RAVINES RAVINES

LEEN VANTHUYNE

< cover page: fragment of 'Ravines Revaluated' concept collage

COLOPHON

Ravines Revaluated, design reportJune 2014

Thesis project to aquire the title of'Master of Landscape Architecture'Academy of Architecture, Amsterdam

Leen VanthuyneGhent, Belgium

T +32 472 28 32 74W www.leenvanthuyne.comE leen@leenvanthuyne.com

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THANK YOU

This project has been initiated with my curiosity about the exotic and a strong passion for exploration. Thinking back to the beginning of this endeavour, it seems like a lifetime ago. More than once, the voyage I set out for seemed unendurably hard. Many times I have wandered astray, thinking of quitting altogether. Yet, on the contrary to what many people say, I have learned that giving up on a project, with the faintest memory of a passion slumbering, is not easy! The two final months I worked like a bullet train. I am proud to say that this long voyage of mine is now finished and shared with you in this report. Without any doubt, it has been the most difficult thing I have ever done. The path proved lonely, which makes me ever so grateful to the people who were there for support. My biggest gratitude goes to my mentor, Maike van Stiphout, whose guidance and faith in me have never let me down. More thanks goes to my commission members: Steven Delva; for his energetic input, Michael van Gessel; for showing me the beauty of simplifying the complex and Bram Breedveld for refreshing my enthusiasm.

The people of the NHBOS Foundation have been generous in their support. Thanks to them, I was able to finance a part of my study trips to Madeira island.

I would like to finally thank Professor Domingos Rodrigues at Madeira University, for spending days on helping me and for guiding me into the ravines. Also, the input of António de Almeida at Madeira University has been very useful. My special word of thanks goes to António Ferro at the at Funchal Ecoparque for the 4x4 tour and his prompt reply to all of my questions. Many thanks also, to André Freitas and at the city municipality, for discussing transportation issues and plans with me. Thanks to Olga and Irina for being such good company, and special thanks to Søren, for going on a photography expedition for me.

I couldn't possibly forget to mention the support of my parents; many times they have dropped what they were doing in order to help me. Thanks to my boyfriend Pieter-Jan, for enduring my terrible moods and for reminding me of how important this project really is. Thanks to my good friend and confidante Marijne Beenhakker, for always being there for me in Amsterdam. I hope to return her the favour soon. A lot of respect to my bosses at Blauwdruk Stedenbouw; Els Nules and Peggy Totté, for being flexible and considerate, not to forget my colleagues and other fellow (landscape) architects who spent time listening to and commenting on my story: Daniël Veestraeten, Laura Nagels, Seppe, Carole, Joni, Sarah, Yuka, Marlies, ...

Thank you all,Obrigado a todos.

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 9

1. MADEIRA ISLAND POCKET GEOGRAPHY 11 2. RAVINES REVALUATED CONCEPT 17 2.1 Assignment / approach 18 2.2 Concept 19 3. THREE RAVINES MASTERPLAN in FIVE ZONES 21 3.1 Three Ravines Masterplan 22 3.2 Five Desired Landscape Profiles / Identities 22 3.3 Fluvial system 35

4. DESIGN FOR THE RAVINE OF SAO JOAO in FIVE ZONES 39 4.1 Stream Crest 39 4.1.1 Gradoni web construction 40 4.1.2 Rainwater retention 43 4.1.3 Fog interception & scarlet blueberry bushes 43 4.1.4 Gradoni path 43 4.2 Canyon 47 4.2.1 Dams 48 4.2.2 Heritage routes 51 4.3 Suburban valley 53 4.3.1 Valley floor park 54 4.3.2 Rewilded flanks 54 4.3.3 Valley path 61 4.4 Old town canal 65 4.4.1 Reducing traffic 66 4.4.2 Lush gardens 67 4.4.3 Profile work 68 4.4.4 Instituto do Vinho da Madeira 68 4.4.5 Old town boulevard 68 4.5 Debouchment 73 4.5.1 Constipation and government plans 74 4.5.2 Towards debouchment phase 1 75 4.5.3 Towards debouchment phase 2 75

