Lake Calumet

"Landscape urbanism addresses planning as a broader ecological, environmental, infrastructural, and social-cultural processes constituting design of open spaces as the center of civic, institutional strategies and engagement. A design study was considered for the MWRD (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) biosolid drying facility located in Chicago’s Lake Calumet region of southern Cook County, Illinois. As wetlands are not recommended in site selection for implementation of biosolid drying facilities, these drawings reflect minimization of the biosolid drying fields with the accumulation of larger naturalized buffers to shorelines acting in accordance with US EPA recommended best management practices. By grading the landscape with shown contour lines, the sloping of the terrain enhances and improves storm water management. This is also assisted with further implementation of native plantings and natural resource restoration. Naturalistic native plant associations emulate the historic landscapes of the Chicagoland area, helping to restore a special “sense of place” and visual identity to the prairie environment. Moreover, they can provide habitat for indigenous and migratory wildlife. Successful establishment of these native associations on vacant industrial sites can expand vital habitat opportunities for wildlife species, as well as provide them with potential areas for movement between natural areas adjacent. Expansion of these wildlife habitats and historic landscapes will help reconnect the human population with our natural heritage. My research in the Lake Calumet region is examination of the implications of natural resource management in an industrial corridor through design. This image was created in Photoshop."