FACING THE RIVER - confronting environmental & social risks by using river arms as a backbone by Gabriela Waldherr

Facing the River confronting environmental & social risks of the Reconquista River Basin by using river arms as a backbone

Laura Lijdsman / Wanting Meng / Chang Liu / Anna Klimczak / Gabriela Waldherr Delft University of Technology / MSc Urbanism AR0401 Globalisation Free Choice/ July 2018

AR0401 Globalisation Free Choice / Delft University of Technology / MSc Urbanism / Authors: Laura Lijdsman / 4499999 Wanting Meng / 4697820 Chang Liu / 4705777 Anna Klimczak / 4739698 Gabriela Waldherr / 4745671 Tutors: Diego Sepulveda / Delft University of Technology Luisa Calabrese / Delft University of Technology Maria Guglielmini / Universidad de Buenos Aires Santiago Luppi / Universidad de Buenos Aires

July 2018

Institutions:

Partners:

Abstract The metropolitan region of Buenos Aires (RMBA) is currently facing challenges caused by global economy, and besides that, also exposed to environmental risks, like flooding and contamination. This report will identify these challenges in different scales and propose a vision, a development strategy and key projects to introduce a new structure which tackles the aforementioned problems of the region. The project area are the municipalities of Morón and Hurlingham, which are located in the peri-urban area of the RMBA. Currently they are poorly connected to the autonomous city of Buenos Aires (CABA) through a lack of public transportation and the limiting industrial belt, and additionally also excluded from the global economy, which is centralized in the CABA with the accumulation of centralities and service activities. Besides that, the post-industrial area is located along the Morón river arm, which is part of the Reconquista river basin. According to statistics, the Reconquista river is one of the most contaminated rivers of the world caused by informal sewage discharge, waste and industries. The area is additionally exposed to recurrent flooding through the aforementioned contamination, but also climate change effects and the local weather phenomena ‘Sudestada’. Therefore, the proposed long term strategy introduces a new integral structure, which aims to resolve contamination and flooding risks combined with the transformation of existing factories into recycling industries, which results finally into a more integrated, inclusive and safe society. This integral structure is expressed spatially in a river park along the creek and green-blue corridors in both municipalities. To clarify the implementation of our proposed interventions we introduce a more integral planning approach between municipalities, provincial and national governments and private institutions in order to facilitate an inclusive and sustainable future for the RMBA.

Key words Globalization, Contamination, Buenos Aires, Reconquista River, Green-blue corridors, Water management, Resilience, Climate Change

Table of content 0. INTRODUCTION

Scales

Methodology

Theoretical framework

Problem statement

Framework proposal

1. DIAGNOSIS

City structure

Globalisation

Fragmentation

Disconnectivity

Environmental risk & climate change effects

Flood risk

Contamination

Conclusions - Globalisation

Conclusions - Environmental risk

Objective of identity

2. VISION

Leaf analogy

40 41

Vision

3. STRATEGY

The Approach

Strategic goals

Layers of existing conditions

Final vision map

Layers of development

Strategy map

Stakeholders

Road map

Power Interest

Planning process

Legal framework & Policies

4. KEY PROJECTS

Design Principles

Design principles in the key projects

Key project - River Park

82 84

River Park - node 1

River Park - node 2

River Park - node 3

102

River Park - node 4

110

Key project - Green corridor

118

Water and waste management

120

Existing conditions

120

Integrated, proposed conditions

126

Corridor - part A

132

Corridor - part B

140

Corridor - part C

148

5. REVISION

5 156

Reflection on the analogy

L-scale effect

158

Green structure

160

XL-scale effect

162

Reflection on space syntax

166

Bibliography

157

168

INTRODUCTION 6

This project is a contribution of the TU Delft course â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Globalizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which partly takes place in Buenos Aires in cooperation with the UBA (Universidad de Buenos Aires). The main focus, as the title says, are the spatial challenges of globalization in two municipalities in Buenos Aires, but with a special attention to environmental risks and hazards in the Reconquista River Basin.

XXL world

Scales Throughout the whole process ofMethodology this project & Scales we worked within different scales. From XXL, the world, to the smallest unit XS, the Morón creek and its surrounding blocks. With the XXL constant reflection of scales, interrelations world between causes and effects can be made visible in a complex way and this allowed us to define multi scalar approached strategies.

XXL world

RMBA

Methodology & Scales M Hurlingham & Morón

Methodology & Scales

RMBA

Methodology &MScales

2,5

0,5

10 km

2 km

Methodology &MScales

legend 4 legend 5 legend 6

Reconquista River Basin

RMBA

Hurlingham & Morón

source: blablabla, 2018

0,5

2 km

River Arm & Green Corridor

0,5

Hurlingham & Morón

RMBA

Hurlingham & Morón

legend 2 legend 3 legend 4 legend 5 legend 6

Morón Creek & Blocks

world

legend 1

Reconquista River Basin

2,5

2 km

10 km

source: blablabla, 2018

N 0

0,5

INTRODUCTION

XXL

TITLE MAP

Hurlingham & Morón

legend 6

River Arm & Green Corridor

legend 2 legend 3

10 km

legend 3 legend 4 legend 5

legend 1

N 5

legend 1 legend 2

Reconquista River Basin

source: blablabla, 2018

TITLE MAP

world

2,5

2 km

TITLE MAP

River Arm & Green Corridor

legend 1 legend 2 legend 3 legend 4 legend 5 legend 6

N 0,5

2 km

N 0

0,5

2 km

2,5

10 km

source: blablabla, 2018

N 0

0,5

River Arm & Green Corridor

2 km

River Arm & Green Corridor

Hurlingham & Morón

Morón Creek & Blocks 0,5

2 km

N 0

0,5

2 km

Morón Creek & Blocks N 0

0,5

2 km

N 0

0,5

10 k

world

XXL

TITLE MAP

Facing the River

Hurlingham & Morón

2,5

world

XXL

Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires

XXL

2 km

Figure 1 : Presentation of the scales

N 0

2,5

10 km

Methodology Our methodology bases on a multiscalar approach, as it is explained on the previous page, but apart of that the structure of the course predefined our methodology: Starting with the literature review and extensive analysis at TU Delft, afterwards the site visit in Argentina, and the finalizing part back in TU Delft. The conception of scales changed during this whole process. In the first part we analyzed in a top-down way, and in the second and third part we proceeded from a more bottom up approach.

Facing the River

Theoretical framework and pre-diagnosis were set during the first part of the course due to extensive literature review and analysis of

scales XXL to M. In this process the problem statement and research question were defined. In the second stage, the visit on site in Buenos Aires, we observed local conditions, had conversations with stakeholders and collected more data. After that, we adapted and finalized the diagnosis including scales S and XS and concluded this part with defining our vision. In the last stage we combined the local scales XS and S with the previous analyzed scales XXL to M and created a strategic model and a development strategy, which also included the design of key projects. In a final step we reflect our vision, development strategy and key projects in a bigger scale, also with the objective to refer back to the previous literature review.

INTRODUCTION

Figure 2 : Methodology scheme

Theoretical framework The theoretical framework of our project is divided into two different stages. Firstly the framework of the analysis and literature review, which defines the main challenges of the metropolitan region and secondly the theoretical Theoretical framework of our proposal. which framework - ANALYSIS structures vision, strategy and key projects.

Literature review Polycentricity & Urban fragmentation

Urban transportation

Asessing environmental conditions & risk

Facing the River

Analysis Globalization

Environmental risks & Climate change effects

Disconnectivity

Flood risk

Contamination

Figure 3 : Theoretical framework - challenges

During the literature review we focused on three different topics, which are connected to the main challenge of globalization: Polycentricity and urban fragmentation, urban transportation and assessment of environmental conditions and risks. This research connected to mapping and analysis allowed us to define main challenges of the project area in different scales. In XXL, the global scale, main overall challenges are globalization and environmental risks/climate change effects. In XL, the scale of the metropolitan region, globalization lead us to the subtopics of fragmentation and disconnectivity, and environmental issues to flooding risk and contamination.

INTRODUCTION

Fragmentation

Facing the River

Problem statement

INTRODUCTION

In the metropolitan scale the city expansion provoked through time spatial fragmentation and disconnectivity. During the urban growth of Buenos Aires, the official border of the city was displaced twice, which is visible nowadays through an accumulation of industrial areas around the first ‘corona’. This industrial belt creates fragmentation and disconnectivity between the city centre of Buenos Aires (CABA) and the peri-urban area. Besides the ring structure of ‘coronas’, also the finger structure determined by railways creates challenges regarding globalization. Railways built in the 19th century structured until the 1990’s urban growth and location of centres. With the liberal economy model in the 1990’s car infrastructure was enhanced, especially between the finger structure, and new spatial relations were created. Public transport in this areas is mainly car-oriented and highly dependent on ‘colectivos’, which are private companies and do not cover all areas. This new infrastructure did not only change the urban transport and spatial dynamics especially in the third and partly in the second ‘corona’ of the metropolitan region, but also defined new urban centres consisting often of shopping malls, big supermarkets and non local companies. Besides that, privatization stimulated private land use developments, like the so called ‘gated communities’ and gated country clubs. On the other hand, proving that this system is not inclusive for everybody, more and more informal settlements appeared on public or no one’s land. This dichotomy creates a strong social polarisation combined with a spatial fragmentation and disconnectivity through infrastructure and land use. The spatial challenges of globalization are additionally enhanced through a lack of institutional integration. The metropolitan region as a whole is still not represented in an official planning institution, but rather split in CABA and the surrounding municipalities. A first attempt is made by creating COCAMBA in 2016, the consultant commission of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, which aims to coordinate between national, provincial and local governments, but decision making is still difficult due to the current legal process. The same problem is confronting COMIREC concerning the Reconquista river basin. A lack of organisation, planning tools and an inconvenient legal framework harpen the efficiency of the institution. Additionally to that, municipalities work in an autonomous and non integral way, so common visions for the metropolitan region and bigger integrated projects are hard to implement due to the lack of common sense.

In the metropolitan scale four main problems related to climate change effects and environmental risks are noticeable. Firstly, the lowest part of the metropolitan area, in the river basins, are most vulnerable for flooding. In these areas a lot of villa’s with the lowest strata of the population are settled. Secondly, in these river basins, a major issue is the contamination of the rivers and its arms. The higher- and middle part of the basin and the river arms are responsible for contamination, because of their discharge of all types of waste in the river. The inhabitants living in the inundation areas along the river and in the lower basin are most vulnerable for contamination. Thirdly, in the periphery of Buenos Aires a certain percentage of the households have insufficient water supply. People living in the periphery and the lower parts of the metropolitan area sometimes have to deal with flooding and sometimes have to deal with a lack of water supply, which is contradictory. Fourthly, the higher strata in Buenos Aires cause pressure on the lower strata. The higher strata produce more waste where the lower strata have to deal with and take precious land in the flooding areas which causes flooding in the inundation zones along the river. These four problems are also reflected on the M scale. The main inundation zones with highest flooding risks are located along the rivers and their arms. Those areas, where most villa’s are located, are also the main vulnerable areas for contamination. Besides this, the rainwater flows within the area are directed to the lowest parts along the river. This makes that those areas are not only vulnerable for flooding from surface water (the river), but also from rainwater. As you can see, the main industrial contamination points, which are a major contributor to contamination of the river, are located along the river and its arms, in this case the Morón creek. Also, the whole municipality of Hurlingham and a major part of Morón isn’t provided with a sewer system which contributes to the contamination of the river as well. Together, this makes the Morón creek responsible for a high percentage of contamination of the Reconquista river basin. Conclusively the main problems of the project areas are caused by globalization, like the spatial and institutional fragmentation, social segregation and disconnectivity, but also by the climate change, which provokes environmental risks, like flooding and contamination.

Framework proposal This project is based on the sustainability triangle connected to a integral approach in different stages.

necessary. Giving ‘rights back to the river’, but also raising awareness for environment are the main theories we are aiming for.

Economic sustainability

Social sustainability

“The ability of an economy to support a defined level of economic production indefinitely” (www.businessdictionary.com). In the context of the peri-urban area of Buenos Aires aiming towards economic sustainability is mainly about transforming existing high-polluting industries and giving them an opportunity to adapt to future market conditions. The focus will be on the recycling industry and the extension of the Airport ‘El Palomar’. Thereby the creation of new working places and capacitation of capable personal is necessary.

“The ability of a community to develop processes and structures which not only meet the needs of its current members but also support the ability of future generations to maintain a healthy community” (www.businessdictionary.com). In the context of the project, social sustainability focuses especially on the concepts of social cohesion, equity and quality of life due to the occurrence of villas parallel to gated areas.

Environmental sustainability

In order to achieve the before named sustainabilities we propose a complex integral approach. Firstly the integral jurisdictional decision and project making is necessary to reach any of the sustainability goals, but also in a smaller scale infrastructures should be planned in a more integral way in terms of functions.

Facing the River

“The maintenance of the factors and practices that contribute to the quality of environment on a long-term basis” (www.businessdictionary. com). Due to high pollution in and along rivers through solid waste, sewage and chemicals, aiming for environmental sustainability is Theoretical framework - PROPOSAL

Integral approach

AL GR TE ACH PRO AP

ACTIVATING SOCIETY

Sustainability

ACTIVATING ECONOMY

ACTIVATING NATURE

This project is based on the sustainability triangle connected to a integral approach in different stages.

Figure 4 : Theoretical framework - proposal

Economic sustainability “The ability of an economy to support a defined level of economic production indefinitely.” In the context of the peri-urban area of Buenos Aires aiming towards economic sustainability is mainly about transforming existing high-polluting industries and giving them an opportunity to adapt to future market conditions. The focus will be on the recycling industry and the extension of the Airport ‘El Palomar’. Thereby the creation of new working places and capacitation of capable personal is necessary.