X. ANNEX 79 Maps of design measures Three Ravines Revaluated Tourist map

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INTRODUCTION

This book is a compact distillation of an analytic and creative process that stretched in between 2012 and 2014. The focus of this book is on explaining my design proposal for the Ravines of Funchal, Madeira island. Design ideas and details are extensively handled in both text and image. Only the most important facets of the theoreti-cal framework and landscape analyses, that have directly influenced my design proposal, have been included in this report. Feel free to contact me if you wish to elaborate on the two reports that I have made prior to this one. These are:'The Ribeiras of Funchal, Graduation Proposal.' (2012) and 'The Ribeiras of Funchal, Landscape Analyses.' (2014)

Please note that I do not wish for this project to be confined in its spreading to the Dutch language zone. That is why I have written all documents in English.

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1. MADEIRA ISLAND POCKET GEOGRAPHY

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12

Madeira is a WILD spectacle of mountains that rises above the surface of the Atlantic ocean. It is a shield volcano, one fifth of which is visible above the ocean surface, built from alternating layers of basalt and tuff. Explosive phases of ash, bombs and fragments of lava alternated with more tranquil liquid phases of lava streams.In contrast with the restful plains of our Low Countries, this is a rough and diverse landscape. Over a distance of 10 kilometres we can distinguish no fewer than five bioclimatic zones. The average temperature hovers around 20 degrees centigrade during the entire year: pleasantly sunny, but the rains can be very intense (with a yearly average of 3000mm of precipitation high in the mountains). In this way the rainwater has carved out deep ravines in the volcanic massif. The island’s capital Funchal was founded where three of these ravines end in the sea.

lookout point in the high peaks, Madeira13

surface drainage and main ribeiras of Madeira island

average annual rainfall on Madeira island

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4 phases of volcanic activity

bioclimatic zones of Madeira island + associated plant communities (Capelo, 2004)

1. supratemperate [supratemperado]: Rupícola de altitude

2. mesotemperate [mesotemperado]: Urzal

3. mesomediterranean [mesomediterrânico]: Laurissilva temperada

4. termomediterranean [termomediterrânico]: Laurissilva mediterrânica do barbusano

5. inframediterranean [inframediterrânico]: Zambujal + Matagal

geologic map of Madeira island (LNEG, 2009)

B6 local basaltic flows + basaltic pyroclasts

B5 local basaltic flows + basaltic pyroclasts

B4 thick and compact basaltic flows

B3 mostly basaltic flows + basaltic pyroclasts

B2 mix of basaltic pyroclasts + basaltic flows

B1 coarse basaltic pyroclasts

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2. RAVINES REVALUATED CONCEPT

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2.1 Assignment / approachMost of the time, Madeiras ravines show no more than a gently rippling streamlet, but this can become a violently churning monster in a few hours. These wild monsters have caused havoc more than once. February 2010 was the worst nightmare in recorded history. The damage was particularly extreme in the capital Funchal because parts of this city are built up till the edges of the ravines. The task is urgent, yet up till now only a few scientists and engineers have given the problem of the Madeira gulches any considera-tion. My landscape plan has a twofold objective: I want to tackle the problem of the mud avalanches and at the same time; revaluate the public face of the ravines. The area around the three gulches (São João, Santa Luzia and João Gomes) still constitutes the founding site the of the city of Funchal. As the situation stands

today they present all the characteristics of a ridiculously oversized gutter, something that inspires horror and is best forgotten and hidden from human eyes.This project presents a case for a much deserved revaluation of these ravines: the time has now come to show these gulches as a useful and attractive man-adapted natural phenomenon that needs to be seen, and will hopefully be seen and visited by many new styled nature loving tourists.

2.2 ConceptTHE RAVINE IS A VERTICAL LANDSCAPE, A GEOLOGICAL CROSS SECTION FROM MOUNTAIN DOWN TO OCEAN.A CHASM THAT GUIDES THE YOUNG AND FEARLESS TOURIST THROUGH THE LAYERED STRATA OF TUFF AND BASALT,THE RAVINE IS A TOUGH AND YET ATTRACTIVE STORY FULL OF ADVENTURE.

violently churning monster (Ribeira de Santa Luzia, Funchal

gently rippling streamlet (Ribeira Seco, Machico)18

collage: Ravines Revaluated concept image

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3.THREE RAVINES MASTERPLAN IN FIVE ZONES

