LIANNE WU
CONNECTIONSWATER SYSTEMS MIGRATION
Physical
Visual
The Susquehanna River
is the sixteenth largest river in America, and the largest river lying entirely in the United States that flows into
the Atlantic Ocean.The river meanders 444 miles from its origin at Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, NewYork
until it empties into the Chesapeake Bay at Havre de Grace, Maryland.
The river has played an enormous role throughout the history of the United States. Before European conquest,
the Susquhannock, an Iroquoian tribe lived along the river and gave the Susquehanna its name.
Local legend claims that the name of the river comes from an Indian phrase meaning “mile wide, foot deep,”
referring to the Susquehanna’s unusual dimensions, but while the word is Algonquian, it simply means “muddy
current” or “winding current”.
Revitalizing
Harrisburg, PA
the River
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Case Studies
Penn’s Landing
redevelopment
FeasibilityStudy
│philadelphia, pa
This plan resulted in strategies for
transportation systems, structural
deck systems + the design concept
for a world class 21st century urban
park that will catalyze the realization
of almost 2 million square feet of
mixed use waterfront development +
result in an overall economic benefit
of $1.6 billion for the city.
Dallas Connected Cities│dallas,
tx
This planning vision seeks to connect
downtown Dallas,+ theTrinity River
Corridor + to re-envision the zone
between them as a vibrant new liner city.
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COMMUNITY
KEY FACTORS:
Human Scale
Comfortable
Recreational
PeopleWatching
REGIONAL
CITY
KEY FACTORS:
GrandViews
Destination
Aesthetic
Mix of functional
space
KEY FACTORS:
Sightseeing
Historical
Educational
Natural Aesthetic
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Community Parks
Regional Parks
City Parks
Existing
Green
Space
PARK SYSTEM
DesignVision
To create a network of green
parks along the riverway, an
interconnected system of public
spaces that provides various
areas from which to enjoy the
river. Expanding street views to
the river, educating the
community on the river’s history
and ecosystem and making the
river a destination are key to this
vision.
Why Here
There is existing green and
vegetated areas that run down
along the Susquehanna River, but
it just acts as a buffer between the
community and riverfront.The
views are poor, spaces for
recreation are sparse and
potential is not being utilized.
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Bike
Walk
Passive
• nature watching
• Relaxing
Active
• ped way
• observatory
Gather
• community
• tourist
Lawn
Native trees
Native River Plants
Passive
• people watching
• Relaxing
Recreation
• sports
• exercise
Entertain
• Vendors
• performers
Gather
• community
• tourist
Walk
(6) Existing
walking path(4) Permeable
paved path
Native wetland
plants
(1) Raised native
plants
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Open lawn
(2) Wooden linear bench
(3) Raised lawn
(5) Concrete bike path
walk/run
bike
sit/relax
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Analysis │Regional parks
By figuring out the different programs that
would exist in this type of park, I was able to
design a typical standard for these Regional
Parks. Having users interact with the natural
surroundings, you cause them to be more aware
of the inherent beauty of the river and appreciate
the history of the site.
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ECOLOGYPROGRAM
PROGRAMPEDESTRIANMATERIALS
VEGETATION
Analysis │City parks
By analyzing the major road viewsheds and
potential views across the riverway, as well as
various programmed spaces, I was able to
design a standard for these parks that would cater
to both the community and tourists. Accenting
grand views to the river allows these parks to
provide a relaxing and diverting space for people
to enjoy.
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Designing for the Community
Using the Pilot Study for Envision the Susquehanna as the basis for my design vision, I was able to pinpoint the types of parks I wanted to design and the specific functions they would serve the
community.There was a desire to be educated about the history of the river, protecting the wildlife habitat, to provide spaces to simply observe and the enjoy the river from and to improve water
quality. All of these factors are helping to inform my design process and design.
Designing for Nature
This overall design is meant to enhance the natural beauty
of the river and bring out the historical and ecological
importance of the river. By creating a healthy environment
for both people and wildlife in these spaces, the public can
truly appreciate the aesthetic and inherent value of the river.
FloweringDogwood
PermeablePath
BigtoothAspen
Lawn
Boardwalk
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Regional Parks│Native plants are key to improving the natural environment
and water quality of the river. Certain aquatic plants provide ideal habitat for a variety of fish,
other aquatic species, and migratory birds, and these animals will help keep insect populations
under control and reduce algae buildup; some have beautiful flowers at certain times of the year.
Aquatic plants also form a vital part of the complex system of chemical cycling in a waterbody and
can influence the oxygen supply in the water.They utilize nutrients that would otherwise be used
by algae, thereby improving water clarity.
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City Parks│Mixing built spaces with
natural spaces allows for a wide range of activities to occur in a
singular space.There are areas to relax and recline, to
people-watch, to throw a frisbee or play catch, to observe
nature and wildlife, and to enjoy the river views. Having
spaces that are sheltered with trees helps to provide shade
and shelter from the sun and the elements, and having open
space offers areas for recreation and grand views to the river.
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River Shallows
NativeWater Plants
River Buffer
NativeWater Plants
Public Seating
10’ DeepWood Seat Public Seating
5’ DeepWood Seat
Wildflower Plant Bed
5’ Deep
Lawn Strip
11.5’ Deep
Boardwalk
6’Wide
Bike Path
8’Wide
Pedestrian Path
8’Wide
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Regional Park
Elevation
Perspective
City Park
Elevation
Perspective
Design Aesthetic
Even though I am creating 3
distinct types of parks within this
park network, they all share 2 key
factors - enhancing the natural
features of the given spaces and
offering key spaces in which to
observe, enjoy and share these
features with its users, both
people and wildlife alike.
The scale of each park varies, but
the common thread through all of
them is the existing paved
pedestrian path and the proposed
bike trail that runs along the street
and through each and every park.
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contact info
phone: 765.637.1251
email: liannemwu@gmail.com