haiti :: repurposing the ravines

Taking advantage of the

natural infrastructure of
Haiti, including the
ecological borders and
ravines that cross-cut
through the urban fabric,
our project proposes to
repurpose the ravines into
spaces that function more
ecologically and spatially.
This could create new
spatial opportunities,
redefining the street
condition along these
natural borders, increasing
accessibility through the
cross-cut, expanding into
the urban fabric.
Ecologically functioning as
a freshwater cycle, these
spaces could also prevent
erosion, clean and filter the
water, and provide natural
habitats.
water :: cross - cut
haiti :: rainfall
AVG PRECIPITATION (mm)
JAN 33 mm
FEB 58 mm
MAR 86 mm
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

FILTRATION COLLECTION FILTRATION COLLECTION

haiti :: rainfall
AVG PRECIPITATION (mm)
APR 160 mm
MAY 231 mm
JUN 102 mm
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

FILTRATION COLLECTION FILTRATION COLLECTION

haiti :: rainfall
AVG PRECIPITATION (mm)
JUL 74 mm
AUG 145 mm
SEP 175 mm
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

FILTRATION COLLECTION FILTRATION COLLECTION

haiti :: rainfall
AVG PRECIPITATION (mm)
OCT 170 mm
NOV 86 mm
DEC 33 mm
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

FILTRATION COLLECTION FILTRATION COLLECTION

haiti :: ravine typologies ravines
haiti :: ravine typologies ravines

river :: to carribean sea

river :: a large
natural stream of
water, longer
than 50 miles,
ending in a
larger body of
water
haiti :: ravine typologies ravines

river :: to carribean sea

ravine du bois de chene

stream :: a body
of running water
moving to a
lower level in a
channel on land

ravine du bois
de chene

river :: a large
natural stream of
water, longer
than 50 miles,
ending in a
larger body of
water
haiti :: ravine typologies intermittent stream ravines

river :: to carribean sea

ravine pintade

ravine du bois de chene

intermittent
stream :: a water
course which
dries up in the
dry season

stream :: a body
of running water
moving to a
lower level in a
channel on land

ravine du bois
de chene

river :: a large
natural stream of
water, longer
than 50 miles,
ending in a
larger body of
water
haiti :: ravine typologies mountains intermittent stream ravines

river :: to carribean sea

300m ravine pintade

ravine du bois de chene

mountain
condition

intermittent
stream :: a water
course which
dries up in the
dry season

stream :: a body
of running water
moving to a
lower level in a
channel on land

ravine du bois
de chene

river :: a large
natural stream of
water, longer
than 50 miles,
ending in a
larger body of
water
haiti :: ravine typologies bridges mountains intermittent stream ravines

bridging
condition

river :: to carribean sea

300m ravine pintade

ravine du bois de chene

mountain
condition

intermittent
stream :: a water
course which
dries up in the
dry season

stream :: a body
of running water
moving to a
lower level in a
channel on land

ravine du bois
de chene

river :: a large
natural stream of
water, longer
than 50 miles,
ending in a
larger body of
water
haiti :: ravine typologies
ravine du bois de chene
approx. 9,500 meters

port-au-prince

bridging
condition

petionville

stream :: a body
of running water
moving to a
lower level in a
channel on land
haiti :: ravine section conditions

street street street terrain

informal
settlement

bridging water inflow opportunities

current conditions :: cross sections

haiti :: ravine section conditions

street
terrain terrain

terrain

terrain

current conditions :: cross sections

haiti :: corridor identity

C
A
haiti :: ravine site section

B
C
500’ 1500’ 3000’
haiti :: repurposing the ravine

NEW PLATFORMS BECOME

INTRODUCTION OF NEW
PUBLIC SPACES

CHECK DAMMING
-POSSIBLE WATER
DISTRIBUTION POINT
-POSSIBLE GATHERING
POINT

A: steep slope, damming dedicated to

erosion prevention
B: medium grade slope, damming
dedicated to habitat restoration and biofiltration
C: low slope, urban condition dedicated to
providing to new public space and biofiltration
haiti :: connectivity
WALKING TIME (MIN) EXISTING : lack of connectivity
10 min
30 min
60 min
120 min

PATHS
existing
proposed
haiti :: connectivity
WALKING TIME (MIN) PROPOSED : repurposed ravines
10 min
30 min
60 min
120 min

PATHS
existing
proposed
haiti :: markets
EXISTING
INFORMAL
SETTLEMENTS

EXISTING
STREET
MARKETS
haiti :: markets
PROPOSED
INFORMAL
SETTLEMENTS

EXISTING
STREET
MARKETS

REPURPOSED
RAVINE
PROGRAMMED
INTERSECTIONS
haiti :: vertical connectivity
CARACAS, VENEZUELA : Vertical Connectivity

Caracas Metro Cable

Gondola system
by Urban-Think Tank
Extends from 1056m
at base to 2103m at
highest point

+2103 m

+1056 m
qian’an city :: ecological corridor
qian’an city :: ecological corridor
taizhou :: infrastructure ecologies

the infrastructural studies performed for the chinese city of taizhou exemplify a more holistic approach to infrastructural design.
identifying the existing network of ecologies allows for a more informed intervention. the main themes of this study have to do
with the understanding of the natural ecology, the cultural importance of specific spaces, providing recreational corridors and
providing a framework for controlled population growth.
taizhou :: infrastructure ecologies

understanding flood risks and water management strategies allow for a more informed strategy
taizhou :: infrastructure ecologies

understanding existing networks

of influence is a crucial part of
defining taizhou’s future
infrastructure.
taizhou :: infrastructure ecologies

the outcomoe of the taizhou study offers a series of alternatives that reinforce
existing ecologies and seek to create others. the creation of a green corridor
provides a new type of infrastructure that has the ability to transform the city and
have larger impacts on the region.
check dam :: erosion control and water management

check damming used for erosion control

current erosion control techniques being typical guidelines for constructing check dams
practiced in haiti
haiti :: ravine occupancy

trash + rubble

live + play
haiti :: ravine water condition

20 min rainfall

flooding // fresh water limited

haiti :: repurposing the ravines

current conditions :: trash + rubble repurposed ravine :: programmatic opportunities

haiti :: repurposing the ravines

EXISTING PROPOSED
haiti :: repurposing the ravines
Taking advantage of the
natural infrastructure of
Haiti, including the
ecological borders and
ravines that cross-cut
through the urban fabric,
our project proposes to
repurpose the ravines into
spaces that function more
ecologically and spatially.
This could create new
spatial opportunities,
redefining the street
condition along these
natural borders, increasing
accessibility through the
cross-cut, expanding into
the urban fabric.
Ecologically functioning as
a freshwater cycle, these
spaces could also prevent
erosion, clean and filter the
water, and provide natural
habitats.