developinggreen

[developinggreen]

Case Study: Domino Park

Domino Park:

Located in-front of the new “Domino Sugar” office building called The Refinery. Domino Sugar company built the park and renovated the of sugar refinery a 11 acre area into new mixed-use development The public square has the ability to have a farmers market or a ski skating ring. Still renovating the remaining space but the park, public square, and office building.

Privately-owned public park.

Developers goals for the park and surrounding area Attraction for residents.

Park is 5 Acres on the waterfront creating views over the water and of the city.

Elements with in the park:

Sitting steps, raised walkway, public seating next to grass for people to sitting and hangout in many areas all of these create views of the river and the city

Playground

Smaller  areas that are used as dividers for the grass areas

They have trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants to serve as a sound buffer

Raised walkway

Overlooks not just the river and city but also the park

Street Elements they have:

One lane is for parking, one is for driving, and the last one is for drop off which is that closes one to the park.

There is a hotel, new construction and another park in this area

38 min walk away form a subway station

As well as other stops for ferries and other public transportation

One-way street

Domino Park History:

Project started in 2014 was done in 2018

Opened in June 2018 and 2 million people came to visit

Project was $50 million

Has original columns from the Raw Sugar Warehouse and reutilized other items to build the educational “Artifact Walk”. Over 30 items where remade for the build.

Developers are of the project were Two Trees Management

Choose the site with community board found this location had one of the lowes rates of open space to people.

Domino Park Project Milestones:

Factory opened in 1856

Became one of the largest sugar refineries in the world

Closed in 2004

After nearly 150 years, left behind

CPC Resources and The Katan Group in 2007

Redevelopment plan for high-rise towers and affordable housing

2010:

City of New York, decided to preserve the remaining refinery as a historical site preserving the building façade

2012, Two Tree Management:

Purchased for $185 million and began planning for community oriented, mixed development space

2014, NYC approve Two Trees Management plan for the area:

Including residential towers, office space, affordable housing, and a five area public park

2017, Construction begins on Domino park:

Featuring playgrounds, walkways, fountains, seating and restoring artifacts

2018, Park open:

2 million came to the park the year of the ground opening

2019-present:

Construction on the residential towers and commercial places around the park

They do have community events that are year round like

Public art show case, and programing like farmers markets and concerts

Domino Park Amenities:

Park allows the following to happen within

Beach Volleyball, playground, dog run, taco stand, water features, lawns and lots of seating on the waterfront

A summer the park had over 100 free public events and around 7,000 New Yorkers came to them

Environmental Amenities:

Reduces stormwater runoff through native plants and it creates a functional as an absorbent sponge

WEDG-certified park through FEMA

Works as a defense against sea level rising

Reclaimed most of the art work on display form the old Sugar Refinery, including two cranes.

Bus Stop Proposal: Ludlow Ave

Map

Ludlow is a very busy street that has bus stops and crosswalks that are very hard to cross. There is a lot to do on the street as well. From a pocket community area with a small park to restaurants and shops. As well as, a old movie theater that was renovated and still running to this day. This area is well known for the Ludlow Garage and music stores as well.

Ludlow Ave History

Named after one of the founders of the original city “Losantiville” in 1788 Israel Ludlow. One of the first streets named.

Israel Ludlow also surveyed and established the grid extending north-westerly. Also created the naming system for the streets.

Potential Implementations for Ludlow Ave

We believe the best way to fix the traffic flow problems in this area is to remove street parking and give that space to the store front and restaurant.

To allow there customers to eat outside and to adding speed bumps to the cross walks to slow people down further.

