New Ecological and Water Infrastructure Framework

Key Framework Points 1. REMEDIATION ZONES+REDEFINED SEWERSHED Through the creation of a water benefit district this project aims to redefine the sewershed into three bands that deploy a unique set of strategies. The coding of these bands correlates to their proximity to the canal and a simplified relationship to the watershed. The first canal band contains the highest polluted runoff sites, as well private sewer shed regions. Remediation strategies include creating a soft extension of the canal that could take the form of a marsh habitat. Mycoremediation and microbial farms could be used as initial cleaning agents to break down solid before the polluted water is moved to the second band. The second band is the main remediation zone that cleans water coming from the most toxic sites. This is accomplished through strategies such as constructed wetlands and interior block rain gardens that give the water time to settle and slowly filter out toxins. The third and outermost band serves primarily to slow down the urban runoff coming from the periphery of the watershed. This is accomplished through the strategic closing of streets with awareness to traffic usage as well as speculated amount of possible run off along the given street. 2. SOFT LAND SITES AND LAND ACQUISITION Key sites have been identified that would allow for the insertion of soft infrastructure and provide the opportunity of bridging between the newly established sewershed bands. Land uses that have been identified include open space recreational zones, public institutions such as schools and community centers, mixed use residential, vacant parcels, and parking lots. 3. MICROBIAL RESOURCES +FUTURE REMEDIATION AND ENERGY A unique habitat of microbes that feed on the toxins of the canal and exist nowhere else in the world represent a unique opportunity. By creating a microbial preserve network that facilitates the production of these novel microbes, the can take on a new identity and bring more energy and attention to the area. Once the preserves are established, we proposes the identification and continued study of successful microbe populations and the creation of sub habitats within the canal tributary. 4. PHASING The phasing would would work such that the remediation bands start closest to the canal and radiate outwards as land resources become available. As this outward expansion

occurs, a connective tissue of riparian strips are created along selected East-West streets. These green strips could replace just parking spots at first and then claim the entire street as time progresses. The idea is that as these streets are transformed into living, thriving beacons of natural processes, they also become destinations for biking and pedestrian activity, adding to the vibrancy of the Gowanus neighborhoods. 5. METABOLIC LOOPS These loops occur between the separate sewersheds and are accomplished through the variable use of green and blue (see below) urban design strategies that address the issue of greywater and urban runoff as well as rainwater capture and retention through the use of small scale interventions. Another option is harnessing a loop of energy within the watershed through the leveraging of the microbe and algal potential within the canal. Detail of Potential Urban Strategies(Highlight) GREEN -Community Garden with Rainwater harvesting -Rainwater detention and storage -streetparks -bio Swales -microbe farm -microbe remediation BLUE -Rooftop rain capture and storage -greywater recycling

TOPOGRAPHIC -sidestreet cuts to deliver runoff from private sewershed regions and drainage points along the edge of the canal. -extensions of tidal basins into new sewer shed network -additional basins added to network