Date of Award

5-2014

Document Type

Terminal Project

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Department

Landscape Architecture

Advisor

Matthew N. Powers

Committee Member

Ellen Vincent

Committee Member

Daniel J. Ford

Abstract

ABSTRACT Today, highway issues are worldwide issues, especially elevated highways. They cut through communities , casting shadows, full of air pollution, noise and "lost space". Elevated highways present many challenges , but they also offer opportunities. This study attempts to create guidelines for successful public open spaces that can be designed in the spaces under elevated highways to mitigate the negative impacts. In order to provide guidelines for improving the "lost space" below elevated highways, three bodies of knowledge are examined in the literature including elevated highways, public open spaces , and urban design. The literature review contains eight main factors that are used the in case study to identify design recommendations and guidelines for future design. The recommendations and guidelines are further categoried into three key words: reclaim, redesign, and reconnect. The three key words are the essence of transforming "lost spaces" under elevated highway into public open spaces. Finally, a design application is conducted on "lost space" under interstate 26, in Charleston, SC. The purpose is to provide an example of how successful public open space can be created on a site based on the research results.

Additional Files

PPT Luo Huang 2014.pdf (154440 kB)
Supplemental File

Matrix Luo Huang.pdf (6572 kB)
Supplemental File

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