OA20643A - Construction method for creating a tropical style swimming lagoon with beaches within vacant or abandoned sites. - Google Patents

Abstract

An urban transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at vacant and/or abandoned sites. The trans formation includes demolishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, excavating material from within the site; forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2, and constructing water containment walls on a first section of the basin to form a waterfront perimeter. The shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved, the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters, and the bottom is covered with a non-permeable material. A sloped access area is constructed in a second section of the basin to form a beach. A barrier is constructed to control access into the area including the beach. At least one recreational facility is constructed including restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, and/or cafes about the waterfront perimeter.

Description

CONSTRUCTION METHOD FOR CREATING A TROPICAL STYLE SWIMMING LAGOON WITH BEACHES WITHIN VACANT OR ABANDONED SITES

This application is being filed on December 23, 2019, as a PCT International Patent application and daims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/538,273, filed August 12, 2019, which daims benefit of U.S. Provisional Serial No. 62/785,086, filed December 26, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

For the désignation of the US only, this application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/538,273, filed August 12, 2019, which daims benefit of U.S. Provisional Serial No. 62/785,086, filed December 26, 2018 and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The présent invention relates generally to an urban transformation and construction method for creating a public access tropical-style swimming lagoon with turquoise crystal clear waters within vacant or abandoned sites, for swimming and the practice of water sports, wherein a portion of the vacant site is demolished in order to generate a swimming lagoon. Preferably, there is at least an area of the swimming lagoon where public access is controlled, and a beach area is located within the controlled access area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Around the world, as cities and urban spaces keep growing, a sériés of vacant and/or abandoned sites hâve been left in between ail this urban development, which may be vacant or abandoned due to limited uses.

As a reference, it has been estimated that in the U.S., on average, fifteen percent of a city’s land is deemed vacant, including varying types of land, ranging from undisturbed open space to abandoned, contaminated brownfields (Pagano et al, 2000). This is especially true for cities on the south of the U.S., with more than 19% of its land deemed vacant, which is mostly due to cities that hâve experienced high levels of population and land area growth. While cities expand, there are a lot of lots and spaces that are left undeveloped, and end up becoming vacant land. On average in the U.S., cities had 12,367 acres of usable vacant land, with a médian amount of usable vacant land of 4,499 acres.

Generally, it has been considered that vacant lots are associated with depressed real estate value, crime, trash, abandonment, poor landscape, and general économie and/or social failure, where vacant lots tend to be perceived very negatively. Vacant lots can devastate a neighborhood, undermine the neighbors’ quality of life, diminish the value of nearby properties, and reduce local tax revenue. In this aspect, it has been studied that vacant and abandoned properties hâve increased crime rates and declining property values, in addition to the fact that their maintenance or démolition (for abandoned structures) has a high cost that has to be paid by the cities.

Some vacant land sites are sites that hâve been projected for the construction of public parks, categorized for open space récréation or green areas, but hâve not been developed and resuit in abandoned and desert sites. In addition to strictly vacant land, green spaces, such as public parks that are underutilized or that are not maintained properly can also be considered as relatively vacant land as they hâve the same négative effects on the community.

It has been studied that the reuse of vacant land and abandoned structures can represent an opportunity for the économie growth and recovery of a diverse range of urban areas. This is true for ail cities, independently of population and city size.

As used herein, vacant and/or abandoned sites refer to sites and/or lots that not only are vacant or hâve abandoned structures but it also includes parks or sites that hâve limited uses or sites that hâve constructive limitations. For example, this can represent green areas of private projects with low use and land that does not allow constructing high rises or tall buildings, very low usage density lots, or land that requires of very long permitting and approval processes to transform into real estate or commercial projects, among others.

For example, thousands of abandoned and/or vacant sites hâve been converted to community gardens and parks. The relatively trending phenomenon called“greening” consists of transforming vacant lots into green spaces that are environmentally friendly, with final uses as community gardens and tree farms for example. The transformation of vacant land could provide increased green space for urban gardening and récréation, as well as other uses for urban relief.

The requirement for these types of green areas has grown over the years, while population in urban locations keeps growîng and therefore needs of open-air locations that can provide a relaxing setting as well as allowing to perform recreational activities such as running, exercising, among others. In general, these green spaces also hâve positive effects over its surroundings, such as for example 5 increasing the value of surrounding real estate and the development of new markets (for example commercial development nearby parks), as well as improving health of users and having environmental benefîts, which is the complété opposite of the négative effects created by vacant or abandoned lots.

