Page 295 - Beyond Decommissioning

276 Beyond Decommissioning

Fig. 6.56 Vienna G€ urtel. A McDonald’s restaurant located under the arches of the Vienna
railway.
Photo by M. Laraia, 2018.

considered how the structure could support a self-sufficient community and make use
of renewable energy sources as well as enhance the visual appeal. The viaduct’s prox-
imity to the Etna volcano allowed the architects to incorporate a geothermal energy
system—producing steam on hot rock to power generators. The viaduct would also
have rainwater tanks, water treatment facilities, and crops growing in the surrounding
area. The proposal featured balconies and gardens protruding off the viaduct pillars,
alongside apartments which magnificent views. Shops and communal areas have been
incorporated into the design. To reduce costs, the plan is to maintain the original struc-
ture. Extra support could be put into the new building to make it safe, but the viaduct
was constructed to manage heavy rail traffic, so it should provide a sturdy enough base
(Urban Ghosts Media, 2014).

6.7.5.4 Parking lots and garages

There are uncountable examples of how to make better use of parking lots than tem-
porary car storage: (Strongtowns, 2017) provides four specific strategies for conver-
ting unused parking into more productive developments.
1. Housing is a much more economically productive use of space, especially in cities with
increasing housing costs and shortages. One example of turning a parking garage into hous-
ing comes from Redding, CA. There it was proposed to demolish an underutilized parking
garage and replacing it with a mixed use structure, mostly affordable housing, together with
retail and some market rate apartments.