City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration by Paola Barcena

iii

Thank you: To my mentors for sharing their knowledge and guidance, To my family for their love and encouragement To J for being a such a noble source of patience and support, in addition to the endless conversations that fueled my spirit, And to my friends, for the unexpected inspiration At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. -- Albert Schweitzer

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

CITY COMPETENCE THROUGH STRATEGIC SPATIAL CONFIGURATION TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Illustration of the Case Study: The City of Queretaro

Chapter 2 Project Description

Chapter 3 The Site: BJIC (Benito Juarez Industrial City)

Chapter 4 Case Studies

Chapter 5 Urban Development Concept

Chapter 6 Urban Design

Chapter 7 Assessment

124

Chapter 8 Conclusions

127

References

129

Colophon

131

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

INTRODUCTION Introduction

Foreword Context: City of Queretaro, Mexico

Abstract and Personal: Is growth only about sprawling onto the ecological landscape around the existing city? Can growth occur inward the city? Can growth = recycling? How can planning and spatial development provide for the quest for social sustainability? What does a non colonial historical center need to have to be acknowledged as a source of identity for the citizens? Could settings for new lifestyles actually work in a Mexican context? How? Which arguments could illustrate this? Why do people choose to live in gated residential enclaves instead of constructing a balanced city?

World Heritage Buildings City Center Queretaro

Project Introduction Queretaro is one of the oldest cities in Mexico; its urban fabric reflects the contrast between indigenous remains, colonial architecture, modern growth and industrialization, which is representative of many Mexican cities similar in size.

Queretaro was declared World Heritage by UNESCO, and while the historic center is very beautiful, with magnificent landmarks, plazas, and really cared-for, the city’s “pattern of expansion, consists in an explosive occupation, fragmentation, and low density, that don’t respond to any territorial planning.” (Arvizu, 2005) New developments are mainly residential with no mixed use; the services needed to cater for the dwellers are not planned and thus remain in the city’s core or in separate, themed clusters, accessible only by car.

The identity of the city is now exclusive to the historical centre, frozen in this colonial past that is no longer as real as it used to be. High land and service prices have forced the city 4

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Benito Juarez Industrial City Entrance Landmark

Trolley City Tours center to become a commercial and tertiary sector, driving the housing out and becoming an outdoor museum which maintains a misunderstood urban image alive for the sake tourism. On the other hand, the contemporary city is experiencing a rampant urban sprawl with “new settlements without adequate green areas, with no spaces for recreation and for communication, without any city landmarks.” (Arvizu, 2005) The construction of the contemporary city doesn’t include the creation of a civic identity, public spaces, or a balanced offer of facilities.

Additionally, Queretaro’s economic activity is based on the industrial sector; its development has relied on a heavy campaign to attract industry which started since the 1940’s during Queretaro State Governor Agapito Pozo Balvás’ Administration when the Industries Jabonera Lourdes, La Purísima, and the Glass Factory first established in the city. This industrial specialization is perceived still today, Queretaro has now sixteen industrial parks and its economy heavily relies on the manufacture industry. This alternative history is the reason to choose the oldest industrial park, Benito Juarez Industrial City (BJIC) as the location of the project site. One of the first and strongest industries that established here in the 1960’s, Tremec, defined the future in the sense that it caused the Queretaro 5

Serial housing complex in the outskirts of Queretaro to become specialized in the automobile parts industry, and thus attracting complementary businesses to the local industrial areas. This stated the precedent for the continuous development the city has experienced; nowadays Queretaro has an aero spatial industrial park with Bombardier Headquarters and the National Aero Spatial Technical University. This is an image that is advertised to attract local and international investment in the city, however it does not reflect in the spatial configuration of good quality public spaces, landmarks, and city facilities.

Benito Juarez Industrial City had a very strong role in the economy and thus the history of the city; it laid the foundations for the current economic activities, as well as the city layout. BJIC was built in the outskirts connected to the traditional city by the (current) Inner Mobility Ring, which at the time worked as a freeway. As a result, a suburban residential area was established north from the BJIC, and a worker housing area also grew close by. Nowadays, the space in between this development in the north and the traditional city has been filled up and it has a renewed strategic location within the city layout; in addition to the significant historic baggage. The demographic explosion and consequent urban sprawl in form of enormous social housing 6

developments and the plans for future growth of the city have now made this industrial area a very centralized and accessible site within the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s [current] core. Benito Juarez Industrial City BJIC still has some factories working, but many large plots are still un-built and warehouses abandoned, the industries have moved to newer industrial parks. The siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historical importance, as well as its new central position surrounded by mono functional housing units, provides many opportunities and potentialities for development of this area, their identification could become guidelines for strategies applied elsewhere.

