2011-01-16

Harvest City Haiti "A Concept to Recovery"

Harvest City is a Floating Agricultural and Industrial City for Haiti


Boston-based architect E. Kevin Schopfer in collaboration with Tangram 3DS (visualization) envisioned "Harvest City" in Haiti as a floating agricultural / light industrial city off the shores of the island. Harvest City would be a vibrant fully functioning city of 30,000 residents which embraces three major concepts.

1. The creation of an artificial, floating, productive and livable land desperately needed for Haiti.

2. A city designed based on the principle of Arcology (Architecture and Ecology) which embodies an ecologically sustainable and practical urban platform.

3. That harvest City should be established as a “Charter City”. Charter City is a relatively new and advanced economic model specifically developed for struggling nations.








Harvest City, Republic of Haiti

'A Concept to Recovery'

Architects: Schopfer Associates LLC

Introduction:

Since the tragic earthquake of 2010, Haiti has been the subject of worldwide attention. All would agree, the devastation seems particularly cruel to this struggling country. Massive relief efforts have been forthcoming and have demonstrated considerable generosity and determination from individuals, organizations and countries. For Haiti to stabilize, this effort will require a consistent long term commitment. There is no one solution to solve all of Haiti’s problems. Rather it will take a thoughtful program of balance and renewal. In the most simplistic terms, much attention has been focused of establishing basic ingredient for recovery.

Harvest City Haiti Harvest City Haiti Buildings Harvest City Haiti Proposal Harvest City Haiti Design


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Master Plan

Harvest City is envisioned as a 2 mile diameter complex of tethered floating modules. The overall design is divided into four zones or communities interconnected by a linear canal system. The four major canals will focus built neighborhoods consisting of four story housing complexes. The outer perimeter of the design is predominately “one acre” crop circles with secondary feeder canals. The inner “harbor” will house the city center with schools, administrative, community activities and general marketplace. The entire complex will float and be cable secured to the sea bed. Because of its low profile, low draft dead weight capacity and perimeter wave attenuators, hurricanes and typhoon will have little effect other than collection of much needed water harvesting. A breakwater will be constructed to add to the city’s stability. (It should be noted, this proposal suggests using all the concrete rubble debris from the earthquake as the breakwater filler.) Harvest City is seen as the first floating city for Haiti. The system of floating platforms allows for a master plan to grow and link to other future cities within the harbor.

Harvest City Haiti Harvest City Haiti Buildings Harvest City Haiti Proposal Harvest City Haiti Design

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Conclusion

The proposal of harvest City is both a bold and simple idea. It attempts to bridge both short and long term objectives for Haiti’s ongoing recovery. As stated before, Harvest City is seen as a complimentary element of that recovery. This initial program should be viewed as conceptual only and can easily accommodate whatever program is determined. Innovation, when appropriately applied, is a tool which can solve problems and provide refocused hope on seemingly unsolvable situations.

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