HONORABLE MENTION
ANDALIÉN RIVER AS A GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE CITY OF CONCEPCION
CHILE
01_BASIN SCALE STRATEGY
The main objective in this proposal is the definition of strategies that aim towards the restoration of the Andalién River and the framing of the social needs, ecologic dynamics, and current problems in the urban development proposal of the City of Concepcion.
The project is centered in the renewal of Andalién River, to strength it as green infrastructure, frame and a part of the landscape structures network around Concepcion. The main strategy proposed consists in the definition of a network of patches spread in the river basin, each with different functions, determined by their location inside it. These patches, even though seen as individuals, are posed as a part of a system-defining network as they are activated.
The patches are defined as elements, as this way we can get basin scale results without the need of intervening the whole territory. Furthermore, interventions are punctual in specific areas so that they develop and unite in time, reaching a bigger impact on a bigger scale. This way, activated patches gain in attributes and works as an integrated system with the rest of the patches and, in time, their development consolidates the Andalién River as an ecologic corridor with its green infrastructure qualities, achieving long term impact.
The main function of the patches are to ecologically restore the river, to integrate it to the urban dynamics of the City, and to activate it socially and programmatically. The patches are distributed along the Andalién River according to the qualities and needs of each sector. We define them in three stretches:
The High Basin, on which the definition and distribution of patches aims to restore the order and dynamics of the river itself. Today, we see these affected mainly because of the current use of the basin’s ground, populated in large areas with exotic plantations and forests, which creates draughts, flooding, and erosion related issues.
For this, we define two types of patches that accomplish a holding goal -concept aimed at defining borders, controlling erosion and stationary water flows-. First, the riparian vegetation patches, whose development gives the river bed its dimension back, empowering the geomorphic restoration and the development of natural ecologic dynamics. Second, the native vegetation patches, proposed to contain the river, creating a coupling towards the forests and plantations. These type of patches are distributed in the whole river, but are more numerous in this area of the basin.
02_LANDSCAPE-CITY INTERPLAY
In the Urban Stretch, from the joint of the river and the Nonguén creek to the airport, the patches work to fix the abandoning and unused of the river, to activate it programmatically and to control flooding. For this, we propose absorption patches, defined as vegetation and conservations areas located strategically to receive and drain the water excess in the flooding season, and the recreation patches, as green public areas linked to the river, with an infrastructure and recreational programs.
In the last stretch, compounding the wetlands and the river mouth, the patches look to programmatically activate the wetlands, while making sure of its preservation, taking the existing project into account. The objective is to preserve and enhance its ecological qualities and to promote environmental education. In this stretch, we define preservation patches, compounding vegetation and wetlands, non-habitable areas, to preserve the ecosystems; and education and tourism patches, that are areas destined for tourism and recreation, focused on promoting environmental education and in strengthening the river and wetlands care.
This strategy is developed and planned in three scales proposed by the contest:
In the basin scale strategy is laid on the territory. Surface, distance and distribution of the patches is defined on an analysis of the existent: river morphology, ground usage, existing issues and known stretches. This way, available space is better utilized to fix the different issues happening around the Andalien River. In conclusion, the aim is to work with the current scenario, but rethinking the river’s nature in relation to the city and surrounding of the city of Concepcion.
- CITY-LANDSCAPE SCALE:
In this scale, the proposal is centered in incorporating the Andalien River to the landscape structures existing in the studied territory. This way, aim for all of them to work as a group and to promote the ecologic development. The good functioning of this system directly transcends in the quality of life of people living close, by improving the surroundings and providing fundamental services and functions.
The future growth of the city must be projected according to the integrated natural system, formed by these landscape elements. Furthermore, we propose that the new urban projects must contribute to the system with functioning green areas, being proposed as new patches to be incorporated to it. On the other side, they must be limited to areas that aren’t interfering with the ecologic development of these natural systems.
03_SITE SPECIFIC CHALLENGE
ZONA MEDIA
- SPECIFIC AREAS URBAN SCALE:
The proposal for the specific area makes the macro strategy visible, one that is applied to a specific stretch of the river. In this stretch the patches are distributed in function of fixing the existing issues in the area: abandonment and disturbance of the river, channeling, bad use of the basin, flooding and river growth, historical elements and singular buildings (bridge, stadium, jail) neglection, lack of equipment and recreational areas.
In this area of the city and river we see four types of patches together: riparian vegetation -channeled river aiding, natural river dynamics development and enhancement-, native vegetation -basin holding, ecological improvement and space quality-, absorption -draining green spaces for preservation and river growing, and helps the ecosystem’s balance-, and recreational -new use of space and programmatic activation around the river.
The patches laying strategy consolidates a system that has an impact on the territory and also on people as individuals. What makes this proposal suitable for other cases is its implementation projected as patches answering specific area flaws, and that are punctually distributed in the territory to consolidate a global intervention, providing major benefits for the ecosystem, territory and its people.
MONTSERRAT CASTRO
ARCHITECT AND MASTER IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, PUC
CAROLINA BRIONES
ARCHITECT AND MASTER IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, PUC
MARÍA DE LOS ANGELES SILVA
ARCHITECT AND MASTER IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, PUC
SOFIA SAMUR
ARCHITECT AND MASTER IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, PUC