Hancock Neighborhood - Sustainable Places Project

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HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD AUSTIN, TX SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECT Julio Carrillo MAPPED IMAGES SITE ANALYSIS 0 500’ 1000’ 2000’ 1 PREDOMINANCE OF SPACE DEVOTED TO AUTOMOBILES COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS RECESSED FROM THE STREET “TOWNHOUSES” (NOT COMMON IN THE AREA). TREE CANOPY DOMINANCE OF STREETSCAPE, I-35 AS A BACKGROUND BARRIER. TRAILS AND SIDEWALKS AS TRANSITION FROM URBAN GRID TO PARK / GOLF COURSE TOPOGRAPHY DOMINATED BY DROPS TO WALLER CREEK MULTIMODAL OPTIONS MOST PRESENT ALONG RED RIVER PEDESTRIAN- FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT INTENDED FOR “UNIVERSITY PARK” DEVELOPMENT 2 3 5 4 7 8 6 -1-

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Initial field analysis of the Hancock Neighborhood. Austin, TX. 2013

Transcript of Hancock Neighborhood - Sustainable Places Project

Page 1: Hancock Neighborhood - Sustainable Places Project

HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX

SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo

MAPPED IMAGESSITE ANALYSIS

0 500’ 1000’ 2000’

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PREDOMINANCE OF SPACE DEVOTED TO AUTOMOBILES

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS RECESSED FROM THE STREET

“TOWNHOUSES” (NOT COMMON IN THE AREA).

TREE CANOPY DOMINANCE OF STREETSCAPE, I-35 AS A BACKGROUND BARRIER.

TRAILS AND SIDEWALKS AS TRANSITION FROM URBAN GRID TO PARK / GOLF COURSE

TOPOGRAPHY DOMINATED BY DROPS TO WALLER CREEK

MULTIMODAL OPTIONS MOST PRESENT ALONG RED RIVER

PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT INTENDED FOR “UNIVERSITY PARK” DEVELOPMENT

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HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX

SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo

PHOTO COLLAGESITE ANALYSIS

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HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX

SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo

PHOTO PANORAMASSITE ANALYSIS

39TH ST. AT WILLBERT ST.

43RD ST.

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HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX

SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo

These areas were not designed to provide safe and enjoyable experiences to

pedestrians; instead, these are zones where safety issues and similar episodes are more

likely to happen when pedestrians approach them.

Although this area contributes to the house / job balance of the neighborhood, safety

issues and environmental impacts are directly associated to the type of development

this center represents.

POSITIVE:

Strengths and Opportunities can be found in several areas within the neighborhood.

Alternative modes of transportation and

infrastructure are provided along Red

River, emphasizing north-south

connectivity. This is a great axis where

activities can be develop. This could

successfully integrate the community

and bring external visitors. A light rail

system along this street could consistently

support this vision.

Residential streets are defined by tree canopies, providing shaded areas that are

enjoyable to walk. Travel distances and trip generators will be the main challenges in the

area to transform these neighborhoods into more walkable environments.

A bit of innovation is showcased by a specific development, demonstrating that a

townhouse-like residential building can be successfully achieved to contribute with

defining the character of a residential area. This is clearly seen in image 7.

SUMMARYSITE ANALYSISSUMMARY – SITE ANALYSIS Julio Carrillo

The site analysis through Hancock Neighborhood allows us to understand the character

of the community, recognizing its urban form and identifying potential areas for future

development and improvements. Among different factors embedded in this

neighborhood, some issues stand out more than others. The natural environment of the

neighborhood is more evident along Waller Creek and Hancock Golf Course, where

preservation efforts allow us to enjoy these natural environments. Topography of the area

is dominant along Waller Creek, evidencing sloped areas in the urban fabric.

Among these issues, others are identified as positive and negative. Below, a brief analysis

of these:

NEGATIVE:

Some identified weaknesses and threats in the neighborhood are associated to the lack

of sense space due to certain type of development. As illustrated by images 1 & 8 ,

the amount of open space devoted to automobiles is predominant. This is unfortunately

linked to one of the areas with most activity within the neighborhood: The Hancock

Shopping Center.

While this great amount of impervious cover reduces the amount of filtered rainwater for

underground source recharge, it also contributes increasing the heat-island effect.

These parking surfaces also contribute

to rainwater runoff carrying great

amounts of contaminants that are

more difficult to filter before reaching

natural streams or creeks.

Spatially, the streets at the border of the shopping center lack of definition and create

vast open lands with minimum social activity. The urban form of this area it can be

defined as flat concrete and asphalt areas, normally missing shade and trees.

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