Agostina Ciocci, Maria Agostina Padula, Maria Camila Dip
student
Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Tucumán
Argentina
Urban Design and Landscape
Among Urban Fabrics emerges as a response to an overlooked interstitial space within the urban fabric: a residual territory caught between railway tracks and a… more
Omar Harb
advisor
Phoenicia University
Lebanon
As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more
Feedback: Entretejidos Urbanos
This project, "Entretejidos Urbanos," presents a compelling and insightful response to reclaiming overlooked urban spaces. Your team has developed a thoughtful master plan that genuinely embodies the principles of urban revitalization, community integration, and sustainable public realm design.
The project idea is exceptionally strong, directly addressing a common urban challenge: transforming a residual, fragmented territory into a vibrant "living fabric." Your inspiration from Jane Jacobs is clearly evident in the emphasis on mixed uses, active public spaces, and fostering a sense of belonging. The goal of creating inhabitable public environments, rather than just empty green spaces, is a crucial distinction and a testament to a user-centric approach. Conceiving the corridor as a "symbolic and social structure" that promotes walking, encounters, and shared memory is truly powerful.
The project description effectively translates this vision into a clear urban-architectural proposal. Designing a "green seam" along abandoned railway tracks to reconnect fragmented areas is an elegant solution. The strategic placement of four public squares (children's, market, sport's) and three activity nodes (gastronomic, cultural, sports) ensures a diverse range of uses and user engagement throughout the corridor. The decision to make the cultural node in El Bajo the main focal point, integrating a commercial promenade, cultural center, and museum, is a smart move that leverages historical significance for urban regeneration.
From a technical information perspective, the architectural intervention for the cultural center is well-conceived. The concept of a "cube nestled among the trees" with a massive concrete base (four hollow columns and intersecting beams) for minimal ground impact is structurally sound and environmentally sensitive. The design progression from a solid base to lighter intermediate suspended floors and upper metal levels effectively creates the desired "sense of a park" and visual lightness, preventing the building from dominating its surroundings. The addition of a slender concrete tower and elevated walkways, along with a pedestrian bridge, thoughtfully integrates the complex into the existing urban and pedestrian fabric.
To further enhance this already strong project, consider these aspects:
Detailed Green Infrastructure and Ecology: While a "green urban corridor" is central, expand on the specific ecological strategies. How does it promote biodiversity (e.g., native planting, habitat creation)? How will it manage stormwater effectively through green infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, permeable paving)? This would strengthen its environmental resilience.
Adaptive Reuse of Railway Elements: The project is on "abandoned railway tracks." Could some original railway elements (e.g., rails, ties, signals, or even structures like small stations) be creatively integrated or repurposed into the public spaces or architectural features? This would explicitly honor the site's railway identity and heritage, enriching the "shared memory" aspect.
Phased Implementation and Community Stewardship: Given the scale of an urban corridor, how is the project envisioned to be implemented in phases? Furthermore, how will the design foster long-term community stewardship and maintenance of these revitalized public spaces and activity nodes? This would ensure the "living, active, and meaningful fabric" remains vibrant over time.