Neon District (Norfolk)
Norfolk Green Sites Studio Projects
Graduate students from the University of Virginia’s Green Cities/Green Sites course focused on various locations in Norfolk, exploring ways to improve urban stormwater management tailored to the local environment.
Project areas included Norfolk’s Neon District, Kentucky Avenue, Ingleside Elementary School, Barraud Park, and Willard Model School.
The Neon District, Norfolk
Faced with the challenges of sea level rise and frequent flooding, a team of graduate students from the University of Virginia focused on Norfolk's NEON District, an arts hub in the Elizabeth River Watershed. The area is highly impervious, prone to flooding, and lacks green spaces, making it a critical site for stormwater management.
The team identified key public spaces, such as The Plot, the Cofer Lot, and Wilson Avenue, and proposed solutions to reduce impervious surfaces, improve stormwater storage, increase vegetation and tree canopy, and foster community interaction, all while preserving the district's creative character.
Report
“Stormwater Management in the Neon District” (2018)