INTRODUCTION

DIAGNOSIS 12

This chapter explains first different ways of understanding the city structure, following by an extensive analysis of the previous defined subtopics globalization and environmental issues, and rounding it up with a conclusive problem statement. Finally findings of the analysis and the current identity are used to define our objectives for the next step, the vision.

City structure The metropolitan region of Buenos Aires (RMBA) has 14.819.137 inhabitants (Censo, 2010) and consists of the autonomous city of Buenos Aires (CABA) and 40 surrounding municipalities. The RMBA can be understood in different structures.

DIAGNOSIS

Another way of understanding the city is through administrative organization and read it in ‘coronas’, the CABA and three radial rings of urban extension. Thereby every ‘corona’ is subdivided into three zones again, north, west and south. The central CABA has 2.891.082 inhabitants, the first corona consists out of 12 municipalities and around 4.779.964 inhabitants, the second out of 14 municipalities and 5.130.319 inhabitants and the third corona out of 20 municipalities and 2.017.773 inhabitants (INDEC, 2010), which also includes the area of La Plata. In terms of urban expansion, especially the population of the second and third ‘corona’ is growing fast in the last years (INDEC, 2010).

Conclusively analyzing the social vulnerability considering the three aforementioned structures, a clear accumulation of weaker areas is noticeable between the finger structure, which are generally also the lowlands of the river basins. Additionally it becomes clear, that an especially big part of the third ‘corona’ is affected by social vulnerability, which are the latest city expansions.

Facing the River

The first way of understanding the RMBA is through urban expansion in time. The predominant element structuring the city were the railways and since the 19th century urban growth was orientated along this infrastructure and centers along train stations, which built the nowadays still existing finger structure of the city. This structure was intervened during the 1990´s with its liberal regime, which promoted car-oriented transport and highway construction. In this process, connections between the fingers were made and new private developments, like shopping malls and gated communities, were located along the new infrastructure and created a new urban tissue (Subsecretaría de Urbanismo y Vivienda, 2007).

The third way of understanding the RMBA is through the hydraulic environmental system. Nowadays four river basins define the structure of the RMBA, where the main river is located in between the finger structure. Generally the rivers and river arms are open air, but especially in the Maldonado river basin main parts are covered, so the urban fabric continues. In the 21st century the RMBA started to recognize the river basins as territorial and organizational entities and created commissions to specifically manage these areas. (Acumar, Comirec)

Facing the River

Figure 5: Introduction RMBA - expansion trough infrastructure

DIAGNOSIS

CORONAS Buenos Aires (CABA) Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (AMBA) Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires (RMBA) Metropolitan Area of La Plata

N 0

2,5

10 km

source: Observatorioamba

Figure 6: Introduction RMBA - Coronas

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Figure 7: River basins of RMBA

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 8: Social Vunerability in RMBA

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Globalization

DIAGNOSIS

Saskia Sassen states ‘the more globalized the economy becomes, the higher the agglomeration of central functions in a relatively few sites’ (Sassen, 2001), which is clearly visible in the case of Buenos Aires. Central functions, but especially the service sector are located in the CABA, the autonomous city of Buenos Aires, whereas traditional manufacturing factories are located in the periurban area, also called the second ‘corona’, and in the southern part of the city. Comparing this now to the aforementioned findings of social vulnerability in figure 8, it becomes clear that the traditional manufacturing areas in the south and in the peri-urban area are also the most vulnerable parts of the metropolitan region. These phenomena are urban transformations produced as a result of structural changes in the economy, like the escalating decline of old industrial areas precipitated by the massive closures of factories and their consequent rise of unemployment rates in those zones. These vast areas suffered from the aforementioned industrial decay, but also the appearance of informal settlements and a significant share of relatively poor population, which were former industrial workers. On the other site this structural change enriched the elite connected to the service economy and produced new types of luxurious urban environments, the so called gated communities in the peri-urban area and periphery. This enhances the theory of Bridge and Watson, which states ‘Global cities are a result of transactions that fragment space, such that we can no longer talk about cities as whole cities – instead, … we have … bits that are highly globalised – and bits juxtaposed that are completely cut out […]’ (Bridge and Watson, 2003).

Conclusively it can be said that the system proposed by global economy is exclusive and does not allow all areas of the city to be part of it. In the case of Buenos Aires, it becomes especially clear by looking deeper into urban transportation and infrastructure, but of course also into the coverage of basic needs. Whereas the central city is highly interconnected by metro, trains and buses, the peri-urban area shows a lack of connectivity and depends mostly on private bus companies. Heavy infrastructure leading towards the centralized functions located in the CABA might seem as an important element to connect the outer areas with the centre, but in the local scale this global infrastructure is responsible for spatial fragmentation for the losers of globalization. Finally, it can be stated that while the CABA tries to be part and compete with the global economy and other global cities, especially post-industrial zones in the peri-urban area are disconnected from this ongoing process, but also suffering from the negative effects of this economic shift. Saskia Sassen goes further with her theories and states that ‘cities that are strategic sites in the global economy tend, in part, to become disconnected from their region and even nation’ (Sassen, 1998). The project site is located in the peri urban area of Buenos Aires, so our strategies and interventions aim to integrate these forgotten areas with the centre, but also introduce a new structure, which in turn to globalization, tries to create inclusive and accessible opportunities for everyone.

Facing the River

Figure 9 : Puerto Madero in the center of Buenos Aires (source: www.reddit.com)

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 10 : Abandoned industry in Hurlingham â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cooperativa Curtidoresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (source: http://www.hurlinghamaldia.com/)

Fragmentation structure and on the river banks of the basins, but also especially in the ex-industrial area in the central south. In the municipalities of Morón and Hurlingham are no gated communities, but gated areas, like two military airports, a military school and golf parks. Additionally there is a concentration of informal settlements along the Morón river arm and the Reconquista river. Besides spatial fragmentation, also institutional fragmentation is visible in the scale of the River Basin. Nowadays four different companies are responsible for hydraulic works, like sewer and drinking water network, which makes it difficult to manage a common development strategy of one system.

Facing the River

In the RMBA fragmentation happens in different dimension and scales. As it is visible in Figure 11 (XL scale) and Figure 13 (M scale) the privatization process in the 1990’s driven by globalization stimulated private land use developments, like the so called ‘gated communities’ and gated green areas. Gated communities are located generally along car oriented infrastructure in the outsides of Buenos Aires in an attractive natural environment, like the big accumulation in the northern delta area. On the other hand, proving that this system is not inclusive for everybody, more and more informal settlements appeared on public or no one’s land. A high concentration of the so called ‘villas’ are located in between the finger

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 11 : XL map - Fragmentation

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Figure 12 : L map - Institutional fragmentation

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 13 : M map - Fragmented areas trough landuse

Fragmentation

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Existing planning process

DIAGNOSIS

In In 2001 COMIREC delRío 2001 COMIREC(Comité (Comité de de Cuenca Cuenca del RíoReconquista) Reconquista) was founded with the was founded with the purpose In 2001 COMIREC (Comité de Cuenca del purpose of introducing of introducing a morea more integralintegral planning Ríoapproach Reconquista) was founded with the to tackle rising rising environmental planning approach to tackle envipurpose of inintroducing a more integral problems the Reconquista river basin. It ronmental problems in the Reconquista consists approach out of provinical authorities, planning to tackle risingmunicipial enviriver basin. It consists out of provinical respresentatives ronmental problemsand in thenon-governmental Reconquista authorities, municipial respresentatives organizations. The main function COMIREC is river basin. It consists out of of provinical and non-governmental organizations. to coordinate between the different authorities, authorities, municipialtherespresentatives butmain also function supervise management The of COMIREC is toand and non-governmental organizations. planning of the river basin.the Since different 2014 one of coordinate between The main function of COMIREC is to their main task the execution and planification authorities, butisalso supervise the manof the ‘Programa de Saneamiento Ambiental coordinate between the different agement and planning of the riverwhich basin. de la cuenca delalso Río supervise Reconquista’, aims authorities, but the manSince 2014 of their main task is the mainly to one recover the environmental quality agement andbasin planning of the riveran basin. of the river by implementing integral execution and planification of the ‘ProSince 2014 one of their main task is the by planning structure. This project is financed grama de Saneamiento Ambiental de la execution planification ofthe the ‘Proa credit ofand USD 287,500,000 of BID (Banco cuenca del Río Reconquista’, which aims Interamericano de Desarrollo). Although grama de Saneamiento Ambiental de there la mainly to recover theand environmental is an existing cuenca del Ríoinstitution Reconquista’,ongoing which projects, aims quality of the river by implementthe coordination ofbasin 18 different municipalities mainly to recover the environmental ingbrings an integral planning structure. This for a lot of conflicts and there is still room quality of the river basin implementimprovement. (Figure 14)a by project is financed by credit of USD ing an integral planning structure. This 287,500,000 of the BID (Banco InterOne of reasons that municipalities project is the financed by is,a credit of USD americano Desarrollo). regarding Although have a lot ofdeof power, 287,500,000 the especially BID (Banco Inter-land there an existing institution use is planning, generally doand notongoplan in a americano deandDesarrollo). Although ingintermunicipal projects, the of 18 scale,coordination but focus within their there existing institution and ongoownis an borders and objectives. different municipalities brings aParticularly lot of ingenvironmental projects, the coordination ofbecause 18 fromroom this, conflicts and issues there suffer is still for they are always part of a bigger different municipalities bringssystem. a lot(Figure of improvement. 15) conflicts and there is still room for improvement. One of the reasons is, that municipalities According to a survey of BID (’Programa de manejo urbano ambiental sostenible de la have a lot of power, especially regarding One of the reasons is, that municipalities cuenca del Rio Reconquista’, 2013) most of land use planning, and generally do notthe have a lot of power, especially regarding municipalities in the Reconquista river basin do plan in a intermunicipal scale, but focus notuse workplanning, with integrated plans. Water, waste, land and generally do not within their own borders and objectives. energy, mobility public space plan in a infrastructure, intermunicipal scale,and but focus Particularly environmental issuesinstitutions suffer is generally planned by different within their own borders and objectives.way andthis, are not being planned an integral from because they arein always part Particularly environmental issues suffer the beginning. of from a bigger system. (Figure 16) from this, because they are always part of a bigger system. According to a survey of BID (’Programa de manejo urbano ambiental sostenible According to a survey of BID (’Programa de la cuenca del Rio Reconquista’, 2013) de manejo urbano ambiental sostenible most of the municipalities in the Reconde la cuenca del Rio Reconquista’, 2013) quista river basin do not work with intemost of the municipalities in the Recongrated plans. Water, waste, energy, quista river basin do not work with inteinfrastructure, mobility and public space grated plans. Water, waste, energy, is generally planned by different instituinfrastructure, mobility and public space tions and are not being planned in an is generally planned by different instituintegral way from the beginning. tions and are not being planned in an integral way from the beginning.

COMIREC COMIREC

Provincial authorities Provincial authorities

Municipal government Municipal government

non-governmental organizations non-governmental organizations Figure14 1. Organization Figure : OrganizationofofCOMIREC COMIREC Figure 1. Organization of COMIREC

Municipality of Municipality of Hurlingham Morón Municipality of Municipality of Hurlingham Morón Figure 15 2. Lack planning : Lackofofintermunicipal intermunicipal planning Figure 2. Lack of intermunicipal planning

Waste

Water

Mobility

Water

Mobility

(CEAMSE)

(AySA S.A.)

(CEAMSE)

(AySA S.A.)

Waste

Figure 3. Lack of integral planning in municipal level Figure 3. Lack of integral planning in municipal level Figure 16 : Lack of integral planning in municipal level

Figure 17 : Municipality of Moron - photo from the meeting

Facing the River

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 18 : Informal settlemnts - photo from the meeting with citizens

Figure 19 : Municipality of Hurlingham - photo from the meeting

Facing the River

Disconnectivity The urban expansion along the railways and train stops is clearly visible in figure 18. This centralized structure creates a good connection from the periphery and peri urban areas to the CABA, but not from peri urban / periphery to peri urban / periphery. Most of the inhabitants prefer using buses (‘colectivos’) than train. This can be explained that the bus routes provide a larger network, but also a direct connection between peri urban areas. In the third ‘corona’ it also becomes clear, that there is a lack of public transportation. The parts in between the fingers are not connected to the train network and only show a scarce network of colectivos. Besides that, during the urban growth of Buenos Aires, the official border of the city was displaced various times, which is visible nowadays through an accumulation of industrial areas around the first CABA. This industrial belt creates fragmentation and disconnectivity between the city center of Buenos Aires (CABA) and the peri urban area (Figure 19).

The river nowadays is perceived as a backside, which transforms it into a barrier. This is visible in the Space Syntax analysis in figure 22. The streets along the river are not very well integrated in the urban fabric, as well locally as globally. Industries and big infrastructures are located next to the Reconquista river basin, but also the urban tissues ignore them and the urban grid just continues without acknowledging the spatial context. In the municipalities of Morón and Hurlingham it becomes clear, that the two main centers are situated around the train stations, but a new central axis is defined by the main bus route connecting the two stations. Areas around this main transport lines depend on ‘colectivos’ and are rather poorly connected, especially in the west of Hurlingham. The Space Syntax Analysis also shows a slightly disconnected area in the east of the main train station. This area turns blue, because now there are railways and gated industries which are not accessible for public use. Because this area is located next to the train station it has potentials to develop when it is better integrated in the urban fabric.

