Urban ecology in Houston

Creating a soft natural border between the existing urban patterns to solve flood risk, while restoring the ecosystems.

Master thesis (2015)

Authors

Contributors

H. Meyer (mentor)
S. Nijhuis (mentor)
Programme
Delta Interventions (Architecture and the Built Environment) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2015 Brakel, S.F.
Fragmentation Ecosystems Houston Green blue network strategy Greenways
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Published Date

01-12-2015

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Programme

Delta Interventions

Abstract

Because of its central location, the Buffalo Bayou is a strategic site for interventions. Reducing flood risk can be done by absorbing rainfall and storm surge flooding into the urban fabric around the Bayou. Soft borders from the Buffalo Bayou should be extended into the urban fabric and vice versa to strengthen the interactions and the features of the “Bayou City”, but also simultaneously restoring the ecosystems. This will create a more sustainable and healthier environment for both humans and wildlife. Houston consists out of different layers (soil, water system, green system, infrastructure and urban fabric) each with their own function and characteristics. The strategy is to merge the different layers together and filling the gaps, by introducing a greenway around the Bayous and a green blue system applied on the existing secondary and tertiary infrastructure. This will bind the now isolated green systems and new greenways with each other to provide movement for people, animals and vegetation.