Client: Xiente (Norris Square Community Alliance
Project Location: Norris Square, Philadelphia, PA
Project Year: 2022-2024
Project by EPARQUE URBAN STRATEGIES
Position: Analyst/Designer
A historically Puerto Rican neighborhood, Norris Square is following other neighborhoods in Northern
Philly in gentrification and displacement. As a part of a bigger group of planners and analysts, my role was to:
Philly in gentrification and displacement. As a part of a bigger group of planners and analysts, my role was to:
» Combine analytical tools with a deep understanding of urban design and placemaking strategies and conduct insightful analyses of planning and architectural designs, making them an asset committed to design excellence and shaping vibrant and sustainable environments.
» Craft comprehensive urban design frameworks, infusing creativity into placemaking strategies, developing insightful land use and zoning maps, conducting in-depth spatial and socio-economic analyses, researching and creating case studies, and producing maps, reports, and presentations.
» Data storytelling through infographics and delivering print materials such as booklets, flyers, and reports.
» Craft comprehensive urban design frameworks, infusing creativity into placemaking strategies, developing insightful land use and zoning maps, conducting in-depth spatial and socio-economic analyses, researching and creating case studies, and producing maps, reports, and presentations.
» Data storytelling through infographics and delivering print materials such as booklets, flyers, and reports.
SERVICES
Cultural Asset Mapping
Placemaking
People-Centered Strategy Development
Data Storytelling
Infographics and print materials such as booklets, flyers, and reports
THEME 1: ACTIVATING VACANT LANDS
This theme includes strategies that focus on putting existing vacant land to productive use, especially in areas lacking investment. Recommendations include requesting government-owned parcels for public use, identifying sample blocks for intervention, tailoring them to address specific issues, and suggesting public and private uses.
Activation of Contigous Lots
Activation of Corner Lots
Activation of Infill Lots
Activation of Through Lots
THEME 2: BOOSTING IDENTITY VIA CULTURAL EXPRESSION
This theme includes strategies to preserve the historic and industrial character of housing (rowhouse) and incorporate Puerto Rican heritage by developing a cultural asset map, aligning residential development with existing typologies, and creating guidelines for potential new developments.
THEME 3: ENHANCING SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL AMENITIES
As a potential hub for industrial and commercial businesses in Norris Square, strategies in this theme focus on determining feasibility for the neighborhood that emphasizes social, environmental, economic, and cultural scopes of the urban life along American Street.
Enhancing American Street’s Landscapes
Redesigning American Street for Businesses
Activating American Street with Cultural Activities & Spaces
THEME 4: PROVIDING HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY
This theme focuses on strategies that ensure affordability, cultural preservation, and economic mobility through the repurposing of buildings and the proposal of various housing typologies, aiming to provide housing options at multiple income levels.
Multifamily Townhouses
Attached Single Family Housing
Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Buildings for Housing
