tim Beatley working to heal some of the documentary film Ocean Cities, loss and disjuncture that are so screened at the Virginia Film both the dangers and delights prevalent. Festival in November. This of proximity to water: the desire Biophilic Films film is partially about the to connect with water and all I experienced the magic of Cully stories of magic in the marine the mystery it holds, but also to Park as part of our continued environments around cities like adapt to and plan for the reality New York and Baltimore and of sea level rise and coastal San Francisco. The film explores flooding, but ideally in ways that can actually make a city more biophilic. BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 7

We have produced several other vignettes demonstrate the variety Northern Ireland. An even new short films, two that focus of impressive work underway in larger example was evident on birds (the Portland Catio Tour, cities and the extent to which in July, when the International and the celebration of Vaux’s creative design and planning can Federation of Landscape Swifts as they dramatically make a difference, as well as the Architects (IFLA) chose biophilic roost for the evening in the incredible sense of magic that cities as one of the main themes Chapman Elementary School the discovery and celebration of for its World Congress. I was chimney); one on an innovative local nature can imbue into our honored to travel there to park design (Portland’s new daily lives. If you have not viewed present a keynote address to Cully Park); and one about a them please take a few minutes its 1,500 delegates, and to help wonderful biophilic school near to watch. judge a student competition. Atlanta (Chattahoochee Hills Charter School). As well, we have Gaining Traction There has been a parallel produced a short film about There is considerable evidence of emphasis in the literature, and (at the Smooth-Backed Otters of how the vision of Biophilic Cities least) three difference journals -- Singapore (the Bishan otters continues to gain impressive Sustainable Earth, Sustainability, have attained world celebrity and Cities & Health -- are each status) and one about Pier Into organizing special issues focused the Night, a wonderfully creative on biophilic cities. There is (and program that projects and will be) a growing body of peer- narrates images of underwater reviewed journal articles, and a nature in real time put on by growing number of publishing the nonprofit Harbor WildWatch, opportunities for those in Gig Harbor, Washington. interested in shaping the path Lastly, our short film about forward. Rewilding New York Harbor shows the political power Pier into the Night Gig Harbor, WA In addition to forward looking- of joining together around a Photo Credit: Tim Beatley research and scholarship, I common urban vision to rebuild believe we also need to better the once vast oyster reefs that momentum. This is evidenced understand (and re-discover) the protected the city as, MacArthur by several interesting trends we many historical precedents and Genius Grant winner Kate Orff have seen. First, we continue to examples of biophilic design and describes, “Living Breakwaters.” make progress in expanding the planning, including early leaders Roland Lewis from the NYC- Network, welcoming new cities and pioneering projects that still based Waterfront Alliance, now to the ranks of partner cities, guide and inspire. The Journal a coalition of more than 1000 including: Edinburgh, Scotland; will in the future work to profile organizations, speaks in the film and Panama City, Panama. This such projects, practitioners and about reconnecting New Yorkers is certainly one measure of the thought leaders that make up to the watery realms around progress we are making. Another the stock of practice, theory and them, turning the face of the way in which the language ideas, much of which we have city back towards the marine and vision of Biophilic Cities is forgotten or taken for granted. nature at the center of this urban being used is to frame global As a first foray into this effort, in estuary. convenings. In the last half-year, an article in the pages to follow, We believe these short films we have been involved in several I document a serendipitous are an effective way to tell the conferences explicitly focused stop that led to interesting new stories of the remarkable work on the subject of biophilic cities. insights about the heritage of underway in cities, helping These included conferences biophilic design and planning. to bring these people, places hosted at the University of This past December, I stopped to and stories to life. These video Greenwich in London, and at the visit Florida Southern College in Queens University in Belfast, 8

Catio Tour | Portland, OR Photo Credit: Portland Audubon Society Lakeland, Florida. It is an unlikely the historical roots of biophilic Canada’s Boreal Forest is a Thriving location for the largest single planning and design, we need Social Community of Trees that Work collection of Frank Lloyd Wright- to remain observant and speak Together [video link]. CBC-TV. https:// designed buildings anywhere. of a just magic, which delivers www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/features/ This has led me to reflect anew the beauty and solace of the canadas-boreal-forest-is-a-thriving- on Wright’s influence; both the natural world to all urban social-community-of-trees-that-work- deep natureful connections of neighborhoods, to all residents. tog. Wright’s buildings and his design The power and medicine of Harbor WildWatch. https://www. philosophy. The campus provides those trees that Diana Beresford- harborwildwatch.org. the opportunity to get a sense Kroeger cherishes need to High Park (Toronto). http://www. of what his biophilic design be fairly shared and this is a highparktoronto.com. might mean at a larger scale. His hallmark of a Natureful City. Puttonen, E. et al. (Feb. 2016). original vision is a compelling Quantification of Overnight Movement one of magical buildings, like the Resources: of Birch (Betula pendula) Branches and Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, growing up Foliage with Short Interval Terrestrial between the trees of an orange Beatley, Tim (July 6, 2018). Ocean Cities: Laser Scanning. Frontiers Plant Sci. grove. It is a story of lost magic, The Power of Documentary Filmmaking 7:1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/ or perhaps the promise of magic to Tell Stories About the Nature Around fpls.2016.00222. returned, should support emerge Us. The Nature of Cities. https://www. Suzanne Simard: Forest Ecologist for re-planting the citrus forest thenatureofcities.com/2018/07/06/ [video link]. TED. https://www.ted.com/ that was once at the center of ocean-cities-power-documentary- speakers/suzanne_simard. Wright’s vision for the campus. filmmaking-tell-stories-nature-around- Waterfront Alliance. https:// As Biophilic Cities continues to us. waterfrontalliance.org. gain traction globally, whether Biophilic Films. Biophilic Cities. https:// Wohlleben, Peter (2016). The Hidden in film or our exploration of www.biophiliccities.org/bcfilms. Life of Trees. Greystone Books. Cully Park | Portland, OR Photo Credit: Tim Beatley BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 9

BIOHPILIC CITIES JOURNAL / FEATURE *** Folkets Park, Copenhagen Photo Credit: Steven Johnson, Boundless The Inclusive Healthy Places Framework: A New Tool for Social Resilience and Public Infrastructure By Jennifer Gardner Social resilience is a strengthening a person’s sense surrounding neighborhood. of community and reducing Parents with young children visit characteristic that describes a isolation. Well-designed public the playground, members of the community’s ability to thrive spaces serve as places where new immigrant communities in during times of stability, and social connections develop the neighborhood gather by the to adapt, organize, and grow in and are sustained. They work fire pit, local teens hang out with response to change or disruption. best when there are reasons to their friends, elderly folks meet These abilities depend, in an stop and linger, and when they for fresh air and conversation, important way, on the degree to cultivate a sense of belonging and homeless men and women which people feel connected to and ownership among diverse stop to spend the night under one another. Public spaces can people and groups. shelter. The space is made up of help create and sustain those Folkets Park in Copenhagen, informal-looking elements like connections. Parks, sidewalks, Denmark delivers in all of concrete ping-pong tables, rocky streets, schools, libraries, these ways. A true “people’s seating ledges, and a brightly transportation networks—the park,” the urban green space hand-painted climbing and play public realm—is our everyday was redesigned by and for a structure sized for both children social infrastructure. This is diverse group of people in the and adults. The attitude of park where planned and chance users here is generally accepting social interactions take place, 10

and live-and-let-live. This is truly inclusion by design. But the park didn’t always work Graffiti in Nørrebro, Copenhagen like this. A previous set of park Photo Credit: Tiws, Flickr improvements left the park unwelcoming and underutilized. vulnerable. The final park design own cities and towns? Hearing community complaints, also includes a shade and First, we understand there is a city planners set out to figure weather shelter, a new public link between place and health out what had gone wrong. The toilet, play areas, new seating, equity. A wealth of research from park is located in Nørrebro, a and rolling, grassy areas -- the fields of public health, social Copenhagen neighborhood noted flexible and adaptable elements. science, and urban planning for its cultural and economic increasingly points to something diversity. The city project staff The community welcomed the most of us know intuitively: place viewed this diversity as an asset. final result as reflective of their is integral to health. Consider They also adopted an unusual wants and needs. Folkets Park the evidence: ZIP codes are tactic: they enlisted an artist to demonstrates how high quality linked to life expectancy; and co-create a design process to and well-maintained public access to neighborhood green change the relationship of the spaces designed with inclusion space decreases the likelihood community to the site, while as a core value can cultivate of depression. These are just highlighting local expertise and trust and ownership, increase two examples of how where we input on changes to the urban accessibility and make diverse live and work strongly impacts design. Through an intensive people feel welcome, and bring our day-to-day lives and health two-year engagement, and with health benefits to the whole exposures. These factors--the the leadership of artist Kenneth community. social determinants of health- Balfelt, both process and final -are important because they design broke all the “rules” of Common Barriers and can be changed and improved traditional urban design to Opportunities to Link Place and through personal choice, as balance the needs of people in Health well as through policy, planning, new ways. public programs, social services, Project leaders created a public Public spaces like Folkets Park and design. Health equity is process that encouraged park aren’t just nice to have; they’re about recognizing that not users and neighbors from all essential to building healthy everyone has the same needs for walks of life to share their communities and cities, and good health. When we pursue perspectives. This facilitated inclusive processes and outcomes plans, policies and other place- clarity about the values and are core to their success. How can based approaches that are goals shared by all. But they also planners and policymakers better prioritized the needs of the most make the case for this in their vulnerable groups of park users, such as those who depended on the space for shelter. For example, with input from the homeless people who use the park at all hours, designers created soft, carefully located lighting because more typical security flood lights made some people feel more exposed and BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 11