Cities that hâve increased urban development and with high population concentration could greatly 10 benefit of the transformation of such vacant or abandoned lots, especially since they hâve few opportunities for new green space development through other means. However, the transformation of vacant or abandoned sites into community spaces has not taken off considerably, not taking advantage of these underutilized spaces to improve urban quality of life and that also hâve positive environmental effects. Many of the transformation alternatives, including gardens and similar, hâve 15 not succeeded considerably, and a large number of vacant and/or abandoned sites still exists around the world.

The stress in large cities and urban lifestyle has a large impact on people, who therefore look for different settings and lifestyle to relax. In this same point, it is important to mention that there has been an explosive increase in worldwide tourism over the years that has substantially increased its 20 carbon footprint (See Figure 01 that shows the increase of tourists over the years). This is mainly because people hâve to travel long distances and use their car, or hâve to fly, or use other transport means to be able to reach waterfront settings and beach areas, sometimes having to travel hundreds of miles to be a part of a beautifiil waterfront beach setting, in resuit having a very large carbon footprint due to ail of this movement. This is especially relevant today, where society has become 25 very aware of carbon footprint, where travel is one of the big contributors of carbon émissions.

With urban locations being very hectic and stressful, the urban population is having increasing demands for open recreational spaces where they can relax, practice sports, and enjoy of beautifiil scenery and spaces. Congrégation spaces are scarce, and the old tradition of congregating in shopping malls or retail facilities has shifted into a search for open and naturel 30 settings.

Therefore, there are many current vacant and/or abandoned spaces that are poorly used or hâve limited uses, that are relatively well connected urban locations, and that do not hâve aesthetical features sought oui by people such as recreational uses and beautiful settings.

SUMMARY

Therefore, according to one embodiment there is provided an urban transformation construction method for creating a tropical -style swimming lagoon with a sloped access at vacant and/or abandoned sites, the method comprising: demolishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, wherein the démolition process includes excavating at least a 15 cm to 6 meter layer; excavating material having a volume of at least 4,000 m3 from an area within the site; forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2 and a minimum depth of at least 1.4 meters at its deepest point, wherein earthworks for the basin are created within the surrounding site perimeter, and wherein the basin includes a basin perimeter and a bottom; constructing water contaminent walls on at least one section of the basin perimeter to form a waterfront perimeter, wherein the shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved and the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters; covering the bottom of the basin with a non-permeable material not including thick concrète like conventional swimming pools; constructing a sloped access area on at least one section of the basin perimeter to form a beach access into the large water body; constructing one or more barriers around the basin perimeter to cordon off an area to establish a controlled access area, wherein the controlled access area includes a beach access perimeter, and the barriers include at least one access point to selectively allow users into the controlled access area, whereby the users allowed entry into the controlled access area are able to use the beach access; and constructing at least one additional recreational facility comprising food and beverage and commercial facilities such as restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, cafés among others in the vicinity of the waterfront perimeter.

These and other variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a more detailed description of the invention. The advantages and features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. For a better understanding of the invention, however, reference should be had to the drawings which form a part hereof and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 shows the number of international tourist arrivais given by the World Tourism Organization in 2017, referring to the number of inbound joumeys by international tourists to a country outside the destination they live in for a duration of less than a year.

FIG. 2 shows an aerial view of an embodiment of the invention after applying the method from the présent invention that allows to transfortn an urban location such as a vacant or abandoned site (1) into an urban beach where a tropical -style swimming lagoon (2) can be seen, having at least one beach area (3).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show side views of embodiments of the containment walls 6 for the basin of the swimming lagoon 2. First referring to FIG. 2, backfill material 7 is included to provide structural stability to the containment wall 6. A non-permeable material 9 contains the water in the large water body (e.g., the swimming lagoon 2), and is located on top of the bottom soil 8. FIG. 5 illustrâtes an embodiment in which the depth of the lagoon 2 near the wall is relatively shallow. Next FIG. 4 shows a side view of another embodiment of the containment walls 6 for the basin of the swimming lagoon 2, showing backfill material 7 to provide structural stability to the containment wall, and wherein a non-permeable material 9 contains the water within the large water body, and is located on top of the bottom soil 8. FIG. 5 illustrâtes an embodiment in which the depth of the lagoon 2 near the wall is relatively deep.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of a sloped access 5 to the basin of the swimming lagoon 2, wherein a support slab 10 is provided undemeath a portion of the sloped access 5, and the non-permeable material 9 for containing the water in the large water body.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred construction method 11 in accordance wîth the principles of the présent invention. The first step lia is to demolish at least part of the vacant and/or abandoned site. The next step 1 1b is to excavate materials having a volume of at least 4,000 m3. Then at step 1 le a basin is formed for large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2, this may include in part earthworks from the excavated material and/or from additional materials brought to the site. At step 1 id, water containment walls are constructed on at least one section of the basin. At step 1 le, a sloped access area in at least one section of the basin is optionally created in the event a swimming area is included. At I If, barriers are constructed around the basin perimeter to establish a controlled access area for a beach or other area in which user controlled access is desired. At step 1 1g, at least one additional recreational facility is constructed,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The method from the présent invention, as seen in FIG. 2, allows to, in an innovative way, transform vacant or abandoned sites that are located in urban areas and generally hâve good connectivity, in order to provide beautiful beach-like settings that can help solving the need for more recreational urban open air spaces and tourism needs with a lower carbon footprint and therefore become a completely new and radical trend that can change the lifestyle of people around the world. The présent invention helps solving the need for providing recreational settings with activities that can change the lifestyle of urban population around the world while at the same time helps solving the problem associated with vacant or abandoned lots and its négative effects over the community.

