Ford City - Urban Renewal
This group project explored the application of urban design in conjunction with Ford City's existing continuous improvement plan; the aim was to propose new developments as well as revitalize the existing streetscape along Drouillard between Edna and Whelpton. I was responsible for modelling the site and improving the existing facades.
Our group focused on the block along Drouillard Road between Edna Street and Whelpton Street. The map to the right was adapted from the City of Windsor's Zoning Maps, in order to better visualize the existing buildings in the area. The stars indicate the location of our proposed major developments.
The commercial corridor heavily reflects the populace of the surrounding area, with many small businesses supporting the community built by blue-collar workers. The surrounding architecture reflects this through lack of unnecessary ornament and false facades; instead the authenticity of the city shines through and embodies the honest and hard work that created it. Ford City has also concretized its morals through multiple murals along the commercial corridor, all of which contain people or symbols of it’s history.
Project Area Study
Street Section at
Drouillard and Whelpton
Proposed Solutions
For our group's project, we focused on three main solutions:
1. The addition of a permanent market space for starting new businesses
2. The addition of a general store with apartments above
3. The improvement of existing street facades and unused green spaces
Click on any of the renderings below to read more about our project.
