2 PRO IDENCE TRUE CIVIC HEART

PROVIDENCE CENTRAL PARK

PROVIDENCE,RI
MARCH 2018 TO MAY 2018
SUSTAINABLE SITE DESIGN COURSE INDIVIDUAL WORK
TUTOR: KRISTIN SCHWAB
SUSTAINABILITY+ CIVIC+MEMORIAL
BACKGROUND
Providence, the capitol and most populous city of the State of Rhode Island, is highlighted for the home to seven higher learning educational instituions and arts com-
munity, which was once recognized by its manufacturing industry from 1700s. Providence is situated at the mouth of Providence River at the head of Narragansett
Bay, which gives the city advantages of waterfront open space.

Separated by I-95 and Providence River in the west and east, Downtown Providence is purposely connected with surrounding areas by harsh-condition bridges: fast
traffic, hard appearance and poor ecological environment. Unevenly distribution of green open space and lack of connectivity restricts the vibrancy and attraction of
downtown and limits wide range of users.

The site of this project, is Burnside Park and Kennedy Plaza in front of Providence City Hall and Federal Court. The Kennedy Plaza now serves as bus terminal with
crowded traffic, fragmentation and unsafe pedestrain environment.

VISION STATEMENT
• The project program is a cultural, memorable and sustainable central park in downtown Providence transferred from bus hub to transit-friendly public realm by
integrating the historical Burnside Park and City Hall Plaza (called Kennedy Plaza) together.

• The Design replays the historical footprint but also embeds modernized landscape by considering everyday users experience and different targeted visitors’ need.

• To the context, the proposed central park, as ‘True Civic Heart’, knit all urban infrastructure in Downcity together, as well as connectivity with waterfront and sur-
rounding neighborhoods.

SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT

The site includes Historical Burnside Park and Kennedy Plaza in the Downcity Subdistrict, Downtown Providence, RI. The site is boundaried by City Hall, Federal Court,
‘Superman’building and other historical assets within in National Historical District,as well as close to Providence River .

Smith Hill
CAPITOL
CENTER
MASSACHUSETTS College Hill

CONNECTICUT
DOWNCITY
Federal Hill

JEWELRY
DISTRICT

Northeast,
United States Providence, State of Rhode Island Downtown Providence, Downcity, the center of
National Historical District Downtown Providence
HISTORY AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF SITE

In The 1900S, Downtown Providence Had Had Trolley

Street Car Track Systems Connecting City Hall. Railroad
Station( Rhode Island Foundation Today ) And Burmsdie
Park. The Trolley Car Tour Today In Downtown Provi-
dence Recall The Historical Footprint Of This Historical
City.

RECLAIMING THE HISTORICAL CULTURAL CORRIDOR

KEVIN LYNCH CITY IMAGE ANALYSIS STREET TYPOLOGY AND MOBILITY SYSTEM

PUBLIC REALM INFLUENCE FACTOR

EDUCATION
MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE
STATE CAPITOL GREEN
CIVIC & CULTURE
INNOVATION & DESIGN
OUTDOOR RECREATION

BROWN
UNIVERSITY
BLACKSTONE PARK

FEATURED STREET CROSSING

Regional Open Space System Connection Roger Williams Park Zoo

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SITE ANALYSIS SITE DIAGRAM