[re]stitch TAMPA welcomes entrants to envision a new interface between the city of Tampa, Florida and the Hillsborough River. Utilizing Landscape Urbanism as a lens, [re]stitch Tampa seeks to refocus the Hillsborough as a SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, and ECOLOGIC spine for Tampa.
Currently, Portions of Tampa's River walk have been realized. Developments such as Curtis Hixon Park and the new Tampa History Center have provided new access to the Hillsborough. Similarly, the previous decade witnessed renewed interest in Downtown living. However, private ownership along the river and the implementation of misguided Urban Renewal strategies have led to an identity crisis for Downtown and the Hillsborough.
As the River walk is further developed, [re]stitch Tampa seeks design solutions that rekindle an intimate relationship between a city and its river. Beyond merely skirting or crossing the river, urban design schemes will treat infrastructure as a palimpsest fostering balance between built and natural environments. Issues of storm water management will transcend traditional methods of implementation to reveal productive landscapes promoting social and economic sustainability. Issues of ecology should transcend the river to promote green infrastructure throughout downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
