How can infrastructure be leveraged to reconnect communities?
2022-2023 | west bottoms in three parts
Preface
In the 2022-23 Academic year, Kansas City Design Center Urban Design Studio produced a catalytic vision study for the West Bottoms in partnership with SomeraRoad development firm and Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK Department of Planning and Urban Design. The purpose of the project was to build on the ongoing redevelopment project and infrastructure planning initiatives conducted by these two partner agencies and contextualize them into an overarching urban design concept for the area, capitalizing on their momentum and leveraging their potential for a broader impact and change. In doing so the studio concentrated on three specific project areas: West Bottoms Warehouse District, the I-70 viaduct connecting the two downtowns, and the West Bank of Kansas River from Kaw Point to the I-670 viaduct. Simultaneously, while focusing on urban design of the specific areas, the project aimed to explore the possibilities of their use as an armature for the generation of an interconnected transformative plan for the regeneration of the entire area and its constructive reconnection to its natural, cultural, and economic assets and its unique urban identity.
UPCOMING PROJECT EVENTS:
We have completed this project and its related events. Check back soon to find links to view the final publication online!
Disclaimer: The KCDC functions as an academic visioning agency only, and does not implement or build the proposed designs from its academic projects. The research, study, and plans developed by the studio may be used by the City of KCK, SomeraRoad, or other applicable organizations to conduct their own development and implementation separate from the KCDC’s project. It is our hope that the studio’s visioning process acts as a conduit for the communities voice to be heard through the design proposal presented.