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 20 : XL map - Disconnectivity

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Figure 21 : XL map - Connectivity & Centres/Sub-centres

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 22 : XL map - Connectivity & Industries

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Figure 23: L map - Disconnectivity (River as a barrier)

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 24: M map - Car oriented infrastructure & transport

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Figure 25: Space Syntax - Global integration

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 26: Space Syntax - Local integration

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Environmental risk & climate change effects According to the trend diagrams in figure 27, due to climate change, the precipitation (GridArendal, 2005) and temperature (Berkeley Earth, 2013) will increase in the future which will also increase the risks as described before. Therefore it’s important to look into the interventions we can take now to prevent these threats for the future. Besides the flooding problem, a major environmental problem in Buenos Aires is contamination. The Rio de la Plata has a high ecological value with a high biodiversity which is important for the whole region, but is now threatened by contamination (CARP, 2014). The rivers in the hinterland, like the Riachuelo and Reconquista river are major sources of contamination, because of urban development, and flow directly in the Rio de la Plata which, in this way, also gets contaminated. This threatens the natural environment and, in the end, also the built environment with its inhabitants. Nowadays, the water- and waste management the metropolitan area is arranged in the way that the rivers function as a dumpsite where blackand grey water, household-, and industrial waste is discharged. Inhabitants in the less developed areas around the river do not have

DIAGNOSIS

As we know, the whole world is suffering from climate change, so is the city of Buenos Aires. In order to analyze the effects of climate change and the environmental risks resulting from this, first the climate of Buenos Aires is researched, see figure 27. In this climate graph we can see two extreme periods; the Argentinian summer, from December till February, and the Argentinian winter, from June till August. In the summer the temperature is the highest, but also the precipitation is high, in the form of peak rainfall. The humidity is relatively low. In the winter the temperature is much lower and so is the precipitation. The humidity is much higher which decreases the evapotranspiration. In winter the precipitation is less, but more rain falls in a longer period of time. These phenomena together makes the major impacts of climate change in Argentina pluvial flooding, fluvial flooding and water stress and drought (Met office, 2011). In springtime an exclusive phenomena takes place, the ‘sudestadas’. These strong winds of 133 km/h are cold of temperature and bring heavy winds and ocean rough seas and rivers. These storms are a major causer of flooding of the Rio de la Plata in spring (Investigaciones Geográficas, 2013).

Figure 27: Climate Graph of Buenos Aires (source: www.weather-and-climate.com, 2016)

a sewer-, rain- and drinking water system and the waste is not collected in a coherent way. The natural- and built environment is subjected to external influences related to ground-, surface and rain water. The rain water falls down on the environment and because of a lack of infiltration and evapotranspiration (figure 28) the built environment gets flooded. Because of limited space for the river and smaller creeks, the environment is subjected to inflows of surface water which results in flooding. Nowadays those inhabitants often extract their drinking water from the ground water. Hereby, the ground settles and flooding risks increase.

Because of the discharge of all types of waste in the river, the surface water, and therefore the groundwater, gets contaminated, see figure 28. This results in disease and mortality risks within the built environment and a loss of biodiversity in the natural environment. In this section the flooding- and contamination risks of the metropolitan area, Reconquista river basin and the municipalities of Morรณn and Hurlingham are analyzed which in the next chapter results in a concluding problem statement.

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DIAGNOSIS

Figure 28: Current water flows

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Flood risk As described in the previous section, flooding is a major problem in Buenos Aires. Not all the strata of the society suffer from this phenomena. As shown in figure 30 the lowest strata are located in the lowest part of the metropolitan area, along the rivers, which is the most vulnerable for flooding. In figure 29 you can see that the higher strata, the gated communities, are also often located in the lower part of the Delta. They decided to live here, because of the beautiful environment, living in a natural landscape. Because of their wealth, they are able to defend themselves against the flooding by building dikes, walls and hydrological systems. By doing this, actually, the situation for the lower strata becomes worse, because the gated communities take land within the wetlands. This results in a decreased capacity of the natural environment to absorb flood water, which results in flood risks in the lower areas where they live (the Guardian, 2016).

At the same time, in the periphery, 6 till 35 percent of the households have insufficient water supply. The map in figure 30 shows the overlap of the informal settlements in the most vulnerable zones of the landscape and the households with insufficient water supply. A certain amount of households sometimes suffer from to many water and sometimes from to little. Besides a lack of a drinking water system there is also a lack of the possibility to discharge waste water via a sewer system. Only a small part of Morรณn and no one in Hurlingham has access to a sewer system, see figure 31.

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 29 : XL map - Land pressure

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Figure 30: XL map - Houses with insufficient water supply

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 31: L map - Lack of water and sewer infrastructure

Contamination

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The Rio de la Plata is threatened by contamination, which is majority due to the contamination of the rivers flowing into the Rio de la Plata. Those rivers, like the Reconquista river and the Riachuelo river, get polluted by household waste, sewer system and industrial waste. As shown in the map in figure 32 the main producer of household waste is the CABA, the centre of Buenos Aires. However, the major amount of open air dump sites and the waste treatment plants are located in the periphery, along the rivers. The CABA has a strict waste collection system, which makes them suffer less from the contamination than the periphery. The open air dump sites along the rivers contaminate them and the inhabitants of the periphery suffer from this. As you can see in figure 33 a lot of industries of the third category are also located along the river, or along the river arms, which is the case in Morรณn and Hurlingham (figure 34). Those industries concern textile-, cooling-, construction-, chemical-, metalurgia-, plastic

industries and tanneries, which contaminate the water with all types of chemicals and heavy metals. Especially the settlements in the inundation area along the river are vulnerable for diseases and mortality, because during flooding the inhabitants get in contact with the very contaminated water. As explained before, people extract the groundwater for drinking water, but the soil in these areas is also contaminated. The contamination of the Reconquista river, via the Morรณn creek and the covered part, by open air dump sites (household waste), sewer system and industrial waste is not only threatening the inhabitants of those municipalities, but also the inhabitants along the river in the lower river basin. In this way, you can say that Morรณn and Hurlingham are responsible for the contamination of the middle and lower river basin.

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 32: XL map - Waste

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Figure 33 : L map - River Contamination / Waste / Polluting Industries

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 34 : M map - Specific pollution in the municipalities of Morรณn and Hurlingham

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Figure 35: Flooding in Buenos Airesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; streets (source: the World Bank, 2016)

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 36: Flooded unpaved streets in Hurlingham - photo from the site

Figure 37: Municipality of Hurlingham - photo from the site

Figure 38: Municipality of Hurlingam - photo from the site

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DIAGNOSIS

Figure 39: Reconquista River - photo from the site

Figure 40: Reconquista River - photo from the site

Conclusions - Globalization

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In the metropolitan scale the city expansion provoked through time spatial fragmentation and disconnectivity.

DIAGNOSIS

During the urban growth of Buenos Aires, the official border of the city was displaced twice, which is visible nowadays through an accumulation of industrial areas around the first ‘corona’. This industrial belt creates fragmentation and disconnectivity between the city centre of Buenos Aires (CABA) and the peri-urban area. Besides the ring structure of ‘coronas’, also the finger structure determined by railways creates challenges regarding globalization. Railways built in the 19th century structured until the 1990’s urban growth and location of centres. With the liberal economy model in the 1990’s car infrastructure was enhanced, especially between the finger structure, and new spatial relations were created. Public transport in this areas is mainly car-oriented and highly dependent on ‘colectivos’, which are private companies and do not cover all areas. This new infrastructure did not only change the urban transport and spatial dynamics especially in the third and partly in the second ‘corona’ of the metropolitan region, but also defined new urban centres consisting often of shopping malls, big supermarkets and non local companies. Besides that, privatization stimulated private land use developments, like the so called ‘gated communities’ and gated country clubs. On the other hand, proving that this system is not inclusive for everybody, more and more informal settlements appeared on public or no one’s land. This dichotomy creates a strong social polarisation combined with a spatial fragmentation and disconnectivity through infrastructure and land use.

The spatial challenges of globalization are additionally enhanced through a lack of institutional integration. The metropolitan region as a whole is still not represented in an official planning institution, but rather split in CABA and the surrounding municipalities. A first attempt is made by creating COCAMBA in 2016, the consultant commission of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, which aims to coordinate between national, provincial and local governments, but decision making is still difficult due to the current legal process. The same problem is confronting COMIREC concerning the Reconquista river basin. A lack of organisation, planning tools and an inconvenient legal framework harpen the efficiency of the institution. Additionally to that, municipalities work in an autonomous and non integral way, so common visions for the metropolitan region and bigger integrated projects are hard to implement due to the lack of common sense

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Figure 41: XL map - Globalization Conclusion

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 42: M map - Globalization Conclusion

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Conclusions - Environmental risk

DIAGNOSIS

In the metropolitan scale four main problems related to climate change effects and environmental risks are noticeable, see figure 43. Firstly, the lowest part of the metropolitan area, in the river basins, are most vulnerable for flooding. In these areas a lot of villa’s with the lowest strata of the population are settled. Secondly, in these river basins, a major issue is the contamination of the rivers and its arms. The higher- and middle part of the basin and the river arms are responsible for contamination, because of their discharge of all types of waste in the river. The inhabitants living in the inundation areas along the river and in the lower basin are most vulnerable for contamination. Thirdly, in the periphery of Buenos Aires a certain percentage of the households have insufficient water supply. People living in the periphery and the lower parts of the metropolitan area sometimes have to deal with flooding and sometimes have to deal with a lack of water supply, which is contradictory. Fourthly, the higher strata in Buenos Aires cause pressure on the lower strata. The higher strata produce more waste where the lower strata have to deal with and take precious land in the flooding areas which causes flooding in the inundation zones along the river.

These four problems are also reflected on the M scale, see figure 44. The main inundation zones with highest flooding risks are located along the rivers and their arms. Those areas, where most villa’s are located, are also the main vulnerable areas for contamination. Besides this, the rainwater flows within the area are directed to the lowest parts along the river. This makes that those areas are not only vulnerable for flooding from surface water (the river), but also from rainwater. As you can see, the main industrial contamination points, which are a major contributor to contamination of the river, are located along the river and its arms, in this case the Morón creek. Also, the whole municipality of Hurlingham and a major part of Morón isn’t provided with a sewer system which contributes to the contamination of the river as well. Together, this makes the Morón creek responsible for a high percentage of contamination of the Reconquista river basin.

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Figure 43: XL map - Environmental Risk Conclusion

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 44: M map - Environmental Risk Conclusion

Objective of identity The objectives to deal with these site identities are to bring the river back to the people and the people back to the streets. One overall interest of all inhabitants comes from the national identity: sports and theatre. This can be used to make all people feel connected to the project. In the vision the river will be faced and be seen as a backbone instead of a backside. The river will connect and represent all identities so that inhabitants recognize the original identity of the area and feel connected to the project. The river will be part of a larger network of corridors and streets which creates hierarchy, orientation, provide public space and therefore, improves the social surveillance and safety on the streets.

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To work towards a vision the characteristics of the natural- and built environment, which together form the site identity, and the national identity are analyzed, see figure 48. The natural environment, which consists of the rivers, creeks and their direct surroundings, is nowadays mostly recognizable by traditional industries and waste. This makes this environment an unattractive place for inhabitants and that makes them turn their back to the river (figure 48). In the built environment there is no hierarchy in the streets which makes them monotonous and results in a lack of orientation. There is also a lack of public space and no social surveillance from the houses which creates an unsafe feeling. This situation makes that people avoid the streets and results in a lack of street life.

DIAGNOSIS

Figure 45: Lack of social surveillance which makes the streets Figure 46: Inhabitants turn their back to the river, Hurlingham , Buenos Aires unsafe, MorĂ˛n, Buenos Aires

Figure 47: Soccer as a national identity is visible in the streets, La Boca, Buenos Aires

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DIAGNOSIS

Figure 48: From the site- and national identity towards a vision

VISION 40

This chapter bases on the before defined objectives and explains the visions by using the leaf as an analogy. Thereby different scales, principles and processes are explained in an abstract way and afterwards this concepts are clarified onsite in the municipalities of Morรณn and Hurlingham.

Leaf analogy The leaf as tree branch In the first analogy, working on a bigger scale, it was clear for us that the river arm in relation to the river basin should be treated in the same way as the leaf to the branch. So as the whole branch, we should also consider the river basin as a whole system, which means the strategy should be developed in the most possible integrated way, taking into account all of the stakeholders, their plans and power vs interest.

Vein structure The second analogy, applied in the M scale, takes the leaf itself and focuses on the vain structure, which defines shape and physical structure. Beside the main vein, there are several sub veins that work together. This analogy finds the best translation in our spatial proposition, introducing new green-blue infrastructure into the area, shaping it and giving a new ecological and identity structure.

Layered leaf section The last analogy, with zoom into the section of the leaf, is based on the logic of function. Different layers, with cells and its different functions, support each other. It was important for us to understand that we should also take into account layers of existing and proposed conditions, while working on a smaller scale of the project.

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The site visit, combined with our conclusions from the analysis in bigger scales emphasized the importance of thinking about identity. To implement changes and think about the environment in the whole are, introducing a new identity is the most important part. That is why our vision objectives, explained in the previous chapter (facing the river and using the river as a backbone) become our new, needed identity for the area. Based on those two, we decided to take a few characteristics of the leaf and used them as particular analogies to structure our vision and transform it into spatial strategies. The organic structure of the leaf allowed us to think in different scales with different vision principles. It also allowed us to work on new, decentralized structures, supporting democratic principles of the Buenos Aires block structure. Each analogy responds different actions in different scales, defining also the stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; need to be involved in different levels. The three analogies that we focused on are: leaf as part of tree branch, vein structure and layers in the leaf section.

VISION

Figure 49: Parts of leaf chosen to analogies.

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All those analogies guide us to firstly really abstract vision principles, which in turn guide through analogies developed in each scale according to the exact principles. Exact correlations are shown on the chart below.

