HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX
SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo
MAPPED IMAGESSITE ANALYSIS
0 500’ 1000’ 2000’
1
PREDOMINANCE OF SPACE DEVOTED TO AUTOMOBILES
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS RECESSED FROM THE STREET
“TOWNHOUSES” (NOT COMMON IN THE AREA).
TREE CANOPY DOMINANCE OF STREETSCAPE, I-35 AS A BACKGROUND BARRIER.
TRAILS AND SIDEWALKS AS TRANSITION FROM URBAN GRID TO PARK / GOLF COURSE
TOPOGRAPHY DOMINATED BY DROPS TO WALLER CREEK
MULTIMODAL OPTIONS MOST PRESENT ALONG RED RIVER
PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT INTENDED FOR “UNIVERSITY PARK” DEVELOPMENT
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3
5
4
7
8
6
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HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX
SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo
PHOTO COLLAGESITE ANALYSIS
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HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX
SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo
PHOTO PANORAMASSITE ANALYSIS
39TH ST. AT WILLBERT ST.
43RD ST.
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HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODAUSTIN, TX
SUSTAINABLE PLACES PROJECTJulio Carrillo
These areas were not designed to provide safe and enjoyable experiences to
pedestrians; instead, these are zones where safety issues and similar episodes are more
likely to happen when pedestrians approach them.
Although this area contributes to the house / job balance of the neighborhood, safety
issues and environmental impacts are directly associated to the type of development
this center represents.
POSITIVE:
Strengths and Opportunities can be found in several areas within the neighborhood.
Alternative modes of transportation and
infrastructure are provided along Red
River, emphasizing north-south
connectivity. This is a great axis where
activities can be develop. This could
successfully integrate the community
and bring external visitors. A light rail
system along this street could consistently
support this vision.
Residential streets are defined by tree canopies, providing shaded areas that are
enjoyable to walk. Travel distances and trip generators will be the main challenges in the
area to transform these neighborhoods into more walkable environments.
A bit of innovation is showcased by a specific development, demonstrating that a
townhouse-like residential building can be successfully achieved to contribute with
defining the character of a residential area. This is clearly seen in image 7.
SUMMARYSITE ANALYSISSUMMARY – SITE ANALYSIS Julio Carrillo
The site analysis through Hancock Neighborhood allows us to understand the character
of the community, recognizing its urban form and identifying potential areas for future
development and improvements. Among different factors embedded in this
neighborhood, some issues stand out more than others. The natural environment of the
neighborhood is more evident along Waller Creek and Hancock Golf Course, where
preservation efforts allow us to enjoy these natural environments. Topography of the area
is dominant along Waller Creek, evidencing sloped areas in the urban fabric.
Among these issues, others are identified as positive and negative. Below, a brief analysis
of these:
NEGATIVE:
Some identified weaknesses and threats in the neighborhood are associated to the lack
of sense space due to certain type of development. As illustrated by images 1 & 8 ,
the amount of open space devoted to automobiles is predominant. This is unfortunately
linked to one of the areas with most activity within the neighborhood: The Hancock
Shopping Center.
While this great amount of impervious cover reduces the amount of filtered rainwater for
underground source recharge, it also contributes increasing the heat-island effect.
These parking surfaces also contribute
to rainwater runoff carrying great
amounts of contaminants that are
more difficult to filter before reaching
natural streams or creeks.
Spatially, the streets at the border of the shopping center lack of definition and create
vast open lands with minimum social activity. The urban form of this area it can be
defined as flat concrete and asphalt areas, normally missing shade and trees.
1 8
7
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