Urban Ecological Intervention in San Francisco, CA
2025 Technical Information
Market Street
Status:
Competition
Size:
xx
Location:
San Francisco, CA
Client:
Urban Land Institute
Service:
Urban Design, Landscape Desgin
Emiliano Espasandin, Maya Nash, Mason Miles
Project Information
reimagines public space as a living system.
This proposal introduces E-UAS (Ecological Urban Active Surface) as a forward-thinking design strategy to reshape outdated urban infrastructure and activate a resilient, inclusive, and regenerative public realm. As opposed to the typical urban street typology, Ecological Urban Active Surfaces are not static, but multifunctional platforms that integrate ecology, program & mobility into the very fabric of the street. The concept of E-UAS operates across three key dimensions:
1-URBAN ECOLOGY
Beauty, Design & Innovation
Surfaces become active agents of environmental resilience through permeable materials, native vegetation, microhabitats, and passive systems that manage stormwater, cool microclimates, and restore urban biodiversity. Crucially, this ecological layer responds directly to the surrounding building context, adapting based on whether the street edge is active (with entrances, storefronts, or public use) or passive (blank walls, infrastructure, or service zones). This sensitivity creates a holistic ecological interface that integrates seamlessly with urban dynamics, producing a more organic and context-aware environmental performance.
2_CCC PROGRAMMING
Culture. Community. Commerce.
E-UAS are designed to host daily life and spontaneous gatherings as well as structured events, embedding cultural expression and local economy directly into the street infrastructure.
3_MOBILITY & INNOVATION
Prioritizing People Over Cars
The E-UAS system supports adaptive and low-emission transport systems, including shared,flexible, and pedestrian-first networks that reflect the shifting demands of contemporary urban life.