MATERIA URBANA: public space

20.6.16 Proyectos que hacen ciudad: Parque Bicentenario de la Infancia

Este es un impresionante parque de 9.000 m2, ubicado en la comuna histórica de Recoleta, con un pasado industrial y que entre fines del siglo XIX y mediados del siglo XX, fue lugar de acogida para cientos de inmigrantes del Medio Oriente, principalmente originarios de Palestina, Siria y el Líbano. Hoy esta comuna recibe una gran cantidad de inmigrantes de países vecinos y también lugares lejanos como Haití. Es por lo anterior, que la ubicación del Parque Bicentenario de la Infancia, ocupando la ladera poniente del Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, no podía haber sido mejor.

Una inusual experiencia donde los niños pueden jugar seguros al borde de una importante avenida.

Una serie de resfalines crea un borde continuo y
permeable integrando el parque a la ciudad.

18.5.15 Conversación con el Arquitecto Miguel Lawner

La discusión en torno al nuevo proyecto para Vicuña Mackenna 20 (VM20), donde se propone la demolición del antiguo edificio, se ha manipulado al punto de crear la impresión de que solo pueden existen dos miradas, excluyentes la una de la otra.

El problema se nos presenta en la forma de dos bandos, o de una dicotomía artificial e intencionalmente impulsada. Por un lado, quienes están por la demolición, justifican esta en pos del "progreso" y de la necesidad de edificaciones para institutos y alumnos de la Universidad de Chile, hacia quienes la Universidad tiene deudas infraestructurales pendientes. Por otro lado, a quienes intentan salvar este edificio patrimonial (reconocido o no) se los demoniza haciéndolos parecer poco solidarios con las necesidades de los demás. Detrás de este discurso, existe otro incluso más perverso—un discurso ideológico y mutuamente excluyente con el que se supone que cada una de estas dos miradas se alinearían—.

Fig. 1: uno de los patios de la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo. Edificios que Miguel Lawner rescató de ser demolidos.

Por supuesto que ni una ni otra posición puede ser tan estrecha. Extraña además que sea la Universidad, o sus representantes, los que en forma directa o indirecta utilicen este tipo de simplificaciones, las que son notorias por promover la ignorancia y la descalificación de quienes piensan en forma distinta.

30.11.12 A public university, with the public, in the public square

A public university celebrates its 170th year anniversary, with the public, in the public square

"What a beautiful thing it is, that for the 170th aniversary of a public university, to take place in a public square and to be dedicated to its public, to all chileans who are and own this university." Prof. Víctor L. Pérez Vera, Vice-Chancellor, Universidad de Chile. (Santiago, November 17, 2012)

Image source: uchile.online

Consistent with the values of the University of Chile (a public university), the commemoration of its 170 years were celebrated with a concert by the University of Chile's Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choir in the public square, the Plaza de Armas. Values that have been continuously and traditionally held by the university, such as equity, quality education, public education, democracy and inclusion were stressed in the opening speech of the event.

8.10.12 A stroll along Paseo Bulnes and Sta. Isabel Street

Santiago, Chile

Paseo Presidente Bulnes

click here for competition details

Paseo Bulnes (Bulnes Promenade) and Santa Isabel areas represent another significant historical district in downtown Santiago (centre). A recent call for an international competition of ideas aims to revitalise its civic character and further its importance within the city´s grid. The elite jury for this competition includes the Pritzker Prize Rafael Moneo.

Find more about Paseo Bulnes and the competition here: Se revitaliza el Paseo Bulnes and Paseo Bulnes International Competition

23.11.11 Occupy the streets: highlighting the subversive need for a shared reality of values and demands

Following the latest demonstrations around the 'Occupy the Streets' movement, I will explore some of the ideas and questions that have emerged in connection with the Occupy Melbourne. For many reasons that I hope will become apparent as the article unfolds, the following comments do not refer to the actions that took place in other parts of the world.

