Art as a medium of safety
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) strives to create beautiful, healthy and safe outdoor spaces for everyone. One of the projects ASLA worked on was called the Underpass Park, a project that transforms a dangerous underpass area into a safe community driven space. This project can give inspiration for designers that wish to improve an existing space.
Here is an excerpt that describes the underpass:
"Located beneath a complex of existing highway overpasses in Toronto’s downtown, an otherwise forgotten and derelict remnant has been transformed into an active public park providing diverse recreational and social opportunities while connecting new and existing local neighborhoods and nearby parks” (American Society of Landscape Architects, 2016).
Before the transformation into Underpass Park, the underpass used to be a forgotten and dangerous space where it was prone to illegal activities and parking. By adding a variety of floral, places for recreational activity, colorful wall structures and vibrant lights, the space was turned into the Underpass Park. The transformation not only made it a much safer place, it also brought the community together. People are also encouraged to add their own touch to the park through graffiti.
This excerpt describes the transformed space:
"While much of the space was left open for circulation and flexible activities, a carefully composed layer of multi-functional ribbon-like wall structures were added to help define various activity zones, provide seating and to direct movement throughout the site. The wood-topped bench components of the under lit walls offer a warm counterpoint to the hard and heavy lines of the existing infrastructure. The playful vertical and horizontal undulations of the ribbon walls add visual interest and play opportunities while the associated tall grasses and regional landscape choices provide hints of “wild” within a strictly urban setting. A layer of fanciful children’s play elements are speckled throughout and contribute to the transformation of the space through color, form, and program" (American Society of Landscape Architects, 2016).
The Underpass Park plays a unique role to the community by connecting the people through a vibrant and safe space. Instead of enhancing an already safe park area by adding new features, the Underpass Park completely transforms an unused space into a safe park. For design, how would a space be impacted if a new feature was added compared to transforming what already exists?
References.
American Society of Landscape Architects. (2016). Underpass Park. Asla.org. https://www.asla.org/2016awards/165332.html
Arban, T. (2016). Image of the underpass walls in the newly transformed space. https://www.asla.org/2016awards/165332.html