Transformations for Dining & Shopping: Turning Parking Spots into Places

These are examples from different areas in NYC with seating and ADA accessibility

Designing

Make Ludlow no parking and opening up the extra space for store fronts and restaurants to use for customers

Creating raised cross walks for pedestrians that will serve as speed bumps as well

Citations:

“Street Seats.” NYC DOT - Pedestrians - Street Seats, www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/streetseats.shtml. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

“Domino Park: Great Public Spaces.” Home - Project for Public Spaces, www.pps.org/places/domino-park. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Cohen, Michelle. “Revealed: First Look at Williamsburg’s Domino Park Ahead of Sunday Opening.” 6sqft, 6 June 2018, www.6sqft.com/domino-park-opens-sunday-offering-public-access-to-south-williamsburgs-waterfront-for-the-first-time/.

Gannon, Devin, et al. “Domino Sugar Factory.” 6sqft, 23 Sept. 2024, www.6sqft.com/biz/domino-sugar-factory/.

Londono, By: Vanessa, and Vanessa Londono. “Landmarked Office Building, the Refinery at Domino, Opens on the Williamsburg Waterfront.” New York YIMBY, 29 Sept. 2023, www.newyorkyimby.com/2023/09/landmarked-office-building-the-refinery-at-domino-opens-on-the-williamsburg-waterfront.html.

Green, Jared. “Domino Park: Privately-Owned Public Infrastructure.” THE DIRT, 31 Jan. 2022, dirt.asla.org/2022/01/27/domino-park-privately-managed-publicly-owned-coastal-infrastructure/.

Whelan, Jennifer. “In Images: The Domino Sugar Factory’s Beautiful Decline.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 9 June 2014, www.archdaily.com/514373/in-images-the-domino-sugar-factory-s-beautiful-decline.

“Domino Park – 2020 Uli Urban Open Space Awards Winner.” ULI Americas, 9 Sept. 2020, americas.uli.org/domino-park-2020-uli-urban-open-space-awards-finalist/.

Reller, Suzanne, and Suzanne Reller. Liblog, 15 July 2013, libapps.libraries.uc.edu/liblog/2013/07/cincinnati-street-names-a-whos-who-of-cincinnati-history-adventures-in-the-subway-and-street-improvements-digitization-project/.

[developinggreen]

Ludlow Ave and Ormond Ave Bus Stop

Ludlow Ave offers many opportunities for pedestrians to explore by providing areas to shop and dine, and other attractions all within walking distance like parks. However, the narrow streets and poorly designed bus stops create challenges for both transportation and safety. This further creates a congested area, which becomes problematic as public transportation buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. Also with cars being parked too close to bus stops or the stops being too small results in buses being forced to block traffic, causing congestion. 

Figure 1: Hand drawn map Ludlow ave with a red pin for where the bus stop is that we looked at.

Images 1 + 2: Both images are of Ludlow ave. One is of the street congression form parking. The other is the sidewalk showing how having cars on the street parking making the area feel congressed.

Ludlow Avenue is named after Isaac Ludlow. He was a key figure to Cincinnati development, specifically early development (1788). The area around Clifton and Ludlow Avenues, including the Ludlow Avenue business district, is known as the Gaslight District. A neighborhood with independent shops, restaurants, etc. There is Ludlow garage that is historic as it is significant in Cincinnati's music scene.

Images 3 + 4: One image is showing the Ludlow Garage which you can only see the sign to show it is the garage with cars parked infornt. The other image is to show the same this is happening to the other store fronts.

The Gaslight District in Cincinnati is a known for its historic architecture, gas lamps, its lively environment due to its  shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions centered around Ludlow Avenue. In addition, they still have gas being fed to them from Duke Energy.

Images 5 + 6: One image is showing a less congressed area of the street with less parking making it easier to see the store fronts. The other image is of a cross walk with a woman dashing across to the other side.

Pedestrians also face difficulties crossing, as parked cars often block the view of oncoming traffic. This forces people to step into the street or stick their heads out to check for cars, even when they have the right of way. One example of this issue can be seen at the bus stop located at Ludlow Ave and Ormond Ave. The cars are parked on either side of the stop, leaving only enough room for the front of the bus to pick up passengers.