With the detection of strategic elements that support the generation of opportunities, and testing them in the urban design for the regeneration of this area (which now acts as an urban void), conclusions drawn from analysis and research by design may be considered as valid for cases in most of the Mexican cities similar in size. Most of them are dealing with the same issues such as the struggle to grow and balance a rich historical background and constructed urban heritage with the quest for quality of life, and economic development.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

The Third Chapter “The Site: BJIC” illustrates the current conditions of the site chosen for development as well as the statement of why this area could be both crucial and representative for the development of the city as a whole.

Chapter 4 “Case Studies” includes the analysis of three cities: Amsterdam, Barcelona and Culver City. They will be analyzed using the same parameters and compared to BJIC site. At the end of the chapter the lessons learned will be described as well as how they build up to become tools, guidelines or opportunities for the design of BJIC.

World Heritage Plaza City Center Queretaro

Structure and Reading Guide The following thesis is organized in 8 content chapters. The first chapter is dedicated to setting the scene of the Mexican context in general and the City of Queretaro in particular. This chapter offers a description of the main aspects of the city profile which will be relevant for the illustration of the problem field set in this case study, as well as analysis and design tasks. These include: street network, traditional city, definition of competence by the city, and growth trends and typologies. The explicit illustration of the case study will structure the definition of the problem field, objectives and research questions found in the Second Chapter. The methodological approach will be illustrated through a weaving of an ongoing process of analysis and design. The chapter will end with a description of the relevance related to the academic and scientific sphere as well as the real world socio- spatial aspects.

Chapter 5 describes the strategy intended for the Urban Development of BJIC, and the project interventions needed to carry out the strategy. Concept plans and guidelines for design will be explored here as well.

Chapter 6 is the actual Urban Design for BJIC in the form of a city plan including strategic projects assigned for detailed design.

Chapter 7 focuses on the assessment of the plan and its coherence between scales: city, district, and neighborhood. On the other hand, evaluating the process considering the research questions stated before.

Chapter 8 will state a personal reflection of the whole process and its products. As well as positioning them in the body of knowledge and the EMU program. 7

ILLUSTRATION OF THE CASE STUDY: CITY OF QUERETARO

Chapter 1 Illustration of the Case Study: The City of Queretaro

Important Facts and Figures Queretaro Metropolitan Area is located in the State of Queretaro, Mexico. It is part of the area denominated Bajio, an industrial corridor positioned in the center of the country. More than 45 million of inhabitants in a 250 km ratio. Queretaro Population 2005 Queretaro 734,139 - 77% Corregidora 104,218 – 11% El Marques 79,743 – 8.5% Huimilpan 32,728 – 3.5% Total= 950,828 Source: INEGI, 2005 Queretaro de Arteaga, Conteo General de Población y Vivienda

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

The main economic activity of the city is industry; it is one of the most industrialized cities in the country. Automotive, food, and dairy industry; commerce, research and knowledge development, high education, wine production, and tourism are the main economic activities.

Street Network Inner Ring The position of the city of Queretaro on the Federal Highway 57, which connects Mexico City to the Northern Border line with the United States of America, has influenced Queretaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy but it has shaped its physical structure comprehensively as well. The Federal Highway 57 becomes the backbone of the City of Queretaro, it transforms into a ring which allows high flows of traffic, linking all the districts of the city making them accessible 10

through fast connections. This circuit is made up of three elements: the first is the Highway to San Luis PotosĂ, which runs in a N-S direction called 5 de Febrero Avenue; the second element is the Highway Mexico City-Queretaro-Celaya, which runs W-E and is referred to as the Pan-American Highway; the third element is the Freeway which links the Pan-American Highway to the Federal Highway 5 North of the city, which runs almost diagonally from N-W to S-E called Bernardo Quintana Boulevard.

The extensive urban growth has transformed the once peripheral ring of the traditional city into the contemporary urban fabric becoming an inner circuit. The use of the car on the fast connection provided by the Inner Ring allowed the city to grow without providing facilities distributed equally, since the commuting times were perceived as very short. However, during the last years, the increase in population derived in an easy recognizable heavy traffic and has started to saturate this ring, making it increasingly difficult to navigate as freely and fast as it used to be.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Bernardo Quintana Blvd.. 5 de Febrero Ave.

Panamerican Ave. BJIC Site Main Ave.

