Transforming Urban Waterways into Wildlife Sanctuaries- Discussion

Day 2 of 2 Transforming Urban Waterways into Wildlife Santuaries Design Forum

Panaelist :

Zachary Demato- Urban Rivers Co- Founder

TNASLA - Landscape Architect

Lauren Dunn- AIA Chattanooga COTE Chair $ Sustainability Director Tinker Ma LLC

TBA

Good design mutually benefits human and nonhuman inhabitants. What we design has a direct impact on the ecosystems in and around the site. Understanding the site dynamics will allow us to be more conscious of our impacts.

AIA Chattanooga is partnering with Urban Rivers, a nonprofit based out of Chicago that has developed floating green and park-like spaces to restore rivers in cities. The organization's pilot project was the Wild Mile, a floating ecopark in the heart of Chicago, that introduced inhabitable greenspace that emphasizes the inclusion of wildlife in a city. AIA Chattanooga COTE (Committee on the Environment) is interested in initiating a project of similar impact locally on Chattanooga's waterfront.

Urban Rivers co-founder Zachary Damato will be visiting Chattanooga on June 9th and 10th to participate in planning discussions, site walks, and community engagement.

The panel will discuss the challenges of a floating habitat installation on the Tennessee River, the significant variation in the water level and water velocity/turbulence, and the potential benefits of this project. Several locations are being considered by the City Parks and Stormwater departments.

(1.5 HSW CEU )Design for Ecosystems - Framework for Design Excellence.

We hope to see you there!