Image 7: Bus stop we visited

Addressing these challenges would make Ludlow Ave a safer, more convenient space for both pedestrians and public transportation users. Solutions like expanding bus stop sizes, creating no-parking zones around bus stops, adding pedestrian safety measures, and improving traffic flow could help reduce the challenges Ludlow Ave faces. With these improvements, Ludlow Ave could become a more walkable and enjoyable space for everyone.

Image 8: Us

[developinggreen]

Cleveland’s TOD Evolution

The barriers that come with using TOD in America are insufficient transit system, lack of comprehensive TOD strategies, and policy and land restrictions. 

The city of Cleveland restored their TOD by repairing many of there bus stops/stations and maintaining their existing rail system. They also created cleaner, sanitized, and safer rail stations, as well as adding more bus stops to bus routes. 

Two rail systems are utilized to achieve having rails run from east to west in two sections, while buses run all around. Buses go across at least 6 towns on one “line” (bus system). There are different “lines” coded by colors and numbers that reach communities. 

This is the Cleveland Metro RTA bus map.

Cleveland has renovated areas that have high foot traffic like the West side Market right below downtown Cleveland to provide more access points to the market for people within the community. The city was able to get this done by rebuilding the rail station that was in bad condition and by also implementing more walking and biking space for pedestrians. As well as providing new parking for bikes and cars. In addition, Cleveland has the Park N Ride promotion that was used for car parking. It promotes the idea of less car use, encouraging the use of public transportation (bus or rail).

This is the West side Market revitalization of the rail system/bus station, along with bike parking new bike lanes.

In addition, Cleveland medical campus also has a good TOD system for medical professionals to get from one place to another. It is also convenient as it expands out to local communities, bringing patients in to doctors or work.

After doing further research on Cleveland, we believe the city utilizes the Copenhagen "Finger Plan" for it's city transportation as a long term plan for their bus system expansion.

This is the Copenhagen "Finger Plan" that we believe Cleveland implemented.

Sources

1st photo:

“Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Study.” Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, 21 Feb. 2025, www.countyplanning.us/projects/tod-zoning-study/

2nd photo:

Andre. “Ohio City Transit-Oriented Development Project.” Dimit Architects, 5 Nov. 2021, www.dimitarchitects.com/ohio-city-transportation-oriented-development-project/

3rd photo:

Cervero_Transit.pdf

[developinggreen]

Design Strategies and Community Actions to Alleviate Slum Conditions

To alleviate slum conditions and food insecurity in Cincinnati, many design strategies and community actions can be inspired by Wilson and Kelling’s "Broken Windows Theory" (1982), which emphasizes keeping order to prevent larger social issues, like worsening living conditions. This theory suggests that obvious signs of disorder, such as broken windows, can lead to more serious problems. This further suggests that no one is in control of the environment, causing conditions to get worse over time.

1. Green Spaces:

Improves access to fresh food

Foster community involvement

Urban farming programs could be designed to teach residents about growing their own food, while addressing food insecurity.

Image 1: Civic Garden Center Community Garden review and tour.

2. Green Infrastructure:

Green roofs or sustainable water can improve the environment

Neighborhoods could be more adaptable to climate change while contributing to food security.

Image 2: Beautification Project

3. Affordable Housing Projects:

Ensuring that affordable housing is included in rebuilt neighborhoods instead of being separated. This can help people feel more connected and help stop new slums from forming.

Image 3: Types of housing in the Cincinnati area

4. Mixed-Income Housing:

Integrating mixed-income housing projects within slum areas can help reduce the stigma of poverty and improve quality of life for residents.

5. Community Actions:

Local residents to have a voice in the development of their own neighborhoods. This can lead to better designs that meet the community's needs.

Image 4: Project initiative created by the Community after town hall meeting.

Blog Question:

Based on the points above, how would you alleviate slum conditions in the greater Cincinnati area?

Sources:

Image 1: Montgomery, Kymisha. “Community Gardens: 2022 in Review.” Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati, Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati, 19 Feb. 2024, www.civicgardencenter.org/blog/community-gardens-2022-in-review. 