meant to influence more opportunity to improve health Inclusive public spaces can equitable health outcomes, we that shouldn’t be overlooked. support health more must first find the barriers that Imagine a city full of public parks equitably in many ways, stand in the way of good health like the one in Copenhagen. The including: for different individuals and people who shape cities should groups, and then remove them care deeply about the role of • Being accessible and in a way that addresses not just public spaces and other forms welcoming to everyone the symptoms but also the root of social infrastructure, because causes. Systemic challenges are safeguarding the health and • Offering a sense of place and inherently hard to identify and wellbeing of citizens is one of belonging to more than one resolve, which is one reason the fundamental roles of public group of people that multi-benefit strategies policy. like public space improvement Third, we know that not all • Reflecting shared social programs can be effective spaces are created or maintained values, like dignity and starting points. equally, or with considerations respect Second, we know our for all people in mind. Making surroundings matter, including matters worse, negative • Promoting trust and the built environment. According factors tend to be correlated participation in public to some researchers, up to 80% and concentrated, meaning processes and institutions of the factors contributing to a some groups of people are person’s health outcomes are far more vulnerable to poor • Supporting vibrant, diverse attributable to the environment health, simply because the social interaction and behavior choices our places where they live have environments inspire. Because introduced disadvantages into • Allowing people to use the symptoms of poor urban their lives. While our everyday public space in flexible ways, public health can be so diverse, environments play an integral such as for physical activity, ranging from rates of social role in shaping how healthy relaxation, socializing, events, isolation to rates of childhood we are, unequal environments and more asthma, identifying and and inequality in our day-to- resolving the root causes can day lived experiences produce • Supporting and be a huge challenge. But, the concentrated inequitable health sustaining the natural potential of the public realm outcomes. assets and strengths of to provide multiple benefits a place and its people, that are accessible to all is an including social systems and ecosystems • Providing a point of connection for community networks and resources. Photo Credit: Jennifer Gardner 12

Photo Credit: Steven Johnson, Boundless Prioritizing Social Resilience be represented and engaged A New Framework for Healthy for Adaptable Communities and as stakeholders on an ongoing Cities through Inclusive Spaces basis. A stable and adaptable Public Spaces community has to have the Healthy places are connected ability to shape its own future. To bridge these gaps, Gehl by a network of quality, shared Representative and inclusive Institute collaborated with the public spaces and social public processes can better Robert Wood Johnson Foundation infrastructure that supports identify people’s diverse needs, to develop the Inclusive Healthy connections between neighbors and help direct the benefit of Places Framework. We created and ensure everyone feels public and private investment, the Framework as a tool to welcome. But, in dynamic urban and other drivers of urban help public realm practitioners environments, it is important for change, back to the communities identify social determinants planners and policymakers to themselves. Unfortunately, there that their work can improve, remember that even seemingly is often a lack of information and remove systemic barriers to positive changes can pose and tools to help stakeholders health. threats to community stability. collaborate on this work For community members to effectively. Community health No single public space or experience the health benefits of impacts aren’t often considered program will resolve entrenched, inclusive processes and places, by city planners, urban designers, systemic inequalities, but new they need to be able to stay in or public agencies dedicated to ways of working on individual a place despite pressures of local development. And when projects with inclusion and urban change, like gentrification- they are, participants in the health as core values should driven displacement. The threat process aren’t always speaking help move the needle towards of displacement is felt most the same language or valuing the improving certain health strongly in places where people same outcomes. Without shared outcomes for individuals and are already experiencing poor values, resources, and metrics, it’s communities. Good policy health and a lack of social impossible to measure success. and design solutions will be cohesion. In other words, to see contextual and driven by local long-term community health needs and assets. As in the improvements, people must Folkets Park example, the BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 13

Photo Credit: Steven Johnson, Boundless 14

success of a public space is often and evaluate the impact of Cohesion: Why Care About Income determined by engagement and greater inclusion on the social Inequality?” British Medical Journal 40 governance strategies, even more determinants of health that (5): 1037–40. https://www.ncbi.nlm. than the physical design. connect to the public realm. nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2126438/ The Inclusive Healthy Places We hope it will be tested and pdf/9112854.pdf. Framework is a research- applied to a wide range of public Klinenberg, Eric (2002, 2015). Heat based guide for understanding space projects and programs so Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in and leveraging inclusion in the drivers of health equity and Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago both process and design to the role of inclusionary practices Press. https://www.press.uchicago. improve health--measured can be better understood and edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/ against a broad range of shared. bo20809880.html. social and physical health Krieger, Nancy (May 2012). “Methods for indicators. Whether assessing Jennifer Gardner is an urban the Scientific Study of Discrimination the quality of a public space planner and program manager at and Health: An Ecosocial Approach.” and its ability to accommodate Gehl Institute in New York. American Journal of Public Health. 102 different uses to decide how (5): 936–945. https://doi.org/10.2105/ to invest limited public funds Resources: AJPH.2011.300544. or mapping social assets that Loukaitou-Sideris, Anastasia can support the founding Anguelovski, Isabelle; Cole, Helen; (1995). “Urban Form and Social of a streets and sidewalks Connolly, James; and Triguero-Mas, Context: Cultural Differentiation stewardship organization, Margarita (June 2018).. “Do green in the Uses of Urban Parks.” applying an equity-focused neighbourhoods promote urban health Journal of Planning Education and framework can help community justice?” The Lancet 3 (6). https://doi. Research. 14: 89–102. https://doi. leaders, local decision makers, org/10.1016/S2468-2667(18)30096-3. org/10.1177/0739456X9501400202. practitioners, and researchers Bell, Judith and Lee, Mary M. (2011). Why Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. to speak a shared language of Place and Race Matter. New York, NY. “Could where you live influence inclusion, putting people first. PolicyLink. https://www.policylink.org/ how long you live?” Accessed The Framework can be used sites/default/files/WHY_PLACE_AND_ May 31, 2018. https://www.rwjf. to study neighborhoods, shape RACE%20MATTER_FULL%20REPORT_ org/en/library/interactives/ initiatives, track the progress of WEB.PDF. whereyouliveaffectshowlongyoulive. programs, and understand the Center for Active Design (June 2017). html. impacts of health equity work in Shaping Space for Civic Life – The Seavey, John W. (2008). “How’s your the public realm over the long Assembly Civic Engagement Survey: health? What’s your zip code? Poverty term. Like a resilient community, Key Findings and Design Implications. and health.” The University Dialogue the Framework is meant to New York, NY. 13–14. https:// 42. https://scholars.unh.edu/discovery_ be flexible and adaptable to centerforactivedesign.org/assembly. ud/42. different circumstances and local Chuang, Ying-Chih; Chuang, Kun-Yang; Tavernise, Sabrina and Sun, Albert priorities, as well as change over and Yang, Tzu-Hsuan (October 2013). (April 28, 2015). “Same City, but Very time. “Social Cohesion Matters in Health.” Different Life Spans.” The New York Public spaces are constantly International Journal for Equity in Health Times. https://www.nytimes.com/ changing social environments 12: 87. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475- interactive/2015/04/29/health/life- shaped by the equally dynamic 9276-12-87. expectancy-nyc-chi-atl-richmond.html. communities who use them and Fullilove, Mindy Thompson (2005). Teutsch, Steve (January 2018). “Getting depend on the many benefits Root Shock: How Tearing Up City to Average Life Expectancy: It Takes they offer. This new Framework Neighborhoods Hurts America and Commitment.” American Journal of Public is an adaptable tool intended What We Can Do About It. New York, Health. 108 (1): 17-18. https://ajph. to support placemakers of all NY: One World/Ballantine. https://doi. aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/ kinds to shape, implement, org/10.2307/j.ctt21pxmmc. AJPH.2017.304190. Kawachi, Ichiro and Kennedy, Bruce Worland, Justin (March 18, 2015). P. (April 1997). “Health and Social “Why Loneliness May be the Next Big Public Health Issue.” Time. http://time. com/3747784/loneliness-mortality. BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 15

BIOHPILIC CITIES JOURNAL / FEATURE Figure 1: Rest Stop, by Interboro Partners Photo Credit: Hester Street Collaborative Paths to Pier 42: The Challenges of Making Biophilia Equitable in New York City By Barbara Brown-Wilson We’ve been totally ignored. If you walk to South Street [ (Waterfront Park) ], it looks like a piece of junkyard. They did fix it a little bit and they put some exercise bars and things like that, but still, nothing compared to when you see what residents have on the West side. My neighbors go to the West side to use the parks there, but they have to pay for the bus. And so, when they did the People’s Plan for the East River Waterfront they started talking about ways to stop the flooding naturally while also giving us access to the water. And I said, “Okay, now we’re talking.” —Aixa Torres, President of Alfred E. Smith Resident Association The Lower East Side (LES) of Historic Preservation designated Across the East River from Manhattan is known for its rich, the LES one of America’s Most the LES, Brooklyn Bridge Park cultural fabric and beautiful, Endangered Places in 2008. boasts a roller-skating rink, an historic streetscapes. It includes Despite the development educational center, a swimming distinctive enclaves, such as interests pressing upon it, the pool, and a barge-music venue, the East Village, Alphabet City, LES waterfront continues to among other amenities. These Chinatown, the Bowery, and Little lag behind most of Manhattan beautiful parks serve as physical Italy. But this vibrant community, in terms of public amenities. In reminders of the lack of services which is home to many Battery Park, a wealthy enclave throughout the LES. immigrants and lower-income across Manhattan to the west, Near Pier 42 on the LES—which households, has become a target you’ll find beautiful flower also happens to be where the of real estate developers. The gardens, countless sculptures, largest percentage of public stressors of gentrification are so and an aquatic-themed carousel. housing abuts a waterfront in all strong that the National Trust for 16