This circuit is flanked by heavy tertiary sector; it is considered a guarantee to locate a business along these roads, since it provides the visibility and automobile accessibility needed to attract clients, as well as a broad target market because of the big population that run through it every day. The main elements found along the ring include hotels, restaurants, car dealerships, big super markets, large retail and entertainment centers, and industrial polygons.

Main Avenues Apart from the Inner Ring, there are few Avenues that have continuity throughout the city. The most identifiable in N-S direction if Corregidora Avenue which crosses through the Historical Center and links the Inner Ring extending to the municipality of El

Marques. Another N-S link is Tecnologico Avenue, but it does not run continuously even within the Inner Ring.

Corregidora Ave. Universidad Ave.

Zaragoza Ave.

Constituyentes Ave. BJIC Site Main Ave. 11

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Panoamerican Ave. Hotel

Panoamerican Ave. Car Retail

Bernardo Quintana Blvd. & Los Arcos Crossing

5 de Febrero Ave.

5 de Febrero Ave. Hotel Bernardo Quintana Blvd.. Shopping & Restaurants

Another main avenue is De La Luz Boulevard located outside, north of the Inner Ring, connecting working class and social housing areas in a W-E direction. Other main avenues are planned or on the way of being developed to connect the Inner Ring to the Outer Ring.

Panoamerican Ave. Car Retail

Tertiary economic activities are found along these avenues; however, the size of each enterprise is smaller compared to the ones along the Inner Ring. Along these avenues are located mainly banks, restaurants, offices, universities, historical/iconic monuments, and small retail clusters.

Panoamerican Ave. Hotel

Regarding W-E connections there are 3 main avenues that run parallel to each other and to the Pan-American Highway. From north to south, the first is Universidad Avenue, which runs along the river; the second is Zaragoza Avenue, along the Aqueduct and extends to the municipality of el Marques to the east; and the third is Constituyentes Avenue which is the most defined axis and it connects the municipality of El Marques to the east through Queretaro to the municipality of Corregidora to the west. This overall lack of permeability and continuity of the street network makes the Inner Ring the main carrier of traffic, the entrance to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core is generally in a radial manner through the Inner Ring to the main avenues, and into the City Centre.

Universidad Ave. Universidad Ave. River Calzada de Los Arcos Constituyentes Ave. 14

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Universidad Ave. Retail

â&#x20AC;&#x153;El Molinoâ&#x20AC;? Ave. Universidad

Zaragoza Ave. Mixed-use

Constituyentes Ave. Auditorium

BJIC Site Main Ave.

Outer Ring The Outer Ring of Queretaro Metropolitan Area has been completed recently in 2008. To the north â&#x20AC;&#x201C; northwest is located the Fray Junipero Serra Boulevard which links residential areas to the Federal Highway 57 north of Queretaro. To the south is located the Southwest Freeway which is the prolongation of Bernardo Quintana to the southeast connecting with the PanAmerican to the southwest. And finally to the east, the Freeway from Mexico City to San Luis PotosĂ is located, once used to bypass the City, the urban growth has sprawled towards it and it will become part of the metropolitan mobility network. The Outer Ring is recent, so there are many empty lots waiting to be developed; only residential enclaves are found along the Outer Ring today.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Images of World Heritage Sites City Center Queretaro

Queretaro Traditional Historical Centre

City

Queretaro’s Historical Centre is located within the Inner Ring, limited to the north by the railway tracks, to the east by Bernardo Quintana Boulevard, to the south by Constituyentes Avenue and to the west by 5 de Febrero Avenue. The Historical Center is made up of colonial architecture and urbanism in the form of churches, temples, convents, private houses, civil buildings like the Palace of Government, and a set of plazas, gardens, and public squares. The city fabric contrasts between the “geometric street plans of the Spanish conquerors side by side with the twisting alleys of the Indian quarters. The Historic Monument Zone of Queretaro was declared by UNESCO World Heritage in 1996.” (United Nations - Copyright © 19922009 UNESCO World Heritage Centre, All Rights Reserved | v3.0, Updated 06 Oct 2009 http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/792) 18

The scale of the Historical Center and the mixed use which fills it with facilities and services makes it possible for people to walk, becoming also a centre of reunion and congregation of people, providing a different setting from the rest of the city in which a motorized vehicle is needed due to the long distances. All together, the buildings, streets, and squares provide a very strong public significance, since it is a source of identity for all the inhabitants. A proof of this is that it is the only place in the city in which such a strong mixture occurs: mixed use, activities from work, to leisure, to housing; mixture of social classes, ages, backgrounds, local and tourists, etc. It is also filled with people by day and night due to offices, hotels, banks, governmental entities, restaurants, housing, tourism, clubs, restaurants, museums, bars, theaters, open public spaces, etc. “The Historical Centre of Queretaro constitutes a homogeneous urban and architectonic set; due to its characteristics as a central node of urban development, but also to its historical, patrimonial, and symbolic importance.” (Arvizu, 2005)