VISION

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VISION

Figure 50: Leaf analogy in different dimensions and stages

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Vision

VISION

The main idea of the vision is based on the aforementioned objectives to face the river, and also to use it as a backbone and achieve thereby bringing the river back to the people, and the people back to the street. This is realized by introducing a new green-blue structure intervening the current monotonous urban grid in the municipalities of Morón and Hurlingham. This structure is used firstly to give a new orientation and public space to the people, safer and in a human scale, and connect thereby the existing river arms Morón and Soto, green areas, public facilities, and potential vacant sites. Shared facilities, like waste management, bike rentals and public transport are planned on the nodes of the corridor with the urban grid to integrate the new intervention and give it importance in the existing hierarchy. These new corridors also integrate water management interventions, above earth, but also underground construction and guide the people towards the river with its new identity. The Morón creek will be given more space in order to prevent future flooding and also connect both municipalities by giving a complementary function to both sites. Informal settlements located in the ‘camino de la sirga’ next to the river arm will be relocated to a vacant industrial site in their close neighborhood, where they have space to built their own house and also prevent their community. Reflecting this vision in a bigger scale means to perceive the Morón river arm as part of a bigger system, the Reconquista river basin. All these measures in order to change the identity of the river, which means also as a long term result to improve the water quality, show clearly that by intervening the area of control, a larger system will be benefiting. The vision for the scale of Morón and Hurlingham is thought as a pilot system which can be easily implemented to other river arms with the aim to clean the contaminated Reconquista river and prevent surroundings areas from flooding.

0. Existing situation in which the river is a loose and unconnected blue and green line which is partly constru under the ground and where public facilities, industries a 0. EXISTING SITUATION vacant sites are spread out. The infrastructural network in which the river a loose and not connecting east and is west unconnected blue and green line which is partly constructed under the ground and where public facilities, industries and vacant sites are spread out. The infrastructural network is not connecting east and west

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VISION

which river isthe a loose 1. Vertical main corridor with integrated sewer conne Createthe room for riverand with the largest flooding areas in green-blue 3. Horizontal green-blue corridors green line which is partly constructed system to connect the whole urban fabric in a north-south e north and smaller flooding areas along the southern facilities, industries and vacant building heretopublic facilities, industries direction (which is part ofwater the coronas structure of the whole nks deal with high river levels.and management interventions perpe 1. VERTICAL, MAIN 2. CREATE ROOM out. The infrastructural network is metropolitan area). lines to infiltrate and distribute rain wate GREEN-BLUE CORRIDOR WITH FOR THE RIVER d west create a safe public space for residents. INTEGRATED SEWER SYSTEM with the largest flooding areas to connect the whole urban fabric in the north and smaller flooding in a north-south direction (which is areas along the southern banks to part of the coronas structure of the deal with high river levels. whole metropolitan area).

1. Vertical main green-blue corridor with integrated sewer system to connect the whole urban fabric in a north-south direction (which is part of the coronas structure of the whole metropolitan area).

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which the river is a loose and green line which is partly constructed where public facilities, industries and out. The infrastructural network is d west

VISION

3. Horizontal green-blue corridors connects the public vacant sites into new living area for informal 4. Develop facilities, industries and vacant buildings with integratedor into public facilities which creates vibrant settlements water management interventions perpendicular to corridors height with a safe connection to all public facilities. green ines to infiltrate and distribute rain water to the rivers andgreen Some of the corridors are connected 3. HORIZONTAL 4. DEVELOP VACANT SITESto public create a safe public space forCORRIDORS residents. transport lines and some are pedestrian GREEN-BLUE INTO NEW LIVING AREAorientated. FOR CONNECTS THE PUBLIC INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OR FACILITIES, INDUSTRIES INTO PUBLIC FACILITIES AND VACANT BUILDINGS which creates vibrant green WITH INTEGRATED WATER corridors with a safe connection MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS to all public facilities. Some of the perpendicular to height lines to green corridors are connected to infiltrate and distribute rain water public transport lines and some are to the rivers and create a safe pedestrian orientated. public space for residents.

with theroom largest in largest flooding 3. Horizontal corridors connects the public Create forflooding the riverareas with the areas green-blue in 3. Horizontal green-blue corridors conn ng areasand along the southern facilities, industries and vacant buildings withand integrated e north smaller flooding areas along the southern facilities, industries vacant building levels. water management interventions perpendicular to height perpe nks to deal with high river levels. water management interventions lines to infiltrate and distribute rain water to thedistribute rivers andrain wate lines to infiltrate and create a safe public space create for residents. a safe public space for residents.

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VISION

6. Develop public transport andpublic shared facilitiesstops in theand sh ment perpendicular to horizontal Public transport development perpendicular to horizontal 6. stops Develop transport nodesaccessible of the horizontal corridors and transport lines and pu e the public transport accessible een-blue corridors to make the public transport nodes of thepublic horizontal corridors to connect within the larger n-blue corridors. the r all residents viaWithin the green-blue corridors. Within the the neighbourhoods to connect the neighbourhoods within t 5. PUBLIC TRANSPORT 6.Shared DEVELOP PUBLIC TRANSPORT facilities could be waste will becorridor developed. rtical a metrobus will be developed.metropolitan area. metropolitan area. Shared facilities could DEVELOPMENT AND SHARED FACILITIES management, citySTOPS bike rent, etc. management, city bike rent, etc. PERPENDICULAR IN THE NODES OF TO HORIZONTAL GREEN-BLUE THE HORIZONTAL CORRIDORS CORRIDORS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINES to make the public transport to connect the neighbourhoods accessible for all residents via the within the larger metropolitan area. green-blue corridors. Within the Shared facilities could be waste vertical corridor a metrobus will be management, city bike rent, etc. developed.

VISION

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Vision

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VISION

Figure 51: Abstract vision map

STRATEGY

This chapter explains the implementation of the vision in time. Firstly general strategy goals are explained and divided into subtopics. Afterwards the aforementioned conditions of the vision are localized on the project area and define then the exact location of the corridors. In the next step special layers of the proposed strategy are explained more detailed and brought together in the phasing maps together with the roadmap. Finally involved stakeholders, their power interest context, the proposed planning process and the legal context including policy making is explained in order to show how and with who the project can be made feasible.

The Approach The approach of our strategy is based on the sustainability triangle. The overall goal is to achieve social. environmental and economic sustainability by using an integral planning approach. The intervention of green blue corridors and the changing identity of the Morón river arm does mainly stimulate environmental sustainability, but also social sustainability through the creation of safe and inclusive public space in a human scale. Additionally the current economy in the project area is based mainly on heavy industries and needs to be transformed in order to stop contamination and adapt to the future. We use this situation to introduce green recycling industries as a new economic focus, but propose also a technology and

innovation centre, so that knowledge and tools for this new industry can be produced locally. With the previous explained transformation a step towards economic sustainability is made. Furthermore the concept of sustainability is accompanied by an integral planning approach in different dimensions. First of all the Morón river arm and its surrounding environmental system has to be seen as one entity. This requires cooperational planning between both municipalities, but also integration of the representatives of the water and waste management, important industries, transport companies, and of course the civic society. The result of this changed planning process allows bigger projects, which do not only combine actors, but can also integrate different functions in the same project. Facing the River

Theoretical framework - PROPOSAL

AL GR TE ACH PRO AP

ACTIVATING SOCIETY

Sustainability

ACTIVATING ECONOMY

ACTIVATING NATURE

This project is based on the sustainability triangle connected to a integral approach in different stages.

Figure 4 : Theoretical framework - proposal

STRATEGY

Strategic goals

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The strategy is guided and defined by our strategic goals. They are divided into five categories, which derive from our approach of the sustainable triangle. Whereas the strategic goals of the categories ‘green’, ‘water and ‘waste’ deal with environmental sustainability, socio-economic sustainability is treated by the categories ‘infrastructure’ and ‘social / economical’.

STRATEGY

GREEN 1. Contribution to a green network for the neighbourhood/ municipalities/city/ metropole

3. Function as an ecosystem service for the neighboring people (in terms of clean air, purified water, recreation, (natural disease and pest control for agriculture)

1. Flood prevention

2. Stimulation of infiltration

3. Function as water storage area in case of peak rain fall

1. Purification of water before it ends up in the creek

2. Nodes of network of corridors and infrastructural lines function as waste collection points

1. Connection of people to the creek / turn the river from a backside into a back bone / creation of awareness / face the river

2. Development of a clear green/blue network to create orientation in the streets

WATER

2. Enhancement of biodiversity

INFRASTRUCTURE

STRATEGY

SOCIAL / ECOMNOMICAL

WASTE

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4. Attraction of ground water from surroundings to prevent wet areas in the surroundings

3. Creation of a hierarchy in the streets (less monotonous)

1. The network 2. Connection 3. Connection of both of corridors in of both municipalities with combination with municipalities by the larger metropolitan infrastructural lines creating bridges and area by connecting create a solid pedestrian a metrobus in north- horizontal corridors and public transport south direction vertical corridor network and vertical corridor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; large scale public transport network

4. Creation of a safe route through the neighbourhood where people can walk to the river / public transport / public facilities or waste collection points

5. Development of public space in corridors for surrounding inhabitants

6. In the long term: contribution to a sustainable world by banning the car from the street

Figure 52: Strategic Goals Chart

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Layers of local conditions 1. LOCAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS

The location of local public amenities are considered for the corridors. The idea is to create safe pedestrian connections for people in order to provide a new way of orientation and transportation. The corridors also enhance the idea of safe school routes, the so called ‘senderos escolares’, which are currently promoted by the government of Buenos Aires (http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/senderosescolares).

2. PUBLIC, OPEN GREEN SPACE

Currently the municipalities of Morón and Hurlingham count with just a few public green spaces, which are additionally not connected and fragmented by infrastructure. Our idea is to create a green network with the proposed corridors and river park and connect the present patchwork.

3. EXISTING WATER UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS WATER AND SEWER PIPES

The concessioned company AySA S.A. is nowadays responsible for the construction of underground water infrastructure. Parts of both municipalities count already with a working water system connected to their house, but especially Hurlingham is still lacking of a sewage network. For the definition of the corridors we considered the location of current water pipes in order to work with the existing and not double underground construction work. It has to be mentioned that for the municipality of Hurlingham there was no information available of existing water pipes.

STRATEGY

Figure 53a: Considered layers for corridors

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STRATEGY

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4. POTENTIAL LAYER VACANT SPOTS AND ABANDONED INDUSTRIES

For the location of the corridor we consider the current abandoned industries and also vacant areas, mostly gated. These sites have potential in order to create new public space along the corridors, but also to provide housing for informal settlements located along the creek in their close neighbourhood.

5. COMMERCIALS

The location of commercial areas is important for the definition of corridors because they can be considered as daily activities. By connecting them through corridors we create a safe route for the inhabitant`s routine.

6. TOPOGRAPHY MAP RAIN FLOW DIRECTIONS

Another important layer we consider, is the topography of the project area. By using height lines we can use natural rain flow directions to define our proposed water management interventions and safe residential areas.

STRATEGY

Figure 53b: Considered layers for corridors

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STRATEGY

Commercials

STRATEGY

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Final vision map

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STRATEGY

Figure 54: Vision map of corridors

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Layers of development 1. INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

According to rough calculations around 75 families needs to be relocated because they live nowadays in a flooding risk zone, the so called ‘camino de la sirga’. We propose to use a vacant abandoned industrial area of ~ 35.000 m² in the close neighbourhood to give them a chance to prevent their community and built their own home.

2. FUTURE DENSIFICATION

For the challenge of growing population we propose different areas for possible future densification. Parts of current vacant or abandoned sites can be densified, but the main idea is to promote vertical densification along the green corridor to create more eyes on the street and so transform it into a safer route.

3. LOCAL AND GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Important elements for defining our strategy are also the local and global infrastructure. The transformation of ex-military airports into a commercial and cargo oriented one, open up new economic development possibilities for Hurlingham and Morón. Enhancing thereby the north south connection by introducing a metrobus make the new river park more integrated and accessible for everyone. Besides that, we use the nodes of green corridors to define new bus stops, which gives a new hierarchy and orientation to the existing structure.

STRATEGY

Figure 55a: Layers of development strategy

Informal settlments Proposed resetlment locations

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STRATEGY

Dencification areas Areas along corridors

International Airports MetroBus line Green corridors Transport nodes Main bus lines

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4. CENTRALITIES

Additionally to existing urban centers, which are mostly oriented next to train stops, we add new subcenters in our intervention area. A main new centrality is the river area next to the terminal of ‘El Palomar’ airport, but besides that, we also stimulate commercial activity along the corridors to strengthen their function as a new and safe structure of orientation and transport.

5. PLACES OF COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES (SPORT, EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL CENTRES)

Another important part of our strategy is to enhance communal activities. We propose sport, educational and cultural centres along the intervention area in order to stimulate a vital public life and thereby create identification of the space with the inhabitants. Besides that, especially education centres can spread environmental awareness and promote the potential of recycling.

6. RECYCLING INDUSTRIES AND RESEARCH CENTRES

We propose for existing old-fashioned industries an upgrade towards a new and future proof economic focus, which respects the natural environment, but still is profitable. The recycling industry has a wide range of variety and can be implemented in different scales and locations. This intervention is supported by a knowledge and innovation centre in ‘La Cantabrica’ in the centre of Morón, so needed tools, machines and expertise can be produced locally.

STRATEGY

Figure 55b: Layers of development strategy

Comercial centres

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STRATEGY

Sport centre Education centre Culture centre

Recycling industries Research/knowledge centre

Strategy map 1st PHASE - CLEANING ACTIVATING NATURE 1. Resettlement of the most vulnerable informal settlements into close neighbourhood. 2. Construction of river creek with park and spaces for flooding between road R4. River side with first main sewer line along the creek with possibility of informal connection to avoid any kind of uncontrolled pollutions.

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3. First green corridors, as emergency flooding area. Developing a technology/innovation centre in postindustrial area to support surrounded industries in their transformation .

STRATEGY

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STRATEGY

Figure 56: Strategy map - 1st phase

Strategy map

2nd PHASE - RECYCLING INDUSTRIES ACTIVATING ECONOMY 1. Development of green corridors inside municipalities, coordinate with implemented sewer system, water lines and controled s torm pipes.

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2. Activation of industires, transformation into clean production with real emphasize on recycling and reuse industries. Creation of new working places.