five boroughs—the waterfront Based on a robust community engaged while building resources remains marked by warehouses visioning process and an and momentum during the and brownfields (figure 2). There independent financial review multiyear campaign for the is a bike and pedestrian path of both plans by Pratt Institute, People’s Plan. along the waterfront, but LES the People’s Plan would offer The story of the P2P42 project residents must brave notoriously amenities such as open- illustrates an innovative approach dangerous underpasses beneath space parks, greenways, public to community-driven urban FDR Drive to reach it. restrooms, a community center, an change in a very strong market economy, where the speed of development is often too fast for residents to contribute. It also sheds light on the challenges and opportunities of implementing biophilic urbanism in lower- income communities. Mapping the Lower East Side Figure 2: Pier 42 Location Map inlet and river pool, and space As with many neighborhoods, Photo Credit: Kevan Klosterwill for environmental education and the boundaries of the LES can community gardens. The City was be fluid and overlapping. For the Beginning in 2005, LES residents receptive to the People’s Plan but purposes of the P2P42 project, sought to influence the noted that it would take years the LES includes the East Village, redevelopment of the waterfront to raise the money and political Chinatown, Little Italy, and through a combination of support necessary to fully the Bowery (figure 3). The LES grassroots organizing and social implement it. is home to more than 75,000 practice art in a temporary park. In the interim, a network of people, 18 percent of whom are The effort began in response to community organizations joined under the age of 20. Almost 40 a waterfront-redevelopment plan with arts and design-focused percent of residents are Latino, put forth by the NYC Economic groups to create the Paths 25 percent Asian, 22 percent Development Corporation (EDC), to Pier 42 (P2P42) project—a white, and 9 percent black, which featured high-end lofts temporary park with art and according to census data. Roughly and shops that would not suit design installations created a third of families live below the the needs of existing residents. by commissioned artists, in poverty line and pay less than Feeling completely ignored by collaboration with community $500 per month in rent. Almost the EDC plan, a coalition of LES residents. The project was a third are foreign born. Within community organizers, residents, developed to keep residents walking distance of the Pier, the and designers came up with a population is approximately 40 “People’s Plan” for the East River percent Asian and more than 40 Waterfront. percent foreign born. These residents live in an environment shaped by a legacy of displacement. Originally occupied by the Lenape tribe, by the seventeenth century, the LES was home to several farms, later subdivided to form the neighborhood’s major street BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 17

The brownfield site was flooded and became even less welcoming than before. LES residents suffered great hardship: In the high-rise public housing across the street from the Pier, power was off for weeks after a flooded substation exploded. Residents, many with limited mobility, lived without air conditioning or functional elevators. And local small businesses, including community grocers, also closed— some never to return—resulting in a long-term amenity loss, as well as profound short-term difficulty. Figure 3: Pier 42 Project Map creation of the People’s Plan for The P2P42 network responded Photo Credit: Kevan Klosterwill the East River waterfront became by using project events as a the foundation for the P2P42 platform for local groups to grids. The area around Rutgers project network (figure 4). share information and produce Farm and other areas adjacent to After the People’s Plan community-based art that the East River became the site of was released, the coalition helped residents to process their much waterfront and industrial successfully advocated to transfer emotions at each stage of the development, including piers, control of Pier 42 to the NYC recovery process. The community slips, warehouses, and factories. Parks Department, and the organizing legacy of the LES This set the LES on a trajectory project was awarded $14 million provided a civic infrastructure of urban development that from the Lower Manhattan on which it could rely during continues today. Development Corporation to the Sandy recovery process. The LES has a strong civic jumpstart reconstruction. But, These social networks helped infrastructure, with long-standing as Hester Street Collaborative’s LES residents increase their community organizations and former design director Dylan adaptive capacity to post-storm tenant associations that take on House explained: “$14 million stressors, and the community new forms as new challenges is just the tip of the iceberg in demonstrated a greater ability to emerge. These include the terms of the overall budget of mobilize broadly and collectively Henry Street Settlement and the what a capital project for the around resilience needs in Chinese Consolidated Benevolent waterfront would be. It’s more Sandy’s aftermath. For instance, Association, which have been like a $90 million project. So how the neighborhood quickly formed present in the community since do we keep people involved, raise the Lower East Side Long Term the late 1800s. This strong civic awareness about this site and Recovery Group (LES Ready!) after infrastructure can be seen in the build community ownership of it?” Sandy, an open coalition meant P2P42 network, and also in the With these questions in mind, the to “cooperatively coordinate People’s Plan that inspired P2P42. P2P42 project was launched, but response, resources, preparedness just weeks before Superstorm planning and training in response A Temporary Park with Long-Term Sandy hit the New York region. to Superstorm Sandy and in the Goals event of future disasters.” This The relationships that drove the group of organizations used P2P42 as a venue to educate 18 the neighborhood on available services, as well as to gather data

about local recovery needs. could be built, and the influx of large-scale efforts, including As federal, state, and private new, outside interests hoping to signage, shading, plant life, and funding flowed into Manhattan contribute to the future vision for reclaimed water sources. They after Sandy, many alternative Manhattan’s waterfront put the included the Rest Stop project, redevelopment agendas for community-driven plan at risk of designed and built by Interboro the area emerged. LES Ready! appropriation. Partners, which created custom community organizers worked The temporary park project planter/benches from recycled in collaboration, and with spanned three years and included lumber to temporarily hold renewed momentum, to maintain a series of temporary, creative saplings that replaced those lost the community’s vision of the installations. Year one focused during Superstorm Sandy (figure waterfront. But the People’s on turning the patches of uneven 1). The trees were later replanted Plan for the park still required concrete into a usable park. These at nearby public housing significant fundraising before it early installations tended to be properties. Figure 4: Paths to Pier 42 Network Map Photo Credit: Kevan Klosterwill BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 19

As the temporary park made the Placemaking adaptive reuse of seemingly space more hospitable, there or Placekeeping? uninviting infrastructure, to the were additional opportunities experimental closure of portions to engage the community in Placemaking, community- of Times Square’s vehicular artistic projects. One of the most engaged design, and tactical areas for pedestrian plazas. But beloved projects was the People’s urbanism are all tools meant these examples are all driven Poster Project, facilitated by to assert alternative visions for by top-down and often white, Harlem-based artist Sonia Louise what an urban space could be. upper-income design-friendly Davis. The project gave residents These ideas, which share an conceptions of a place. Designers the opportunity to express emphasis on manifesting the of such spaces, among them themselves individually and unique spirit of the community, creative placemaking advocates, collectively through a series of are increasingly popular across are eager to showcase how their black and white posters featuring the United States. New York lofty designs can strengthen portraits of residents with City has seen many efforts that grassroots efforts. artifacts that held significance for reflect these trends, resulting in But few placemaking creatives them. More experimental art, like an urban environment where a understand how urban the Inked Garden—where plants variety of both sanctioned and revitalization projects that were brought in and dipped in informal interventions often meld alter the civic urban fabric of Chinese ink to show the flora’s in the constant remaking of the lower income communities resilience as it grew new green cityscape. can be paired with anti- sprouts—were not always popular displacement strategies that with residents, but they provoked Placemaking is not new to allow people to stay through rich conversations (figure 5). New York City. Under Mayor positive neighborhood change. Residents engaged with the art in Bloomberg, the City of New York For instance, High Line founder a variety of ways, depending on hosted a variety of projects that Robert Hammond regrets his the piece’s medium and approach, pushed placemaking in new myopic focus on improving but all the art was filtered directions that redefined public urban infrastructure without through a robust community space, using methods also known considering how it might harm discourse during P2P42 public as tactical urbanism. Projects their neighbors: “Instead of events. ranged from the High Line, a prominent example of Figure 5: Inked Garden, by Jennifer Wen Ma Photo Credit: Hester Street Collaborative 20

