Biophilic Design

Biophilic Design is the process of integrating nature throughout space and infrastructure.

Studies have shown contact with nature provides a wide range of positive physical and mental health benefits, including decrease in stress levels and increase in cognitive performance.

In what became to be a "watershed study" for many in the biophilic design world, Roger Ulrich explored the Healing Power of Nature. Ulrich conducted a study in which he observed patient recovery from gallbladder surgery. Ulrich observed and recorded the progress of patients who were placed in a hospital room with a window looking out to trees, in comparison to patients whose window faced a brick wall. The study found patients who had a mere sight of nature, recovered faster with the need for less painkillers; this was one of the first cases to show natural features could have recuperative power.

Biophilic Design can create Biophilic Cities, an immense asset in the fight against climate change.

Climate change has been a growing threat to humanity, and the earth, for centuries. There is heavy debate as to what the root of climate change is. Is it overpopulation? Overconsumption? Exploitation? Or is climate change a result of systemic failures within politics, society, and the economy? Regardless of its source, the climate change is a pressing global matter that will not simply disappear.

Biophilic Cities have the potential to be the key to mitigating effects of climate change, preparing resilient ecosystems for generations to come. The foundation of biophilic design is one's proximity to nature - nature filled with flora and fauna working to survive and strengthen the ecosystem. Whether the application of nature is a park or landscaped buffer, a green wall, green roof, rain garden, or bioswale, urban nature is crucial to the resiliency of a city. A few the resiliency benefits are listed below:

• Air quality
• Biodiversity
• Drought Reduction
• Erosion Control
• Flood and Stormwater Control
• Public Safety
• Reduced Urban Temperatures
• Social Capital
• Water Quality and Wildfire Mitigation 

Within the city lies thousands of residents, surrounded by concrete buildings, parking lots, and industrial infrastructure. The principles of urban density create barriers to integrating nature, but studies have shown all urban residents need daily access and contact with the natural world. Cities, like New York, have taken steps to implement biophilic design and create new amenities and natural ecosystems within the urban fabric.

The High Line - located in New York City, New York - was previously a rail line, supporting freight trains and cargo trains throughout its history. During its times of disuse, residents would call the High Line "an ugly eyesore". Demolition almost occurred. Through a non-profit conservancy, Friends of the High Line, initiated the transformation of the rail line into what it is today. Today the High Line is a 1.45 mile-long greenway, dedicated to public space and gardens. It is maintained, operated and programmed by the Friends of the High Line and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Free to all, the High Line also hosts public programs, community and teen engagement, and world-class artwork and performances.

Cincinnati lies in a valley and because of that, Downtown faces higher concentrations of smog and pollution than other areas of the city. Despite needing tree canopy and vegetation to balance the hardscapes and industrial realities of a downtown, Downtown Cincinnati has almost no tree canopy - less than 8% to be exact. Not only does this exacerbate the urban heat island effect, but the constructs of cities and density limit the presence of green space.

Investment in green infrastructure is crucial to the resiliency of Cincinnati, and even the surrounding region. Downtown is a suitable neighborhood to begin this network due to its proximity to a major pedestrian bridge, and the benefit it could provide to its residents.

Like many U.S. cities, Cincinnati majorly relies on vehicular transportation - especially cars. In terms of daily commute, majority of residents within Downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine drive to work.

With the numbers shown, it is interesting to note the infrastructure in place for each of these modes of transportation. An increase in public transportation use is promising given the city's new commitment to Bus Rapid Transit. But, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is lacking. Without proper infrastructure, there is no incentive to opt for another mode of transportation, other than the convenient car.

The Purple People Bridge is the catalyst of this green corridor, linking Cincinnati to Newport, Kentucky; this link is an opportunity for a regional network of green infrastructure and pedestrian mobility. While each site has more than potential application of biophilic design via green infrastructure, a select number interventions will be addressed.