STRATEGY

3. Development of domestic airport into continental one. Addition of pedestrian bridge connection makes the integration between municipalities possible. 4. Because of the income from the introduced airport project the opening of the covered river part in Moron is possible.

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STRATEGY

Figure 57: Strategy map - 2nd phase

Strategy map

3rd PHASE - CULTURE ACTIVATING SOCIETY 1. Development of municipal project of Metrobus along second airport, connecting north with south, stretching the green corridor of the river into the south of Moron municipality. 2. Provincial project of green corridor on top of the train tunnel crossing the river. Green triangle in between as innovative, technological spot.

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3. Finishing structure of smaller green corridors on whole area.

STRATEGY

4. Education, recycling centres rising continuously, Building identity by creating community places, cultural spots and sport fields along green structure. 5. At the end the whole structure would create a green network between industries, cultural, education centres, public green places and public facilities.

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STRATEGY

Figure 58: Strategy map - 3rd phase

Stakeholders To implement our proposed strategy we need to consider all involved stakeholders, which can make the projects finally feasible. Thereby it is important to define their power and also main interest to understand how they can decide, cooperate and change their way of current organization. The stakeholders are divided into public, semi publicprivate and private actors to clarify their position and possible cooperation.

Stakeholders

Public Public/Private Private

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Power

PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES

• official owner of waters • planning of national roads and big infrastructure • policy making

• economic growth • social stability

• official owner of natural resources • policy making

• economic growth • social stability

• Planning and supervision of management of the Reconquista River Basin • Creation of environmental policies together with other legal institutions

• Management and preservation of hydraulic resources of Reconquista River Basin • Coordination between government levels • Strengthening of institutional power

• spatial planning • definition of urban code

• economic growth and development • aiming to be new ‘Center of the West’ of AMBA • developments of airports

• spatial planning • definition of urban code

• Finding a solution for informal settlements located in ‘camino de la sirga’ • Resolve waste problem (’basurales clandestinos’) • Extension of drinking water and sewage system

STRATEGY

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

COMIREC

MUNICIPALITY OF MORÓN

MUNICIPALITY OF HURLINGHAM

Main interest

CEAMSE

Main interest

• Organization of waste treatement in whole AMBA • Definition of fee for waste treatment services per municipality

• spread out the scope of their services

• Consumer power • User power

• fulfill basic needs • protection from flooding • more public spaces • security • connectivity

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CIVIC SOCIETY

Power

AYSA S.A. • spread out the scope of their services

• Responsible for construction of hydraulic infrastructure

• Profit

• Definition of bus routes and ticket price

• Profit

• support and inciate government-independet projects • trust within community

• Help the community

STRATEGY

• Responsible for construction of hydraulic infrastructure

INDUSTRIES

BUS COMPANIES

NGO’S

Figure 59: Introduction of stakeholders

0 YEAR

1 YEAR

2 YEAR

3 YEAR

5 YEAR

Clean the river Resettel some of the villas

Open up the underground creek & Trian Park along Arroyo Morรณn Underground construction Construction of main pipe along the river

M&S

First green corridor

Pub Provincial corridor ( Morรณn part)

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Airport R4 highway Public transportation Upgrading the industry

Water treatment plants

STRATEGY

Co Communication with stakeholders

Waste collection points

Education & Prom

Policy making XL

Tunnel & Provincial corridor

Technology & XXL

10 YEAR

30 YEAR

ngle area

50 YEAR

RIVER

blic space construction

CORRIDOR

TRANSPORTATION

INDUSTRY

ollective facilities

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Reduction of private car using

STRATEGY

motion

Intervention of other river arms

Construction of green structure

& Finance support

Figure 60: Roadmap

Interest PowerPower Interest Existing context

Interest

Power

Figure 61: Power - Interest diagram current context

Projected context In the projected context the civic society shows a higher power, and also awareness due to more participation in the decision making. Also and In the projected contextcontext the industries, civic society Projected thealso Municipality of Inpower, the projected context the civic shows a higher especially and awareness Morón will have an power, increased society shows ainhigher and due to more participation the decision interest about environmental also awareness due to the more making. Also industries, and especially issues. The operational manageparticipation in the decision Municipality of Morón will have an increased capacity of COMIREC be making. Also industries, and interest about ment environmental issues. will The stronger context especiallyin the projected Municipality operational management capacity ofof in orderwill to facilitate a increased desirable Morón COMIREC will be stronger have in theanprojected future the Reconquista river interestfor about environmental context in order to facilitate a desirable future basin. issues. The operational managefor the Reconquista river basin. ment capacity of COMIREC will be stronger in the projected context in order to facilitate a desirable future for the Reconquista river basin.

Power

Interest

Projected context

Interest

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reduce the river pollution. The especially regarding environmeninterjurisdiccional institution tal issues. Also industries in the COMIREC is losing of their area do not showparts interest of power due to towards the complexity of transforming a more the coordination of 18 municipalisustainable model, which would ties. reduce the river pollution. The interjurisdiccional institution COMIREC is losing parts of their power due to the complexity of the coordination of 18 municipalities.

Interest

Power Interest

In the existing Existing contextcontext the Municipality of Morón and Hurlingham do not sharethe common In the existing context Municinterests in their planning, ipality development of Morón and Hurlingham do not share common interests in especially regarding environmental issues. development Also industries intheir the area do not showplanning, interest regarding Existing context of transformingespecially towards a more environmensustainable tal issues. Also industries in the In the existing context Municmodel, which would reduce the riverthe pollution. area do not show interest ipality of Morón and Hurlingham The interjurisdiccional institution COMIREC of is transforming towards a more do power not share common interests in losing parts of their due to the complexity sustainable model, which would theirof 18 development planning, of the coordination municipalities.

Power

Figure 62: Power - Interest diagram projected context

Integral planning Planning process proces Proposed situation Intermunicipal planning

The project stimulates intermunicipal Intermunicipal planning planning. In order to achieve the strategy The project stimulates intermunicipal goals, especially concerning environmental planning. order to achieve strathazards andInresponsibilities of thethe Morón river arm, between them is necessary. egy cooperation goals, especially concerning enviThereby strengthening the inter-jurisdictional ronmental hazards and resposibilities communication and institutional power of of the Morón river arm, cooperation COMIREC plays an important role, to be able to between them is necessary. Thereby supervise the environmental conditions of the strengthening the(Figure inter-jurisdiccional river basin as a whole. 63)

communication and instutional power of COMIREC plays an important role, to be able to supervise the environIntegral planning in a municipal level In the municipal scale of a more planning mental conditions the integral river basin as approach a whole. is proposed. Municipalities can

Municipality of Morón

Municipality of Hurlingham Figure 63: Intermunicipal planning Figure 1. Intermunicipal planning

STRATEGY

ciate the projected water infrastructure works by AySA S.A. to integrate other territorial planning elements, like Discussion table ‘Morón river arm’ waste infrastructure, To facilitate the proposed public integral spaces planning and mobility, in order to variapproach we introduce a resolve new discussion table, which is exclusivelyatresponsible the ous urban problems once. Thisfor will Morón river arm and its affected surroundings. imply changes for municipalities and It is compounded of the territorial planning their internal organization of the departments of both municipalities, department ofofterritorial planning. representatives non public stakeholders,

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for example appreciate the projected water infrastructure works by AySA S.A. to integrate other territorial planning elements, like waste Integral planning a municipal level in infrastructure, publicinspaces and mobility, order to resolve various urban problems at once. In the municipal scale a more integral This will imply changes for municipalities and planning approach is proposed. their internal organization of the department of Municipalities can for example appreterritorial planning. (Figure 64)

Figure 2 Integral planning in municipal Figure 64: Integral planning in municipal levellevel

and also the civic society. By stimulating the participation of the civic society also the responsibility and ‘Morón identification with their Discussion table river arm’ territory will increase. COMIREC has a role of To facilitate the proposed integral supervision and coordination between the planningbut approach wethe introduce new members, also with province aand the discussion table, which is exclusively national government. (Figure 65)

responsible for the Morón river arm and its affected surroundings. It is compounded of the territorial planning departments of both municipalities, representatives of non public stakeholders, and also the civic society. By stimulating the participation of the civic society also the responsibility and identification with their territory will increase. COMIREC has a role of supervision and coordination between the members, but also with the province and the national government.

Figure 3. Discussion table ‘Morón river arm’ Figure 65: Discussion table ‘Reconquista river arm’

Legal framework & Policies Existing documents

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Argentina is a federal state and is organized within a multi scalar governance system. There are existing policies made by international agreements, the national government and also by the provinces. The municipalities have the responsibility of execution, but the province of Buenos Aires does not guarantee them autonomy, so decision making in a local scale suffers often by bureaucracy and missing power.

STRATEGY

Valid international agreements regarding environmental issues in the project area are defined mainly by the United Nations. The ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’, approved in Argentina though National Law N°24 295, exhorts nations to orientate their policies towards climate change mitigation (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2017). The ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ (United Nations, 1992), approved under National Law N°24 375/1994, is aiming the conservation and sustainable development of the different components of biological diversity. Valid national policies regarding territorial planning are generally set by the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public inversion and Services (Ministerio de Planificación Federal, Inversión pública y Servicios). Policies concerning environmental issues are the responsibility of the Federal Council of Environment (Consejo Federal de Medio Ambiente). Important environmental policies (Law N°25 675/2002) are defining currently minimum standards for the sustainable management of the environment. It refers to the preservation, conservation and improvement of environmental resources. Also the Environmental Federal Agreement (Pacto Federal Ambiental), signed in 1993 between the provinces and the Nation and the Federal System of Protected Areas (SIFAP, Sistema Federal de Áreas Protegidas) is relevant for the projecz. Valid provincial policies for this project are mainly defined by the ministry of infrastructure, housing and public services (Ministerio de Infrastructura, Vivienda y Servicios Públicos) and the provincial organism for sustainable development (OPDS, Organismo Provincial para el Desarrollo Sustenable). Additionally the inter-ministerial commission of urban and territorial planning (Comisión Interministerial de Ordenamiento Urbano y Territorial) helps in the policy making process. The province is

the owner of natural resources, and created to guarantee the right of its inhabitants to enjoy a healthy environment. The provincial environmental law (Law N°11 723/1995) focuses especially on water (Law N°49 172/1998), which regulates the use and management of the resource. COMIREC plays a special role because it has the direct contact to the municipalities and the local context, but can also create environmental policies together with the national and provincial government. Additionally in 2016 the national government formed COCAMBA (Comisión Consultiva del Area Metropolitana de Buenos Aires), a consultary commission for the metropolitan region of Buenos Aires, in order to coordinate public policy among national, provincial and municipal levels.

Proposed policy making process

In order to be able to implement these measures, education of both government officials and the general public is essential to provide an understanding of how the dynamics of population and environment relate and therefore why these policies are necessary. Also stricter policies for waste recycling and reuse could be implemented in order to control the current state and awareness of contamination. This would allow to change the current perception of the Reconquista River Basin and besides that, communities could identify with it.

Figure 1. Policy making process

Figure 66: Proposed process of policy making

STRATEGY

measured per household. Reuse of grey water and use outcomes of more efficient technologies can also Possible of this new model be promoted, complementing these measures. could be policies, which stimulate a more In order to be able to implement these sustainable use of water. Nowadays the measures, education of both government average consumption is comparabely highto officials and the general public is essential in aprovide global and also most ancontext understanding of how thehousedynamics of population environment relateS.A, and holds pay a fixand amount to AySA thereforethere why these are necessary. Also because arepolicies no water meters stricter policies for waste recycling and reuse installed. Besides that, groundwater could be implemented in order to control the exploitation is relatively highof and currently current state and awareness contamination. notThis regulated and measured would allow to changeper thehousecurrent perception of grey the Reconquista Basin and hold. Reuse of water and River use of more besides that, communities could identify with efficient technologies can also be promoted,it.complementing these measures.

Facing the River

provincial government is guaranteed. Thereby policies Possiblecurrent outcomesenvironmental of this new model could be canpolicies, be revised and alsoanew can be which stimulate moreones sustainable use of water. Nowadays themore average consumption created, which respond to local conis comparably high in a global context ditions. COCAMBA can operate alsoand as also a most households pay a fix amount to AySA S.A, communicator with the national and probecause there are no water meters installed. vincial government and helpexploitation to define is Besides that, groundwater policies dealing with territorial planning. relatively high and currently not regulated and

COCAMBA

The proposal promotes a more bottom up approachpolicy in terms of policy making. Because Proposed making process COMIREC is struggling currently to organize and define policies concerning the river basin, The more bottom up weproposal introducepromotes the beforeamentioned discussion approach in terms of arm. policy making. table for the Morรณn river COMIREC is a permanent member of the new currentdiscussion Because COMIREC is struggeling table and so and direct contact to the national and ly to organize define policies concernprovincial government is guaranteed. Thereby ingcurrent the river basin, we introduce the environmental policies can be revised before mentioned discussion for the and also new ones can be table created, which Morรณn river arm. COMIREC is a permarespond more to local conditions. COCAMBA canmember operate also as anew communicator the nend of the discussionwith table national and provincial government and help and so direct contact to the national andto define policies dealing with territorial planning.

KEY PROJECTS 78

This chapter introduces two key projects derived from our strategy: The river park and an exemplary corridor. First the exact location of interventions is explained and general design principles applying to them. This is followed by two subchapters showing the aforementioned key projects in a more detailed way with a special focus on water management and stakeholder involvement.

The Approach With the selected key projects we want to show scenes, which integrate clearly our before defined strategy goals. Therefore we structure the interventions into two main elements, the river park and an exemplary corridor. For the river park we choose two nodes, where a corridor meets the river park, another node where the covered river is opened up and finally in a more urban context, the entrance to the river park. The exemplary green corridor is divided into three different parts, which are defined depending on the given conditions. We explain our proposed changes including underground construction and its surrounding context for each part of the corridor.

