In plain site: scripting value in an urban terrain vague

This thesis explores a system of usage and valuation for a 64 acre tract of privately owned land along the Chicago River, immediately south of downtown Chicago. Though slotted for development, the land has gone relatively untouched as a former railyard and exists as a terrain vague, outside the consciousness of the city’s residents. Central to this system is the role of the designer from the developments inception. A design of scripted activation is proposed to confront constituents with a unique urban landscape while sparking the process of development in the interest of the owner. The design engages a tiered system of interactions beginning with elements of spectacle followed by incursion, programming, and responsive landscapes as development begins. This script of land uses is designed to unfold in conjunction with phased development with the ultimate goal of impacting the final design of the proposed project. This project aims to test a new role for landscape architects at the beginning of a development and the ability of designers to broker value for marginalized landscapes.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.L.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Landscape Architecture

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Sprague, Erich A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sears, Stephen M.

• Terrain Vague
• Illinois (IL)
• Chicago River
• Chicago
• Riverside District
• Spectacle
• Urban Design

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Erich A. Sprague

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/24218

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F24218