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3.1 Three Ravines MasterplanThe nature of erosion problems and the character of the landscape differ greatly along the course of the ravine, from + 1650 to +0 elevation. Therefore, the masterplan for the three ravines of Funchal is established in five landscape zones. I have defined the zones, based on fluviogeomorphic characteristics (read: the shape of the canyon) elevation and human occupation. A conceptual landscape masterplan drawing on the right shows the extents of the project: the three main canyons of Funchal, from the streambed, along the canyon slopes, up to the upper ridge. In the urbanized parts, the valleys even out, and only the immediate surroundings of the streambed are taken into account. The map defines the boundaries and the landscape characters that are desired for each zone.

3.2 Five Desired Landscape Profiles / IdentitiesOn the next pages, the desired atmosphere is pictured in a profiled landscape collage for each of the five zones. Each collage / each landscape zone is accompanied by an identity card. Please read my cards to grasp the main ideas that will structure the rest of the story.

right: Three ravines landscape masterplan in five zones from top to bottom: zone 1 - 5

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FLUVIAL PROCESS detachment(+transportation)EDGE SLOPE 1:2STREAMBED SLOPE 22%GEOLOGY phaseB3basaltPROBLEMS erosion,desertification,wildfireFEEL cold,inhospitable,windy,cloudyDESIGN gradoniweb

Moistureandsoilisheldinplacewithgradoniincisionlinesontheslopesanddamsinthegullies.Desertificationiscounteredbyplantinggradoniwithindigenousspecies.Acoupleofnewhikingrouteswillbemadealongsidethegradoni,makingtheexistingwalkingnetworkmorevaried.1 st

ream

cr

est

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2

FLUVIAL PROCESS detachment + depositionEDGE SLOPE 1:1STREAMBED SLOPE 15%GEOLOGY phase B2 basalt 50%, tuff 50%PROBLEMS invasive Eucalyptus treesFEEL dramatic, sheltered, enclosed, clear, unambiguousDESIGN leave it be, dam landscape

These dramatic, unaccessible slopes are left as they are. At the final pieces of these zones, new open type dams are implemented, as envisioned by the mainland Portuguese engineers. The new dam landscape is combined with old or new walking routes.ca

nyon

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3 subu

rban

vall

eyFLUVIAL PROCESS detachment (+ deposition)EDGE SLOPE 1:1 - 1:2STREAMBED SLOPE 12%GEOLOGY phase B2 + B6 (latest eruptions)PROBLEMS invasive Eucalyptus treesFEEL sunny, warm, messyDESIGN valley park & new nature terraces

The terraced flanks are rewilded with indigenous species to improve slope stability. A new tourist walking network and accommodation is provided for on the old poios. The valley floor can relax. A linear park accompanies the stream, with more possibilities for urban development.

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4 old

tow

n ca

nal

FLUVIAL PROCESS transportation EDGE SLOPE 1:4 - 1:10STREAMBED SLOPE 7,5% - 3,5%GEOLOGY phase B2 + B6 (latest eruptions)PROBLEMS traffic, wallsFEEL busy, bustling cityDESIGN lush public gardens

Spaces along the canal, small or large, are made more open and abundant in green. Monumental buildings are reorganised to serve a public function. Traffic and parking space is reduced to 50%.

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FLUVIAL PROCESS depositionEDGE SLOPE 0STREAMBED SLOPE 3,5%-10%GEOLOGY phase B2 + B6 (latest eruptions)PROBLEMS obstruction & encapsulation of flowFEEL windy, ocean breeze, sunnyDESIGN sturdy riverside piers

The rivers are made open and unobstructed again. Traffic crossung the canal is reduced to minimal roofing. New, large scale building opportunities arise alongside the rivers mouth. Sturdy riverside piers open up and embrace the marinas.

debo

uchm

ent

1

2

3

4

5

A

fluvial system diagrams A. proposed ravineB. todays ravineC. natural ravine

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B C

3.3 Fluvial systemThe nature of erosion problems and the differs greatly along the course of the ravine, from + 1650 to +0 elevation. Therefore, different fluvial measures should be taken in each of the five landscape zones.Up until now, measures have always been taken in the areas where flooding problems are most visible; in the urbanised areas. In my proposal, the focus of the measures is in the mountains, where precipitation rates are highest, though the soil remains dry and bare.In the stream crest (1), a network of dams and indentations is made to increase slope stability and to minimise run-off.At the end of the deep canyon (2), mainland engineers have planned 3 new open type dams. In the suburban valley (3), the Old town canal (4) and the streams debouchment (5), no new fluvial measures have to be taken. The city can now relax alongside the stream, allowing for new urban development possibilities.

