El Paseo: Designing an Urban Greenway
Students Heading link
- Pengcheng Wang
- Jack Timmins
- Qin Wang
- Griffin Fuller
- Alyssa Solomon
Project Description Heading link
An urban greenway is a strip of undeveloped land in an urban area used for recreation and environmental benefits. In the case of El Paseo, former railroad networks which had once carried freight in the Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods will be repurposed to provide a new walking and bicycling trail for pedestrian users. Green infrastructure and rails to trails concepts have been implemented by many urban areas and have proven to provide transportation, environmental, social, and economical benefits. The construction of El Paseo aims to connect users between the Near West and South Sides of Chicago via bike and walking paths. The stormwater collection model will be calculated using HEC-HMS, the level of service of the roads intersecting the trail will be improved using HCS and VISSIM, and the 2-D and 3-D rendering of the trail will be drafted using Microstation and Sketchup. Through these programs, a comprehensive design for a section of El Paseo between 21st Street and Cermak Street in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood will be made. Urban greenways aim to conserve the natural environment, elevate the public health of the populace, and increase local commerce. El Paseo is projected to accomplish these objectives sustainably and become a respected staple of the community for all to enjoy.