Paseo cívico metropolitano Redesign for the new Alameda-Providencia axis Arturo Lyon

Alejandra Bosch

Danilo Martic

Profesor, Escuela de Arquitectura, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Profesor asistente, Escuela de Arquitectura, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Profesor, Escuela de Arquitectura, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Clara Oloriz

Santiago, Chile 2015-2018

Arquitecto, GroundLab, Londres, Reino Unido

Alfredo Ramírez Arquitecto, GroundLab, Londres, Reino Unido

Not every day a competition to redesign a metropolis’s main axis is opened. The awarded entry for the New Alameda Providencia contest, organized by the Regional Metropolitan Government of Santiago, not only seeks to renew the most emblematic avenue in the Chilean capital, but also to transform it into an exceptional urban experience in which public space, rather than competing with the various transport systems, is the one that defines and reorders them. Keywords · public space, mobility, transportation, pedestrian, monuments

Paradero de transporte público propuesto / Proposed public transport stop

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Propuesta para Plaza Baquedano / Proposal for Plaza Baquedano

Propuesta para estación de metro Tobalaba / Proposal for Tobalaba subway station

Propuesta para Estación Central / Proposal for Estación Central

The Bernardo O’Higgins Avenue (Alameda) and the twin avenues Providencia and Nueva Providencia compose Santiago’s main civic and transport axis, concentrating more than one hundred pubic bus routes and some of the most remarkable monuments, public buildings and institutions in the country. Moreover, it comprises a civic history initiated in the Alameda de las Delicias, conceived by O’Higgins in the 19th century as a space with a public character. Nowadays it has also become the main metropolitan setting for demonstrations, celebrations and cultural events of wide scope and great impact. During the last century the Alameda-Providencia axis has undergone multiple interventions aimed to improve transport efficiency which, among other causes, have progressively deteriorated the quality of public space, reducing the axis to its transit functions instead of a place of recreation and gathering. The project Nueva Alameda Providencia, called upon by the Regional Metropolitan Government of Santiago, poses the transformation of this historic, civic and transport axis as the fundamental question. This request goes beyond a simple call for ideas, as it is expected to be one of the largest urban projects realized in Chile. The initiative was born of the need to implement a new corridor for brt buses (Bus Rapid Transit) that seeks to reduce travel time for the 2 million people along a 12km-long route between Pajaritos and Tobalaba. The relevance of the axis led to look beyond the technical problem, generating a unique opportunity to improve the quality of Santiago’s main public space. Ministries of Transport, Public Works and Housing have been involved throughout the E XC E P C I O N E S  39  E XC E P T I O N S

Dirección escurrimientos Carril bicicletas permeable Canalización secundaria Escurrimiento aguas de limpieza y pluviales

Distancia separación metro

Drenaje de árboles Canalización primaria

Propuesta para avenida Providencia / Proposal for Providencia Avenue

Salida agua sobrante al sistema de drenaje general

Elemento identificativo agua: fuentes (Punto de tratamiento mecánico, bombeo y control de caudales)

Diagrama de drenajes de agua propuestos / Diagram of proposed water drains

development of the project, along with the municipalities of Lo Prado, Estación Central, Santiago and Providencia, and also multiple institutions and citizen organizations. Paseo Cívico Metropolitano offers a design that articulates the requirements of an efficient transport system while generating a fundamental space for civic life in Santiago, recalling the original character of the Alameda de las Delicias conceived by O’Higgins. Thus the project is based on the historic, infrastructural, landscape and architectural reconstruction of the axis. This reconstruction, however, is not based on its original image but alludes instead to a quality of public space, a microclimate that adapts to Santiago’s weather conditions, a unitary axis that runs through different communes and, mainly, a hydraulic infrastructure for the management and maintenance of the avenue that allows the consolidation of great lines of trees. The design strategy is based on the reorganization of transit flows according to their speeds, encouraging non-motorized and public transport over private cars and allowing the clearance of large pedestrian surfaces with the purpose of generating quality public space along the axis. Two opposite but complementary environments characterize this public space: on the one hand a green avenue is proposed, with trees generating the shade that the semi-arid climate of Santiago requires. On the other hand, we propose clearing wide areas aimed to reveal places of interest, monuments and historical buildings that characterize this urban axis. Transport flows, trees and water drainage are organized in each section of the corridor according to the context, aiming for an ease in movement and a consolidation of public space along the corridor. The continuous pedestrian A R Q 9 2  40  U C C H I L E

walkway is extended as a shared surface adjacent to the private vehicles, encouraging the latter to reduce their speed and expanding the perception of pedestrian zones. In this shared surface a continuous cycle path is also considered, contributing to the users comfort and security together with an efficient and uninterrupted movement.