asking what the design should first three-year project, the city http://lesready.org. look like, I wish we’d asked, ‘What asked the Good Old Lower East Litvak, Ed (Aug. 10, 2015). “Who Lives can we do for you?’ People have Side (GOLES), the community on the Lower East Side? This Data bigger problems than design.” In organizing partner on the project Might Surprise You,” The Lo-Down: News Washington, D.C., the 11th Street team, to keep the programming from the Lower East Side. http://www. Bridge Park Project has formed on the Pier alive while they thelodownny.com/leslog/2015/08/who- a community-engaged coalition continued to fund-raise and get lives-on-the-lower-east-side-this-data- in order to ensure they do not the remediation plans in order. might-surprise-you.html. make the same mistakes. The The “rusty shed” was demolished Pratt Center for Community Develop- 11th Street Bridge Park team first in fall of 2018, with Phase 1 ment (Dec. 2013). “Preserving Affordabil- focused their fundraising efforts design installations coming first, ity & Authenticity—Recommendations on wealth generation and home and full completion of the park to the Chinatown Working Group.” ownership strategies to help scheduled for 2020. http://www.chinatownworkinggroup. residents resist displacement org/2014-01-01%20Pratt%20Re- pressures as the adaptive reuse Resources: port%20to%20CWG.pdf. of this bridge attracts speculative The Bowery Boogie (Oct. 4th, 2018). development capital. Abrams, Karen (2017). “Hijinks in Har- “The Rusty Shed at Pier 42 is Now At P2P42, this tension was lem: The Whiteness of ‘Place’.” The Avery Gone.” https://www.boweryboogie. resolved through a myriad Review. 24: 1-7. http://www.averyreview. com/2018/10/the-rusty-shed-at-pier- of different approaches to com/content/3-issues/24-24/1-hijinks- 42-is-now-gone. the work. First, a community- in-harlem/abrams-hijinks-in-harlem.pdf. Wright, Andrew (June 18, 2018). “Can the driven decision-making body Bishop, Claire (2012). Artificial Hells: 11th Street Bridge Park Slow Gentrifi- chose every project and linked Participatory Art and the Politics cation in DC?” ASLA The Dirt. https:// each artist with appropriate of Spectatorship. New York: Verso dirt.asla.org/2018/06/18/can-the-11th- community partners. Second, the Books. https://www.versobooks.com/ street-bridge-park-slow-gentrification. built worlds are all ephemeral books/958-artificial-hells. (For more in nature, so there are no on the conceptual frame for social This exerpt is adapted from permanent changes that would practice art, which centers engagement Chapter 4 in Wilson’s recent book, exacerbate market pressures. and relationships between artist and Third, these temporary projects community). Resilience for All: Striving for served to intentionally hold Bliss, Laura (Feb. 7, 2017). “The Equity through Community- space for the People’s Plan to High Line’s Next Balancing Act.” gain the financial momentum CityLab. https://www.citylab.com/ Driven Design it needs for implementation. solutions/2017/02/the-high-lines- (Island Press, 2018) Fourth, the focus on community- next-balancing-act-fair-and-affordable- led events to build social capital development/515391. provided a social and physical Hester Street. “Paths to Pier 42.” https:// space for LES Ready! to convene hesterstreet.org/projects/paths-pier-42. as it sought to connect residents Koh, Annette (April 3, 2017). “Placemak- with recovery assistance and ing when Black Lives Matter.” Progres- to process trauma just after sive City. http://www.progressivecity. Superstorm Sandy. net/single-post/2017/04/03/PLACE- MAKING-WHEN-BLACK-LIVES-MATTER. Through community-engaged Krucoff, Rebecca (2012). “The Lower artistic and design practices, East Side.” New York Public Library. P2P42 re-connected residents https://www.nypl.org/sites/default/files/ with their waterfront, with each lowereastsideguide-final.pdf. other, and with a future vision for LES Ready! Long Term Recovery Group a People’s Waterfront. After the of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 21

BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL/ PROJEC T PROFILE Accidental Cities: The Challeng Alfonso Montiel, CEO, The Forced to turn your back on a war torn home, you supermarket, even wedding dress shops. Children’s laughter is a common sound, and neighbours are embark on a 10-day trek across freezing mountains now friends and colleagues. Domiz, by accident, has and arid valleys with a child on each hand and become a city. Across a neighbouring continent in a bag containing your remaining belongings. A Bangladesh, reportedly the world’s largest refugee canvas tent in the desert becomes your new home. camp, Kutupalong near Cox’s Bazar, faces a similar Tents, spread out as far as the eye can see, house fate. Now home to more than 1 million people, the your new neighbours. It is 2012. Your name is camp is more likely to grow in population than to Sami Youssef, a 33 year-old Syrian with a PhD in be rendered unnecessary any time soon. Hundreds Agroecology and a young family. Your new home of refugee camps around the globe reflect the is Domiz refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of same pattern. These accidental cities have similar Iraq. challenges to cities in developing countries; Six years later Domiz is no longer just a place to however, their unfortunate proximity to war zones, seek safety and security; it’s now home to 30,000 means the prospects for residents establishing people. Domiz has schools, a hospital and a large normal urban life are limited. 22

Liberation Garden, Domiz Camp Photo Credit: Dirk Jan-VIsser ge of Greening Refugee Camps e Lemon Tree Trust According to Stephanie Hunt, Founder of the three main areas of activity. The foundation of our Lemon Tree Trust: “Bakeries and shops help people organization is the sponsorship of camp garden to survive but trees and gardens remind people competitions to encourage individual refugees of home and help them come to terms with their and families to establish home gardens and new lives. They are crucial for improving the compete annually to win a prize. We also support environment and creating a sustainable place the development of community garden spaces to live.” With support from Sami Youssef and a within refugee camps to grow food and flowers growing team of refugees, the Lemon Tree Trust is for redistribution to vulnerable families, utilizing transforming refugee camps, one garden at a time. greywater wherever possible for environmental For many camp residents, having a small patch sustainability. These community gardens offer a of garden is a significant source of solace and a place for people to learn new horticultural skills connection with their previous life. Gardening and a place to meet regularly to socialize, share produces beauty, engenders belonging, aids stories and support each other. Finally, we are food security, and promises valuable and unique developing small business enterprises run for and economic stimulation. The Lemon Tree Trust has by refugees. BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 23

LEFT & ABOVE: Bat Cloud Garden Festival Photo Credit: Dirk Jan-Visser By establishing garden-based camp design, encouraging camp Resource: businesses themselves, refugees management to build in urban The Lemon Tree Trust. https:// are empowered to create agriculture, domestic gardens and lemontreetrust.org. opportunity and seek economic camp “greening” infrastructure stability. In 2018 alone, the from the outset. We hope for Lemon Tree Trust distributed everyone to see them for what over 40,000 plants and trees they are, accidental cities, and to throughout refugee camps in see residents like Sami as people Northern Iraq. We ran garden capable of greening an entire competitions across 5 refugee city. camps in the region, attracting over 1,000 entries. The Lemon Tree Trust aims to Aveen expose every refugee camp in Photo Credit: Dirk Jan-Visser the world to gardening through these core areas of activities. We hope to start similar projects in Syria and Uganda, with Jordan, Lebanon, and Greece also in the pipeline. We hope that the work underway in Domiz will help develop a “blueprint” for future 24

Home Garden Photo Credit: Dirk Jan-Visser BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 25

BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL / PROJECT PROFILE *** Image Credit: Rutas Naturbanas Reconciling Costa Rica’s Cities By Federico J. Cartín-Arteaga, MUP President & Director General, Rutas Naturbanas Foundation Few countries in the world The paradox. Additionally, the Grande de Conversely, our cities - and Tárcoles river basin is the most have such a recognizable particularly those belonging to contaminated in all of Central global environmental image the capital region of San José - America. Effluents flow from as Costa Rica. By many do not stand out as speaking to rivers in the capital region to standards, the country is those historical achievements. the Tárcoles carrying solid and well known for its historic In fact, fossil fuels are used liquid waste to the river and then environmental stewardship. to power close to 100% of into the Pacific Ocean. A large We have decarbonized 100% transportation, parks and public part of this is due to how the of our electric generation with space barely cover 3% of the city has been built: neglecting renewables, we not only halted city of San José, and the capital its urban rivers with large walls deforestation but reversed it to region has 0% forest coverage. In segregating the built form from increase forest coverage to nearly a city that is - finally - densifying, natural urban ecosystems. A city 60% of the country and have inhabitants contend with less that turns its back on its nature is set aside 30% of the country as public and natural space. a city that invites peril. National Parks and Reserves. 26

The road to hell is paved with stems from the conservation planners, lawyers, engineers, good intentions. of our tropical nature, we have architects, economists, forest historically overlooked this engineers, and others gave birth Government introduced wonderful opportunity in our to Rutas Naturbanas (Urban regulations to set aside a 10 to cities. Nature Routes). The proposal 50 metre construction setbacks Citizens leading the way. shifted many paradigms. The from urban rivers to protect and Three years ago, a group of most important among them: shed the waterway. However, the citizens united to shift this reality that nature and humans can setbacks remained private and entirely. We set out to rescue coexist. In fact, reintroducing became a liability, not an asset. 25 kilometers (15 miles) of the nature’s most dangerous predator Property owners were left with two main rivers in the capital, – humans - into the ecosystem a strip of land that they couldn’t the Torres and María Aguilar, to might well be the only way utilize. Their response was to allow people to walk, bike and to protect and regenerate the protect themselves by building stroll along these beautiful areas ecosystem within the urban walls that would protect their that the city had long neglected. realm. homes and investments from Our mission: “connect people Building infrastructure in these this “no man’s land” that could to the city through nature.” The conservation areas will heal become a source of theft. The restoration and reforestation of them by allowing communities result was a series of “invisible” private riverbanks will create access to these areas. Access setbacks that have given way well over 70 new acres (nearly 30 to organize river clean-ups, to illegal waste dumping, hectares) of public space. reforestation efforts, and to construction and defiling of the Interdisciplinary planning both watch and report illegal habitat. efforts among biologists, urban activities, such as setback violations and solid waste So, in a country where the dumping. biggest sense of national pride *** Grande de Tarcoles, Before Planned Rejuvenation BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2018 | 27 Photo Credit: Rutas Naturbanas ***

Beyond valuation. Resources: Rutas Naturbanas will provide immense benefits to urban pop- Róger Bonilla-Carrión and Luis Rosero- ulations: they’ll connect over 95 Bixby (2004). “Presión demográfica schools and universities; they’ll sobre los bosques y áreas protegidas al allow people and visitors to bike inicio del nuevo milenio [Demographic and walk safely through the city; pressure on forests and protected and they’ll bring urban tourism, areas, Costa Rica 2000].” Centro new retail and land value. Centroamericano de Población de As we move forward in building la Universidad de Costa Rica. http:// our very first kilometer in 2019, www.inec.go.cr/sites/default/files/ which was donated privately with documentos/medio_ambiente/ property owners ceding publicaciones/anambientcenso2000-17. the right of way, the city’s first pdf. urban-natural integration will emerge. Rutas Naturbanas. http:// rutasnaturbanas.org. In this light, biophilic cities are Federico J. Cartín-Arteaga is less about bringing nature into President & Director General of the city but about saving nature Rutas Naturbanas Foundation that already exists, and in turn, based in Costa Rica. saving ourselves. Project Aerial (Cover photo) Image Credit: Rutas Naturbanas BIPmohatotgtooemCCIrrmeeddaiigtt:se:JsaR:nuThtWaesoNuFidarssttutrKrabi,laoUnmnaiesvteerrsity of Sheffield 28