Image 2: “Projects.” Tower Grove Park, www.towergrovepark.org/projects. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025. 

Image 3: “Cincinnati Citywide Form-Based Code - #thisiscnu.” CNU, 17 July 2017, www.cnu.org/what-we-do/build-great-places/cincinnati-citywide-form-based-code. 

Image 4: “News for Lakeside Green Street Restoration Project.” City of Oakland, www.oaklandca.gov/news/related-to/projects/lakeside-green-street-restoration-project. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025. 

[developinggreen]

Cincinnati Transportation Infrastructure

In order to make Cincinnati a happier city, transportation infrastructure should focus on public spaces walkability and connectivity, aligning with Montgomery’s Happy City theories. Enhancing pedestrian areas and improving public transportation would foster social engagement and accessibility, contributing to “a happier city."

Montgomery’s Happy City Convivialities, explores key proposals on how urban spaces can be designed to encourage accessibility, social interaction, and overall well-being. These proposals include bike friendly infrastructure, public transportation, revitalized public space with greenery, street safety for pedestrians and community engagement.

Cycling Infrastructure

Montgomery's idea:

Cycling-friendly streets create ways for people to move through their city in a healthy and positive way, contributing to a persons connection to place.

Cincinnati application:

Expanding bike lanes and bike sharing programs, that connects neighborhoods, parks, and cultural hubs, could enhance transportation options and cut down car use.

Public Transportation & Accessibility

Montgomery's idea:

Accessible public transportation promotes inclusivity, making it easier for all city residents, regardless of income or ability. It also allows the community to connect with jobs and services.

Cincinnati application:

Investing in a more reliable transportation system like buses could make it easier for people to move around without relying on cars. Accessible stations, affordable cost, and tracking systems would provide accessibility to everyone, contributing the community’s happiness.

Car Free Zones

Before Picture

After Picture

Montgomery's idea:

Reducing car use in key areas leads to more social space, and a better sense of safety.

Cincinnati application:

Implementing car-free zones, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, like downtown, could help create active public spaces.

Question: Based on the information provided, which areas in Cincinnati would benefit the most from this theory? 

Works Cited

“Bike Maps.” Home - City of Cincinnati, www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bikes/bike-maps/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Staff, CityBeat. “Before and after Photos Show How Greater Cincinnati Has Changed in 15 Years.” Cincinnati CityBeat, www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/before-and-after-photos-show-how-greater-cincinnati-has-changed-in-15-years/Slideshow/14387878/14387884. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Uswahhasanah. “Happy City by Charles Montgomery.” HOME, frsb.upm.edu.my/article/happy_city_by_charles_montgomery-74771. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

[developinggreen]

The ideal density for UC

From the CAGIS

Within walking distance of this block

Food (restaurants, groceries, etc.)

Pharmacies

Gas stations

Hub packages

From the street level perspective of the block

Has vegetation that promotes to healthy mental health.

Has a park in walking distance that has free work out areas for your physical health.

The buildings are more welcoming because they are renovated houses allowing students to have the apartment and a home feeling, along with sharing a yard.

All in all 21-23 unites/acre is the perfect density for UC because it promotes for healthy minds and bodies.

Ariel view of the block

Street view of the block

[developinggreen]

Clifton Plaza

Open Space

The plaza has wooden benches that are easy to move

There is more space for classes like art or yoga

Spacing helps with organizing free music concerts

Seating

It has seatings with built in tables, which helps with connecting people

Promotes talking to others

Intimate events like picnics can be held

People Watching Area

With the plaza being located along Ludlow Avenue, there is high pedestrian traffic

Contributes to its popularity of being a public gathering spot by bringing in more people through the plaza

People are able to look over the city from the benches and back of plaza

People can utilize the individual benches to watch/view Ludlow Avenue direction

Food

The plaza is near local cafes and restaurants along Ludlow Avenue

Offers convenient access to food and this encourages people to visit and explore the plaza.