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The approach is to show by using these two key projects how the same model can be applied for other corridors, or other river arms and in a bigger scale for even other river basins. Of course, local conditions determine each scene and the design needs to be adjusted.

KEY PROJECTS

Design Principles In the previous chapter the strategy goals were explained and subdivided into five different categories: Green, water, waste, social/ economic and infrastructure. These topics and its strategy goals are now being translated into design principles separately for the river park and the corridors.

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GREEN

WATER

WASTE

1. Transform polluting industries in sustainable and clean industries along the creek

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Replace informal settlements within a 10 meter range from the creek to prevent water nuisance

1. Develop domestic airport into an international airport

2. Connect the green park to the main train station (via the green triangle and technological centre)

1. Extend the vertical green corridor to the south to connect the whole urban fabric in a north-south direction

1. Bring covered creek to the surface

2. Integrate new developments, like the technological centre, in the vertical park to enhance the green structure

2. Develop main sewer system along the vertical corridor

2. Develop public facilities on nodes of vertical and horizontal corridors

3. Create large flooding areas in the north part of the creek and small ones in the south part

3. Develop technological center to support transformation of industries

KEY PROJECTS

3. Development of Metrobus along the whole vertical corridor

4. Create a stair structure to make room for the river which can still be used as public space in dry periods

5. Construct a black water treatment plant to purify the black water

Figure 67: Design Principles - River Arm

GREEN

WATER

WASTE

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Extend existing green structures to stimulate transpiration

1. Develop waste collection points on the nodes of the infrastructural lines and the green corridors

1. Use existing public green, public facilities and vacant sites to define the location of the corridor

1. Develop green corridors into pedestrian routes and become less car oriented

2. Develop ecological plants in the wadi to improve biodiversity

2. Unpave or use permeable materials in the streets to stimulate infiltration and evaporation

2. Plant purifying plants in the wadiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and water storage areas to purify the rain water (which became contaminated by the houses and streets) before it enters the river

2. Develop garages along the green corridor into community places (like shops or bars) to increase social surveillance and develop social street life

2. Develop collective parking lots in building blocks as a transition stage to a car free corridor

3. The green network of corridors and the backbone together improves biodiversity on a larger scale

3. Reuse grey and rain water in a collective way

3. By extracting ground water from surroundings the existing public spaces can be used again

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1. Extend existing green structures to improve biodiversity

4. Development of new public space for the neighbourhood within the green corridors

5. Develop open gutters perpendicular to the corridors to transport rain water to the corridors

6. Construct a sewer system for black water

7. Construct a storm water drain to transport the rain water from the infrastructure corridor to the wadi

Figure 68: Design Principles - Corridors

KEY PROJECTS

4. Develop peak storage area in wadiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, which can store water during heavy rain fall

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Design principles in the key projects

KEY PROJECTS

Pilot Project: Green Corridor

Pilot Project: River Park Pilot Project: Park

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KEY PROJECTS

Figure 69: Design Principles in key projects

KEY PROJECTS

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Key project - River Park

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KEY PROJECTS

Figure 70: Overview river park

River park - node 1

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Water treatment plant

KEY PROJECTS

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KEY PROJECTS

Figure 71: Impression proposed situtation ‘node 1’

Existing & proposed situation

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Nowadays the selected intervention area is not accessible for anyone, because it is limited in the west by the Morón creek, in the north by the railways and in the east by the A4 highway. Especially next to the highway a strong accumulation of waste be observed. We propose to use this waste land defined by heavy infrastructure and the creek to project a black water treatment plant for the surrounding area with an integrated natural peak water storage, in order to provide local facilities for a clean and working water cycle and also reduce contamination of water and land. Besides that, the western river bank generally does not count with a paved street, so we also concern paving the streets and create more space for a green river front.

Water Treatment Plant

Waste Land

Cultural & Education Center Flooding Square

Informal Settelment Waste Land

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 72: View on waste lands from ‘Av. Bernabé Márquez’ (source: google street view)

Figure 73: Waste lands in the north of the Morón river arm (source: google earth)

holder envolvement

ARK

er treatment plant

d education center uare

square

Investors

Planners

Executers

Interventions Users

WATER With the construction of a black water treatment plant, black water of the surrounding area can be purified and discharged into the river without polluting it.

Investors

Planners

Executers

By creating large flooding areas in the northern part of Morón creek, future flooding can be prevented in a natural way.

Users

Figure 74: Planning process for ‘node 1’ of river park

The new main sewer pipes will be located on both sides of the creek, so natural topography can be used for the water flow and an easy connection to the water treatment plant is provided.

GREEN By integrating new developments in the vertical park, in this case the black water treatment plant, the green structure is enhanced and used in a more attractive way.

WASTE Current polluting industries along the Morón creek will be transformed into more sustainable and green industries in order to reduce pollution.

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL By creating public facilities at the nodes of the vertical and horizontal corridors, social activity can be stimulated and transform the river area into a safe and vital public space. Informal settlements, which are placed within a 10 meter range along the creek, will be removed to a current vacant site in their neighbourhood.

INFRASTRUCTURE A metrobus, connecting the municipalities Morón and Hurlingham along the creek in a north south direction, provides public accessible transportation for everyone.

KEY PROJECTS

To transform the existing waste lands into a black water treatment plant a process with stakeholders (figure 74) and specific design principles, as Planners explained before, are proposed. Investors Executers Users The investors for this intervention are the provincial and national government, because they are both powered to make policies and care for natural and hydraulic resources and maintenance of the natural environment. The main planner is the Morón creek Investors Plannersin turn Executers Users ‘discussion table’, in which all COMIREC, AySA S.A, industries and civic society are part of, but the municipalities of Morón and Hurlingham have the highest power and involvement in the planning process. The role of COMIREC is the coordination between the other governmental levels, which are also the investors. When the project is finished, the executers will be CEAMSE, a company responsible for urban ecology, and AySA S.A., which will be responsible especially for the underground connections towards the treatment plant. In the end, when the project is constructed, the civic society and the industries take advantage of the project, because it provides them a connection to a regular sewer system and they do not rely on septic tanks and private companies anymore.

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dge & nd railway

Planning process

KEY PROJECTS

90 Facing the River

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Figure 75: Existing river section ‘node 1’

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 76: Proposed river section ‘node 1’

KEY PROJECTS

92 Facing the River

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KEY PROJECTS

Figure 77: Bird eye view of proposed design for the Morales Street

River park - node 2

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Open river bank

KEY PROJECTS

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KEY PROJECTS

Figure 78: Impression proposed situation ‘node 2’

Waste Land

Existing and proposed situation Cultural & Education Center Flooding Square

Informal Settelment Waste Land

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Currently in this part of the intervention area is a strong accumulation of informal settlements, the so called ‘villas’, along the creek. They are located within 10 meters of direct distance from the water, which exposes them to natural flooding risk. In our proposal they are relocated towards a vacant site in their neighbourhood in order to prevent them enough space and safer living conditions. The river bank will be redesigned with a flooding square to prevent future flooding. Besides that, nowadays on the eastern edge of the river are waste lands owned by the ex-military airport ‘El Palomar’, which we transform into a culture and education complex connected to the new terminal of the airport. This site of the river will additionally be provided with integrated flooding squares to give more space to the river in rain peak seasons.

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 79: Informal settlements next to Morón creek

Figure 80: Waste lands of ‘El Palomar’ airport next to Morón creek

ARK

er treatment plant

Investors

Planners

Executers

Users

Planning process

d education center uare

square

idge & nd railway

Investors

Planners

Executers

Interventions Users

WATER By creating flooding areas in the southern part of Morón creek, future flooding can be prevented in a natural way.

Figure 81: Planning process for ‘node 2’ of the riverUsers park Investors Planners Executers

The new main sewer pipes will be located on both sides of the creek, so natural topography can be used for the water flow and an easy connection to the water treatment plant is provided.

GREEN By integrating new developments in the vertical park, in this case the education and culture complex, green structure is enhanced and used in a more attractive way.

WASTE Current polluting industries along the Morón creek will be transformed into more sustainable and green industries in order to reduce pollution.

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INFRASTRUCTURE The transformation of the ‘El Palomar’ airport from a domestic into an international one, gives the opportunity for local and global economic development. A metrobus, connecting the municipalities Morón and Hurlingham in a north south direction, provides public accessible transportation for everyone.

KEY PROJECTS

The planning process in the second node (figure 81) of the river park has various investors. The main investors for this intervention are the provincial and national government, because theyPlanners are both powered to make Investors Executers Users policies and care for natural and hydraulic resources and maintenance of the natural environment. Besides that, local governments of Hurlingham and Morón are investors, especially for the development of the culture and education complex next to the river arm, and the resettlement of ‘villas’ in the case of Hurlingham. The main planner in turn is the Morón creek ‘discussion table’, in which both municipalities, COMIREC, AySA S.A, and civic society are part of, but the municipalities of Morón and Hurlingham have the highest power and involvement in the planning process. The role of COMIREC is the coordination between the higher governmental levels, which are also investors. When the project is finished, the main executers will be both municipalities, AySA S.A , which will be responsible especially for the underground connections towards the treatment plant and NGO’s for small scale intervention and social work. In the end, when the project is constructed, the civic society takes advantage of the project, because it provides them connection to a regular sewer system, a new public space, and also prevents them from future flooding.

The creation of a stair structure to make room for the river in heavy rain periods, also allows the use as a public space in dry periods.

KEY PROJECTS

98 Facing the River

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Figure 82: Existing river section ‘node 2’

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 83: Proposed river section ‘node 2’

KEY PROJECTS

100 Facing the River

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101

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 84: Bird eye view of proposed design for ‘node 2’

River part - node 3

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Opening up the river

KEY PROJECTS

102

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103

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 85: Impression proposed situtation ‘node 3’

Existing & proposed situation Currently the southern part of Morón creek is covered and used as a residential street Water Treatment Plant According to inhabitants a between blocks. high amount of pollution is nowadays coming from the covered Morón creek. Besides that, there is a accumulation of vacant industries in this relatively urban area. In our proposal we Waste Land open up the river and create a public square with integrated water elements, which also introduces the transformation of abandoned industries into commercial and cultural functions to bring the life back to the streets. Bringing the creek back to the surface also Cultural & Education Center prevents future contamination due to its visibility.

Open River Square

Covered River Vacant Factories

Walking Bridge

Flooding Square

Facing the River

Underground Railway

Informal Settelment Viaduct

Waste Land Ground Railway

KEY PROJECTS

104

Figure 86: Existing street profile of ‘Cañada de Juan Ruíz’ street (Source: Google street view)

Figure 87: Currently covered part of Morón creek (Source: Google earth)

nd education center quare

er square

bridge & ound railway

Investors

Planners

Executers

Users

Planning process Investors

Planners

Executers

Interventions Users

WATER By bringing the covered creek back to the surface, environmental risks, especially concerning contamination can be tackled and provide a healthy living environment.

Figure 88: Planning process for ‘node 3’ of the riverUsers park Investors Planners Executers

By extending the vertical green corridor to the south, the whole urban fabric can be connected in a north-south direction based on a human scale. By integrating new developments in the vertical corridor, in this case the transformed abandoned industries, green structure is enhanced and used in a more attractive way.

WASTE Current polluting industries along the Morón creek will be transformed into more sustainable and green industries in order to reduce pollution.

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL By creating public facilities at the nodes of the vertical and horizontal corridors, social activity can be stimulated and transform the area into a safe and vital public space. Close to this area a technological innovation centre is introduced, so the needed technical support for the industry transformation is provided locally.

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105

KEY PROJECTS

The planning process in the third node (figure 88) of the river park has various investors. The main investors for this intervention are the provincial and national government, because they are both powered to make policies and care for natural and hydraulic resources and maintenance of the natural environment. Besides that, the local government of Morón is an investor, especially for the transformation of industries and the design of the street profile. The main planner in turn is the Morón creek ‘discussion table’, in which both municipalities, COMIREC, AySA S.A, industries and civic society are part of, but the municipality of Morón has the highest power and involvement in the planning process. The role of COMIREC is the coordination between the higher governmental levels, which are also investors. When the project is finished, the main executers will be the municipality of Morón, AySA S.A , which will be responsible especially for the underground construction, NGO’s for small scale intervention and social work, and CEAMSE to integrate a waste collection infrastructure in the new design. In the end, when the project is constructed, the civic society takes advantage of the project, because it provides them safe public space in a healthy living environment.

GREEN

KEY PROJECTS

106 Facing the River

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Figure 89: Existing river section ‘node 3’

107

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 90: Proposed river section ‘node 3’

KEY PROJECTS

108 Facing the River

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109

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 91: Bird eye view of ‘node 3’

River part - node 4

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High line park

KEY PROJECTS

110

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111

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 92: Impression proposed situation ‘node 4’

Covered River

Waste Land

Causes and risks

Vacant Factories

Cultural & Education Center

Nowadays this area is suffering from spatial fragmentation through infrastructure: A tworoad crossing with the railways. According Floodinglevel Square to a project from the national government this train line will be tunnelled in the coming years and so the opportunity of a urban linear park is possible. In our proposal we consider the underground railway with the linear park on and transform the viaduct into a walking Informaltop, Settelment bridge.

Walking Bridge Underground Railway

Viaduct

Waste Land

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Ground Railway

KEY PROJECTS

112

Figure 93: View from elevated road ‘Cañada de Juan Ruiz’ towards railways (source: google street view)

Figure 94: Area of intervention in Morón: railways and elevated road (source: google earth)

er square

bridge & und railway

Investors

Planners

Executers

Users

Planning process Investors

Planners

Executers

Interventions Users

GREEN By extending the vertical green corridor to the south, the whole urban fabric can be connected in a north-south direction based on a human scale. By integrating new developments in the vertical corridor, in this case especially sport areas, green structure is enhanced and used in a more attractive way.

