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

Create an account