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4.DESIGN FOR THE RAVINE OF SAO JOAO

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gradoni web plan fragment scale 1:1000

gradoni web plan fragment scale 1:1000

4.1 STREAM CREST

LevadadaNegra

phase4gabiondamonRibeiradeSãoJoao

F1

basalticlayertoleaveuntouched

10m

F4

F2

F3

F4

F5

F1

scheme: construction of gradoni web phase 5reference: fine and light like a spiders web

4.1.1 Gradoni web construction‘Gradoni’ is the Italian word for steps, or platforms. The gradoni will be built to counteract the problem of the erosion on the slopes. It is fine and light like a spider’s web that retains small amounts of moisture in an arid environment. These gradoni are con-structed following a mathematical pattern: during the first phase an incision is made every 50 meters. Where a new gully comes into existence, parts of the gradoni will erode inevitably. To protect the existing gradoni a new series of gradoni is constructed 10 meters above the old ones (phase 2). In that way the spider crawls up the mountain between the wires of its own web. The interval was designed on the basis of the vertical spacing. This rhythm makes certain that steep slopes are better protected than light ones. The vertical features of the landscape are thus accentuat-ed. When a levada water channel traverses the

F5

F4

F3

F2F1

slope, or thick layer of pure basalt crops out, the gradoni will is suspended for a while.

The width of a gradoni is kept at a minimum, but such that it can still just barely be con-structed by machine. All the material that is dug up is reused on the site: the smallest basalt stones and the tuff are heaped on the side of the excavation and the bigger basalt rocks are transported to a gulch on the same level. Each time a gradoni crosses a gulch the material is used to build a dam. Gabions are the best option; they are yielding and will adapt their shapes when hit by falling rocks. The construction is basic and can be implemented by local contractors. Only the empty gabions need to be hauled up the mountain side, the rest of the material is already there waiting to be picked up.

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phase1gabiondamonRibeiradeSãoJoaosidebranch

F4

basalticlayertoleaveuntouched

F1

F2

F3

section: gradoni web scale 1:1000

collage: gradoni and gabion dam

collage: Levada da Negra crossing gradoni

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CUT

FILL

75%tuff + small basltic chunks

(sift fall-out)

24%basltic chunks(sift residue)

1%columnar basalt(handselected)

= + +

2m3/m

80mm/h rainstorm

RAINWATER RETENTIONagainst mudflowscapacity for at least one hour of a

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5100mm/y 2966mm/y

FOG INTERCEPTIONagainst desertification200 foggy days/year

4.1.2 Rainwater retention The incisions in the slope are numbered in such a way that if the complete web is implemented, they are capable of retaining one hour’s worth of the heaviest rainfall of the 2010 disaster. This is one hour of a 80mm per hour rainstorm, about a quarter of the water that fell on in the mountains on 20 February 2010 (333mm/day).

4.1.3 Fog interception &scarlet blueberry bushesThe gradoni will be planted with indigenous vegetation: heathers and small trees in a downwards evolving mixture with a homogenous aspect. The bulk of these are pioneering plants. Two special species will dominate the view: Erica arborea and Vaccinum padifolium. The Erica arborea has a beautiful silhouette and a very special talent: the leaves of this small tree are capable of condensing the moisture in the mist in such a way that an occult precipitation will drip on

the soil. Note that the mountain regions of Madeira have a persistent nebulous covering; more than 200 days per year. Fog interception results in the gradoni soil being permanently moisturized. Other plants will spontaneously settle in this environment. The shrub Vaccinum padifolium, a pioneer, is the Madeiran indigenous variety of our blueberry. In July and August, he fruit will attract birds as well as people. In autumn, the blueberry shrubs will paint the gradoni in a vivid scarlet.