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BIOHPILIC CITIES JOURNAL / PARTNER CITY PROJECT PROFILE Gill Park Entrance in Summertime Photo Credit: City of Milwaukee Milwaukee’s Vacant Lot Strategy: Creating Biophilic Green Spaces in Underserved Neighborhoods By Erik Shambarger and Tim McCollow Butterflies, honey bees, and the populations as measured portion of our urban North anecdotally before and after Side. This area is economically striking purple of Echinacea green space creation. challenged and underserved by have returned to the corner of In 2012, Mayor Tom Barrett Milwaukee County parks – as a 14th and Wright in Milwaukee’s created the HOME GR/OWN result, little landscaping exists Lindsay Heights central city initiative, managed by the City to support urban wildlife. The neighborhood with the creation of Milwaukee’s Environmental city’s efforts to plant native of Gillespie Park. Collaboration Office (ECO) – perennials and trees has had Since 2014, the City of Milwaukee HOME GR/OWN is just one a profound effect on urban has been restoring urban of ECO’s initiatives to make wildlife, especially pollinators wildlife habitat by converting Milwaukee a world-class eco-city. and birds. ECO and its partners grassy, vacant lots into pocket Milwaukee owns approximately are also creating additional parks, fruit orchards, farms and 3,000 grass-covered vacant lots, opportunities for habitat community gardens. These new with eighty percent in a small through green infrastructure like green spaces have significantly bioswales and rain gardens in increased insect and pollinator the neighborhood. 30

To date, HOME GR/OWN and its during a rain event. During Since 2018 was our first partners have converted over construction, 1,300 potted spring and summer at the new fifty vacant lots into thirty- native plants and nineteen trees park, the project team was two new green spaces that are were planted. The bioswale anxious to witness the native intentionally clustered to create was seeded with wildflowers, plantings’ emergence. Spoiler greater impact on neighborhood grasses and sedges - designed alert: they flowered beautifully. quality of life as well as create for the mixture of dry and wet The highlight was easily the wildlife and pollinator corridors. conditions. Though not a surprise, thousands of Black-Eyed Susans The initiative’s latest and largest since we have seen it at other we enjoyed in July. Today, project is Fondy Park, sprouted projects, bees and butterflies thousands of native plants and from an idea in June 2016 with returned the day after the potted animals flourish in the formerly a grand opening in September natives were planted! blighted lot. With birds in the 2017 –just fourteen months bioswale, numerous bee species later. The site was a 3.5 acre Aerial view of Fondy Park swarming in the catmint, and vacant lot blighted for decades, Photo Credit: City of Milwaukee butterflies across the entire site, surrounded by acres of concrete Fondy Park embodies biophilic and bearing the legacy of a failed A prairie that mirrors the principles and residents have 2001 construction project. It bioswale was seeded with a noticed. The Park serves as a one- is adjacent to the city’s largest shortgrass prairie mix. With few stop STEM/sustainability outdoor African American farmers market. prairie plantings in in the city, we classroom given it’s biophilic, After significant community input wanted to provide residents with stormwater management and into park design and features, that quintessential Plains and solar features and is now used the project team of architects, Midwest biome. for yoga classes, weekly music stormwater engineers and performances, large community landscapers focused on the site’s gatherings and pollinator attractiveness as a major green awareness classes. infrastructure installation to ECO HOME GR/OWN’s vacant capture precipitation from the lot conversions, such as Fondy adjacent large farmers market’s Park, are restoring Milwaukee’s roofs. natural environment, growing Fondy Park’s large bioswale food, creating new neighborhood captures 70,000 gallons of water gathering spaces and helping our most vulnerable neighborhoods adapt to climate change. Erick Shambarger serves as Director of the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO). Tim McCollow is Program Manager of ECO’s HOME GR/OWN initiative. Fondy Park Fence Flowers and Stage Resource: Blocks Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO). “HOME GR/OWN”. City of Milwaukee. https://city.milwaukee.gov/homegrown- milwaukee.com#.XFIN5KjwYuU. BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2018 | 31

BIOHPILIC CITIES JOURNAL / PARTNER CITY SPOTLIGHT Seaholm Waterfront Renderings Image Credits: Studio Gang Seaholm Waterfront Austin, TX Austin Parks Foundation (APF), The Trail Foundation (TTF), and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) have completed the planning study for the future of Seaholm Waterfront, the historic Seaholm Intake structure and its surrounding parkland. The Seaholm Waterfront Concept Study from internationally recognized architecture and urbanism firm Studio Gang reimagines a dormant infrastructural asset on Austin’s Lady Bird Lake as a celebrated part of civic life, inviting the entire city to engage with the waterfront and each other. The Study’s concepts work to preserve the character of this signature asset and the surrounding park, while also positioning a new future for the Seaholm Waterfront as a recreational, cultural, and community-oriented resource. The preferred design concept for the adaptive re-use of the building features an open and flexible space that can be used any day by the public, or periodically for events, and on occasion for large gatherings with the ability to serve food and beverages. Several important principles guided the planning process and potential design of the Seaholm Waterfront including embracing and preserving the historic integrity of the building, engaging with the local community and experts, restoring and diversifying the ecology in the area, and building sustainable principles into the design and operational models. Prior journal spotlight on Studio Gang designed Rooftop Wheat Prairie 32

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BIOHPILIC CITIES JOURNAL / ROOTS OF BIOPHILIC CITIES Orway Building Photo Credit: Ebyabe Frank Lloyd Wright and Biophilic Cities Theory and History of Biophilic Design By Tim Beatley Biophilia wasn’t a word that what Wright had created there. Florida Southern. This is the largest single The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel is Frank Lloyd Wright, arguably collection of Wright buildings especially compelling, and so America’s most famous architect, (ten in total), and the only unusual looking inside and used or even knew of. But were example of a Wright-designed out. Built from Wright’s unique he still designing today he would campus. It is a remarkable system of molded blocks, each be an adherent to be sure. We ensemble of visually striking is embedded with colored glass owe much to Wright’s ideas and buildings, including the Pfeifer (red, blue, and yellow), adding a innovative design, they were Chapel, the Roux Library, and the delightful subtle luminosity to ahead of their time and they still Water Dome. All connected by the interior spaces with abundant inspire. a network of covered walkways daylight streaming in from five Fallingwater has become an called the Esplanade, and each skylights as well as clerestory iconic example of Biophilic remarkable pieces of architecture windows. Like many of Wright’s Design, of course. But there in themselves. buildings, the design was not are relatively few examples of UVA-trained architectural perfect, especially in the eyes of Wright’s work that apply his ideas historian Dale Gyure, now a users, who reported experiencing beyond the scale of buildings. professor at the Lawrence “hotspots,” and the need to shift One remarkable, though still Institute of Technology, one’s seating to avoid them. little known, example is his authored Frank Lloyd Wright’s (None of these buildings were work, over a twenty year period, Florida Southern College (2010). originally air conditioned, another designing the campus and The book tells the story of admirable aspect of Wright’s prominent buildings at Florida Wright’s remarkable twenty-year designs). Southern College, in Lakeland, commission at the college. I Florida. Some considerable interviewed Dale by phone about Opposite Page (Left and Middle): serendipity and a bit of long his research and some of the still Annie Pfeiffer Chapel; Photo Credit: standing curiosity led me (and my unanswered questions about how family) to visit to the College last Wright’s ideas have unfolded at airbus777 December to see for ourselves Opposite Page (Right): Esplande 34 Photo Credit: Ebyabe

“Buildings should seem to grow The collection of buildings that could only be partially spied, from the earth and belong as a designed by Wright is unique, popping out in the distance tree belongs,” Wright has said and each one is a gem in its own above the trees, Mayan-like. about his “organic architecture.” right. But most interesting is Today there are few trees and As Gyure explains, “to Wright what Wright had in mind for how the look is more of a traditional nature was everything.” Organic these buildings would relate to clipped-grass college campus. architecture can be simply each other and his larger vision How did this happen and was defined, as “architecture that for the campus. It provides at there an explicit decision exists in harmony with nature, least an inkling of what a Wright- somewhere along the way to uses as many natural materials designed city, or smaller town or give up on the “campus in a as possible, and takes ideas from village at least, might look like. grove”? Gyure can’t point to a nature.” Prospect and Refuge And it would be highly biophilic. specific decision, and believes it are found in most of Wright’s When Wright first visited the was likely a gradual shift, partly designs, though the theory and campus in 1938 he would have resulting from attrition as trees language did not yet exist. seen a large grove of orange were removed or lost to storms. Where did this love of nature trees on the site. There were By 1968, Gyure says, most of the come from for Wright, I asked probably more than 1000 trees, trees were gone. One of Wright’s Gyure. Wright was a city kid, but Gyure tells me, and he has associates took over as campus did spent formative summers in collected and compared aerial architect at his death and likely the country. A strong Unitarian photographs from the site taken he was less enamored of the family was also an importance. over the years. Clearly, Wright trees, or not as willing to defend “Throughout his career,” Gyure was taken by the trees and Wright’s original concept for the tells me, “he would reference envisioned a campus set in an campus. As Gyure says, it is hard Ralph Waldo Emerson and the orange grove. The master plan to know for sure. idea of unity, an idea that a drop renderings show an expansive I wonder if it ever might be of water contains the whole forest that fills almost all of the possible to return to Wright’s universe and that everything space between the buildings. vision and to replant the forest is interrelated.” Many years of It is fun to imagine what it could that has now been lost? Gyure design tutelage under Louis have been like. Gyure describes notes that Florida Southern, Sullivan, who himself had how Wright likely saw a walk ironically, is the home of the interesting views on nature through the campus as a kind Florida Citrus Institute, and and architecture, and gradual of mysterious journey -- no clear perhaps here lie (literally) exposure to the design traditions entrance, the esplanades would the seeds (or shall we say the and heritage of Japan were also carry you forward in search of saplings) of a future biophilic influences. what might be ahead, buildings campus restoration. BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 35

BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL / CITY PROFILE Island on the River Photo Credit: Dominika P. Brodowicz The Heart of Warsaw - The Vistula River By Dominika P. Brodowicz Warsaw has eighteen official settlements of birds and unique The situation has changed flora remained. This was a significantly in the years since administrative districts and bittersweet triumph of nature Poland joined the European one unofficial, but commonly because the war destroyed Union (EU). With pressure to recognized, nineteenth district – sixty-five percent of the city. comply with EU directives and the Vistula River. It is uncommon During the 1950s and 1960s, regulations and access to EU to find a river like the Vistula decisions to modify the Vistula, funding, Warsaw was able to flowing through a European city which included narrowing the revitalize the river. The city anymore. It is unique because of riverbed and moving the current has participated in projects its wilderness, limited regulation towards the left bank, caused and programs that include and rich biodiversity, which the river to flow faster. Many redevelopment of Warsaw’s includes: otters, beavers, white- sandy beaches and islands in the wastewater treatment plant, tailed eagles and black storks. city limits were lost to erosion, as well as the Life+ program This situation is not the result of and banks were overgrown with and Natura 2000 network. It is an urban master plan or green trees and undergrowth. Birds estimated that between five to strategy implemented by the and other species were unable seven thousand different species city decades ago. It is rather a to build nests. In the 1970s and live within the administrative combination of tragic history and 1980s both banks became places boundaries of the city with a the forces of nature. that were, quite frankly, off-limits significant percentage of these for visitors due to the lack of species living in and along the Before WWII, the area along walking paths and high level banks of the river. Therefore, the the riverbanks was planned for of criminal activities. About the Vistula plays a crucial part in development including paved same period, the Vistula’s water Warsaw’s biosystem. boulevards. The war stopped the and soil became heavily polluted entire process. The riverbanks by wastewater runoff. were undeveloped and natural 36

Czajka Wastewater Treatment Another important initiative that Resources: Plant (WWTP) was redeveloped helps to protect the biodiversity and extended between 2010- of the Vistula is Natura 2000. Dominika Brodowicz (Oct. 25, 2016). “19th District.” 2013 to comply with EU It is the largest coordinated Connecting Cities, Medium. https://medium.com/ standards for effluent discharge. network focused on “the long- connecting-cities/19th-district-20f2681acf45. Prior to the redevelopment, as term survival of Europe’s most much as seventy percent of the valuable and threatened species Capital City of Warsaw. The Vistula District (Dziel- city’s municipal wastewater and habitats.” Two locations, the nica Wisła). http://dzielnicawisla.um.warszawa.pl. ended up in the Vistula Zawady Islands and the Kiełpin untreated. This created health Sandbanks, which include Will Coldwell (July 11, 2016) “10 of the best urban hazards both for households (the sand islands on the river and beaches and city riversides in Europe.” The Guard- Vistula is used for city water) and areas along the banks, are now ian. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/ wildlife. Warsaw was on EU’s list protected under Natura 2000 and jul/11/10-best-urban-beaches-city-riversides-eu- of most heavily polluted cities. species like black storks, white- rope-paris-berlin-london. Today the Czajka, which is one tailed eagles, terns and plovers of the largest WWTPs in Europe, can find a safe haven there. Environment Directorate General of the European complies with all EU standards Improvements to infrastructure, Commission. Natura 2000. http://ec.europa.eu/ and the water quality has water quality and access to environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm. improved significantly. wildlife have encouraged A project to protect key bird Varsovians to return to the river. Green Warsaw (Zielona Warszawa). https://twitter. species’ habitats in the Middle The Guardian and National com/ZielonaWwa. Vistula River Valley against Geographic have recognized the intensive pressure of the Warsaw’s riverbanks as one of Karolina Kowalska (Jan. 29, 2015). “Wild species Warsaw metropolitan area the world’s most beautiful city in the middle of the city.” #Poland. https://www. was implemented within the beaches. Today there are more polska.pl/tourism/nature/wild-species-middle-city. framework of the Life+ program than 50 km of biking routes co-financed by the EU. The main along the banks of the river Krüger A/S. Case Study: Czajka Wastewater goal was to restore breeding and over 2 km of boulevards. Treatment Plant, Poland. http://technomaps. areas on the river for birds So far, the coexistence between veoliawatertechnologies.com/processes/lib/_cas- seeking refuge not only from the wildlife and social life estudies_/3773-czajka_STAR_utility_solutions_CS_ civilization but also from fast- has worked well. Yet, given EN.pdf. spreading plants, chiefly: ash, the growing popularity of maples, and acacias taking over commercial activities on the Przemysław Nawrocki. “The Bird Protection Area nesting locations. The project riverbanks it will be important ‘Middle Vistula Valley’”. Wisla.warszawska.pl. included cleaning up green areas to protect the wildlife even more http://wislawarszawska.pl/the-bird-protection-ar- and uncovering the rotting stubs diligently in the near future. ea-middle-vistula-valley/?lang=en. with insects that birds feed on. Monika Stelmach (July 31, 2018). “The capital of nature (Stolica przyrody).” Polityka. https:// www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/twojemiast- o/1758318,1,warszawa-bardzo-zielona.read. Martyna Śmigiel (July 26, 2015). “Wild nature at the Vistula. 6 places where you meet wild animals.” Wyborcza.pl. http://warszawa.wyborcza. pl/warszawa/1,34862,18413799,dzika-przyro- da-nad-wisla-6-miejsc-gdzie-spotkasz-dzikie-zwi- erzeta.html. Dominika P. Brodowicz is an Assistant Professor in the Innovative City Department, Warsaw School of Economics, and researcher in the field of green and smart cities. Left: Blvd on the Left Bank Right: Vistula River Photo Credits: Dominika P. Brodowicz BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 37

BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL / PARTNER CITY PROJECT PROFILE MPheodteollCínreRdivite: rJoPragrekCsPaéthreezrciAJnoaelulrarWimt-eeasrygneoesrf Planting Trees to Grow Communities By Catherine L. Werner Socio-economic environmental With the project period limited to of improving community strength, a single year, the city and its local trust and resilience by engaging challenges and issues are of partners had to be very strategic police officers and firefighters in great interest in the City of in how to design a project that the process. St. Louis, a city struggling to would meet two primary aims: Triple bottom line sustainability reverse decades of disinvestment (1) to conduct community tree objectives were factored in that has resulted in racial and plantings and (2) to develop designing the project at the economic disparities. To aid in summer youth jobs relating to outset. A group of partners met addressing disparities in the urban forestry. with the city and Forest ReLeaf abundance and accessibility of There are several organizations at the Missouri Botanical Garden. nature in communities, the city in the city that conduct greening The city’s Forestry Division, sought and received funding efforts to enhance environmental the Missouri Department of through a Partners for Places conditions, including the city’s Conservation, the city’s Police Green Infrastructure grant key project partner, Forest ReLeaf Department and STL Youth opportunity from The Funders’ of Missouri. Although, it is much Jobs were joined by East- Network, to develop a triple less common to undertake West Gateway Governments bottom line sustainability greening efforts – such as this (the Metropolitan Planning project: Using Trees as Green project –with a primary objective Organization) and local funders Infrastructure for Economic, Social and Environmental Outcomes. 38

to create criteria for the selection associated from the tree planting management, air quality, water of the four areas predicted to efforts. From calculations made quality, energy saving, and CO2 benefit most by the planting using iTree and the National Tree emission reductions. Collectively, of 500 new trees. The priority Benefit Calculator, it is projected the tree planting efforts in this selection criteria sought to that the 500 trees planted as grant are expected to amount to identify areas within the city’s part of the project are likely an annual return on investment stormwater sewershed with the to intercept 26,000 gallons of of $61,000 in environmental following characteristics: high stormwater runoff, conserve benefits and ecosystem services. crime; high youth density; low 1,000 kilowatts of electricity, While the environmental tree canopy coverage; and a high and reduce atmospheric carbon benefits of the tree planting ParkScore “access to nature” need. by 7,500 pounds in the first were significant, the other main One requirement of the funding year. Upon reaching maturity, objective of the community tree was that the 500 new trees each of these trees is projected planting efforts was to build should be planted on land owned to give back $123 in annual citizen connections to nature by the city, so the decision was environmental benefits, including and among people, specifically to made to plant them in four city improvements in stormwater parks. The project consisted of two Spring 2018 tree plantings and two Fall 2018 tree plantings, and the parks were intentionally selected in parts of the city that experience socio-economic challenges, and where tree additions could contribute to neighborhood quality of life. Environmental objectives of the grant project included increasing the city’s tree canopy to reduce the urban heat island effect, providing species habitat, and stormwater. It was important to find ways to measure benefits BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 39

address local tensions between instrumental in this regard. At Seeing the smile on a young girl citizens and law enforcement each of the four tree plantings, or how the teen boys responded officers. The tree plantings were there were first responders on when the officers took an interest designed to be fun and attractive hand helping out and talking in them was one of my favorite to local residents, with free with citizens. Some residents parts of the tree planting events. food and t-shirts for those who shared that they attended The second piece of the project attended. Participants were also because they noticed the was to develop a Tree Tenders given the opportunity to name fire trucks at their park, and youth training program, and hire a tree with a hang tag. While wandered over to learn more. six urban youth to learn about children delighted in this activity, Others stopped to have their forestry and natural resource there were several adults who photo taken with the uniformed management over the course found meaning in naming a tree police officers. of the summer. Two of the city’s for a loved one as well. Over the course of the four project partners – Forest ReLeaf Another aspiration of the grant community events, dozens of of Missouri and the Missouri was to find ways for citizens residents and volunteers joined Botanical Garden – played key and first responders to jointly with first responders and city and roles in creating, coordinating engage in a project designed grant partner staff to help with and conducting the Tree Tenders to benefit quality of life in the tree planting effort. While pilot program. The youth the neighborhood. Using both it proved to be challenging to employed as part of the STL research and logic as a guide, formally measure how much Youth Jobs program were all from the project was intentionally impact these community tree challenged parts of the City of designed in ways that could help plantings had in the social St. Louis. In addition to learning break down barriers to trust, and equity context, it was clear from skills that could help with future start to build constructive new personal observation that they employment, each of the teens relationships. were well-received, and that earned $1,440 as part of their The involvement of the police they have the potential to be 8-week job. and fire departments was important models to consider in future such efforts. 40

