URBASTUDIOURBANISME & ARCHITECTURE

Today, the ecological footprint of downtown Oakland is 400 times larger than the actual size of the city itself. With the population expected to double over the next 25 years, it is not only urgent to plan for this growth, but also to reduce water and energy consumption in this city neighboring San Francisco.

In the United States, sustainability issues are generally addressed at the building level, focusing on the use of so-called “green” technologies and national standards. This project aims to address this ecological challenge at multiple scales (street, block, neighborhood, city) while having a positive impact on the quality of life of residents and enhancing resilience in the event of an earthquake.

The main objective is to leverage the 15 hectares of vacant land and parking lots in the heart of downtown and establish a link between densification, renewable energy, and urban resilience.