4.1.4 Gradoni pathThe most compact basalt shards, won out of the eruption veins, are selected by hand to be used in the construction of a gradoni trail. On two levels in this chasm the gradoni web will be extended with a new type of trail: a path along the down side of a gradoni. The path is narrow but a retaining wall of dry stacked shards offers a psychological support. Trail,wall and gradoni form a unity.

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1700-1600

1600-1500

1500-1400

1400-1300

1300-1200

1200-1100

1100-1000

1000-900

small trees dwarf trees

25%

25%

25%

25%

LEVADA da Negra

(existing)

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gradoni planting scheme

25%

shrubs fern

GRADONI path

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dams plan fragment scale 1:1000

dams plan fragment scale 1:1000

4.2 CANYON

4.2.1 DamsAn existing dam was able to limit the damage in 2010. Lessons from the 2010 have resulted in the planning of new open type dams for the three ravines of Funchal (Portuguese engi-neering corps). Open type dams are new to the island of Madeira, but they had been developed for centuries in Japan. Here the rocks are sieved out of the river soup. It is an open air factory where blocks of rock are being hoisted incessantly in order to be extracted from the site. Down in the valley, in the stonemasonry, the freshly harvested rocks are processed into building materials for the downstream pathways.

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collages: Levada da Madalena route crossing the old dam, overlooking the new dams

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LEVADA da Madalena

(existing)

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LUMBERJACKpath(existing)

4.2.2 Heritage routesThe Levada da Madalena is a forgotten levada. Now, it can be reached by a gradoni trail. The path is frighteningly narrow; 50 centmeters at its widest, at times you have to scramble across the bare rocks with only the rocks for support.The further we descend, the more trees we see around us. Eucalyptus is an invasive species that was introduced centuries ago by the Portuguese. Following the discovery of the island in 1419 the ancient Laurissilva woods were gradually felled, the resulting wood constituting a prime export material. After literally centuries of felling it became evident that the exposed slopes had become extremely vulnerable to the effects of erosion. The different species of Laurissilva don’t germinate easily in barren and adverse circumstances and they are slow to grow, all the more reason

to sow Eucalyptus. The old lumberjack trail is a remnant of the centuries of logging. It follows the crest of the massif.Eucalyptus doesn’t fix the soil as well as the different Laurissilva species, instead they drain the soil instead of enriching it (Laurissilva is also a mist dependent ecosystem), they kindle easily and so tend to propagate forest fires. Eucalyptus is hardly a friendly type of tree. It is rather selfish and maintains only itself. The problems caused by this Eucalyptus plague are also evident elsewhere: it is an island wide problem, the Canary Islands met with the same fate.It is beyond the scope of a landscape architect’s job to offer transformative solutions here.

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'‘Late Volcano Climbing Park’ fragment scale 1:1000

'‘Late Volcano Climbing Park’ fragment scale 1:1000

4.3 SUBURBAN VALLEY

A existing valley cross section scale 1:2000

B existing valley cross section scale 1:2000

C existing valley cross section scale 1:2000

D existing valley cross section scale 1:2000

4.3.1 Valley floor parkAfter the dams, the valley floor widens and is

filled with an urban fringe of land-uses; mainly

car dealers and construction companies,

but also a number of sports facilities. There

is a basalt processing plant, in proximity to

the existing dam. Large strips of valley land

have remained fallow. Downstream, shops,

residences and flower beds begin to appear.

On the long run, the goal is to transform the

fragmented valley floor to a park, guided by

the river. The valley park is fluctuating in width,

but is one continuous green zone. It is an open

grassland with wild strips of trees and shrubs.

It is state owned property and it can be exploited

in an extensive way: extracting invasives and

mowing twice a year will suffice. Alongside the

park, potential development zones are indicated;

a zone reserved for processing basalt (A), close

to the new dams, followed by a second zone for

sports and recreation (B). Car dealers and con-

tractors are encouraged to move to new grounds

provided by the government. The third, low risk

zone (C), will be able to host more houses and

shops. The fourth zone (D), close to the city, is

preferably park-only and free of new buildings.

While the park is an essential feature in the

new landscape, all of the development is merely

potential on the long term.

4.3.2 Rewilded flanksAs is the case in the canyon, the upper parts

of the flanks here are covered with invasive

species (A). Eucalyptus and acacia do not protect

the flanks as well as the indigenous Lauris-

silva wood. Further down (B, D) the flanks

are developed in narrow agriculture terraces:

poios. Most of these terraces are abandoned,

and invasives are now quickly taking over.