Poster by Occupy Melbourne,
http://occupymelbourne.org/media/posters-flyers

A few days ago I watched a documentary on Gene Sharp’s works and the alleged role of his book, “From Dictatorship to Democracy” in the success of national struggles for democracy around the world. Sharp discussed the “power of people to change the world” using nonviolent methods. Crucial in Sharp’s message was the key role of planning, strategy and carefully selected demands without which, he claims, nonviolent struggles cannot succeed. The notion that “improvisation will bring greater success is nonsense,” according to Sharp.[1] However, planning, organisation, supported by a clear purpose, were not salient features of the Melbourne Occupy the Streets demonstrations.[2] According to some, a level of organisation took place spontaneously. But, why do I think of Gene Sharp’s ideas in the light of the Occupy movement?

The sentiments of dissatisfaction and impotence for example, towards corporations that abuse the environment and threaten people’s wellbeing, were captured by the Occupy movement. The dissatisfaction is real and the need to express it legitimate—this much came across. The movement in Melbourne succeeded in attracting attention and in gaining the support and sympathy of the general public. However, it lacked the strategy, planning and purpose that Sharp is talking about.

1.11.10 Architectural education and the shared space: Agrado’s city

The city, where culture and the society’s realities are expressed, is described by Lewis Mumford in the following terms:

The city in its complete sense, then, is a geographic plexus, an economic organization, an institutional process, a theatre of social action, and an aesthetic symbol of collective unity. [1]

At the two extremes, I have been to magnificent cities of rather plain architecture and also visited mediocre cities with impressive pieces of architecture—pieces that do not contribute to give the city a coherent rhythm and which instead fight for attention. I was eager to travel to London and see with my own eyes those buildings that I had only seen in photographs, for instance Richard Rogers’ Lloyds building or Norman Foster’s Gherkin—prominent buildings that define the skyline and that, from afar, stand as a promise of a good city. Yet, when in close proximity the enchantment vanishes to expose the real self, a meagre and greedy architectural stance that interiorises anything that may be good about its architecture.

Figure 1 - One of the entries to Richard Rogers' Lloyds building. Photograph by author.

7.2.07 Public transport, a shamble and a missed opportunity in the State post-election budget

Public transport, a shamble and a missed opportunity in the State post-election budget

In the Minister's message for the launch of Melbourne 2030, Peter Batchelor stated: "Not surprisingly, in the consultation process for Melbourne 2030, transport emerged as a dominant theme. It also proved to be the feature Melburnians liked most and least about their city."[1]
A few years later, Treasurer John Brumby's post-election budget (representing the same political party), has allocated a dismal amount for the improvement of our public transport system—and it is not beginning this year, but sometime in 2009. A newspaper article published in May this year claims that, "In a tacit acknowledgement that the extent of overcrowding on Melbourne's trains has taken the Government by surprise, Mr Brumby has also brought forward the purchase of 10 trains and the training of 22 drivers."[2]

10.10.03 Federation Square and the Public Realm: Is this the new heart of Melbourne?

Federation Square and the Public Realm: Is this the new heart of Melbourne?

Federation Square presented the city with the opportunity to achieve the civic space for which Melbourne had been longing for the last 150 years. Without doubt, Federation Square, as a whole has become a landmark for the city. However, if this urban space was developed to satisfy a public interest, has it achieved this aim? In my many visits to understand this place and its day-to-day activities, I noticed something curious, except for those who work there, very few people are going about in their daily business. I am interested in the role of Federation Square in regards to the claim that it has become Melbourne`s new civic heart, a “community space”, the link between the city and the river and with the issue of who has, as expressed by Henri Lefebvre, “the right to the city”. The new Federation Square, the size of a city block, occupies a pivotal part of the City of Melbourne. It houses the indigenous galleries at the Ian Potter Centre of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the Melbourne Visitors Centre, SBS Television Studios and the BMW Edge amphitheatre. Claims Opinions on the success or otherwise of Federation Square vary widely; while Professor Miles Lewis describes it as a “great missed opportunity” and “something of an embarrassment”, Peter Seamer (CEO Federation Square) has compared it to the “St Mark`s Square or Piccadilly Circus” stating that, “it is the centre of Melbourne”.

B. Maturana, “Federation Square and the public realm: is this the new heart of Melbourne?” Planning News – Victoria, vol. 29, No.9, 2003, pp.8-11

Federation Square and the P... by beatriz