The présent invention relates generally to an urban transformation and construction method for creating a controlled access tropical -style swimming lagoon with crystal clear turquoise waters and with beaches at vacant or abandoned sites, for swimming and the practice of water sports, wherein a portion of the vacant or abandoned site is demolished in order to generate a swimming lagoon according to designs, construction parameters and configurations. Preferably, there is at least an area of the swimming lagoon where public access is controlled, and a beach area is located within the controlled access area.

The présent invention discloses a construction method for creating a tropical style swimming lagoon in vacant or abandoned sites to repurpose such spaces by creating a recreational venue with at least one tropical-style swimming lagoon and additional amenities.

The construction method from the présent invention is low cost compared to the construction of other facilities in the same spaces such as shopping malls, amusement parks, water parks, or similar installations.

As used herein, tropical-style refers to clear water lagoons with round shapes, that are suitable for direct contact recreational purposes, and that usually hâve turquoise colored crystal clear waters and that do not hâve visible macro algae presence or a green water tonality like artificial lagoons and lakes located in parks and golf courses, among others.

In more detail, the process comprises excavating at least a portion of the vacant or abandoned site to excavate a layer of between 15 cm to 6 meters in order to provide the necessary excavated volume for the swimming lagoon construction.

Optionally, if there are permanent or rigid structures within the site, especially in the case of abandoned lots, démolition can be performed of süch structures to allow excavation necessary to build the swimming lagoon. To provide clarity, for the purposes of this application the term demolishing encompasses not only knocking down or tearing down current structures or installations, but also removing débris or non-fixed materials from such zone and digging or excavating a portion of the land as part of the construction method.

The démolition process comprises excavation with machinery up to a depth of 20 centimeters over the final excavation level, where the final 20 cm may be excavated manually.

Once the design excavation level is achieved, the bottom soil must be compacted to achieve a 95% Modified Proctor Density. A 95% Modified Proctor Density means that the soil at the bottom is compacted to 95% of its maximum dry density. This aims to reduce post-construction settlements rates of such soil. As a reference, the Modified Proctor test uses a 4-inch-diameter mold which holds 1/30 cubic feet of soil, and uses a 10 1b. hammer falling through 18 inches, with 25 blows on each of five lifts, for a compaction effort of about 56,250 ft-lb/ft3. This can also be explained such that the bottom of the excavations are to be compacted to a 95% of the Maximum Dry Compacted Density, based on the Modified Proctor test (ASTM DI557-02) when the soil type has more than a 12% material passing under a N°200 mesh (opening of 0.075 mm). When the soil type has less than a 12% material passing under a N°200 mesh (opening of 0.075 mm), the ► soil must be compacted to achieve no less than 80% of its Relative Density.

The process also includes excavating a volume of at least 4,000 m3, preferably at least 7,000 m3 from an area within the vacant or abandoned site. This excavation material preferably will serve as the earthworks necessary to provide the basin of the swimming lagoon, wherein such earthworks are created within the property perimeter, and wherein the basin includes a basin perimeter and a bottom. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the excavated material may prove to be unsuitable for the earthworks. For example, the material may include a mixture of rocks, cernent, tar or other détritus. In such an event, suitable fîll and other materials may be brought to the site for the earthworks.

The basin for the lagoon is preferably designed and constructed so that its surface area is at least 3,000 m2, preferably at least 5,000 m2, and more preferably over 10,000 m2 and its deepest point has a minimum depth of 1.4 meters.

