Public Infrastructure Proposal.

Status: Schematic Design

California’s manufactured relationship with water has been instrumental in shaping its urban development, agricultural productivity, and overall landscape. However, this heavy reliance on engineered water infrastructure has led to significant ecological and environmental challenges, including drought, land subsidence, and agricultural runoff.

This proposal, developed for the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, presents an integrated approach to address these crises, particularly in the California Delta region, where water infrastructure plays a pivotal role in the state’s sustainability.

The design integrating electricity storage, land reclamation, and recreational opportunities within the framework of existing water infrastructure. One key innovation involves repurposing energy storage towers that capture and store off-peak electricity for use during high-demand periods, helping to reduce waste and promote energy efficiency. These towers, strategically located, also serve as hubs for community engagement and recreation, blending utility with social spaces.

Additionally, the proposal reimagines the delta levee system as a dynamic boundary that can support water purification and land reclamation processes. This aims to combat the damaging effects of agricultural runoff and subsidence while restoring the ecological balance in the region. By enhancing the levee’s role, the project helps mitigate environmental degradation and opens up new spaces for recreation and community development.

Ultimately, this project represents a holistic approach to solving the interrelated challenges of energy, water, and land management. It promotes resilience by rethinking how infrastructure can simultaneously address ecological, social, and environmental needs, creating a blueprint for the future of California’s delta region hydrology and urbanism.