Interactive embankment: topography of fluctuating water levels and human interaction

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

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

2014

Author dc:creator

• Chen, Yu

Contributors dc:contributor

• Deming, Margaret E.

• embankments
• Interactive
• flood wall
• floodplain

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Chen Yu

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/46657