The Purple People Bridge, formerly the Newport & Cincinnati Bridge, was built in 1872. Stretching 2,670 feet, 0.5 mile, across the Ohio River, this bridge was the first railroad bridge between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. After it retired from its rail use, on April 19, 2001 the bridge was placed on National Register of Historic Places and permanently closed to automobiles. In 2002 Newport Southbank Bridge Company, now the Purple People Bridge Company, repainted and began surface maintenance to transform the structure into pedestrian bridge that is known today.

As intended, the Purple People Bridge does physically connect Cincinnati's riverfront and Northern Kentucky, but it does not provide any connection past the riverfront on either side.  The bridge claims to be a people connector, recreational trail, event space, and community asset improving economic development and quality of life, but how does this happen when the bridge is simply a concrete path? Recreation can be a lot of things, but being outside the hope is recreation involves some form of nature. While the bridge provides river views, there is no green space, vegetation, or tree canopy to provide that connection to nature.

The Bridge is estimated to have 800,000 visitors every year - Imagine the potential use and widespread benefit if it was a park? Innovative green projects such as the High Line have proven to be sustainable and profitable, creating jobs for the local economy and laying grounds for native species to return. Not only would the redesign of the Purple People Bridge provide further recreational opportunity, but education and natural connection; even air quality surrounding the bridge would improve as the tree canopy captures CO2 and gasses emitted by barges and industry nearby.

The infrastructure of the Purple People Bridge is historic, and should be preserved to the best of ability. Within sustainable design, it is crucial to capitalize on existing infrastructure and resources versus destroying them.

As the Purple People Bridge stands, it has two main pedestrian pathways. One is 10 feet wide, while the other is 30. Each walk path is separated by 5 feet of the metal bridge skeleton. While separated paths can be beneficial, complete separation creates isolation between pedestrians and cyclists.

The proposed redesign of the Purple People Bridge builds off the existing culture of the bridge, while optimizing space, use, and capacity. As seen above, the redesign consists of thirteen added platforms, or decks. Rounded to give a clearer view of the city, these platforms will serve multiple purposes.

Maintaining the base structure and connecting the existing platforms can create 50 feet of walkable, bikeable surface. In addition, the arched platforms provide an additional 50 to 90 feet, for natural vegetation, green infrastructure, and other programming. The existing metal barriers will be partially dismantled, to create openings between pathways and sections of the bridge.

Aside from introducing tree canopy, impervious services, native gardens, and urban agriculture to the community, the new bridge design provides ample opportunity for recreation, relaxation, and education.

Canopy Zones

• Provide shade and shelter from solar rays, mitigate the effects of urban heat island
• Capture carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions
• Sense of place, in an urban oasis

Sensory Garden

• Immersive experience within nature
• Opportunity for education on plant species
• Potential Partner: Krohn Conservatory

Lookouts

• Unobstructed view of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky skyline
• Intimate coves for relaxing in nature
• Potential location for pop-up vendors and markets

Wildflower Garden

• Reintroduction of native pollinator species
• Opportunity for education on plant pollination
• Increased biodiversity

Edible Green Wall

• Fresh produce for surrounding community
• Investment in urban agriculture
• Opportunity for education on growing food and cooking with fresh ingredients, partner with local chefs and restaurants

Grass Prairie

• Open space for universal, transitional use
• Opportunity for yoga, exercise classes, picnics, and community gatherings
• Potential location for pop-up vendors and markets

Fishing Deck

• Recreational aquatic sport opportunity
• Peaceful lookout
• Opportunity for education on local fish populations, and safe, ethical fishing practices

The sub-sequential map demonstrates a concept for mobility and connectivity on the bridge. There are designated bike and pedestrian pathways, each with separate stretches of independence to ease flow and movement throughout the bridge. With this redesign, pedestrians and cyclists have the opportunity to travel through each bridge section. The goal within this concept is to facilitate relationships with nature and other community members, while creating a safe, enjoyable experience on the bridge.