Figure 95: Planning process for ‘node 4’ of the river park

WASTE Current polluting industries along the Morón creek will be transformed into more sustainable and green industries in order to reduce pollution.

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL Close to this area a technological innovation centre is introduced, so the needed technical support for the industry transformation is provided locally.

INFRASTRUCTURE A metrobus, connecting the municipalities Morón and Hurlingham in a north south direction, provides accessible public transportation for everyone.

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The investors and planners of this intervention are the same as in ‘node 3’, but executers and users differ. The main executer of our intervention is the municipality of Morón, because they are responsible to provide a linear park design for the covered railway and the walking bridge. NGO’s help to create community spaces, and CEAMSE to provide an integrated waste collection system. The end users of this project will be mainly the civic society, by using the new created pedestrian areas, and also the public transport, which will then be underground.

113

KEY PROJECTS

114 Facing the River

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Figure 96: Existing river section ‘node 4’

115

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 97: Proposed river section ‘node 4’

KEY PROJECTS

116 Facing the River

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117

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 98: Bird eye view of ‘node 4’

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Key project - Green Corridor

KEY PROJECTS

118

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119

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 99: Location of key project ‘Green Corridor’

Water and waste management Existing conditions Nowadays, the water- and waste management in MorĂ˛n and Hurlingham is arranged in the way that the river functions as a dumpsite where black- and grey water, and household waste is discharged. Inhabitants donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a sewer-, rain- and drinking water system and the waste is not collected in a coherent way.

Because of the discharge of all types of waste in the river, the surface water, and therefore the ground water, gets contaminated. This results in disease and mortality risks within the built environment and a loss of biodiversity in the natural environment.

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The natural- and built environment of both municipalities is subjected to external influences related to ground-, surface and rain water. The rain water falls down on the environment and because of a lack of infiltration and evapotranspiration (figure 101) the built environment gets flooded, see figure 102. Because of limited space for the river and

smaller creeks, the environment is subjected to inflows of surface water which results in flooding. Nowadays the inhabitants of MorĂ˛n and Hurlingham extract their drinking water from the ground water. Hereby, the ground settles and flooding risks increase.

KEY PROJECTS

120

Figure 100: Contamination of the river causes health risks and loss of biodiversity

Figure 101: Paved streets cause a lack of infiltration

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121

KEY PROJECTS

Figure 102: Lack of infiltration and water storage areas cause flooding in the streets

Figure 103: Contamination of the river causes health risks and loss of biodiversity

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122

Figure 104 : Current water management

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Figure 105: Current conditions of corridor

The existing situation of waste- and water management is projected in figure 104, in an abstract way. Each household extracts ground water for drinking water, discharges its black water in a septic tank and discharges its grey water on the street or in the same septic tank. This tank is often of bad quality whereby the liquid waste ends up in the soil. The rain water, which falls down on the streets, gets polluted by the car traffic and gets mixed with grey water. As well the liquid waste in the septic tank as the liquid waste on the streets ends up in the natural environment, where it causes health problems and a loss of biodiversity.

On the next page these causes and risks are projected on the height profile of the proposed location of the corridor. As you can see, the river and creeks are the lowest parts in the environment. The rain water, which gets contaminated on its way, ends up in the river. Also the little water that infiltrates ends, via the ground water, in the lowest parts of the environment. This water gets, during a long and slow process, cleaned in the soil end comes up as seepache. Nowadays this extremely clean water canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be used, because it gets directly contaminated when it comes to the surface.

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The existing location where the pilot project of the corridor is proposed can now be divided in three types of elements as shown in figure 105. Element A is strongly related to the river and has most risks for flooding by surface water. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s characteristics are green, unpaved and informal. Element B is already more formal and paved, but still quite green. Inhabitants of this element are strongly car-oriented, which is also the case for the inhabitants of element C. This part of the corridor is heavily paved whereby the infiltration problem is the strongest.

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Figure 106: Current height profile of the corridor

Integrated proposed conditions

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The proposed conditions for the blue-green corridor is resulted in an integral approach where water, green, waste, social/economical and infrastructure is combined. The network of corridors and rivers will be used to deal with flooding and contamination problems, but will also provide public space, orientation and a safe and green pedestrian route for inhabitants. As explained in the vision, the corridor connects existing important urban functions, like public green, commercial squares, amenities, public facilities and potential areas to stimulate movement along the corridor. Most of the potential areas are developed into public green areas to create a recreational area on walking distance for all inhabitants.

To prevent contamination of ground- and rain water and therefore also the surface water and natural environment, a sewer system for black water will be introduced. The grey water is collected in an collective anaerobic batch reactor (grey water tank). After a stay of 18 to 30 days in this tank 60 to 80% of the pollutant load is already decomposed.

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To prevent flooding in the built environment the approach is to design the lowest areas into areas where flooding is allowed. This means that the creeks and rivers will get flooding areas to give the river space, but also a retention area will be developed in the lowest area besides the rivers. This retention area can store water during peak precipitation, before it flows into the river. Because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the lowest areas in the environment it will also attract seepage which can be a stimulator for nature development. The retention area can develop into a large scale natural retention area with flora and fauna, combined with minimal recreational activities, like stroll- and bike paths and bird watching, see figure 107 for a reference.

In the built environment the main focus will lay on the stimulation of infiltration, smart use and reuse of waste water and the distribution of rain water to areas where it is allowed to flow to. Permeable materials in the streets (figure 109) and the extension of existing green structures are stimulated to ensure infiltration. The corridor will be designed in a way that it can temporary store rain water in times of peak fall, for example with the use of a wadi, see figure 108 for a reference. Therefore, the streets perpendicular to the corridor can be designed with permeable open gutters to distribute the rain water to the corridors. In this way those streets can be intervened in a small way, but will also benefit the inhabitants which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live directly along the corridor. In the corridors this water can be stored temporary before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transported to the river.

Figure 107: Retention area Kristalbad, Hengelo/Enschede, the Netherlands (source: Enschede onze stad, 2012)

Figure 108: Wadi in Kronsberg, Hannover, Germany (source: Atelier Dreiseitl, n.d.)

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Figure 109: Reuse tiles in the sidewalk for new sidewalks with a permeable structure (source: StradusInfra, 2015)

Figure 110: Open gutter for rain water distribution and infiltration (source: Buro Stad + Land, n.d.)

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Figure 111: Proposed water management

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Figure 112 : Proposed conditions of the green corridor

grey water will be transported in a storm water drain which ends up in the wadi in the A and B corridor, where it follows the same route as described before. In this way, the inhabitants of the C corridor donate their treated greywater to the, mostly more poor, inhabitants of the A and B corridor where it can be reused as shower and laundry water. On the next page, the design principles are shown in a section of the corridor. With this integral waste- and water management approach the river wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be contaminated by the sewer system and household waste anymore. Within the longer perspective, the river water can be cleaned to provide drinking water for the people in MorĂ˛n and Hurlingham.

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This water can directly be reused in the block to flush the toilet. According to the inventors of this system, Eautarcie (n.d.), the water can be harmlessly infiltrated into the ground. In fact, the treated greywater contains a very little amount of nitrogen and will even improve the groundwater quality in most cases. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the remaining treated greywater will be collected, together with the rain water, in the wadi in the A and B corridor. Here, purifying plants can purify the rain- and greywater at the same time before it can be used in the households again for shower and laundry water. Treated water which is left in the wadi, for example after heavy rainfall, can infiltrate in the ground or can be transported to the creeks and rivers. The rain water and treated greywater within the C corridor can not directly flow to the wadi, because in this corridor there is not enough space to introduce one. In this corridor the main design principles are to extend existing green structures to stimulate infiltration and evapotranspiration. The rain water and treated

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Figure 113: Proposed height profile of the corridor

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Block on Morales Street

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Figure 114: Impression proposed situation Morales Street

Causes and risks As explained before, part A of the corridor, where the Morales street is located, is strongly related to the river. It’s characteristics are green, unpaved and informal. The existing situation of one of the blocks along this street is visible in figure 117. The following causes and their related risks are concerned in this area.

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CAUSES The street and its surroundings are green, but still the water isn’t infiltrating. This is because the soil is too compressed.

According to the inhabitants, the Morón creek floods ones or twice a year during heavy rainfall, which effects part A of the corridor.

The riverbed of the Morón creek doesn’t allow the water to take space in periods of heavy rainfall.

Rain water is collected in the public spaces, the streets and sometimes the houses, because the soil doesn’t allow the water to infiltrate.

Because of a lack of water supply, inhabitants extract their water for daily use from the ground water. This causes soil settlement.

Because of soil settlement the living environment gets closer to ground and surface water which makes the risks for flooding related to ground and surface water bigger.

The inhabitants in part A of the corridor use the river as a direct discharge of their household and liquid waste. Industries along the river discharge their industrial waste there as well.

The contaminated soil and river causes health risks when the river floods or the ground water is extracted and used.

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Figure 115: Public space along Morales street can not be used, because of a lack of infiltration - photo from the site

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WATER Infiltration can be stimulated in the streets and public space by plowing the soil and make it more permeable for rain water.

Figure Investors

Greywater will be prepurified in the greywater tank in each block. Together with the rainwater it will be purified in the wadi before it can be reused in the households in the form of shower and laundry water.

116: Planning part A of the corridor Plannersprocess for Executers Users

The wadi in this part of the corridor makes the street able to store rainwater in case of peak rainfall (mostly in summer) or prolonged rainfall (mostly in winter). The streets perpendicular to the wadi will be provided with open gutters which can transport the rainwater from ‘normal’ streets to the corridor where the water is collected, purified and slowly distributed. The whole neighbourhood will be provided with a blackwater sewer system, which prevents the soil and surface water from becoming contaminated.

GREEN Ecological plants in the wadi will provide a green network in the neighbourhood which improves biodiversity and therefore works as an ecosystem service. The ecological wadi in this street will, together with the other corridors, creeks and rivers provide a green network in the whole city, which improves biodiversity and works as an ecosystem service for the whole city.

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WASTE A waste collection point will be provided on the corner of the block. Inhabitants of the block can collect their waste here where it can be picked up to decrease contamination by household waste. Besides ecological plants in the wadi, also purifying plants are planted to purify the grey- and rainwater. This clean water can be reused in the households, infiltrate in the ground or flow to the river.

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL By creating space for water in the corridor, the water from the surroundings will flow to the corridor as well. This makes, in this case, the park along the streets available for public use again. Because of the previous intervention, the park can be redesigned with possibilities for playing and meeting. Together with the other public facilities along the corridor, a network of public space arises. Stepping stones in the wadi provide crossings for the inhabitants so that they can always make fast use of the public park on the other side of the corridor. Along the wadi new benches will be introduced where people can enjoy the green, ecological structure of the wadi.

INFRASTRUCTURE Part A of the corridor will become carfree with a wide sidewalk for pedestrians. The sidewalk can, in case of emergency, still be used by, for example, an ambulance. The streets are still well accessible, because the streets perpendicular to the corridor are still in use for cars.

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To transform the existing street into a more healthy, lively and safe street a process with stakeholders (figure 116) and specific design principles, as explained before, are proposed. The investors for every street project proposed Investors Planners Executers Users in this project are the Province of Buenos Aires and COMIREC. They are both powered to make policies and care for natural and hydraulic resources and maintenance of the natural environment. The Municipality of Hurlingham is also an investor, but is less involved and also has less power. The main task of this municipality is to plan the whole project. They discuss the project on the ‘discussion table’ with other stakeholders, like CEAMSE, Aysa, civic society, the municipality of Morón and COMIREC. Hurlingham is the main planner and COMIREC is the coordinator between the other governmental levels. Civic society contributes in this part of the planning process in the form of participation. Hurlingham is besides a main planner also a main executer. Together with Aysa they construct the project. In this sense, Aysa is mainly responsible for the construction of the underground network (the subsurface) and the municipality constructs the project on street level (the surface). While executing the project they need the support of NGO’s and CEAMSE. In the end, when the project is constructed, the civic society and the industries take advantage of the project, because it prevents flooding by giving more space to rain- and surface water. The civic society will also use the project directly, because they use the street as public space and the subsurface network will provide them daily advantages, like drinking water supply.

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Figure 117: Existing situation block A

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Figure 118 : Proposed situation block A

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Figure 119 : Existing street profile Morales Street

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Figure 120 Proposed street profile Morales Street

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Figure 121: Bird eye view of proposed design for Morales Street

Corridor - part B

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Block on Alvar NuĂąez Street

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Figure 122: Impression of proposed situation Alvar NuĂąez Street

Causes and risks As explained before, part B of the corridor is already more formal than part A and paved, but still quite green. Inhabitants of this element are strongly car-oriented and, as you can see in figure 125, the street also do not has a consistent sidewalk. This makes the street not really accessible for pedestrians. Also, the existing green in the street is not ecological and coherent. Therefore, it doesn’t function as public space, nor as an ecological connection. The causes and risks, related to water- and waste management are the following.

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CAUSES The street is quite green, but the green areas are higher than the street itself. This makes that the rain water flows directly to the streets, before it can infiltrate.

People living close by the Reconquista river, in the inundation area, have risks when the river floods. There is no clear data how often and in what way the river floods.

The riverbed of the Reconquista river doesn’t allow the water to take space in periods of heavy rainfall.

Rain water is collected in the streets, because the street profile transports the water in this direction. This makes the streets unaccessible. During heavy rainfall, there can also be water nuisance in the houses and public spaces.

Because of a lack of water supply, inhabitants extract their water for daily use from the ground water. This causes soil settlement.

Because of soil settlement the living environment gets closer to ground and surface water which makes the risks for flooding related to ground and surface water bigger.

Because of a lack of underground infrastructure the liquid waste (grey- and black water) of the households ends up in the river.

The contaminated soil and river causes health risks when the Morón creek floods or the groundwater is extracted and used.

