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ALICIA AHONEN, MArch

 Industrial Wasteland:
Revitalization Transcribed



For decades, shipping harbours, industrial developments, and municipal wastes have escalated levels of pollution and contamination in the water, soil, and air. Cumulative effl uence has led to the demise of valuable waterfront cities, and this degeneration has separated urban centres from public accessibility to the water. Hamilton Harbour is the largest contaminated sediment site along the Great Lakes in Canada. The urban waterfront is crucial to Hamilton’s history, both geographically and politically. However, the current industrial recession has caused these lands to degrade: physically, culturally, and architecturally.

This thesis explores a method to revive the waterfront and improve community well-being, through revitalization of the landscape. Architectural intervention provides the means to implement decontamination processes and provide experiential engagement for the public. The objective is to develop a post-pollution, diversifi ed, mixed-use coastline with functional, engaging structures that promote a connection of place between the city and its natural resources.
Summary of water, soil, and air contaminates found in Hamilton Harbour
Industrial boundary dividing Hamilton from the waterfront


Stelco, provides an ideal site for the fl agship of this project, as it has a prolonged history, readily available materials and resources, and a contaminated environment that requires revitalization in order to thrive.

Connecting Hamilton’s waterfront and the downtown core could begin with education, which can be achieved through an experiential journey. The winding pedestrian paths are lined with rough texture pavers manufactured with harvested air pollution particles. This pathway leads from industry, to the water’s edge, and back again to understand that this is an ongoing journey that involves the unity of both the environment and the active participation from Stelco. Large closed system biodome for remediation of Stelco’s pier. Post- pollution, diversified, mixed-use coastline.

Air purifying biodome and air drones to collect particulate matter - locally sourced materials and decontamination by-products Stationary soil biodome and soil decontamination cap to host vitrifi cation - locally sourced materials and decontamination by-products Water purifying biodome – locally sourced materials and decontamination by- products

Toronto Metropolitan Department of  Architectural Science Toronto, CA.