Between fields and meadows: A strategy for naturalistic sport landscape across liminal urban spaces
Abstract:
This thesis explores the productive intersection between often-separated ‘sport landscapes’ and ‘landscapes of biodiversity’ through the redesign of Strachan Street linear park in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, as a biodiverse sport landscape. The site of an abandoned road expansion, the linear park connects two major urban parks (Bayfront Park, Jackie Washington Park) but divides the waterfrontadjacent North End neighbourhood from downtown-adjacent Central and Beasley neighbourhoods. As the urban core of Hamilton is set to double over the next five decades, the development of this underutilized threshold to the invaluable waterfront is inevitable.
The city of Hamilton has stated two critical needs: 1) enhanced public engagement with biodiversity by introducing forest-garden types (wild-growing, uninterrupted ‘meadows’) into urban areas, and 2) the continued development of a robust recreation network that is responsive of proximity, access, and amenity related needs (maintained, well-groomed ‘fields’). The incorporation of public space into reclaimed post industrial landscapes, such as Strachan Street linear park, has precedent in Hamilton, but a key challenge is how design can resolve the incorporation of these seemingly conflicting public space typologies within\ increasingly confined urban space.
The sports-driven ‘field’ type alone cannot satisfy the multi-faceted ways that Hamiltonians participate in play, though a fully biodiversity-driven ‘meadow’ approach negates the intense need for formal play spaces. These types also pose limits: the systematization of sport has degraded the play-quality and the forest garden is a relatively new type that often lacks the amenities to invigorate use beyond a singular program. Therefore, the thesis explores how architecture can mediate between outdoor sport and biodiversity using the common theme of play. Case studies explore dimensions of ‘sport landscapes’ and ‘landscapes of biodiversity’ that correspond to existing site conditions as a method of informing the design.
The thesis explores three typologies that bring ‘sport landscapes’ and ‘landscapes of biodiversity’ into close friction: 1) Woodland: a textural and lush forest-garden, containing native perennials and low growing shrubs, with light-frame, simplistic structures for play that mingle with vegetation; 2) Orchard: niches of \ sun-loving berry orchards with multi-purpose sport areas, mediated by structures for climbing, sitting, harvesting, growing; 3) Nursery: the adaptive re-use of post-industrial sites for seed and tree production with flexible sport and play areas created amidst the shuffling of potted plants and seasonal growth.
The proposal is a set of design guidelines reflective of Hamilton’s network of environmental and recreation stewards that be further investigated. Future versions should be developed in collaboration with these groups to convey options for planning, construction, maintenance, and funding. Though this site was selected for its urban connectivity, the proximity to the active railway comes with considerable safety hazards that require further environmental study, including air, noise, and soil pollution studies. It is envisioned that Strachan Street becomes a central spine of activity and biodiversity that support crossdisciplinary engagement, access, and movement by a diverse population from multiple neighbourhoods; however, additional research must be directed towards community social dynamics to ensure the project effectively mediates and equitably represents ‘the public.’
Thus, this thesis forms the basis for design guidelines for a biodiverse sport landscape from an architectural perspective that questions the role of public parks in everyday life: the recall of wildness, bounded and boundless sport, and community enrichment via engagement with people and land.
The examining committee is as follows:
Supervisor: Jane Mah Hutton
Committee member: Lola Sheppard
Internal-external reader: Lesia Mokrycke
External: Zahra Awang
The defence examination will take place:
Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
In-person, ARC2026 - Ventin Room.
A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.