The Highline

fourth year urban design research

1. THE HIGHLINE , NEW YORK URBAN DESIGN SHRUTI CHARHATE NIKITA PATIL HARIKANT V. AJINKYA SHIRODKAR 5 th Yr , SEM -IX

2. The highline is an urban renewal scheme for the unused railway trail going through the city of Manhattan , New Y ork. A linear 1.45-mile (2.33 km) stretch Built it in 1930 as part of the west side improvement plan by Robert Moses , it was used heavily till the 1960’s. B y the 1980’s the plan to revive the rail system started and was strongly advocated by friends of highline(NGO). It became a very successful project as an urban renewal scheme as the ripples of the landscape project caused an increase in the real estate values. Thus it caused a land use change in the area. INTRODUCTION Four options considered are :- Demolition and Development Transit Oriented reuse Commercial reuse Open space reuse

3. DURING DAY TIME

4. DURING NIGHT TIME

5. PARK ENTRANCES: Access to the High Line is possible via any of the access points listed below: Gansevoort Street and Washington Street (elevator access / Differentially abled ) 14th Street (elevator access / Differentially abled ) 16th Street (elevator access / Differentially abled ) 18th Street (only staircase access ) 20th Street (only staircase access ) 23rd Street (elevator access / Differentially abled ) 26th Street (only staircase access ) 28th Street (only staircase access ) 29th Street (elevator access) 30th Street (elevator access / Differentially abled ) 34th Street (ramp access) - open 7 a.m. to sunset The High Line is wheelchair accessible. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the winter, 10 p.m. in the spring and fall, and 11 p.m. in the summer, except for the Interim Walkway west of 11th Avenue, which is open until dusk. It can be reached through 11 entrances, 5 of which are accessible to people with disabilities.

6. ROUTE

7. NEW EXTENSION PROPOSED FOR THE HIGHLINE

8. EXISTING LAND USE PROPOSED LAND USE

9. STEPS OF PARK CONSTRUCTION Removal of Previous Materials Preparation of Site Construction of Landscape ELIMINATION OF PREVIOUS MATERIALS Removal of Steel rails, gravel ballast, soil , debris and a layer of concrete Minor repairs must be made to concrete and steel . Each section of railroad is marked , mapped , and stored for later use . C O N S T R U C T I O N

10. PREPARING THE SITE Steel elements of High Line structure are sandblasted . Repairs are made to the High Line’s Art- Deco railings . Pigeon- proofing installed in beams on the underside of the structure. Drainage system and layer of waterproofing instituted . CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARK LANDSCAPE High Line’s pathways are made of smooth , tapered concrete planks . High Line’s railroad tracks returned . Seating – peel -up benches , alcove seats , sundeck lounge chairs Construction of stairs and elevators LED lighting Soil is delivered and distributed .

11. PLANKING Each concrete plank is 12 feet long and tapered at the ends. The layers of the walking surface are built on a underlying layer of concrete . The system of planks allows for the free flow of water, which is collected for irrigation and directs water into planting beds. REINSTALLATION OF TRACKS The tracks that were marked, mapped and stored are re-installed. The regions underneath the tracks are filled with soil, so that plants can grow up and between the tracks.

12. SOIL PLACEMENT A filter fabric membrane is attached to the planks. Then, soil can be brought to the site. After the plants are in place, an irrigation system is installed and water distributed once all the plants are in place. Until the irrigation system is in place, plants are hand-watered .

13. AGRI-TECTURE

14. PLANTING

15. THE CUTTING OF ENTRANCES 14 tons of steel were removed for the 30 th Street entrance The 30th Street stairs cut through the structure. Steel beams were cut in half to make way for the stairs and elevator . One of the High Line’s I- beams had to be cut for the 14th Street entrance. THE VIEWING SPUR The Viewing Spur consists of 11-by-22-foot steel at the High Line at West 26th Street. The Viewing Spur is meant to recall the billboards that were once attached to the High Line. Frame serves as contrast to billboards. Frame is surrounded by trees, with a platform with benches.

16. THE VIEWING PLATFORM The platform’s foundation is a 15-by-35-foot steel frame. The platform, lit from below, has a transparent floor so visitors can see traffic below. The platform appears as a “floating stage. THE 10TH AVENUE SQUARE Four massive steel panels were cut from the north side of the 10th Avenue Square. Glass windows will be installed where the steel panels were. A stepped wooden ramp allows people to come down to the windows. Careful regulation of traffic was necessary.

17. SEATING

18. NEW ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS ALONG THE HIGH LINE

19. A refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lots of great views. Beautiful plants. Cool apartment complexes. There's a view of the Chelsea Pier that is beautiful. What a great asset this is to the city . If you ever visit NY, this place is a MUST SEE! Very serene and beautiful. A stark contrast of what NY is perceived to be and everything that you would expect from NY. A one of a kind park. Not only the design and the atmosphere of the park unique and innovative, it has transformed a neighborhood which was formally known as the "Death Avenue" into a trendy, upscale, and more importantly, family friendly area. An urban oasis. “So if you are a tourist like me, definitely make time for the High Line. This was one of the first things I did on my trip when I got to NYC and I'm so glad I did. ” MEET THE TOURISTS This park is very well kept, clean, and free of weirdos and panhandlers (at least when I was there).   Rise D. Ewa Beach , HI Seth J. Denver, CO James C. Uniondale , NY Holly G. San Francisco, CA Saya V. Los Angeles, CA Jane R. Little Rock, AR

20. The only reason this is getting 4 and not 5 stars is because of the high security-- I understand that you don't want people going into the shrubs, but the mini rope fences really distract from the experience, not to mention having high-line workers monitoring the place is just a bit annoying . The Highline is such a fantastic getaway inside NYC. For it to be a true sanctuary you have to go when the gates first open, at 7am. MEET THE NEW YORKERS The High Line is not a park in the traditional concept, certainly not to relax.  It's a piece of modern art, a cool urban construction, a show stage for   fashionistas to have more fun, while adding exotic glamour to mix materialism and nature… That's why High Line is SO crowded with European tourists . All the tourist books are touting this as the "new thing to see in NYC." And it really is. But go on a weekday. Deanne R. Manhattan, NY Wendy G. New York, NY Irm M. Manhattan, NY Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY

21. HURDLES Community opposition Political opposition Lack of expertise Funding STRENGTHS Resource management The ability to inspire people . CONCLUSION The High line alters the city park paradigm by engaging the visitor in a densely urban experience of an elevated post-industrial re-use space while utilizing a naturalistic planting aesthetic. By attempting to replicate a “wild” nature, it alters the idea of nature that visitors have in their own imaginations. Such an attempt to simulate wilderness feeds a new virtual reality of the garden; it fuels the mind to both remember past and anticipate future imaginings and challenge the present understandings and expectations of nature. The High Line disguises the Picturesque with the smoke and mirrors of a “naturalized landscape,” making it more difficult for people to understand what ecological quality looks like.

22. THANKYOU