Ecological Reclamation In The Lower Garden District: Market Street Power Plant
Date
2023-05
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Abstract
Description
The Market Street Power Plant, located in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans, stands as a towering symbol of the city’s industrial past despite its prolonged abandonment. Its 1920s-style architecture and riverfront location make it an ideal site for adaptive reuse and ecological reclamation. Adaptive reuse refers to repurposing existing structures (i.e. the post-industrial building) for new functions, while ecological reclamation is the process of assisting the recovery of severely degraded ecosystems to benefit native biota by establishing habitats, populations, and communities. Neglected sites pose both environmental risks and significant opportunities; ecological reclamation can transform them into sustainable developments that promote ecological health and cultural heritage (Milligan,2022). By integrating biophilic design principles, this project will enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal while promoting sustainable practices and ecological benefits (Xue,2019). Biophilic design is the incorporation of natural elements and patterns into the built environment to foster human-nature connections. The inclusion of vegetation and other natural elements can help mitigate negative environmental impacts, such as pollution and the urban heat island effect (Kennon,2015). The Lower Garden District is an urban area lacking access to nature, and the introduction of green spaces through ecological reclamation can increase biodiversity, improve air and water quality, and support the well-being of local residents (Feng,2018). This is achieved by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing social connections, and reducing stress.
To achieve these ends, the project will focus on three main objectives:
Function Specific Successional Plantings:
will promote ecological reclamation perform specific functions, rather than chosing based on native/non-native distinctions, that improve the sustainability of urban living and contribute to biodiversity conservation and provide at least one of the nine key services: flood control, soil stabilization, fire control, climate control, water treatment, habitat for endangered flora and fauna, pest control, air purification, and modulation of human immune systems.
Green Corridor Installation:
will create a pedestrian connection to proposed extention of Convention Center Blvd to reduce vehicular use and integrate the Lower Garden District into the city.
Factory Integration:
will bring ecological implementations, such as water features and plantings, into the abandoned factory while keeping the building’s history apparent to create an immersive experience for visitors to explore and enjoy the rejuvenated site.
The Market Street Power Plant offers a unique opportunity to boost the environmental health of New Orleans while addressing the need for natural elements in urban areas, but achieving this goal requires a transdisciplinary collaboration between landscape architects, architects, and ecologists. By embracing biophilic design principles and emphasizing ecological advantages, such projects can improve residents’ quality of life and contribute to the region’s overall ecological well-being.
Keywords
Landscape architecture, New Orleans Louisiana, Adaptive reuse, Market Street Power Plant New Orleans Louisiana