體現設計 UDD | Urban Dimension Design

Reactive the Gowanus Lowline

With the process of urbanization, the ownership of the land are privatized and the utilization are constantly changing. During this process, the use of the land  are often based on the interests of the owner. Most of the lands in the city become private properties, which means no enough places for public use, only roads for traffic left. Space itself, lacks depth to accommodate various daily life. Most of the spaces except residential ones only play the roles that offer people places to move, but not places to stay and talk. Because events are only occurred at some spots, the links and relationships inbetween become ignored. As a result, some streets turn into dangerous zones at night when there are less people.

The factories around our site had played significant roles at the beginning of the development of the city and declined with economic restructuring. However, they still occupied the land, leaving no places for people’s activities. Without such activities, this area became vigorless. The former approach of urban renewal was to set the industrial apart from the city. As the constant expansion of the city, the same problems occurred again. This solution did not always work effectively.

Now we just wonder whether the industrial buildings could develop vertically and be set into the mixed-use system, just like the modern development of the residential, commercial and office buildings. With the advanced technologies nowadays, the problems that  industrial buildings caused such as noises and pollution, could be solved and a more mixed-use system which includes industrial buildings could also promote a various, colorful urban life.