Turning Creeks into the Thread of Community Fabric
East Oakland, California
Instructor: Janette Kim
18-year-old East Oakland resident Melinda Monterroso once said:
“Someone in East Oakland is more likely to be born into poverty, and growing up they will
have a difficult time getting fresh fruits and vegetables. The high levels of air pollution raise
the risk of asthma, which keeps many home sick on school days. Absences, combined with
violence and stress set a lot of Castlemont- youth behind in their studies.”
Another resident, Greggory Higgins, adds:
"It's easier to stay drunk than it is to eat."
Almost every corner of East Oakland has a liquor store. The population of Oakland has been facing the severe consequences of redlining and is heavily polluted due to the surrounding industrial area, heavy vehicular traffic and lack of tree coverage. The community members are facing severely increased rates of asthma, stroke, heart attacks and cancer.
Recreational spaces in this area are very few, and the ones at exist, are often gated off due to liability and lack of funds. Open spaces around the creeks are either parking lots or empty lots with restricted access. A lot of the creeks are culverted and are a flood risk due to sea level and ground waterrise, which is an imminent threat for Oakland over the next 100 years.
We propose daylighting major creeks to facilitate growth along the transportation corridors for a greener, economically stronger and independent community. The proposal will be implemented in phases to mitigate displacement and disruption of the community fabric.
The creek we have chosen to focus on is Arroyo Viejo, which flows under Hegenberger Road all the way to International Boulevard. Hegenberger Road will be narrowed to facilitate the widening of the creeks. We also propose daylighting the creeks in order to provide flood plains that will double as wildlife habitat around the creeks.
We will target the current empty lots and abandoned homes along Hegenberger Road and along the creek to create 3-4 story affordable housing and subsequently buy more lots and build denser housing, thus opening up the creek. The farms with addition to greenhouses could be owned and operated by the owners all year round.
Additionally, we propose capitalizing on the local resident's knowledge of cannabis cultivation. Recently the cannabis misdemeanors since 1975 have been given a full pardon and the new rule says: 50% of cannabis growing permits must be issued to Equity applicants. Equity applicants will receive a minimum of 1,000 sq. ft. of space free of rent for 3 years.
We recognize development only takes place with the involvement of the community, so the proposal will be implemented in stages to not overwhelm the residents.
*Project was done in collaboration with Kshitija Nagarkar.
