Wings to Wilderness
Redefining Yosemite Valley through Flight and Flows
More Project Developments to come!!
Site: Yosemite National Park, CA
Academic Year: 2024
Giving back the WILD to Wildlife:
Yosemite is in admits of a car crisis. In such proximity to major cities of the West Coast and a culture run by cars, the little space that is left for nature has been overrun.
future park landscape
Thinking about the future of transit and what the vehicles look like, how that can positively impact the national park experience? With the advancements of modern-day transportation, with high speeds rails and even magnetic levitating trains in some countries, could we alleviate the idea of roads altogether, bringing a controlled way of travel amongst the National Park that takes visitors in a viewing pod while removing disturbance of pollution, noise, and traffic that would otherwise be from vehicles.
fire among the forest
Climate change impacts Yosemite Valley, leading to habitat loss for great gray owls. Forest logging reduces suitable habitat and fragments the species, while wildfires disrupt habitats, nesting sites, and prey availability. Unfortunately, many wildfires are not naturally caused or easily controlled, like the Oak Fire ignited by Fredrick Wackerman in Yosemite, destroying homes and vegetation. Instances like this, alongside climate change, contribute to cultural erosion in places like Yosemite National Park.
