harbor competition
Baltimore Harbor is defined by the interplay of geographical advantages, ecological richness, and diverse culture. During the early 19th century, the Harbor was a point for maritime trade that mostly focused around industrial center with its main industry being - sugar plant and steel mills.
The Harbor today is a touristic place: Baltimore city’s central business district weakened over the course of its history and economy is spread out on suburbs that have developed as the regions’ main businesses have phased out from its underlying systems. Piecemeal and uncoordinated development have left Baltimore Harbor vulnerable to the climate stresses that it feels today: sea level rise and storm flooding, urban voids, and vandalism. This growth pattern has been the source of many urban challenges that we experience today declining ecology, associated pollution, and strained infrastructure.
We propose that urban and climate stresses must be thought of as one-by thinking of the Harbor as a Social Ecosystem where ecology, people, infrastructure, and mobility work together as self-reinforcing systems. We developed a language for our new harbor intent Relax, Active,and Connect. We took this idea of how nature has utilize lakes and rivers for centuries.
Implementation of Ecological and social programs to connect the community and the people will strengthen the harbor as a resilient, a sustainable and a creative place to live, to visit, and to play.
