Busquets, Joan
From CollabLandWiki
Busquets, J. 2005. Barcelona Revisited: Transforming the city within the city In City Edge: Case Studies in Contemporary Urbanism, edited by E. Charlesworth 14-32. Oxford: Architectural Press.
This reading equates to a report into the development of Barcelona. Two crucial areas that were revised were touched. The waterfront and Ciutat Vella (the old city) of which the Ciutat Vella's issues were of particular interest. The walled city centre ran into trouble with the city sprawl that happened in recent years. The 'doughnut effect' discussed in the Melbourne reading was occuring. The Ciutat Vella had different issues with it developing vertically as there was no room to go horizontal. This put much pressure on the narrow streets as public space.
In the interest of the historical relevance of the site a stategy was devoloped with regenration of the site being its focus.
- A critical analysis of the city was to be undertaken to take in account elements constructed into the city’s history with the goal of establishing an improvement strategy. This needs to identify and analyse positive and negative elements within the city’s history.
- Recycling of buildings was to be considered and new buildings needed a code of materials, style etc.
- Interventions in public spaces are of great importance, including existing sites and new public spaces (which came from the demolition of some buildings) to overcome the density of the overbuilding (vertical element)
Points
- To develop a strategy for urban enhancement is critical to allow all projects to have a common goal of urban reconstruction.
- The strategy plan needs to be site specific and analysis of this need to be done to implement an effective strategy.
- Need to discover principles of successful urbanity. E.g. street widening, more public space, negative effect of overbuilding