water

Propuesta para la Alameda a la altura de la Biblioteca Nacional / Proposal for Alameda in front of the National Library

The original Alameda de las Delicias is the model for the project’s hydraulic infrastructure: a promenade framed by trees and supported by canals derived from the Mapocho River. This simple but elegant solution of green infrastructure generated a fresh, clean and comforting environment, ideal for the enjoyment of public space in Santiago. The contemporary reinterpretation of the canals was developed under the concept of Urban Sustainable Drainage (dus). This drainage consists of the gathering, filtration, treatment, recycling and redistribution of water cycle, regaining permeable soil along the corridor and enabling the healthy growth of the trees. At the same time, monuments, significant buildings and remarkable places are identified and characterized by fountains and water playgrounds.

trees Lines: the proposal considers the planting of 6,000 new trees on the 12 km length of the Alameda-Providencia axis, which would complement current tree lines available in some areas of Providencia or on Alameda between Ahumada and Ricardo Cumming. Given its shade, size and resistance we propose the introduction of American Oak (Quercus falcata) to strengthen current lines. The Quercus falcate is a species traditionally found in the Chilean landscape, where it’s extensively used without being invasive. Groups: we propose the introduction of Chilean Palm groups as a way of defining and emphasising a series of significant places along the axis, which are identifies based on its civic history or its proximity to monuments or emblematic buildings. The Chilean Palm (Jubaea chilensis) is in itself a monument, a feature that will accentuate places by a clearing of space that allows for heritage appreciation.

stations The high transport demand for the brt Alameda-Providencia requires the use of long stations for extravehicular payment (epev). We rejected the idea of adopting iconic bus stops as currently used by Transantiago, since they produce unnecessary visual contamination in public space without contributing to the citizen’s experience. As an alternative, we propose the use of long shades, retrieving a traditional element of central Chilean vernacular landscape, as a simple and effective way to attain protection and shade in a generally hot climate. The stations would be placed under these shades, considering controlled access, ramps, embarking platforms, signs, information screens and transparent borders. ARQ E XC E P C I O N E S  41  E XC E P T I O N S

Catálogo de cruces y paraderos / Catalog of crossings and bus stops

Paraderos + Intersección Tipologías Paradero autobus Superficie compartida Acceso Metro

Tipo 1: Parada intermodal Metro + Interseccion vial lateral

Tipo 1a: Parada intermodal Metro (sin intersección)

Tipo 1c: Intermodal Metro + Intersección vial central

Estaciones: Las Rejas, Estacion Central, Unión Latinoamericana, La Moneda, Tobalaba.

Estaciones: Ecuador, Universidad de Chile, Santa Lucía, Universidad Católica, Baquedano, Salvador.

Estaciones: San Alberto Hurtado

Características: - Doble paradero: rutas normal y express - Ancho andén: 7m ambos sentidos - Puertaautobús: izquierda

- Doble paradero: rutas normal y express - Ancho andén: 7m ambos sentidos - Puerta autobús: izquierda

Tipo 2: Paradero autobuses + Intersección vial

Tipo 3: Paradero autobuses + Intersección vial

Tipo 4: Paradero intermodal Metro

Estación: Pedro Valdivia, Manuel Montt, Los Leones y Tobalaba

Estación: Los Héroes

Estaciones: República

- Paradero sencillo: rutas normal y express - Ancho andén: 3.5 m un sentido - Puerta autobús: izquierda

- Paradero sencillo: rutas normal y express - Ancho andén: 3.5 m un sentido - Puerta autobús: izquierda

- Paradero doble: rutas normal y express - Ancho anden: 3.5 m un sentido - Puerta autobus: derecha

Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins | Inicio área de intervención Carril bicicleta

Alameda Bernardo O'Higgins | Inicio área de intervención

Fuente Pajaritos

Estacion Metro Buses Interurbanos

Estacion BRT

Estacionamiento Park & Ride

- Doble paradero: rutas normal y express - Ancho andén: 7m ambos sentidos - Puerta autobús: izquierda