Having food vendors can increase the attractiveness of the plaza

Overall, Clifton Plaza and its key elements discussed creates a comfortable and inviting environment that encourages people to gather and engage with the community.

https://www.facebook.com/CliftonPlaza45220

https://betterwaterfront.org/william-h-whyte-on-what-makes-public-spaces-fail-what-makes-them-succeed/

[developinggreen]

Emulate from Paris/Chicago

Expanding Green Spaces for Accessibility

Haussmann’s principle ensured that every neighborhood in Paris had a park within a ten-minute walk . Cincinnati could enhance its downtown by increasing accessible green spaces, connecting Fountain Square, Smale Riverfront Park, and Washington Park through green corridors. This would improve air quality, social interaction, and economic vitality.

The original "Chicago Nature and Wildlife Plan (2006)" and its associated Chicago Nature Areas Directory identifies more than 4,800 acres of prairies, savannas, dunes, woodlands, wetlands and potential restoration areas at 98 sites throughout Chicago. 

Throughout Chicago, park system is filled with nature. The city's parks contain more than 1,900 acres of critical habitat for local and migratory wildlife, accounting for more than 20% of our total parkland. These unique places provide opportunities to improve one's physical and mental health. Natural areas are open year-round from dawn to dusk for everyone to enjoy at their own convenience.  Additionally, the Park District offers nature programs such as camping, gardening, fishing, other experiences for all ages.

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/nature

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/planning_and_policydivision/svcs/open-space-and-sustainability-plans.html

2. Modernizing transportation networks and providing efficient transportation options

Looks at Paris and Chicago we need more transportation options to the public

In Paris they rebuilt the whole system by ripping it up and rebuilding from the ground up by adding lanes that were only for buses and street cars to keep public transportation and private car separate.

In Chicago they built the subway or the "L" above the street to keep everyone moving.

With these ideas in-mind I think we need to rebuild the downtown bus transition station and add bus lanes to keep the public moving

• Haussmann’s wide boulevards improved circulation and created grand cityscapes . •  Burnham’s Chicago plan expanded railway networks and emphasized street typologies . • Cincinnati could reimagine key corridors to be more pedestrian-friendly while integrating better transit options like a modernized streetcar expansion.

https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/public-transport-a555

https://www.transitchicago.com/historicalcalendar/

3. Enhancing Nightlife and Commercial Activity

Haussmann enhanced nightlife and commercial activity in Paris through the innovations of glass, iron, gaslights, and railways. Haussmann installed 15,000 gaslights, extending commercial hours which encouraged nightlife.

Cincinnati could enhance its nightlife and commercial activity by improving street lighting, parking solutions, extending commercial hours, and public transportation hours.

Implementing these strategies will help make Cincinnati’s downtown nightlife more business friendly, vibrant, inclusive, and safe for both locals and visitors.

Burnham saw the regional highway system in Chicago as useful in many ways. Regional highways provide a more faster and reliable way to transport goods, benefiting downtown businesses. The highways also make it easier for locals and visitors to reach entertainment spots.

With this, Cincinnati should modernize and redesign its highway system. This could be done by improving high traffic areas, adding express lanes, and expanding public transportation along routes.

What aspects of Haussmann's Paris and Burnham's Chicago do you think would have the biggest impact if applied to Cincinnati's downtown, and why?

[developinggreen]

Garden City

The Garden City holds the most potential layout for a sustainable future urban development because of three reasonings listed below.

Below is a cutout of the city's plan:

The first reasoning is:

Having green space within walking distance for everyone. As well as built in farming for the whole population.

The second reasoning is:

Having the infrastructure to travel by railroad and road. The railroad was shown to be used for trade and travel between other Garden Cities.

The third reasoning is:

The ability to expand after reaching the max population cap of 32,000 people in the city. After, the railroad would then be expanded to another city added.

Example below:

Photo source for all of them: