Introduction:
We will consider how the design of "Infrascape" i.e. the intensification and transformation of existing infrastructure, buildings and landscape, can result in more habitable and vibrant environments. The design of "Infrascape" includes strategies for providing a newly invigorated (sub)-urban environment while balancing the need to maintain the presence of natural systems and landscape.
Our area of investigation, the 128 Burlington Mall interchange, represents a classic "Edge City" condition and its associated problems of traffic, poorly utilized resources, and visual chaos. In particular, we will focus on the intersection of Middlesex Turnpike (a retail strip comprised of the Burlington Mall and neighboring parasitic retail outlets) and Highway 128 (and the underutilized sites immediately adjacent to it.)

Premise: Transformations over time
As its central premise, this workshop recognizes that cities and their artifacts are dynamic systems undergoing constant change. A city can be thought of as a text that has been written upon and erased over time, often leaving traces of past writings and erasures. This is especially true in edge cities where accelerated business cycles shorten development and building lifecycles. Even relatively young urban development patterns such as Las Vegas, are replete with layers of incremental and radical acts of "writing" and "erasing".

Our goal will be to investigate the potential of transforming contemporary edge city conditions as part of an evolving palimpsest, one which integrates the components and requirements of contemporary life (the car, parking, transit, retail, housing etc.) along with the need to sustain the presence and operation of natural systems.

Process:
The semester is broken up into three sets of discrete activities outlined below:
Documenting Transformation Precedents:
The first three weeks will be devoted to understanding the operations of "writing and erasing" and utilizing these tools in documenting the transformation of a historic precedent. Potential precedents will focus primarily on richly layered sites, where multiple iterations of writing and erasing have transformed an infrastructure element or system and its neighboring sites. Layered drawings will dissect and document the transformation process. Patterns and sequences will be extrapolated, and discussed in relationship to their applicability to contemporary conditions.

Long Term Projections:
After visiting the site and meeting key local actors engaged in Burlington’s planning and development community, we will develop two sets of long-term (one hundred year +) projections. These projections will utilize and build upon the extensive site analysis and mapping exercises generated by last year’s workshop and PLA.

One projection will be centered on the 128 spine, and its potential to anchor and activate the Burlington Community. In particular, the opportunity to link Burlington by (light) rail or bus to a larger network of communities circumscribing Boston will be investigated, along with its ability to catalyze associated development on sites adjacent to the highway.

The other perpendicular spine will focus on the retail strip, and its potential to accommodate a number of different uses, typologies, and a redistribution of density and landscape.
Simulations

The last four weeks will be engaged in a "transformation game", simulating the process of urban transformation over time. Two teams associated with each proposal will develop strategies for implementing their long-term visions. These strategies will be tested and revised based on negotiations with the other group. In addition, "chance" events will require nimble adjustments in accommodating unforeseen events (natural and man-made). Multiple iterations of this process will be played in order to simulate urban morphology.
Product:

The final review will contrast the original long-term design visions with the messier and perhaps more vital products resulting from the urban transformation game. Students will seek suitable methods of representing this process.

Guests:
A number of distinguished design professionals, planners, politicians, and authors will participate in the workshop as guest critics and lecturers.