Pure Space

This book may seem a simple accumulation of twenty-one public space projects in eight Latin American cities. On closer inspection, the presentation of project descriptions, photographs, and annotated drawings reflects a concern to analytically explain the operative aspects at work.





The publication is not intended to serve only as a catalogue, guide, or manual on how to produce public space in spontaneous settlements. Rather, it goes beyond the aims of an index of best practices. It is intended, instead, as an empirical base for a critical and theoretical engagement with the problematic of development, social inclusion, public investment, (in)formal settlement, civil society and the public sphere. The publication achieves its final function at this third level, by providing a compelling argument to expand the agency of architects and urban designers and creatively find ways of justifying, financing, and building public spaces in communities —spaces that have a catalytic effectiveness in achieving significant urban and social transformation.





This book was awarded by a Graham Foundation Grant and CAF Development Bank of Latin America.





FEATURED CASE STUDIES:


CONSERVATION


72 Linear parks along the Estero Salado | Guayaquil, Ecuador


80 National Park Babil.nia and Chap.u Mangueira | R.o de Janeiro, Brasil


88 Urban agriculture along the Rimac River | Lima, Peru



WASTE MANAGEMENT


96 Moravia Ecological Park | Medellin, Colombia


104 Plaza La Cruz, La Palomera | Caracas, Venezuela



RISKMANAGEMENT


112 El Guasmo Beach, floodable park | Guayaquil, Ecuador


120 Safety plazas in Santa Mar.a El Triunfo | Lima, Peru


128 Recovery of the Juan Bobo Creek | Medellin, Colombia



INFRASTRUCTURE


136 Northeast metrocable parks Comuna 1, La Popular | Medell.n, Colombia


144 Barrio Las Independencias escalators and walkways | Medellin, Colombia


152 Funicular in Dona Marta | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


160 Complexo do Alem.o | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


168 Ecotecnia Urbana Miravalle | Mexico City, Mexico



PAVEMENT, PATHS AND THE SPACE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS


176 Pavement, paths and stairs Cerro Santo Doming and Cerro Toro | Valpara.so, Chile


184 Cerro Santa Ana urban rehabilitation | Guayaquil, Ecuador


192 Fernando Botero Library | Medellin, Colombia


200 Moravia Cultural Center | Medellin, Colombia


208 Espa.o Crian.a and community programs | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


216 Plaza in Villa Tranquila | Buenos Aires, Argentina



ACTIVITY


224 Casa Kolacho Comuna 13 | Medellin, Colombia


232 AfroReggae Cultural Center | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


240 Alto Per. | Lima, Peru


248 El Calvario Puertas Abiertas | Caracas, Venezuela