Microcosm of America

Microcosm of America employs general systems theory1 to a regional planning effort for San Juan Island and San Juan Island National Historic Park in Washington State. Focusing more closely on the relationship between parts and people a process oriented plan was created. By weighting culture, ecology, and development equally this project develops a framework agenda for the parks and the community to grow as one unit resulting in a more efficient growth pattern and a richer culture and ecology.

Introduction

San Juan Island is a fifty five square mile glacial moraine located in the upper reaches of the Olympic Mountain rain shadow between Vancouver Island and Washington State. Layered atop a robust glacial landscape, the island supports a unique ecology of Puget Sound Prairie and Gary Oak Savannah along with other diverse ecosystems native to the Pacific Northwest. The island houses two National Park Units (roughly 2,000 acres combined) as well as 7,000 permanent residents and nearly 7,000 more seasonal residents that support the large tourism and resort based economy. Most of the permanent population lives in or near the towns of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor and are largely responsible for the annual park visitation within San Juan Island National Park. The island is accessible only by ferry or plane; this limited access contributes to the rural atmosphere as well as the high food and energy prices. A shrinking agriculture presence, significant lands owned by the National Park Service (in celebration of the 1872 Northwest Boundary Dispute), as well the presence of an active land bank contribute to a very distinctive open space quality on the island. This unique place was selected by the National Park Service in 2011 as a place to experiment with the “National Park of the 21st century” as part of the student design competition Parks for the People.

Open System Planning + The End Goal

The story starts with a metaphor for traditional top-down planning and how an examination of systems theory can help unlock the potential of complexity. A snow globe is a closed system with no inputs or outputs and even when shaken it will return back to the steady state in which it was first created. A land use map for our anthropogenic-infused ecosystem can be represented by this metaphor. The early conception of this project utilized an open system approach and lead to the relationships between parts being more important than the parts themselves. People and process would be directly involved in the construction of the master plan and throughout the development of the project the question was how, rather than what. By creating a process driven master plan this project creates a three phased approach that (1) Highlights positive aspects and trends, (2) Incentivizes restoration, cultivation, and public involvement, and (3) Generates economy, ecology, and energy. What this project represents is a holistic vision for how nature, culture, and development can be thought of as one curated ecology upon San Juan Island. 2

Analysis

With systems theory one must first define the inputs and outputs of the system. The three landscape threads of ecology, culture/history, and development were analyzed through spatial data then configured into composite threads after ground observation were made. After overlaying the three spatial threads and weighting them with a series of planning criteria twenty four general conflicts were found and then organized into a spatial framework of zones, open space corridors, built networks, and nodes. Project constituents were then organized and analyzed in terms temporal patterns, historical presence and their interest and services in any future plan. This system analysis defines the starting point for the planning feedback loop and conceptual framework tailored directly to San Juan Island community and the National Parks on the island.

Planning

The creation of the thirty five year action plan was centered on the three phases Highlight, Incentivize, and Generate. The conceptual framework provided direction of policies, funding strategies, and built works that serve as catalytic projects in the larger initiative. Each step in the plan leads to a new step being taken so that planning flexibility is accounted for. The frame work agenda consist of five concepts: (1) connect island ecosystems through restoration easements, conservation policy, and a network of trails (2) increase year round livability by diversifying housing options and adding user amenities (3) support local agriculture and decentralized renewable energy production (4) structure an efficient transportation infrastructure with minimal disturbance to the existing system; and (5) foster island culture, art, research, tourism, local businesses, and natural and native history. These five main concepts and the planning feedback loop established insure project progression over time resulting in a vision for a world class destination and a unique place to live.

Design

Design serves an integral role in informing the larger vision. Pilot projects played a very important part in decisions being made at all scales and across the larger plan. With thirty four pilot projects identified and allowance for planning flexibility, each project informs the next step. By moving through the design process with each pilot project, organization and understanding of the relationships between the projects and the larger whole is apparent. This process highlighted areas to make policy and where to seek funding. Even in dealing with built works at various scales this project always considers how each piece fits into the larger process whether it serves as a catalyst for research, tourism and ecologically based design; offers an outlet for the local agriculture economy; stimulates the creation of green corridors through tax breaks; or generates renewable power from near shore tides. These projects represent concepts related to each of the three phases and how they play into the larger planning agenda.

Implications

The implications of this systems-based design and planning exercise is that it offers San Juan Island and the National Park Units on the Island a much more thorough plan for development over the next thirty five years. This project will enhance quality of life, and the island’s local economy, ecological health, and cultural significance while serving as a model for how the National Park Services and gateway communities as well as rural communities across the country can plan infrastructure, development, and ecological systems to function together.