Speaker
Description
In consequence of the economic restructuring and decentralisation that took place in the late 1990s, a notable trend of suburbanisation has been observed in the city of Buenos Aires, resulting in a concomitant stagnation of the population residing in the central area (CABA).
While the city core remains the cultural and economic heart of Argentina, many people have moved to the surrounding suburban areas (Greater Buenos Aires) in search of a more secure environment, affordable housing, larger living spaces, and a better quality of life, as well as job opportunities with less commuting time.
The shift from an industrial to a service/creative/technology-oriented economy in Argentina and the new working conditions after the COVID 19 pandemic, also contributed to this change, with fewer jobs opportunities in the city due to the creation of specialized district hubs located in suburban nodes, leading to a decline in the city's population.
This phenomenon, termed the "donut effect" in academic literature, signifies an urban-centric vacuity accompanied by suburban population growth.
The Buenos Aires city core (Microcentro) has historically been distinguished by its concentration of commercial, hospitality, financial, and office buildings. Developed under stringent zoning regulations, this area of the city had a very small residential population, constituting less than 10%. Recognising this situation, various initiatives have been implemented across the city. The most recent of these is the Plan de Transformación y Reconversión del Microcentro de CABA (Plan for the Transformation and Reconversion of the Microcenter of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires), which aims to revitalise the area by converting office buildings into residential and mixed-use spaces. This project, which promotes the creation of housing and the diversification of uses, has generated interest in both the public and private sectors.
This regeneration initiative, despite benefiting from the support of the government, real estate developers and investors, faces significant challenges in its implementation. A fundamental re-conceptualisation of the area is imperative to foster a vibrant residential proposal, one that will attract new residents.
This paper proposes an in-depth analysis of the initiative, drawing on the experience gained from major redevelopment projects such as Puerto Madero, in order to avoid the shortcomings of the aforementioned intervention, such as the lack of social infrastructure, a diverse residential offer for different income groups, smart mobility and accessibility solutions, a better design of green areas, plazas and permeable land as wells a collaborative and participatory design implementation in accordance with the Sustainability Agenda 2030.
References
City core regeneration projects, Sustainability Agenda 2030, public private associations.
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
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