Perfil tipo 1 / Street section type 1

Fuente Municipalidad Estación Central

Canal Estación Central

Desarrollo Urbano Calle par Alameda - Ecuador

Av. E cu

ador

Matuca

na

Universidad de Santiago

sta Central

Mun. Estación Central

Estación Central

Terminal Santiago

Terminal Alameda

Perfil tipo 2 / Street section type 2

Fuente Los Héroes

opis Aut Rut a

Pan a

me

rica

na

5/

Av. Bras il

Av. Rica rd

o Cum

ming

ta C ent

ral

Fuente República

Perfil tipo 3 / Street section type 3

Zoom detalle

Museo de Bellas Artes

Espejo de Agua del Palacio de La Moneda

Fuente gam

Fuente Biblioteca Nacional Plaza de Armas

Palacio de La Moneda

Lu ta an Ce rro S

o Paseo Estad

Paseo Ah

umada

cia

Plaza de La Constitución

Biblioteca Nacional

Paseo Bulne

s

Casa Central U. de Chile

Iglesia San Francisco

M

GA

ral

ent aC

UC

Cas

Parque San

Borja

Cerro San Cristóbal Parque Metropolitano

Acceso Pio Nono

Fuente Torres de Tajamar

Plaza F. C. Velasco

Fuente Baquedano

Facultad Derecho U. de Chile

Av. Vicuña Mackenna

Iglesia Ángeles Custodios

Perfil tipo 4 / Street section type 4

Hospital del Salvador

Torres de Tajamar

Fuente Tobalaba

Fuente Los Leones

ba ala ob .T Av

Fuente Iglesia Divina Providencia

Iglesia Divina Providencia

Avenida Providencia | Fin área de intervención

providencia The proposal reorganizes traffic flow and concentrates on Nueva Providencia Avenue the public buses corridor in both directions. This configuration is achieved by using the space currently assigned to taxis and collective taxis stop, which will be relocated in side streets close to Nueva Providencia. A low-speed access lane for taxis and cars will also be established. On the other hand, a west-way for private vehicles is considered on Providencia Avenue, maintaining fluid access to underground parking located in the sector. At the same time, a two-way bike path and wide tree-lined sidewalks are proposed, enhancing the commercial and recreational character of this area.

Avenida Providencia | Fin área de intervención

Perfil tipo 5 / Street section type 5

tobal aba Given the confluence of subway lines 1 and 4 and the presence of large commercial buildings, we propose to expand public space, covering the segment of San Carlos canal between Apoquindo avenue and Vitacura avenue to generate a plaza that signals the beginning of the Paseo cívico metropolitano. A large shared area that will contain wide sidewalks, bike paths and green areas, allowing the flow and lowering of vehicle speed in the area.

pl aza baquedano We propose a broad public area to support daily and massive uses, defined by a continuous ground connecting three major parks in Santiago that today don’t have pedestrian continuity: Forestal park, Bustamante park and Balmaceda park. This ground will smooth high pedestrian flow in the sector while retaining its characteristic urban void, which allows the appreciation of Santiago’s geographic and heritage landmarks as the San Cristobal hill, the Universidad de Chile Law School building and the Andes. For massive civic events, its use will be transformed by expanding pedestrian areas to the entire esplanade, thus defining a secure and resistant space. At the same time, this place constitutes the core of Santiago’s transport system, where subway lines 1 and 5 converge along with multiple public bus routes. The proposed solution avoids the construction of an underground bus station and considers instead an intermodal station at street level, located at the center of the corridor and east of Plaza Baquedano, connected to the metro station through underground tunnels and large crosswalks.

Arquitectos / Architects Alejandra Bosch, Arturo Lyon, Danilo Martic, Clara Oloriz, Alfredo Ramírez Colaboradores / Collaborators Eloy Bahamondes, Lucas Vásquez Ubicación / Location Santiago, Chile Cliente / Client Gobierno Regional Metropolitano de Santiago Ingeniería y gestión / Engineering and management idom Ingeniería de Transporte / Transport engineering idom, Sergio Chiquetto y Steer, Davies & Gleave Presupuesto estimado / Estimated budget US $ 220.000.000 Superficie estimada / Built surface 120 ha. Año de Proyecto / Project year

Alejandr a Bosch

Arturo Lyon

Arquitecto, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2005. Master en Landscape Urbanism, Architectural Association School of Architecture, Londres, 2008. Cofundadora de Lyon Bosch Arquitectos en Santiago. Ha desarrollado proyectos en China, Dubai, Qatar y Reino Unido. Su trabajo docente se centra en la representación de infraestructura y paisaje. Actualmente es Profesora en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Architect, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2005. Master of Arts in Landscape Urbanism, Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, 2008. Co-founder of Lyon Bosch Architects in Santiago. She has developed projects in China, Dubai, Qatar and the United Kingdom. Her academic work focuses on the representation of infrastructure and landscape. She is currently Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Arquitecto, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2004. MArch, Design Research Laboratory, Architectural Association School of Architecture, Londres, 2007. Cofundador de Lyon Bosch Arquitectos en Santiago. Ha trabajado en proyectos en China, Dubai, Reino Unido y Singapur, destacando el Dubai Financial Market y el Soho Galaxy en conjunto con Zaha Hadid Architects, Londres. Ha realizado diversos workshops en Chile, Argentina, México y el Reino Unido. Actualmente es Profesor en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Architect, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2004. Master of Architecture, Design Research Laboratory, Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, 2007. Co-founder of Lyon Bosch Architects in Santiago. He has worked on projects in China, Dubai, UK and Singapore, among which we can highlight the Dubai Financial Market and Soho Galaxy with Zaha Hadid Architects, London. He has conducted several workshops in Chile, Argentina, Mexico and the United Kingdom. He is currently Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

