LOCATION: Sixth St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
TIME: 3/1/2024 - 5/25/2024
DESIGNER: JIA
INSTRUCTORS: Theodore Hoerr & Behrang Behin
Introduction
What should our homeland truly be?
Sky Walk is a project designed to restore the original landscape gradient of downtown Jersey City, transitioning from high-elevation upland forests to low-elevation salt marshes. Serving as high-quality transportation infrastructure, this elevated pathway efficiently reconnects urban residents with nature. The project emphasizes urban ecological restoration, environmental sustainability, and educational opportunities, inviting us to reconsider what our homeland should be—and how cities can coexist harmoniously with the natural world.
Restoration of Natural Conditions
Sky Walk focuses on restoring the natural conditions of the area by recreating the historical gradient from upland forests to salt marshlands. This restoration brings back the native ecosystems that once thrived in downtown Jersey City, promoting biodiversity and ecological health.
Layers:
- Upland Buffer (Non-Hydric Soil)
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Forested Wetland (Hydric Soil)
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Scrub/Shrub Wetland (Hydric Soil)
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Wet Meadow (Hydric Soil)
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Shallow Marsh (Emergent Wetland)
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Deep Marsh (Emergent Wetland)
- Open Water
Connectivity:
Connectivity:
Sky Walk serves as a vital link between green spaces, and urban areas, fostering a harmonious relationship between nature and the city.
Visual Green Connection:
Unobstructed green views provide a seamless and immersive landscape experience.
Pedestrian Connection:
A direct and walkable route ensures easy access and encourages sustainable movement.
Ecological Connection:
The design supports diverse habitats while enhancing stormwater management through integrated wetlands and bioswales. Located within the Piedmont landscape, Downtown Jersey City plays a key role as a critical stopover for bird migration.
Original Condition - Salt Marsh Land
1. Flood Mitigation: Salt marshes naturally absorb and slow floodwaters.
2. Biodiversity: They support a variety of plant and animal species, enhancing ecological diversity.
3. Water Quality Improvement: Marshes filter pollutants and sediments from the water.
Tree Canopy Map
1. Sparse Tree Coverage: Few trees leading to reduced shade, increased urban heat island effect, and less wildlife habitat.
2. High Imperviousness: Extensive impervious surfaces contributing to increased runoff, reduced groundwater recharge, and higher temperatures.
Flooding Map
1. Frequent Flooding Zones: Low-lying areas that experience regular flooding during heavy rainfall and storm surges.
2. Water Management Challenges: Insufficient drainage systems exacerbating flood conditions.
Sky Walk Restores the landscape from forest to salt marsh ecology through layered native planting—reducing flooding, heat, and runoff while enhancing biodiversity and water quality.
(Non-Hydric Soil)
Canopy Layer:White Oak (Quercus alba)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
Understory Layer:Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Herbaceous Layer:Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis)
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Canopy Layer:Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Understory Layer:Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum)
Herbaceous Layer:Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
Canopy Layer:Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
River Birch (Betula nigra)
Understory Layer:Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)
Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris)
Herbaceous Layer:Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Herbaceous Layer:Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Herbaceous Layer:Bulrushes (Schoenoplectus spp.)
Soft Rush (Juncus effusus)
Pickerelweed (Pontederia corda demta)
Herbaceous Layer:Wild Rice (Zizania aquatica)
Cattails (Typha spp.)
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)
Submerged and Floating Layer:Duckweed (Lemna spp.)
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.)
Coontail (Ceratophyllumersum)
Ecological Impact
Sky Walk’s design minimizes human impact on ecosystems while promoting ecological health and resilience.
- Effective Footprint: The elevated pathway creates a more efficient and meaningful interaction between people and nature. By allowing visitors to experience the beauty of plants, especially the canopy layer, it minimizes the physical impact on ecosystems, preserving delicate landscapes below.
- Water Management: Integrated natural systems like bioswales and wetlands filter runoff, mitigate flooding, and enhance ecological resilience, ensuring the restored landscapes remain vibrant and healthy.
1. Upland Buffer Zone: Establish a transition area between developed land and forested wetland to reduce runoff and provide a buffer for floodwaters.
2. Soft Bioswales: Implement bioswales with native vegetation to slow down and filter runoff water before it reaches the forested wetland.
1. Vegetated Channels: Surround the embankment with vegetated drainage channels to purify water as it moves through the system.
2. Surface Bioswales: Implement bioswales on the embankment surface to provide plants with water and direct excess water to lower collection points.
1. Hard Bioswales: Utilize engineered bioswales in densely urbanized sections to connect wetland areas with the embankment.
2. Structural Components: Incorporate permeable materials and engineered soil mixes to support heavy urban runoff.
1. Large Marshland Areas: Designate extensive areas within the embankment for wetland restoration to naturally purify water.
2. Water Treatment Functions: Leverage the natural filtration capacity of wetlands to clean stormwater before it re-enters water bodies.
- Informational Signage: Educational panels along the pathway provide insights into the local flora, fauna, and ecological processes. Visitors learn about the historical landscape and the benefits of restoring natural conditions.
- Promoting Awareness: By immersing visitors in restored natural environments, Sky Walk raises awareness about the value of nature in our lives and challenges us to rethink our relationship with urban spaces.
Sky Walk envisions a future where urban development and nature coexist harmoniously. It invites us to reconsider what our homeland should look like: a highly man-made city or a balanced environment where natural landscapes are integral to urban living. Through this project, Jersey City sets a precedent for sustainable urban development that prioritizes ecological health and community well-being.
Sky Walk is more than an elevated pathway; it is a visionary project that restores the natural landscape of downtown Jersey City and reconnects people with nature. By focusing on ecological restoration, connectivity, and education, Sky Walk promotes a sustainable and resilient urban environment. It challenges us to envision a future where cities are not just concrete jungles but vibrant ecosystems that support both human and natural life.