Thesis project: Waterfront redevelopment proposal and adaptive reuse of an abandoned train repair station.

The project is an intervention on an abandoned train repair site, in a city that no longer thrives on port activity but increasingly on tourist activity. The city has planned to build a 10-meter wide seaside public walkway. The adjacent lots and buildings are privately owned.

In order to activate the public promenade, I propose to thread as many kinds of different activities you may possibly do in a public space by creating a succession of many hybrid programs. The hybrids will be program specific private concessions, which will create the fluid interaction of many types of users interested in different activities at diverse hours.

A public space is a place where people relate with each other. It is the stage to look and to be looked at. Public spaces should allow exchanges between occupants to stimulate their individuality. An animated public place is proportional to the diversity of activities that may or may not happen in such a space.