2016-2018

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estación centr al This area presents a unique opportunity to establish itself as a landmark in the New Alameda, as it is an important reference point within the intermodal transport system. Moreover, being a historical building, it will be highlighted with a wide esplanade that favors the pedestrian transit, connecting Matucana Avenue, the brt, the metro station and a new urban development in the area of ​​Ecuador Avenue.Another key element that characterizes this crossing is the possibility of diverting private vehicles towards Pajaritos Avenue through Ecuador Avenue, integrating commercial and residential uses in the area between Ecuador and Alameda. Gentler pedestrian areas will also be achieved in the west segment to Pajaritos, where pedestrian flow is high due to the presence of different local bus stations.

pajaritos When the Alameda corridor reaches Santiago’s periphery, the urban context becomes generic . At this point converge vehicular arrival to Santiago from the East and the beginning of public transport system in the Alameda. Therefore, we propose an intermodal node that integrates the intercity bus station, parking, Pajaritos subway station and local bus stops. The node will be organized through a circular pedestrian walkway connecting all these elements, producing an elevated ring that indicates the entrance to the city.Such lifted walkway will allow continuous flow of public transport and will favor pedestrians at the same time, facilitating their movement and access to the corridor. This unique space will characterize the area and allow iconic views to and from the Alameda. The circular landmark will connect Pajaritos station with both ways of the New Alameda and Isla Decepción Street, integrating green areas resulting from the vehicular system with the existing park.

Danilo Martic

Cl ar a Oloriz

José Alfredo R amírez

Arquitecto, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 1998. Master in Landscape Architecture, University of Pennsylvania School of Design, ee.u u., 2005. Ha colaborado junto a Teodoro Fernández en los proyectos para el Parque Bicentenario, remodelación de la Quinta Normal y Parque de la Ciudadanía, entre otros. Sus obras han sido publicadas en Chile y en el extranjero. Su trabajo posiciona el concepto de paisaje como elemento estructurador del diseño a escala urbana y territorial. Actualmente es Profesor en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Architect, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 1998. Master in Landscape Architecture, University of Pennsylvania School of Design, usa , 2005. He has collaborated with Teodoro Fernandez in projects for the Bicentennial Park, remodeling Quinta Normal and Citizenship Park, among others. His works have been published in Chile and abroad. His work raises the concept of landscape as structuring element of design at urban and territorial scale. He is currently Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Arquitecto, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Navarra, 2006. PhD Universidad de Navarra, España, y Architectural Association School of Architecture, Londres. Ha trabajado para Foreign Office Architects y Plasma Studio. Actualmente dirige GroundLab-Londres. En la a a investiga las relaciones entre tecnología y arquitectura, y además co-dirige la Visiting School ‘Computing Topos’ en Bilbao y el a a Research Cluster ‘Prototipos Urbanos’. Architect, School of Architecture, Universidad de Navarra, 2006. PhD Universidad de Navarra, Spain, and Architectural Association School of Architecture, London. She has worked at Foreign Office Architects and Plasma Studio. She currently heads Groundlab-London. At the a a her research focuses on the relationship between technology and architecture, and she also co-directs the Visiting School ‘Computing Topos’ in Bilbao and the ‘Urban Prototypes’ a a Research Cluster.

Arquitecto, Máster en Landscape Urbanism, Architectural Association School of Architecture, Londres, 2005. Fundador y director de la oficina GroundLab, que desarrolla proyectos que vinculan arquitectura, urbanismo y paisaje. Ha realizado proyectos en China, México, España y Chile, entre los que destacan el masterplan para los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012 o la Exhibición Internacional de Horticultura en Xian, China, 2011. Actualmente es Director del Máster en Landscape urbanism en la a a , Londres. Architect, Master of Landscape Urbanism, Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, 2005. Founder and director of Groundlab, which develops projects linking architecture, urbanism and landscape. He has carried out projects in China, Mexico, Spain and Chile, among which we can highlight the masterplan for the 2012 Summer Olympics or the International Exhibition of Horticulture in Xian, China, 2011. He is currently the Director of the Master in Landscape Urbanism at the a a , London.

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