The Tree Tenders gained personal actions to help the Resources: exposure by assisting the city’s environment in their daily lives. Parks, Recreation & Forestry The end as a beginning: The City of St. Louis. Urban Vitality & Ecol- Department with tasks such Tree Tenders were recognized ogy Initiative. https://www.stlouis-mo. as removing invasive species with personalized Certificates of gov/uve. and watering planted trees, and Completion, ready to explore job Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. http://more- also learned new techniques prospects. Having successfully leaf.org. and skills relevant for a variety developed the Tree Tenders pilot, National Tree Benefit Calculator. http:// of outdoor environmental jobs. Forest ReLeaf intends to continue www.treebenefits.com/calculator. To gauge the impact of the the effort in the years ahead. And St. Louis Green Team Alliance. http:// youth experience, evaluations people, community and wildlife stlgreenteens.org. were administered by grant will all benefit as the 500 newly- STL Youth Jobs. http://stlyouthjobs.org. partners. Surveys developed planted native trees mature in by the St. Louis Green Teen these four city parks. Alliance coalition indicated that the Tree Tenders increased Catherine L. Werner is the their awareness of green jobs, Sustainability Director for the City their interest in learning about of St. Louis science and the environment, their comfort level in speaking with peers, supervisors and the general public, and their own BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 41

BIOHPILIC CITIES JOURNAL / REGIONAL BOIPHILIC PROFILE Cooper Mountain Nature Park | Beaverton, OR Photo Credit: Mennen Middlebrooks Governing a Regional Biophilia By Mennen Middlebrooks Landing Amongst the Firs wonder lay ahead. While an exhaustive list of I spent the months of June to individual directors, managers Arriving to Portland via the August 2018 serving as an and Metro staff would be Oregon Summer Fellow, awarded fitting to include in a note of Pacific Northwest summer sky by Portland State University’s thanks, suffice it to say that is a marvel to behold. From a Hatfield School of Government. these individuals truly made westward-bound airliner, one Oregon Metro’s Special Projects the difference in my summer passes over the expanse of team in the Parks and Nature experience. They guided me Oregon’s High Desert, with a Department sponsored my tenure throughout my work with a true distinct change of landscape as an Oregon Fellow, where I was passion for innovation that was just west of the Dalles and quickly brought up to speed on palpable. Understanding Metro’s Bend. The vastness of the lush the latest regional endeavors breadth of public influence and green landscape becomes more of equity and inclusion. My first impact will help explain the distinguishable as you near summer in Portland with Metro foundation of their drive to serve landing. Forests of Douglas fir proved to be one of the most the greater public welfare. surround a never-ending stretch immersive internships I have A Regional Biophilic Lens of the Colombia River to the ever experienced, with a level of Unique to Metro’s regional form North, with the Willamette and public engagement surpassing of government is its ability not its Valley vertically bisecting the any expectation I may have had only to preserve land for urban City of Roses. A visual greeting of a government agency. of this scale assured me that a summer filled with natural 42

expansion, but also for the funding approval, and various 2007, Metro has coordinated designation and use of land forms of public engagement and with the three counties that it as conservation areas, wildlife insight. Metro’s Council President represents to designate “Urban corridors and nature-rich and six district commissioners Reserves” outside of the current recreational parks for the greater are held accountable to their UGB as a means of planning for public benefit. The nexus of both districts spanning three counties, slow growth over the next half the urban and wild realms falls and comprised of a total century. While land use and under the purview of Metro’s twenty-four individual cities; transportation planning comprise Parks and Nature Department. each with their own unique the foundation of Metro’s For the majority of the Portland demographic population, land regional mission, resource and region’s 1.5 million residents, the and environmental assets, and wildlife conservation provide decision to foster a regionally vision for their city’s future. the civic opportunities and elected government entity Key legislation has been nature-oriented inspiration that was one that has evolved implemented through various keep voters and elected officials from a series of resolutions planning tools; utilized to sustain directly engaged with one in land use planning made by environmental resources and another and with the land that previous generations of regional ensure curtailment of urban all Portlanders call home. Portlanders. Since Oregon Metro sprawl, leading to the Portland Applying this level of regional Regional Government’s (Metro’s) region we see today. The Urban governance elsewhere in the core formation in 1993, the vision Growth Boundary (UGB) is one U.S. has remained a challenge in for regional cohesion in matters such tool that has allowed the modern times. Given the unique ranging from urban planning and Portland region to expand its nature of Metro’s scope of land land conservation to recycling bounds in a controlled manner use planning and citizen-elected and transportation has since while protecting the region’s decision makers, there are many been overwhelmingly supported natural assets since May of 1972. conservation measures that by popular vote and taxpayer Metro is also tasked with may provide inspiration to other finances. maintaining a twenty-year metropolitan areas throughout Any successes and support of supply of land for the future the nation and abroad. this regional agency have been growth of the city, effectively shaped by policy and molded by adjusting the UGB in a controlled the electorate through decades manner, with approval by the of ballot measures, levy & bond electorate every five years. Since Parks & Nature Department Field Visit Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area Photo Credit: Mennen Middlebrooks Photo Credit: Mennen Middlebrooks BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 43

Approaching Equitable Nature these projects, and I enjoyed Since the summertime, I have Provision engaging with a diverse range come back to Virginia with of communities; from the native a notion of how an engaged The Pacific Northwest plays leadership of the Grand Ronde regional government can help host to some of North America’s Tribe and various interest groups sustain for the citizens it serves. most unique climates from the representing larger communities Diverse Oregonians conserving rainforests of Olympic National of color to schoolchildren and that which they love - the Park in Northwest Washington to adults with mobile, cognitive and unique landscape that surrounds Oregon’s high desert and Pacific visual limitations. them - will help to ensure the coastline. The Cascade Range Personal visits and volunteer conservation and stewardship stretches from British Columbia opportunities in a portion necessary for future generations to California, providing many of the 17,000 acres of Metro to enjoy these same nature-rich nearby cities with breathtaking regional parks and trail systems experiences. views of snowy mountain peaks, provided a profound and positive vast and biodiverse riparian experience; one that I believe corridors and fertile agricultural was shared on the faces and soils. Around the time of Metro’s in the interactions with like- predecessor’s formation in minded visitors. I came away 1979, residents of the Northern knowing that this regional Willamette Valley ranged from government was comprised of newly settled urban technology people who cared deeply about experts to historically prolific the equity and quality of life of timber harvesters. Though the citizens which Metro serves. relatively demographically Sustaining this level of personal homogeneous in the early engagement and public trust, 1980’s (the Portland metro I feel, is simply another factor region’s racial makeup fluctuates that has spelled success in this around 75% Caucasian today), form of regional governance, and commonalities in public opinion will remain the critical human about the region’s future are element necessary for fostering shared by an informed electorate regional cohesion elsewhere. from a wide range of occupations and ethnic backgrounds. One such shared opinion is for certain: urban sprawl into natural and agricultural areas should be curtailed. My time with the Parks and Nature Department was spent working on strategic plans for racial equity, improving A.D.A. and accessibility amenities on public park and trail sites, and a detailed review of independent thesis research on public engagement of Metro’s regional land holdings. Public accountability remained crucial throughout my involvement with 44

Cooper Mountain Nature Park | Beaverton, OR Blue Lake Regional Park | Fairview, OR Haystack Rock | Cannon Beach, OR Photo Credit: Kathy Zarsky BIOPBHIOILPIHCICLICTIECSITJIOESUJRONUARLN|AML A| RMCAHY22001198 || 4459

Measuring Municipal Progress well-defined goals utilized in the destruction of its natural Although its impetus and regional promotion of: resources which comprise continued support have been • Safe and stable neighborhoods its the urban fabric of its promoted through unique for families twenty-four cities. This need and often culturally oriented • Compact development that not be uniquely ‘Portland’ or moments in its history, Metro uses land and money efficiently regionally specific to the Pacific Regional Government serves as • A healthy economy that Northwest. Suburbanization a sound case study to glean from generates jobs & business and deforestation are the more as we prepare for an uncertain opportunities visible signs of natural capital global future. The 2040 Growth • Protection of farms, forests, destruction; factors of growth Concept, originally adopted rivers, streams and natural areas that can be combated through in 1995, spells out the details • Publicly oriented regional park more compact development and behind the goals of Metro’s vision & trail planning and operation habitat-oriented environmental of Portland’s regional future. • Allocation of funding to planning. While Metro aims to The Urban Growth Management support individual city grant protect the Portland region from Functional Plan, last updated in applications losses of habitat for salmon April 2018, provides both binding • A balanced transportation populations and native wildlife, requirements of the twenty- system to move people & goods other municipalities may wish four cities and three counties It can be argued that Metro’s to pool regional resources to as well as recommendations for breadth of influence serves to combat ill-effects of sea level performance standards and provide the Portland region rise and protect their unique methods that municipalities may with a form of “governmental regional resources. choose to utilize in pursuit of insurance” against the Data Resource Center This Web site is offered as a public service, integrating various government records into a region-wide mapping system. The property assessment records are a multi-county integration of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington County records. MetroMap blends each county's records 600 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232 Land Classifications ofinto a common database on a quarterly basis. Therefore, to view each county's official records, go to their respective web sites or offices. The other MetroMap data are derived from city, county, state, federal and Metro sources. The metadata (data about the data) are included on this 503.797.1742 – [email protected] site, including the sources to be consulted for verification of the information contained herein. It describes some cases where Metro blends city and county records by generalizing the disparities. Metro assumes no legal responsibility for the compilation of multi-source government Portland Metro Regioninformation displayed by Metro Map. Generated Via: Metro Map 46