Some flanks are less steep, and less prone to

landslides (C). The flanks must develop to offer

protection to the valley floor. The poios will be

stimulated to grow wild again, yet in a controlled

way. They will be afforested with Laurissilva

species, and invasives will be kept at bay, so that

the flanks regain a firm foothold. The flanks will

become a new tourist landscape, with old and

new routes open to the public, lodges to spend

the night and geologic features made visible.

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A existing valley cross section scale 1:2000 A proposed valley cross section scale 1:2000

B existing valley cross section scale 1:2000 B proposed valley cross section scale 1:2000

C existing valley cross section scale 1:2000

D existing valley cross section scale 1:2000

C proposed valley cross section scale 1:2000

D proposed valley cross section scale 1:200055

A

B

C

D

+

flanks & landslide risk (left map)

very high risk

high risk

building in risk zone

farmstead with poios in risk zone

existing slope forest (invasive species)

basaltic columns

fragmented valley floorwith mess of functions (right map)

fallow land

flower bed

agriculture

sports & recreation facilities

stone processing industry

building contractors

car-related business

parking lot

housing

shopping & retail

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+

A

B

C

D

€+

€++

valley floor park with patchwork of selected functions (right map)

rewilded flanks with tourist lodges (left map)

valley floor park

sports & recreation facilities

stone processing industry

housing

shopping & retail

very high risk

high risk

building in high risk zone

existing slope forest (invasive species)

rewilded poios

tourist lodge

basaltic columns

‘Late Volcano Climbing Park’ fragment

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fallow valley floor (&flower beds, agriculture) valley floor park

sports & recreationcar dealers, building contractors, parking lots

Level surfaces are extremely rare on the island. And even though they were aware of the risk of collapsing flanks, still the government allowed small companies to settle here. The valley floor is filled with an urban fringe of land-uses.Desirable transformation of developments on the ‘level’ valley floor: sports and recreation facilities for inhabitants and tourists.

Strips of valley floor are still lying fallow. These are residual spaces: too far from the road, too close to the river, or too narrow to make use of.The river will be the guide for a valley park: a linear public landscape of open grassland with strips of trees and shrubs gone wild. It is state owned property, maintained in an extensive way. Extracting invasives and mowing twice a year will suffice. A valley path goes down, with cross paths up the edges.

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hidden basaltic columns climbing rocks

abandoned farmstead with poios (terraces) modest tourist lodge, rewilded poios

Poios are cultivated from the nucleus of a small farm. With the disappearance of the agricul-tural activity the farms are used less and less frequent. Farmsteads that are difficult to reach, with steep slopes get into disuse when the old farmer has gone.The proposal allows for the buildings to remain inhabited, and even rented out to tourists. One way to reach this goal is to sell the plots with government support under the following conditions: 1. The new owners must let the poios grow Laurissilva again and perform a minimal maintenance: the yearly removal of invasive species, 2. The terrain will yield a

Another important aspect are the numerous basalt patches that crop out in the flanks or on the edge of the valley floor. In some places they are thin layers of about three meters (B), in other places they present as walls of 25 meters high. They are hidden and inaccessible (in fragments of fallow land or on private properties).These basaltic outcrops are rough, uncut diamonds to rock climbers. Climbers will equip and maintain their routes themselves. They fix their little ascending hooks in

the rocks and remove the creeping vegetation. They will make the rocks shine. The only thing that needs to be provided by the authorities is accessibility.

‘public right of passage’ so that it can be incorporated in a new route grid. Theoffer of rooms to tourists is promoted through a new hike trail grid.The poiospath is a very simple path: beaten tuff soil alongside the existing retaining wall is enough. These trails are self-maintaining by the mere use of them, but the owner will help out as well on his own property. Fascinating and attractive new routes through the cultural the history in ‘rewilding’ phase. Existing crosspaths will link the poios with the valley floor.

