Urban Aperture: Public Space

Editors note:This is the eighthpost in aseriesby students at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Each piece features an idea for an architectural intervention that wouldto better connect Torontonians with their ravine system. Thedesigns in this series were created as part of Professor Brigitte Shims Thesis Research Option Studio or final Thesis Studio. The work and text in this post is byJessica Ingwersenwhose bio you can find below.

Initial research for this project investigated the interface, the ambiguous line, that exists between Torontoand its ravines. After observing the citys ravinesfrom the outside in,it was clear that they aremainly hidden from view. This has caused them to be underutilized by those not directly inhabiting their borders.

The development of Toronto over the past century has lead to private ownership of parcels of land directly adjacent to the Don Valley Ravine. Landownership is predominantly residential, forming a barrier to the public wilderness below.

There is a disconnect between what the public isable to see and what it is able to access, which influencesour individual perspectives of the ravine. Viewsframed by the built environment present a snip-it of the ravine. Stitched together, these views forma narrative of larger a landscape.

The Site: Riverdale ParkRiverdale Park isan anomaly. A public space at the ravines edge, ithas the potential to better facilitate public access to the ravine floor. It alsoprovides the most spectacular viewof the city skyline. Historically, Riverdale Park used to be a place of gathering for the city. In 1960, the city used the siteas a landfill. Since then, it has beencapped, covered with sod; however this traumatic year drastically altered the citys relationship with thePark.

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Urban Aperture: Public Space