Purpose and Problem
Lavapiés is a neighborhood where there are no green spaces, where neither children nor adults can play due to the lack of parks and playgrounds, where different cultures and religions are not related due to the mistrust generated by ignorance of the other.
That is why the project wants to create a public space that is comfortable and where recreational, cultural, educational and environmental activities can be developed, which help interaction and, therefore, better understanding of the neighbors with whom the neighborhood is shared, but with those who generally do not coexist.
The purpose of the project is to facilitate the processes of active citizenship, through the active and conscious participation of neighbors in the management of public spaces in the neighborhood.
History
The project was born from the workshop “Mounting of urban actions” organized by La Casa Encendida and the Urbanaccion de Madrid group, with the collaboration of the Esterni de Milan association (December 1 to 5).
This workshop consisted of transforming a site, closed for more than 30 years (C / Doctor Fourquet no 24), into a public space open to all residents of Lavapiés through a quick and inexpensive intervention.
The group "Operarios del Espacio Público" began the workshop with a series of interviews with the inhabitants of the neighborhood, through which we clearly detected the lack of a green space in Lavapiés. Therefore, the action was articulated in the realization of a large green square, called “Esta Es Una Plaza”, where the neighbors could meet, play sports, play, organize cultural events, grow vegetables, exchange time and objects, etc. ..
Originating Entities and Financing
Neighborhood self-management project of the urban plot of Calle Doctor Fourquet no 24
Public Space Operators:
Andre Albuquerque - architect
Cristina Braschi - architect
Jerome Gottardi - architect
Laura Riera - environmental sciences
Nuria Navarro - biologist
Olga de Marco - industrial designer
Remedios Vincent - fine arts
Roberta de Nanni - architect
We have 270 signatures of support from the neighbors collected during the opening event of “Esta Es Una Plaza”.
Selection of Participants
All the residents of the neighborhood and all the people who want a new public space in Madrid.
Methods and Tools Used
Neighborhood self-management of the site on a temporary basis: the entire space is available to everyone; each one will be responsible for taking care of the space, preventing the activities carried out from disturbing the neighbors; All activities are free; Each neighbor makes a portion of his time available to the others to develop and keep the project alive.
Deliberations, Decisions and Public Interaction
We have one day to plan the strategy to follow and get materials and another two to clean and adapt the space until it is equipped with all the infrastructure that the neighbors requested. We built a vegetable garden, a sports area (soccer field, petanque and badminton), a market (barter and time bank) and an open-air theater. And, as in any park worth its salt, trails, green areas and rest areas, thanks to the trees and plants that already grew on the site.
All this is handcrafted, with temporary and removable structures, trying to use the material found on the site, recycling and managing altruistic donations.
The workshop concluded with the opening event of “Esta Es Una Plaza” on Friday, December 5, which was attended by not only neighbors, but also citizens interested in the possibility of continuing with similar projects in other places. There was fun for everyone, the children were finally able to play outdoors, without stepping on concrete, simultaneous games were organized in which the ages were mixed, there was spontaneous participation in the planting of the orchard, tasting of homemade food, musical and theater performances , projection of drawings made live on the walls, silent music and, above all, a lot of communication between the attendees.
Due to this great neighborhood enthusiasm, the group "Operarios del Espacio Público" has decided to develop this experimental project for the care and self-management of the urban site of C / Doctor Fourquet no 24.
Influence, Results and Effects
The project consists of drawing up a non-profit temporary neighborhood self-management plan for the urban plot of C / Doctor Fourquet no 24. It is made up of six interrelated areas.
Ecology: Orchard and Gardens
Community garden experimental project; cultivation is based on the self-organization of work among the inhabitants of the neighborhood. Seasonal vegetables will be grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Gardens for the use and enjoyment of all neighbors, with rest and leisure areas. The gardens will be created taking advantage of the trees and plants already existing on the site, trying to alter the plant structure present as little as possible.
Culture: Theater, Art Gallery
The theater will be used for plays, readings, improvisations, juggling ... The theater activities will be free and for everyone. The Art Gallery is open to all artists who wish to exhibit their works temporarily.
sports
Football, boules, badminton, games for children - with the only rule not to play alone.
Barter: Exchange of Time and Objects
An area covered with tables and benches for discussions, meetings, meals and snacks in common, as well as for the exchange of time, skills, objects ...
Infrastructure
maintenance of the installations
Communication
maintenance of the blog and email accounts, installation of a postal mailbox at the front door to encourage citizen participation.