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VALLEYpath

valley floor extents, poios paths and cross paths upon fragment of ‘Carta Antiga’ scale 1:1000

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4.3.3 Valley pathThere is always at least one valley path screened of from the traffic of the road. Sometimes it is split in multiple trails. In the design, the path it is given the look of a riverbed. It consists of basalt gravel that grows in grain toward the edges until it diffuses into the rocky grassland. The trail presents a constant slope of 12% and is the widest trail in zone 3. It is suitable for a number of uses. With its three kilometres this is the longest cycling path on Madeira.The trail is incorporated in different ways: in the river bed (A), screened by rocks from the traffic, alongside the canal (B), or redoubled in the climbing park (D).

valley floor extents, poios paths and cross paths upon fragment of ‘Carta Antiga’ scale 1:1000

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A valley route cross section scale 1:200

B valley route cross section scale 1:200

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D valley route cross section scale 1:200

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lush riverside gardens plan fragment scale 1:500

lush riverside gardens plan fragment scale 1:500

4.4 OLD TOWN CANAL

4.4.1 Reducing trafficOn the long term, traffic can be minimised to 50% in historic city centre. Parking, roads & roundabouts make way for more pedestrian space. The existing double carriageways along the gulches are reduced a single lane on both sides.

2 lanes for cars, no place for tourists

1 lane for cars, tourists can roam (Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam)

traffic target scenario: traffic in the old town centre is discouraged

traffic today: canyonroads are main roads into the old town centre

ViaaCota40

ViaaCota40

ViaaCota200

ViaaCota200

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built heritage with garden (private property)

built heritage with garden (public but hard to access)

parking space

hovel / ruin

target scenario: riverside public gardens

riverside properties with public garden potentials

lush public gardens with public access (public or private property)

4.4.2 Lush gardensSeveral properties along the river have the potential to be transformed into gardens: hovels and ruins should be demolished, parkings reduced to 50% and private properties reprogrammed for public use. All of the surrounding open spaces, whether it is a 50 square metre plot or a large cemetery, will be transformed into richly planted gardens. They can be maintained by the owner, aided by government subsidies.

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reference: boulevard wall paved with roughly hewn basalt blocks

historic image: wine porters carrying bags from the vineyards to the winery '(A History of Madeira',1821)

down with the harvest from the vineyards along the gulch into the winery (Cossart Gordon). The priceless merchandise needed the protection of a high wall surrounding the place. Nowadays tourists come down the slopes along the gulch, and you really need to lure them into the wine museum! So tear down those unnecessary walls, and turn that parking lot into a publicly accessible open air wine tasting yard.The retaining wall has been reduced to its minimal dimensions so as to expose the entrance to full public view. The building has always been attractive, but only now gains full accessibility. In a similar way many historical monuments can again enjoy their privileged position next to the gulch.

4.4.5 Old town boulevardThe top of the old defensive wall now is made into a walking boulevard, a simple but robust promenade of 3,30 meters wide. It is built out of roughly hewn basalt blocks of irregular dimensions, just like the ancient reinforcement walls: the boulevard and walls and are one.

4.4.3 Profile workLittle will remain of all the junk that cluttered the old town gulches before; the haphazard collection of walls and fences will merge into one wall, on which pedestrians can walk, the flowery canopy has been extracted, cables and pipes have been bundled in a gutter worked into the promenade, small rows of trees have been felled to expose the many monumental buildings. Walls are brought down to minimum height, to proudly display new public gardens.The new profile for the gulches reduces the tension in the extremely compact inner city space and aims to provide a refreshing breathing space in which the various shop owners will be able to do good business again.(see profile adjustments on next pages)

4.4.4 Instituto do Vinho da MadeiraThe Wine Institute next to the Santa Luzia ravine is a marvellous example of a historical building that is anchored to the surround-ing landscape: an ample balcony overlooking the ravine and an elevated turret to keep a watchful eye on the movements of the ships in the harbour. The wine porters used to come

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Cossart Gordon villa in days of commercial wine culture and trade (19th century)

Instituto do Vinho in days of exhibition wine culture and modern tourism (2020)