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, OR Convention Center Photo Credit: Mennen Middlebrooks Applying Regional Change both neighboring urban and Are these regional goals and The regional influence of both rural areas will vary greatly visions applicable at the smaller quality of life and economic depending on the region we scale of a college town like vitality are values worth aim to review, but the needs Charlottesville, where pooled protecting for current population of all regions remain largely finances are more scarce and needs and safeguarding for synergistic. In the case of the public opinion on the means of future generations. The depletion local corn and soybean farmer promoting conservation efforts of a state or region’s natural in Nebraska who wishes to more divided? Is the direct capital has a systemic and sell her produce to large-scale implementation of planning external effect on stakeholders bulk processors and to local tools such as an urban growth near and far; directly impacting consumers at the ever-popular boundary and its subsequent the lives of citizens, visitors farmer’s market, her wish to have limitations to lot subdivision or and consumers of the region’s an adequate supply of water for available affordable housing the resources and products. While irrigation is directly tied to the most fitting way to promote a no single organization, private, environmental conditions of the sustainable city and limit urban public or non-profit, could ensure Ogallala Aquifer beneath her, and sprawl? the complete prevention of this the rest of the region’s collective type of human-oriented natural feet. Intrastate cooperation of The answer to these posed market failure from occurring, this scale will only be fostered questions can and will a certain degree of balance if equitable biophilic ideals are be determined by current could be attained through the prioritized by the regions within generations both in the U.S. collective cause of regional a given territory. and abroad. The heightened conservation policy. As for the local context of this scale of collective regional and While the core mission of the regional influence, a series state actions will be critical Parks and Nature Department of revealing questions must in promoting the on-ground is noted as “protecting clean be posed and data-driven implementation of meaningful water and restoring fish and answers conveyed before we climate policy and environmental wildlife habitat for current can successfully adapt portions regulations that affect the lives and future needs”, perhaps of Metro’s or another regional of both the urban and rural alternative priorities exist when agency’s practices to a city like citizen. we consider the needs of an Charlottesville or a region such urban municipality outside of as Hampton Roads... What factors Mennen Middlebrooks is Director Chicago or a series of oyster- are unique to the Portland of Graphic Design for the Biophilic harvesting towns near Virginia’s region that do not exist in Cities and a Masters Candidate Eastern Shore. The natural other states with urban growth in the Department of Urban and resource assets and needs of regulations such as Boulder, Environmental Planning at the Lexington, Honolulu and Seattle? University of Virginia School of Architecture BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 47

BIOHPILIC CITIES JOURNAL / PROJECT PROFILE Trillium Park | Toronto, ON Photo Credit: Tim Beatley Trillium and Cully Parks: Engaging Deeper Place Histories By Tim Beatley Portland, Oregon, and Toronto, dumping ground.” involvement in its design. The Verde did much of the hiring process for construction Ontario, offer wonderful recent fundraising for the park, with of the park also reflected a examples of the positive trend in matching funds provided by the commitment to the community: engaging the stories and deeper city. The design and planning 70% of the contractors doing the history of native peoples in the for the park was marked by an work on the park were minorities design of urban parks. unusual degree of community and women. involvement, including monthly The park is also unusual in Cully Park in Portland is the story meetings of a community the extent to which the Native of the transformation of a former involvement committee and American community was landfill in a neighborhood of extensive efforts to facilitate consulted and involved. Its final color in Northeast Portland into participation (providing childcare design reflects the intent for a wonderful new park. Extensive and transportation assistance for Cully Park to be a major Native neighborhood engagement was meetings for example, and even American gathering space. The a key goal undertaken with the stipends given to participants most prominent feature of the assistance of local nonprofit in recognition of the value of park is a Tribal Gathering Garden: Verde. Social justice was a strong their time). Part of the park is a place for ceremonies, for motivation behind this park. A a community garden designed teaching, and to grow important former quarry and later a landfill, by 7th and 8th grade students medicinal plants. In the words the park at once satisfies the who actually had to present of Judy Bluehorse Skelton (Nez need to clean up a contaminated their design to the community. Perce/Cherokee): “This is an brownfield site, and the need The Cully Park process reflects opportunity for our community for a park in a very underserved the city’s commitment to a new to come back to this place ... neighborhood. According to partnership model, not simply that healing ... to reclaim the Tony Defalco of Verde: “This is a consulting the community but relationship we’ve always had story about transforming a site giving them real power and with the land.” that was put into a low-income neighborhood as literally a 48

Cully Park is a spectacular new G. Davis Trail were created on King, who had been influential park with playfields and walking the site of a former parking lot in creating a provincial school- paths that will help to fill the on the shore of Lake Ontario. I based program, called the neighborhood’s void in nature spoke recently with Walter Kehm, Moccasin Identifier Project, that and parks. As Defalco says: “What landscape architect and senior challenged kids to learn about we heard was you’ve got to be principal with the firm LANDinc the history and culture of First able to come to a place where that designed the park, about Nations. In the end, the park you can look up and see the some of its remarkable features contains three large carved sky and see the mountains.” The and how it is being received by moccasins, the particular style views from this elevated park the residents of Toronto. worn by the Mississaugas, each are magical: on clear days you As Kehm explains, this is an fifteen feet high. can see Mount Adams and Mount unusual park for its efforts at The park’s moccasins are a stone Hood. incorporating the history of First version of the more ephemeral What is perhaps even more Nations. From the beginning, versions that have been stenciled remarkable is the way Portland’s local members of Mississaugas by kids in schools throughout Parks and Recreation Department of the Credit First Nation, the Toronto “to remind people that has formalized their relationship traditional inhabitants of the we are on the traditional territory with the Native American land on which Toronto lies, of indigenous peoples,” says King. community, specifically through were engaged in the design A second reference in the park the Native American Community process in an effort to include to the walking heritage of First Advisory Council (NACAC). The this history. “Walk Gently on the Nations can be seen in one of stated mission is “to bring about Land” became the park’s theme, the most interesting features a healing between Indigenous/ a reference to the importance of the park, its three so-called Native American peoples and all of the ancient pathways and “marker trees”. The Mississaugas others who live in this region, seasonal migrations to First intentionally bent and trained recognizing that the people are Nations. The shoreline site tree limbs to create a network of one with the land and consider of the park was an important directional or marker trees --trees themselves stewards of it and ceremonial destination. that would guide the way. Many participating in the well-being of Several unique features reference of these are still living, but Kehm the land.” this walking history. Kehm asked wanted to grow and plant some Another important example of Mississaugas members what new examples of these trees in a new urban park that tells a would be the most symbolic the park. deeper, more inclusive story is representation. Kehm also An article about the new park Trillium Park in Toronto, Ontario. consulted closely with a former notes that the park is both Trillium Park and the William Mississaugas chief, Carolyn Photo Credits: Tim Beatley BIOPHILIC CITIES JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 | 49

modest and spectacular: “There are no toys here: no playground, no sports fields.” But there are extensive boulders and rocks. “People of all ages like to climb these rocks,” Kehm told me. There are other impressive features, including a sacred fire pit and circle, very near to Lake Ontario’s edge. He has been especially keen Photo Credits: Tim Beatley depression. Discovering and to see the ways in which kids visiting Trillium had been a create their own play stories working. It all seems to be godsend for her, a kind of ”magic” in this interesting and richly working. He is especially she told Kehm. She explained textured environment. This is impressed with the ways in that she lived in a 600 square not a passive park, but one that which visitors have taken over foot condo that looked down challenges visitors to be active the site, he says, and made it onto a parking lot. She spoke and to physically engage. There their own. of the powerful smells of the was a recent group of five kids Kehm related one especially hemlock, pine and spruce at he witnessed cooking imaginary interesting recent conversation Trillium: “the smell alone is pancakes on the flat surfaces he had with an elderly woman healing,” she said. Then she came inside a cave. At one point, he visiting the park. She was a to the water’s edge and saw the joined in to help them find some retired nurse who had moved birds and the water lapping and syrup. “How to describe all this,” back to Toronto after a career she said ‘I’m now at home.’” he pondered. “You don’t need living at Cambridge Bay in the Disneyland; they’ve created high arctic. It had been a hard their own Disney.” That seems to adjustment, one marked by be the essence of a good park; setting the physical and natural stage, and creating the conditions for play and imagination. Adults can also have fun, and there are places where rocks can be stacked into towers of infinite variety. The photos Kehm sent me later were quite telling--and quite impressive for the variety of stacks of stones. Kehm visits the park frequently to observe and is often happy with what he sees. He often engages the visitors he sees in conversation. I get the sense that this is a personal version of a post-occupancy study, an informal but very informative way for Kehm to get a sense of what features of the park are 50