For millennia, these lands have provided bountiful foods for their indigenous people. In just a few centuries, industrial colonialism invaded and poisoned its water, soil, and air in favor of capitalist profit. Today’s multicultural inhabitants have to live in a neighborhood affected by the waste of automotive and industrial economies. The industry separates and pollutes the surrounding nature, depriving people of accessible, safe, and clean public spaces. This project aims to explore whether a strong food identity can be re-established through the environmental and political advocacy of the current, culturally-diverse community in Lents. How can change happen when people fight for their future by planting seeds for generations to come?
community connections as a catalyst
The design concept is to continue the principles of the green loop and Lents green ring along the foster road. Existing community landmarks will be connected through environmentally restorative green pathways that will shift into CPUL once cleansed. Accessible commuter corridors will invite people into the previously inaccessible ones. These initial investments act as a catalyst for the infill and renewal that the neighborhood wants.
PHASE 02 2023
Breaking down boarders
Breaking down boarders
It is apparent that industrial uses are not suited for flood-prone sites. However, gentrification and displacement are real concerns in this neighborhood. Instead of forcing out 9 local businesses, the tactic is to aid them in making their operations more efficient (vertical car storage, mechanical equipment, tax incentives) in exchange for permission to marginally carve into the existing boundaries to create and improve public infrastructure (walkable/bikeable sidewalks, biophilia, food trucks). These beautiful, accessible pedestrian corridors connect small nodes of public space (plaza, public restrooms, pocket parks). Though small at this stage, these interventions will show the neighborhood potential in a greener, cleaner, and more socially involved connected future on the industrial site. This momentum will lead to advocacy when options become available or are created.
PHASE 05 2030
Eco- Industrial reassembly
Eco- Industrial reassembly
These next few phases follow the momentum created by the earlier ones. It becomes apparent that ecological restoration is critical in community health and the neighborhood is mobilized to take on this challenge. As industrial remnants leave or downsize with technology, the community uses these opportunities to advocate for more usable, restorative spaces. Paved lots are converted to water storage, filtration, and aquaponic farming. Bus shelters become solar collecting parklets. Planters evolve into designed terraced farming. Campgrounds become transitional housing for the homeless. More activity creates more economic and social value for the people who live there, which encourages them to further invest with their voices and dollars.
PHASE 07 2040
Return on investment: Health= Wealth
Return on investment: Health= Wealth
After two decades of gradual change, the site is completely free of toxic industry in favor of valuable public space that bridges surrounding, restored green spaces. This design is exemplary of portland’s 2040 comprehensive plan, and acts as a precedent to future development. Integrated aquaponic and vertical farming systems provide local, resilient food access in addition to cleansing the soil, water, and air. Underwater tanks collect nutrients, plankton, and fish waste to feed adaject edible landscapes. Instead of recycling cars, east Lents now has a local sub-economy built around farming, multicultural cuisine, health, and community experience. The new value is clear with connection to nature, food, and each other. People can bond over meals from their homeland. This gives the residents much wealth to confront their issues, pursue their dreams, and foster future generations.
It is no secret that industrial uses are not suited for flood-prone sites. However, gentrification and displacement are real concerns for this neighborhood. Instead of displacing 9 local businesses, the tactic is to aid them in making their operations more efficient (vertical car storage, mechanical equipment, tax incentives) in exchange for permission to marginally carve into the existing boundaries to improve and create public infrastructure (walkable/bikeable sidewalks, green infrastructure, parks, food trucks). This provides beautiful pedestrian corridors, access to green recreational spaces, and social gathering spaces on foster road, the springwater corridor, and between beggar’s tick and johnson creek. These small-scale interventions can act as a catalyst for future change in Lents.
GROUP PROJECT WITH Keean Tom