69

proposed cross section scale 1:250

thinandfragilewall

toughboulevardwall

onelanetraffic

onelanetraffic

lowwall

6.50

3.20 3.60

1.80

1.80

Rua 5 de OutubroInstituto do Vinho da Madeira

Rua 5 de OutubroInstituto do Vinho da Madeira

twolanetraffic

narrowfootpath

highwall

70

existing cross section scale 1:250

proposed cross section scale 1:250

thinandfragilewall

toughboulevardwall

streetlightbetweenroadandboulevard

cablesunderpavement

3.203.60

14.50

14.50

6.50 1.80

1.80

Rua 31 de Janeiro H.M. Borges winery

Rua 31 de Janeiro H.M. Borges winery

narrowfootpathwithfencing

twolanetraffic

streetlightsandcablesatta

chedtoinsidewall

netwithclim

bingvinescoveringtheriver

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DRAGON AND FENNEL PARK

SHOPS+

CAFÉ+

HOTEL

≤ river debouchment plan fragment scale 1:1000

TOURIST INFO CENTRE

+CAFÉ

+ BOAT RENTAL

SEAFARING SCHOOL

MARINA

4.5 DEBOUCHMENT

≤ river debouchment plan fragment scale 1:1000

2012

government plans2012 constipation

marina

seafaring school

4.5.1 Constipation and government plansAt the present time, the last 100 metres of Ribeira de Sao Joao are roofed over. A heavy collection of traffic constructions lays above the stream. Here, at the point where all the water and debris reaches its climax, the flow is obstructed. The channel easily gets constipat-ed with debris which is difficult to haul out. In the 80’s, the mastodonthic Marina Shopping building (a conglomerate of several buildings) was gradually built on top of the flow, blocking all visual connection between the river and the ocean. The government is planning to tackle the flow problem by diverting the rivers course around the Marina Shopping centre. Only a small part of the building will be demolished. The new flow will be uncovered as much as possible: this means open pieces in between new roundabouts and road infrastructure. Diverting the flow is a big investment. At the same time, a big project is running for the redevelopment of the coastline, with new quays and marinas, new breakwaters and artificial beaches.

74

towards debouchment phase 2 (optional) towards debouchment phase1

marina+

seafaring school +

boat rental

4.5.2 Towards debouchment phase The original, straight river mouth should be the organizing structure in the new coastline redevelopment. Diverting the flow is not wise, neither is it necessary, when the fluvial measures handled in the upper zones of this plan are taken. In this debouchment proposal, the natural end course of the flow is taken as a starting point for coastal redevelopment. The rivers defence opens up in a wide gesture towards the sea. The defence walls are multifunctional objects. They serve as river- and sea defence, with a wide walking surface and lingering spaces for pedestrians on top. They become piers, that gradually lower themselves to become breakwaters. In the end, they will embrace two redesigned developments.If the current Marina changes places with the seafaring school,and both are redesigned, boat capacity can be enlarged for both, their facilities modernized. The debouchment is an ideal location for an architectural eye-catcher. It could be made to serve as the new Tourist Information Centre.The two, Marina and learning dock, will be protected in the embracing arms of the de-bouchment walls.

4.5.3 Towards debouchment phase 2In the best case scenario, the proposal continues with the implementation of phase 2, yet the following measures are fully optional. In this proposal, the Marina Shopping building is demolished in order to debauch the flow completely. The old defence walls can stay as they are. Only the top lid is taken off in order to make this last puzzle piece of the flow visible again. The defence becomes a the final piece of boulevard, connecting the old town with the new coastline. The Dragon and Fennel park, at the base of the final outcrop of basalt, could be an echo of the valley park upstream: a wild meadow with sparse trees. On the remaining plot of the demolished Marina Shopping building, a new mixed building can be developed, along the river. A tower hotel, on a base of new shops, would be very suitable to mark this final piece of rivers end.

75

proposed long section proposal not to scale

springtide

Avenida do Mar bridge Beach Boulevard bridgeshops + café + hotel Tourist info centre + café + boat rentalAvenida de Arriaga bridge

existing long section 2012 not to scale

Avenida do MarMarina Shopping Marina pierAvenida de Arriaga

76

proposed long section proposal not to scale

pierboulevard

Tourist info centre + café + boat rental Atlantic Ocean

existing long section 2012 not to scale

Marina pier Marina do Funchal Atlantic Ocean

77

X. ANNEX

79

1 2

3

maps of design measures scale 1:50.000 1. landscape

2. erosion & mudflow protection 3. path network

Maps of design measures

Three Ravines Revaluated Tourist map