Thesis Abstract

The revitalization of postindustrial cities lies both in landscape and in culture.  It is important that the core of the city does not lose its potency as industry moves to suburbs and leaves holes in the urban fabric in the way of abandoned buildings and open space because it detracts from the quality of city life and destroys and contaminates more land.  Horizontal urban sprawl is detrimental to a city’s vitality, to mitigate this brownfield sites must be remediated and built upon again.   In the past these spaces have become great urban parks, such as the Highline in New York.  However it is critical that smaller scale sites are revitalized as well and not just as outdoor spaces.  In addition to restoring the landscape and soil quality, culture also needs to be brought back to give the postindustrial city identity again.  This can be achieved by constructing the building in section, engaging water, topography and post-industrial contaminants.