i wanted to draw your attention to an interesting project i came across via landscapeandurbanism – a park being grown along a disused stretch of the elevated railway in New York. the planting schemes are byb Piet Oudolf and it makes good use of the existing features and the sense of disuse and abandonment , while introducing several interesting new features and artworks. i think its going to be a landmark landscape project
Stefan it is indeed a beautiful project, and reminiscent of the promenade plantée in Paris, but it seems much wilder and less municipal. My question is where do the people walk? It looks quite dangerously high-wire from the pictures on the weblink you sent, and all planted without beds/paths. A great project though even if only for the wildlife!
Thankyou for the link! It is wonderful to see the vibrancy of a disused rail-track in bloom! I remembered hearing of hiking trails following disused and used railway [tracks…http://www.tourism.lithgow.com/bushwalks.html%5D See: the glow-worm tunnel and Zig Zag walking track.
apparently there will be concrete pathways running through the park. walking along the disused railways and plant beds though will be prohibited. there is quite a long list of prohibited activities actually, some no doubt essential to health and safety, but some that seem a bit mean. (no feeding the birds!)
There is a Wiki entry on this great project, with illustrations, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Line_(New_York_City). And there is a friends website at http://www.thehighline.org/newsletters/051407.html
Do you know if rail enthusiasts, rail historians and railway engineers are involved in saving the Hiline structure?
Hi Tom
I am a landscape architect / urban designer from New Zealand – I am currently studying at the University of Sydney and writing about the relationship of your book City as Landscape with the landscape urbanists. James Corner, whose firm designed the Highline, is one of the more eloquent of the landscape urbanist thinkers.
Obviously there are no references to landscape urbanism in your book or bibliography – which is understandable since I don’t even think the term had been coined when your book was published. But I was intrigued by the number of similarities between the themes in your book and the ones evident on landscape urbanism, from the obvious ‘city as landscape’ to concerns about process and representation.
Landscape urbanism has arisen in quite a different context but I wondered what your thoughts on this theory are and whether you saw any similarities with your own thinking?
Warm regards Hugh Nicholson
Thanks for your comment Hugh. I agree about landscape urbanism – I have been arguing the case since about 1987! I am on tour at present but will plan a further post on the subject. I actually think the connection with garden design/history is stronger than with landscape architecture design/history.
Thanks Tom
will look forward to it….
There is an article with great photographs of this project in this week’s Dezeenfeed email. Good to note we saw it here first though thanks Stefan!
http://www.dezeen.com/2009/06/15/the-high-line-by-james-corner-field-operations-and-diller-scofidio-renfro/
Fantastic project! Thankyou for the photographs Marian – great blend of urbanism, recreation and landscape.
I walked the High Line last week ! It is an excellent piece of landscape concept and creation . Not only is it a delightful way of walking a piece of New York[starting near 14th St metro stn] but it is user friendly-areas of relaxing seating facing the sun, a quiet water feature, spacious areas,a pleasant and elegant surface to walk on that intermingles with the remaining railway lines, gentle changes in planting to take account of the behaviour of the walkway, some flowers without it looking too ornamental, retaining a slightly natural feel, and evidence it is causing a regeneration of the locality with some interesting new renovations of existing buildings or new builds of striking style. I understand it has been such a success in the locality an extension at the northern end is under way, not that there was much evidence as yet.
If you ever get to NY its a must-see and walk !
I have not been to NYC for twice as many years as I have fingers and toes. So I am looking for an opportunity for a visit and will most definitely walk the Highline.