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Figure 123: Current street profile of Alvar Nunez Street

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corridor

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Figure Investors

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WATER The new street profile allows the rain water to flow to the wadi. Here water can be stored temporary before it infiltrates or is distributed to the river. It’s important to plow the soil first to improve the soil permeability. Greywater will be prepurified in the greywater tank in each block. Together with the rainwater it will be purified in the wadi before it can be reused in the households in the form of shower and laundry water.

124 : Planning part A of the corridor Plannersprocess for Executers Users

The planning process in part B (figure 124) of the corridor is comparable to the process in part A. The only difference is the users. In part B of the corridor the industries doesn’t directly benefit, because part B doesn’t give space for surface water from the Morón creek, where the industries are located. It only provides peak storage for rainwater, which benefits the civic society.

The wadi makes it able to store rainwater in case of peak rainfall (mostly in summer) or prolonged rainfall (mostly in winter) in the street. The streets perpendicular to the wadi will be provided with open gutters which can transport the rainwater from the ‘normal’ streets to the corridor where the water is collected, purified and slowly distributed.

The stormwater drains which deal with grey- and rainwater in part C of the corridor are attached to the wadi in part B. Part B is responsible for purification of this water, because in part C there is no space to purify it.

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The whole neighbourhood will be provided with a blackwater sewer system, which prevents the soil and surface water from becoming contaminated.

GREEN Ecological plants in the wadi will provide a green network in the neighbourhood which improves biodiversity and therefore works as an ecosystem service.

WASTE The waste collection point is provided in one of the garages in the block. Inhabitants can collect their waste here where it can be picked up. This point can also function as a community place. Besides ecological plants in the wadi, also purifying plants are planted to purify the greyand rainwater. This clean water can be reused in the households, infiltrate in the ground or flow to the river via part A.

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL Public space will be activated in the wadi. Platforms between the pedestrian bridges can be used for playgrounds and meeting places. The water can still flow underneath.

INFRASTRUCTURE Part B of the corridor is carfree with a wide sidewalk for pedestrians. The sidewalk can, in case of emergency, be used by, for example, an ambulance. The streets are still well accessible, because the streets perpendicular to the corridor are still in use for cars.

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The ecological wadi in this street will, together with the other corridors, creeks and rivers provide a green network in the whole city, which improves biodiversity and works as an ecosystem service for the whole city.

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Block 2 - Alvar Nunez

Residential

green sidewalk structure 2.7 m

road 7.0 m

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1.3 m

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Block 2 - Alv

Figure 125: Existing situation block B

Residential

Residential drinking wa ter sewage & grey

water

storm water

sidewalk

green structure

4.0 m

7.0 m

drinking wat er sewage & grey wat

Figure 126: Proposed situation block B

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Figure 127: Existing street profile Alvar Nuñez Street

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Figure 128: Proposed street profile Alvar Nuñez Street

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Figure 129: Bird eye view of proposed design for the Alvar NuĂąez Street

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Block on Gral Pedro DÃaz Street

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Figure 130: Impression of proposed situtation Gral. Pedro DÃaz Street

Causes and risks Part C is, even more than part B, caroriented. This part of the corridor is heavily paved whereby the infiltration problem is the strongest. There are some existing green elements in the street, but as you can see in figure 133 it is not consistent. In this part of the corridor the relation between the streets and the buildings is worst, compared to the other parts of the corridors. There are a lot of closed walls, garages on the ground floor and not a lot of windows next to the street. This causes a lack of social surveillance and makes the streets feel unsafe. The causes and risks in part C, related to water- and waste management are the following.

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CAUSES There is almost no green in the street which makes infiltration almost impossible.

People living close by the Soto creek, in the inundation area, have risks when the river floods. There is no clear data how often and in what way it floods, but in 2016 there was a big flood caused by the Soto creek (figure 131).

The riverbed of the Soto creek doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow the water to take space in periods of heavy rainfall.

Because of a lack of water supply, inhabitants extract their water for daily use from the ground water. This causes soil settlement.

Because of soil settlement the living environment gets closer to ground and surface water which makes the risks for flooding related to ground and surface water bigger.

Because of a lack of underground infrastructure the liquid waste (grey- and black water) of the households ends up in the river.

The contaminated soil and river causes health risks when the river floods or the groundwater is extracted and used.

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Figure 131: Flooding in Hurlingham, resulted from an overflow of the Soto river arm in 2016 (source: La Izquierda Diario, 2016)

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WATER The tree structure in this street provides more possibilities for transpiration, which contributes to less water in the street. The green structure in the street will be more coherent and therefore stimulates infiltration in the street. Also the paved area will be provided with permeable materials.

Figure 132: Planning process for part C of the corridor

Besides the civic society as an user, also the bus company will be an user of part C, because the bus line will still be present in the street.

The whole neighbourhood will be provided with a blackwater sewer system, which prevents the soil and surface water from becoming contaminated. Because of a lack of space in this part, the grey- and rainwater together will be collected in stormwater drains. From here it’s transported to the wadi in part B, where it will be purified and reused.

GREEN The existing green structure in the street will be extended. This structure consists mostly of trees, which attract different types of fauna than other plants. In this way, the different parts of the corridor can improve biodiversity in all ways. The tree lanes in this street will, together with the other corridors, creeks and rivers provide a green network in the whole city, which improves biodiversity and works as an ecosystem service for the whole city.

SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL The garages in the street will be transformed into public facilities, like a shop or a bar. This will improve the social surveillance which will make the streets more safe and will also function as a community space for the inhabitants. The open space in front of the garages will be transformed into public space, like a terrace in front of a bar. This will develop social street life.

INFRASTRUCTURE The street still contains a bus line, but because the car is removed the street becomes more safe for pedestrians. Between the public facilities there are pedestrian crossings. Also the sidewalk along the road is wider which makes it more easy for pedestrians to move. Collective parking lots in the blocks function as a transition phase between a car oriented and a car free neighbourhood. Later in the planning process they are transformed into collective gardens as community place.

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In part C another difference is that the bus company is also part of the ‘discussion table’ of planners. This is, because the bus line has to be changed. Nowadays the bus line is present in the part of the corridor where the Soto river arm is located. To give this waterway more space it’s important to remove the bus line here and develop a ‘part A corridor’. In this corridor, as explained before, the river gets more space. The new route of the bus line is represented in figure 99 in the overview of the proposed situation of the green corridor.

Each block contains a grey water tank to pre purify the grey water, before it gets transported to the wadi in part B. Water for laundry and shower will be transported from the wadi in part B, back to the corridor to reuse. The streets perpendicular to the wadi will be provided with open gutters which can transport the rainwater from the ‘normal’ streets to the corridor where the water is collected in the stormwater drain and transported to the wadi in part B.

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The planning process in part C (figure 133) of the corridor is in general comparable to the processes of part A and B. In part C the difference is that the civic society plays a more important role as a planner. The street will be transformed from a car oriented street into a car-free street with only a bus line. The bus line is needed here, because nowadays it’s an important bus route to make shops and bars accessible for the civic society. This can provide a more quiet street with possibilities for infiltration and public space. To transform from a car oriented street to a car free street a temporary parking lot inside the block is proposed, see figure 134. This parking lot is accessible from the streets perpendicular to the corridor and creates a safe space for the inhabitants of the block to park their car. It’s possible to access the houses within the block from the parking lot. In this way, inhabitants can get slowly used to a car free street, because they can still access their houses by car. At one point, people start to make more use of the public transport, because it becomes a more easy way to transport themselves. When the car free identity of the neighbourhood becomes part of the daily life, the temporary parking lots inside the blocks can be transformed into collective gardens where inhabitants of the block can meet each other. For this whole process it’s important to make the civic society part of the ‘discussion table’. The ground, which is needed to construct the parking lots, is property of the inhabitants, so we need them to transform it. Therefore, the planners in the ‘discussion table’ have the goal to convince the civic society the importance of this transformation of (part of) their backyards and show them how it could benefit them.

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Figure 133: Existing situation block C

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Figure 134: Proposed situation block C - phase 1

Residential

Shop / CafĂŠ

drinking water

sewage & grey wa ter

Figure 135: Proposed situation block C - phase 2

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Figure 136: Existing street profile Gral. Pedro Díaz Street

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Figure 137: Proposed street profile Gral. Pedro Díaz Street

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Figure 138: Bird eye view of proposed design for the Gral. Pedro DÃaz Street

REFLECTION 156

The last chapter is based on a reflection of the project through different scales. With this, the final scene and benefits of the design principles applied in the river basin and the whole metropolitan area are shown. This chapter begins with the reflection of the analogy and ends up with the reflection of the Space Syntax.

Reflection of the analogy From the vison, strategy, and pilot projects showed in the former chapters, we can see clearly that the whole project is a good reflection of the leaf analogy that we have proposed before. First of all, the main vein (river arm) and the sub veins (green corridors) can support each other to create the system and provide the eneagy for the whole river arm area, which can be regarded as a leaf that grows in the branch (Reconquista river basin).

Secondly, the leaves will be keep growing not only in the Morón creek river arm, but also in other river arms over time. ‘The leaf’ can spread through the whole branch. Only when all the leaves work together can the whole branch’s good living conditions and healthy ecosystem be created and operated well for a long time.

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Figure 140: The growth of the leaves in the whole branch

REFLECTION

Figure 139: From the leaf back to the branch

L-scale effect The principle we used in Moron creek can also be applied to other river arms, the water will be cleaned up and more space will be provided for the river to avoid the flooding and upgrade the whole river basin.

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Besides that, it will also provide green and blue eco services in the lower river basin.

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Figure 141: Reflection L map

Green structure In the whole metropolitan region scale, we can see clearly that most of the green areas are inaccessible. As shown in figure 143, the accessible green in the metropolitan area is not coherent and is fragmented.

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Our proposal in this scale is that, based on the nowadays situation and proposed projects in the river basin, making good use of the unaccessible green area and using the green belt to connect the fragmented green areas to bring the nature back to this region.

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Figure 142: Green Structure map - Inaccessible Green

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Figure 143: Green Structure map - Accesible Green

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Figure 144: Proposed Green Network

XL-scale effect Besides the Reconquista river basin, the principle can also be applied to other river basins in the whole metropolitan area. Nowadays the Reconquista river basin and the Matanza-Riachuelo river basin have the main effects on the metropolitan area. Therefore, in the XL scale, we propose to enhance these two basins by using the design principle to create the green and blue network, which is different from the current â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;finger structureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; .

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Working together with the ring road connection and the traditional industries transformation, the new metropolitan model can be created, which is more focusing on a human scale infrastructure and centralities, new economy, living environment and social integration.

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This new metropolitan model can help us to improve the main challenges that we define in the beginning, globalization and environmental risk and climate change effects.

1. Strengthen the ring road connection for car used but also with public transport lines.

2. Integrate industrial areas and shared facilities by ring road structure to make it easily accessible.

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4. Consider the rivers as new, valid, green infrastructure existing in the city not as a backside.

5. Integrate the new structure with the current one by creating a green network of corridors, spread on the city, bringing back consciousness about river into urban structure.

6. Rivers as the backbone with its green network provide inclusive open, public spaces and facilities.

Figure 145: Reflection XL scale

REFLECTION

3. Activation of industrial belt and transformation into new, recycling and clean industries with shared facilities,providing working places and entertainment.

REFLECTION

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XL-scale effect

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Figure 146: Reflection XL map

Reflection on space syntax Running the Space Syntax analysis in the new design, as described before, results in the global- and local integration maps in figure 147 and 148. The main changes in street patterns which benefit the integration in the urban fabric are 1. the new developments along the river, 2. the green corridors, 3. the uninterrupted vertical connection from Hurlingham along the river to the south of Morón, 4. the development of the innovation center in the intermunicipal triangle and 5. the development of the underground railway with a park on top.

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As described in this booklet, along the river three new interventions will be developed. There will be a new road, the R4, which connects both municipalities in the larger context of the metropolis. Besides this road, also a boulevard will be developed along both sides of the river with three bridges. These interventions together make that the Morón creek is way better integrated in the whole urban fabric. Because of the interventions the river is accessible from both sides of the river, which stimulates the intermunicipal connection. Now the river can function as a backbone for both municipalities instead of a backside. 2. The green corridors are creating uninterrupted connections in both municipalities between the rivers. This improves the integration of as well the Morón creek as the Reconquista River. 3. Along the Morón creek, in the uncovered creek and along the southern airport an uninterrupted vertical green corridor will be developed. This connection improves the north south connection and, together with that, the intermunicipal connection. In the Space Syntax maps in this booklet the neighbouring municipalities in the south and west are not drawn, because of a lack of data. Because of this the streets are, in this map, not connected to the streets of the neighbouring municipalities. This results in the fact that the integration of the south part of Morón is not clearly visible which doesn’t give a clear view of the improvements. You can see a small difference compared to the analysis, as described before in this booklet, but actually the difference will be more impressive.

4. The innovation center will improve the integration of the whole triangle, because it will be accessible for public. Because of this the streets will have no dead ends anymore and therefore the whole area will be better integrated in the surrounding urban tissue. Also in this revision the fact that the neighbouring municipalities are not drawn influences the outcome. In real life the railway and highway will be better integrated than what’s now visible in this map. Therefore also the integration of the whole triangle will improve. 5. The development of the underground railway project improves the integration of the triangle, because now the route of the railway will be accessible for public in the form of a park. Also here the lack of data influences the outcomes, but you can still see a difference in the integration of the surroundings. In general the Space Syntax analysis and revision shows that the rivers and intermunicipal triangle are, after construction of the proposed design, better integrated in the urban tissue which can improve developments in both areas. Thereby, it stimulates connections between the municipalities of Hurlingham and Morón. Nowadays the river, the gated areas and the infrastructural lines form a serious boundary between both municipalities. The new design shows how to tackle the boundaries and improve intermunicipal cooperation.

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Figure 147 : Space syntax - global integration, design revision.

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REFLECTION

Figure 148 : Space syntax -local integration, design revision.

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