It’s important to highlight that for the tropical -style swimming lagoon of the présent invention, since it has a surface larger than 3,000 m2, conventional swimming pool construction technologies are seldom economically and technically feasible, as for example swimming pool construction requires to hâve a large and thick concrète structure that comprises a sériés of inlets and outlets within the walls and bottom of the structure in order to be able to create water movement and circulation that allows to fîlter the complété water volume at least once per day. This is mainly to hâve a homogeneous water body so that when withdrawing and filtering the water flow means that the whole water volume is being filtered and there are no dead areas that hâve no water circulation and would therefore not be filtered efficiently.

For example, régulations for swimming pools around the world require the use of bottom and/or wall nozzles, wherein régulations preferably require the use of bottom inlets to be able to generate proper mixing and circulation of water before it is withdrawn from the pool to send to the filtration System. For example, Florida’s swimming pool construction régulations require that inlets be installed so that spacing between floor inlets does not exceed 20 ft, (6 m) and the distance between a bottom inlet and a wall does not exceed 10 ft. (3 m). This means that a25mx50m Olympic pool for example would require more than 35 bottom inlets, and a 3,000 m2 (60 m x 60 m) swimming pool would require more than 70 bottom inlets, in addition to wall inlets that would further allow mixing the water volume so that when withdrawing water from the main drains, skimmers, or other withdrawal points and sending such water to the filtration System, it effectively allows to fîlter the complété water volume of the pool from 1 to 6 times per day (generally 4 times per day based on régulations). The présent invention preferably requires that the swimming lagoon has at least 50% less inlets than those required for the filtration System of a conventional swimming pool according to swimming pool standards.

Containment walls are preferably constructed on at least one section of the basin perimeter, as to form a waterfront perimeter that is arranged and configured to contain the water within the basin. Such containment walls require a backfill material in order to provide structural integrity to such walls.

through a lighting System, in order to allow nighttime uses. The lighting System comprises exterior lighting Systems and/or underwater Systems.

As previously mentioned, it is preferred that the lagoon include at least one controlled access area for visitors for at least one beach area, wherein the beach area comprises a sandy beach and sloped transition into the swimming lagoon. The controlled access area may be designed such that the total beach area to lagoon area ratio is at least 1 :2. Further, the beach area is preferably placed and designed considering general summer sun orientation, optimizing visitor expérience In another embodiment of the invention, the controlled access area surrounds the entire lagoon surface, and may include additional amenities within the controlled access area, such as recreational facilities including cafés, bars, restaurants, and others..

In an embodiment of the invention, the installations surrounding the tropical-style lagoon is artificially set with a beach theme, including the use of blue and white colors with the inspiration of the beach and beach kiosks and lighthouses.

The swimming lagoon can also be surrounded by végétation such as plants and trees.

The présent invention also includes constructing at least one additional recreational facility comprising food and beverage and commercial facilities that can provide a recreational setting surrounding the tropical -style lagoon. Recreational facilities examples comprise restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, cafés, restaurants, beach centers, promenades, hôtels, entertainment facilities, virtual and immersive expériences, and similar facilities and amenities.

The construction of an amphitheater in the surroundings of the lagoon and nearby the beach area(s) is also preferred. This créâtes an opportunity to hold events such as concerts and festivals, among others. Other activities include music on the beach, dining on the beach, and other events on the beach such as weddings and sports events, among many others. The surroundings of the beach may include cafés, bars, restaurants, beach centers, and similar facilities and amenities.

In the case of having a non-ticketed area within the venue, the at least one non-ticketed access area comprises optimized waterfront perimeter surrounding the swimming lagoon that has an unobstructed view of the lagoon and is not directly in front of any beach areas or esplanades that could affect the aesthetics of the landscape. The non-ticketed access area comprises cafés, bars, restaurants, beach centers, promenades, hôtels, entertainment facilities, Virtual and immersive expériences, and similar facilities and amenities.

A screen may also be provided in the vicinity of the swimming lagoon to broadcast content and house events and shows, and can be located in the same sector as the amphitheaters, to create a new 5 event venue having the swimming lagoon as its backdrop. The screen may also be used for streaming live or recorded events or general media, and the stage zone can be used to broadcast or hold e-sport compétitions, concerts, plays, shows, performances, among others..

Other components and methods that embody the principles of this invention can be configured within the spirit and intent of this invention. The arrangement described herein is provided as only 10 one example of an embodiment that incorporâtes and practices the principles of this invention. Other modifications and alterations are well within the knowledge of those skilled in the art and are to be included within the broad scope of the appended daims.

