We propose a new energy infrastructure, which lifts the existing homes, commercial zones, and civic spaces off the ground and creates an in

terconnected circular energy economy which capitalizes on the immense amount of agricultural land and city waste to power these previously coal dominant cities.





From the 1900s to the year 2100, we can see the sequence of how these cities previously engaged in coal mining had energy-dominant economies until they were closed off in the late 1900s. Eventually, urban development and urban sprawl took over. When these mines collapse, their forgotten anthropogenic past resurfaces and an elevated platform is proposed to lift existing communities from the ruins, and establish an energy infrastructure to combat future climate disasters. Into the year 2100, this retreat from the ground allows the land to partially regenerate, and provide habitat cover for species that
cannot live in urbanized or agricultural environments.

Before the mine collapse, a significant critique of Waukee was the non-integrated zoning, which created feelings of isolation within the city. To change this, we created mixed zoning typologies. These typologies can be rearranged according to the city’s needs over time and create transitions from zone to zone by combining uses in a single zone.

The transportation strategy is to reduce the intersection between walkways and electric vehicle roads in order to provide a safer experience for pedestrians. The residents are also encouraged to utilize
public transportation, such as elevated cable cars, and buses to reduce energy consumption.

The energy center addresses the coal mining past while honoring its roots in an energy economy. This new infrastructure envisions an energy economic cycle that localizes energy generation, capitalizes on waste, and greatly alleviates carbon emissions. This carbon negative infrastructure allows the city to give back to the land and become a precedent for other ex-mining towns to convert their energy economies to cleaner solutions.