The redevelopment of a 6-acre property in Cambridge, MA is well underway. Some of the goals for the project based on community input are;
To complete roadway connections
Create the feel of a residential block within an urban center
Improve pedestrian and bicycle experience
Develop open green spaces and connections to existing neighborhoods and public spaces
Activate the streetscape
Based on these goals, the landscape design seeks to enhance the pedestrian experience for residents and the public through increased connectivity and beautifully landscaped public ways. The pedestrian bridge connection to the Alewife T site makes the Wheeler street extension a significant public corridor. The goal is to provide enhanced street plantings that offer a pleasant pedestrian experience and reduce the carbon footprint, cool the urban heat island effect, and increase floodwater resiliency through the use of species that draw up and transpire significant amounts of water. A public park at the terminus of Wheeler street and the landing of the pedestrian bridge provides a platform for gatherings of all sizes on flexible green space planted with water-loving and pollinator species.
Client: Redgate
Architect: DiMella Shaffer
Landscape Architect: Landworks Studio, Inc.