1	Vacant or Abandoned Site
2	Tropical Style Swimming Lagoon
3	Beach Area
4	Method from the présent invention
5	Sloped Access
6	Contaminent Wall
7	Backfill
8	Bottom Soil
9	Non permeable material
10	Support slab
11	Method

Claims (22)

1. An urban transformation construction method for creating a tropical -style swimming lagoon with a sloped access at vacant and/or abandoned sites, the method comprising:

a) demoiishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, wherein the démolition process 5 includes excavating a layer of at least 15 cm and up to 6 meters;

b) excavating material having a volume of at least 4,000 m³ from an area within the site;

c) forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m² and a minimum depth of at least 1.4 meters at its deepest point, wherein earthworks for the basin are created within the surrounding site perimeter, and wherein the basin includes a

1 θ basin perimeter and a bottom;

d) constructing water contaminent walls on at least one section of the basin perimeter to form a waterfront perimeter, wherein the shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved and the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters;

e) covering the bottom of the basin with a non-permeable material, the non-permeable 15 material including at least one of a plastic liner, shotcrete, or flexible materials;

f) constructing a sloped access area on at least one section of the basin perimeter to form a beach access into the large water body;

g) constructing one or more barriers around the basin perimeter to cordon off an area to estabhsh a controlled access area, wherein the controlled access area includes a beach 'θ access perimeter, and the barriers include at least one access point to selectively allow users into the controlled access area, whereby the users allowed entry into the controlled access area are able to use the beach access; and

h) constructing at least one additional recreational facility comprising food and beverage and commercial facilîties selected from the group comprising restaurants, bars, kiosks, 5 stores and cafés, wherein the at least one additional recreational facility is located in the vîcinity of the waterfront perimeter.

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The construction method of claim 1, wherein the area about the basin perimeter not located wîthin the controlled access area forms a non-ticketed access area which may be freely accessed by users.

The construction method of claim 1, wherein the démolition process comprises excavation with machinery up to a depth of 20 centimeters over the design excavation level, where the final 20 cm are excavated manually.

The construction method of claim 1, wherein step b) comprises excavating material having a volume of at least 7,000 m³.

The construction method of daim 1, wherein step c) comprises formîng a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 5,000 m².

The construction method of claim 1, wherein:

- when the soil type has more than a 12% material passing under a N°200 mesh (opening of 0.075 mm), the bottom soil must be compacted to achieve a 95% Modified Procter Density, also referred to as the Maximum Dry Compacted Density; and

- when the soil type has less than a 12% material passing under a N°200 mesh (opening of 0.075 mm), the soil must be compacted to achieve no less than 80% of its Relative Density.

The construction method of claim 1, further comprising placing sand in the surroundings of the beach area in order to create a sandy beach area.

The construction method of daim 1, the beach access having a sloped transition into the basin of between 5% and 30%.

The construction method of claim 1, whereby the lagoon is used for swimming, for the practice of water sports, and for housing shows and events.

The construction method of claim 1, wherein the sloped access area is constructed with a support} slab to provide structural stability to such area.!

i

The construction method of daim 1, wherein the non-permeable material that covers the bottomί of the basin comprises a plastic liner of at least 1 mm of thickness.i

I I 1

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12, The construction method of claim 11, wherein the plastic liner has a white, blue or light color.

13. The construction method of claim 1, wherein the swimming lagoon has shapes that tend to imitate natural geometries.

14. The construction method of claim 1, wherein separate access points are included, for both 5 controlled access areas and non-ticketed access areas, so that visitors can participate in either one or both areas depending on their purpose for visiting the race or activity circuit facility and the swimming lagoon.

15. The construction method of claim 1, wherein the controlled access area is designed so that the total beach area to swimming lagoon area ratio is at least 1 :2.

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16. The construction method of claim 1, wherein the surroundings of the swimming lagoon include the use of amphitheaters to hold events including concerts and festivals.

17. The construction method of claim 1, wherein the surroundings of the swimming lagoon include cafés, bars, restaurants, beach centers, promenades, hôtels, entertainment facilities, Virtual and immersive expériences.

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18. The construction method of claim 1, wherein a non-fixed screen is provided in the vicinity of the swimming lagoon to broadcast content and house events and shows.

19. The construction method of claim I, wherein the swimming lagoon is illuminated through a lighting System.

20. The construction method of claim 1, wherein the swimming lagoon is surrounded by végétation 20 including plants and trees.

21. The construction method of claim 1, wherein the installations surrounding the tropical-style lagoon is artificially set with a beach theme, including the use of blue and white colors.

22. The construction method of claim 1, wherein the tropical style swimming lagoon has at least 50% less inlets than those required for the filtration system of a conventional swimming pool 25 according to swimming pool standards.