Reimagining the Water City
Block | Neighborhood | District | City | Region | Web
Highway Runoff | City Park | Outfall Canal | Neutral Ground | Washington Canal | Agriculture Street Dump | Lafitte Corridor
Highway Runoff
Zach Gong
Washington University in St. Louis, 2009
Problem
New Orleans' freeways are designed to shed water as quickly as possible. The water flows at high speeds into the storm sewer system, where it swamps the city's pumps, and it cannot be used for irrigation or industrial purposes.
Proposal
Large water tanks situated along the freeway right of way collect and store water coming from the road surface. Water can be gradually released into the storm sewer system, or it can be used for irrigation and industry. The tanks, charged by photovoltaic panels, are illuminated to create a dramatic awareness of the presence of water in the city.