Although parking lots are a necessity, due to the historic development of American cities, parking lots are often eyesores and major contributors to stormwater runoff. The image below is the view coming off the Purple People Bridge in Cincinnati. The existing "trail" that connects to the bridge, borders this parking lot. With the bridge redesign, it is crucial to build a green network to support the accessibility and practicality of green infrastructure expanding the natural fabric.

Pete Rose Way is a heavily traveled road in Downtown, Cincinnati. Although separating the city from the riverfront, this road provides necessary access to sports and entertainment nearby. This parking lot although at times needed, is an eyesore and contributor to stormwater runoff.

• Permeable Pavement and Landscaped Islands
• Impact: limits flooding and water collection, provides urban landscape with natural elements, introduces native bird and insect species to the area

• Opportunity for artist markets, gardening, local gatherings, bands, food festivals

Underpasses are often poorly lit, requiring the need for noticeable pedestrian connections - which this space is lacking. Underpasses foster runoff, increasing the demand for stormwater infrastructure beneath. The image below is a view along the existing "trail" that connects to the bridge to Downtown.

The E 3rd Street underpass is a node to the rest of the existing sidewalk network, connecting the Purple People Bridge to Downtown. Although an existing connection, this area is not marked making it dangerous, and undesirable to choose as a mobility route. The presence of green infrastructure can increase visibility and awareness in an area.

• Rain Gardens
• Impact: capture store and infiltrate rainwater, rainwater can repurposed rainwater for other use

• Interactive nature play-scape
• Opportunity for gardening and education on: plants, stormwater runoff, and water cycle

E 5th Street is a major connection through Downtown, Cincinnati. Along this street lies Fountain Square, a cultural and community gathering space. For residents living in close proximity, or those traveling from the Purple People Bridge, pedestrian infrastructure is crucial for safety and mobility.

Being a major vehicular connection, for any pedestrian or cyclist traversing E 5th Street can be daunting. The existing Purple People Bridge trail network (unmarked) connects to this road, despite its conditions. Although adequate sidewalks in some stretches, others are narrow and unsafe.

• Bioswales and Protected Bike Lanes
• Impact: plants, trees, and soil slow water runoff and filter it before reaching ground water, limits flooding

• Protected bike lanes encourage alternate forms of mobility
• Immerse residents in urban fabric while being connected to nature and protected from vehicular traffic

Buildings are the foundational blocks of city infrastructure. Unfortunately, their hard exteriors absorb and reflect solar rays, increasing surrounding temperatures. Cities often experience the heat island effect due to the concentration of hardscapes, and lack of natural vegetation and tree canopy.

This block of buildings consists of the Duke Energy Center, and other commercial buildings with large roof surface areas. Bordering Vine and E 5th Street, these buildings could play and intricate role in the green infrastructure network. Although both big and small applications have been successful, for a larger impact, larger green roofs are required.

• Green Roofs and Green Walls
• Impact: mitigate heat island where tree canopy lacks, green roofs reflect heat versus absorbing heat, and cools surrounding air while filtering pollutants
  • Lowers energy costs, decreasing electricity demands and eventually fossil fuel production and pollution

• Community Garden
• Rooftop Park
• Urban Agriculture

Alleys are historical intricacies in many cities. Cincinnati has an extensive alley system, with impervious drainage existing. While some stormwater management is being done, alleys are often underutilized spaces, neglected within the urban fabric.

Pendery Alley has the opportunity to connect the Vine Street Corridor to Washington Park, a large community asset in Over-the-Rhine. This alley could provide an alternate pedestrian connection for residents and visitors between Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

• Green Alley - Landscaped Beds and Green "Vine" Walls
• Impact: increase connectivity between local destinations, inherently green leads to more pedestrian opportunities, storing and filtration of stormwater

• Restaurant seating
• Music Gathering Space
• Art or Sculptures thr0ugh Plants and Vegetation

Through the applications of Biophilic Design, Cincinnati can become a Biophilic City, catalyzing off the redesign of the Purple People Bridge into an urban oasis. This Plan can be used as a model for other local applications, and has the potential to expand regionally.

Sarah Tengen