GOVERNANCE AND REBIRTH OF URBAN INDUSTRIAL WATERFRONT: LANDSCAPE PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR THE PORT OF HOUSTON, USA

Abstract

With the increase of population in big cities, urban industrial districts are constantly seeking new development to realize the conversion from single-functional to multifunctional systems, to equip the city with diverse public spaces. The Port of Houston operates at the dynamic confluence of industry, transportation, and ecological systems, and has been a major driver of Houston’s economic growth over the last century. However, behind the prosperous economic growth, the port suffers from the isolation with the surrounding communities. Based on the “2045 Port Houston Master Plan,” the Landscape Planning and Design for the Port of Houston project focuses on urban space activation and ecological environment restoration through landscape planning and design methods, while facing the challenges of ecological environment, urban spatial pattern repositioning, and other urban issues. The project is expected to build an economically, socially, and ecologically healthy industrial waterfront zone. Port Houston, beyond its primary function as an economic driver, becomes a more visible and substantial force in urban governance of advancing the region’s activation and resilience.

Keywords

Urban Governance / Industrial Waterfront / Urban Vitalization / Urban Space / Ecological Restoration / Port Houston

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2020 Higher Education Press