Gowanus Canal-2010
Gowanus Canal-2105
'Monument -Objects' extracted from the 2105 figure-ground map
Flood Pumps - Figure Ground Relation
Flood Pumps
Built before Hurricane Imelda, year 2027
Built before Hurricane Imelda, year 2027
Hurricane Imelda was an extremely destructive hurricane of the 2027 Atlantic
hurricane season as well as one of the deadliest hurricanes on record until
2027. It has been estimated that 487 people died along the path of the storm.
Flood Water Storage / Quarantine Center - Figure Ground Relation
Flood Water Storage / Quarantine Center
Converted into a hospital and quarantine center after the West Nile Virus Pandemic, year 2035
Converted into a hospital and quarantine center after the West Nile Virus Pandemic, year 2035
The West Nile Virus pandemic was the most wide spread disease of the 21st
century, causing over 25,000 deaths. Its spread was caused mainly by the
exponential increase of mosquitoes breeding in swamp like areas in cities
largely affected by Hurricane Imelda.
Refuge City - Figure Ground Relation
Refuge City
Built before Hurricane Van, year 2051
Hurricane Van was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the three deadliest
hurricanes, in the history of the United States. The total damage is estimated to
have been around $400 billion (2051 USD). Over 7000 people died and more than
2000 families were left homeless. The hurricane caused mass immigration towards
inland areas, leaving the coasts of many states abandoned.
hurricanes, in the history of the United States. The total damage is estimated to
have been around $400 billion (2051 USD). Over 7000 people died and more than
2000 families were left homeless. The hurricane caused mass immigration towards
inland areas, leaving the coasts of many states abandoned.
Coastal Flight Slums - Figure Ground Relation
Coastal Flight Slums
Gradual urban degradation of coastal regions in Brooklyn, peak year 2058
After hurricane Van most of the coastal areas in New York City were no longer
inhabitable. Furthermore coastal areas that were not hit by the hurricane faced
the risk of being hit by future hurricanes and the diseases which followed. This
eventually caused the Coastal Flight. Thousands left their homes on the coast to
move inland followed by the mass inhabitation of abandoned houses by lower income
move inland followed by the mass inhabitation of abandoned houses by lower income
groups in search of free housing.
Radiant Energy Towers- Figure Ground Relation
Radiant Energy Towers
Built after the adaptation of Radiant Energy to the consumer market, year 2074
After often violent free energy protests all around the globe, the free
energy source ‘radiant energy’, was opened up to the consumer market,
lowering the cost of living significantly. The introduction of Radiant Energy
After often violent free energy protests all around the globe, the free
energy source ‘radiant energy’, was opened up to the consumer market,
lowering the cost of living significantly. The introduction of Radiant Energy
cut expenditure on generating electricity by 99%.
Repopulation Act Neighborhoods - Figure Ground Relation
Repopulation Act Neighborhoods
Government based redevelopement of New York City coastal areas, year 2094
The New York Cities Board passed the ‘repopulation act’ in order to redevelop
decayed coastal regions, increasingly abandoned since the hit of mega hurricanes
decayed coastal regions, increasingly abandoned since the hit of mega hurricanes
followed by the west nile virus pendemic spread by mosquitos. They started off
the infrastructural developement by placing enclosed and protected neighborhoods
along the coast.
