This design of a compact multifunctional urban center in San Jose's historical district El Carmen is an exemplary work to illustrate a newly proposed territorial organization of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) in Costa Rica that would restructure the almost 2000 km2 terrain as a polycentric network system (P.N.S.G.A.M.); it responds to our five target issues for an integral sustainable urban development:
(1) Quantum change and transferability
The ideas are transferable to any of the many cities in the world that deal with dying centers in favor of a car accessible suburban periphery, taking into account the location specific conditions. The imagery of this work will have pioneer effects in visualizing the potential urban ambience that the green corridors can produce for a densified (now segregated) urban society.
The necessary quantum leap requires a cultural change as people are still preferring detached suburban homes. We introduce heterotopic mix use buildings with high quality public and private spaces designed for our target groups (e.g. tourist, student, middle class etc.). The proposed urban acupuncture could function as an agent of change in the abandoned urban fabric, creating a new tropical urban attraction.
(2) Ethical standards and social equity
Social equity is improved by offering affordable middle and upper class housing in a high quality urban space fit for living and working. Using a participatory design approach, we stimulate the citizens to shape and appropriate their densified urban environment.
We intend to stimulate solidarity and a more inclusive urban culture, thus reducing the apparent social segregation.
(3) Ecological quality and energy conservation
The proposed bioclimatic architecture reacts to the local natural habitat. All buildings are equipped with devices to harvest natural resources efficiently. Rainwater is collected in reservoirs on rooftops, creating natural water pressure for the apartments and offices below. Organic waste is collected centrally and turned into biogas. Solar energy is harvested via photovoltaic panels on rooftops or south facades of the buildings. The interior spaces are positioned in a way to minimize solar heat gains and to ensure natural ventilation. Through such active and passive design strategies, we intend to minimize the energetic footprint of the built environment. A green trajectory is proposed to link the different buildings and public urban spaces for transport, leisure and recreation.
(4) Economic performance and compatibility
In reaction to a changed consumption pattern (from local central markets to international malls in the periphery), we intend to stimulate the economy of the centre by offering middle class households an area to live, work and consume. At the same time economic and ecologic transport costs are diminished; private developers are attracted to this high quality urban environment.
(5) Contextual and aesthetic impact
A participatory design approach allows us to generate urban and architectural schemes that respond to real needs and site-specific conditions. Typologies like progressive and productive houses allow for family specific adaptations now and in the future. Translating these into a complex and integral design toolbox permits transfer to other sites according to their culture, context and aesthetics.
The project is developed in collaboration with Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica. The proposed bioclimatic architecture is result of Professor Oliver Schütte's studio on energy efficient architecture and urbanism. The participatory design process was generated through a multidisciplinary dialogue with the target population in El Carmen; this dialogue was guided and shaped through anthropologist / economist Marije van Lidth de Jeude with the help of invited professionals and students.
Credit
1st phase : Oliver Schütte and Marije van Lidth de Jeude with Carlos Chacon, Ronald Fonseca, Laura Jimenez, Nicolas Marin, Rodolfo Schlager, Roberto Argüello, Jose Pablo Vargas, Alejandro Vallejo and Caleb Mata.
2nd phase : Oliver Schütte and Marije Van Lidth de Jeude with Carlos Chacon, Ronald Fonseca, Jean Paul Garnier.
3rd phase : Oliver Schütte with Ronald Fonseca.
San Jose, Costa Rica, 2006 - 2009.