The project analyzes the 2023 film Perfect Days by Wim Wenders, which follows Hirayama, a janitor who maintains public toilets in Tokyo. His structured daily routine—biking, eating at familiar spots, and observing his surroundings—brings him contentment, highlighting the importance of routine and connection to the urban environment. The project then imagines Hirayama’s lifestyle in Chattanooga, Tennessee, focusing on the city’s fragmented bike infrastructure. A proposed greenway extension aims to improve connectivity across Chattanooga, linking the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) to the Riverwalk. Four key sites along the route are identified to enhance urban cohesion, inspired by the functionality of the toilets Hirayama maintains. These include a gathering spot at the UTC greenway intersection, a functional yet underutilized fleet maintenance area, a reimagined Central Avenue Bridge for greenway access, and a community hub in the planned Lucey Quarter development. The project argues that reconnecting Chattanooga’s fragmented infrastructure—separated by railroads and cemeteries—can enhance the city’s livability, offering people a sense of purpose and happiness through thoughtful urban design.
Greenway Proposal
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Physical Models