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Industrialization

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Auto part industries Established 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Country

Companies

Participation

USA

273

47.5%

Spain

10.1%

Germany

7.8%

Korea

4.5%

Canada

4.2%

Italy

3.7%

France

3.1%

Netherlands

2.8%

Japan

2.3%

Others

14.00%

Total

575

100.00%

Definition of Competence “Cities are the engines of the world’s economy, but only when they are socially robust and culturally resilient, economically viable and ecologically sustainable, safe and open, can they be places where more and more of us can focus on the serious business of making a better life for ourselves as well as for others.” Brugmans, 2009

It’s good to live in Queretaro. Quality of life is considered one of the top in Mexico and Latin America. It is ranked in the top 5 cities to do business in Latin America, and the 2nd in Mexico. (SEDESU, 200)

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Growth trends National Overview of growth patterns Starting in 1970, unemployment grew notably in Mexico and at the same time immigration from the country side increased the population of cities, in Mexico City the growth rate was 3% annually. Through the 1980s and the 1990s unemployment grew by nearly 24% in Mexico City. As a result, there was a huge demand for low income housing, and people acted to satisfy this demand in the spreading onto the periphery of the city in two ways: Informal urbanizations, much like “favelas” in Brazil and construction of serial houses neighborhoods. “The cities are unable to absorb the growing demand and hence, the population has settled down chaotically in peripheral areas; which are functionally disarticulated from urban centers and with inadequate equipment, services and infrastructure” (Bazant, 2001, p. 15).

The growth of the city to the periphery starts with isolated settlements with few constructions and they grow denser as time goes by. 23

After the Revolution in 1910, the land was property of the Nation, but it was distributed among the people who worked it so they could benefit from it. This Agrarian Law gave the people the legal property of the land they had worked for years; however when the economic crises came, these landowners began to sell their land to speculators. The common model that takes place nowadays is that the landowners provide the site and the developers conduct the projects, they obtain permits, get credit and build them; at the end the landowner may obtain his payment in the form of an urbanized lot, a finished house, or profit distribution; without having a revenue from the rise in value of the land, it is the developer who has the most benefit. Business men own construction companies, the class with economic resources to construct the city is exploiting the land and the people, speculating about the growth of the city to get money into their own pockets without considering ecological or social matters. The developments are private initiatives with no concern for the creation of quality public space; this is a mere entrepreneur venture. The result is an uncontrolled urban sprawl with lack of connectivity and city facilities, low quality

housing units, since they were designed in order to make them as cheap as possible with the minimum requirement of square meters to obtain the greatest profit.

This uncontrolled urban sprawl is a predator for the environment also. Land and other natural resources, such as water supply are being exploited with no plan for regeneration; waste is disposed in the proximity polluting the soil, water, and air. There are no green areas left, no public space, no reserve for

This table shows that Queretaro’s population in the same period (20002005) grew at a rate of only 2.7%

future development and upgrade of infrastructure. The result is an unsustainable environment, a non place in which the poor people are punished and the socio- spatial segregation grows. This reality shows that “urban resources and opportunities are becoming scarce and unequally distributed. As a result, struggles for resources, wealth, and power among individuals may increase and threaten the capacity of cities to be home to the majority of the world’s population and to work as power houses for progress” (Rieniets, 2009, p. 14).

The growth appears to happen with insufficient infrastructure, because the government cannot cope with the fast growing pace and demands. “The actions to respond to different pressures such as demands for housing, traffic congestion, environmental contingency, shortage of services are isolated and fragmented among themselves; always going after problems and never anticipating and planning their solutions.” (Bazant, 2001, p. 230).

Housing Typology: gated communities and mono functional enclaves

Residential areas are taking the form of private gated communities and “closed housing complexes privately owned, enclosed by walls and accessible only by guarded gates” (Rieniets, 2009) Middle and low class can also afford this isolation typology, the real estate market offers the same solution for everyone: gated, enclosed, all the same.

From 2000 to 2005, the city grew from 5,975.42 ha, to 15, 544.20. Representing a rate of 62.4% . Image source: Global Environment Outlook (GEO) 2007. Project Queretaro. Mexico.

Stephen Graham calls this “urban enclaves which are spatially, socially, and functionally disconnected from their surroundings; enclosing and accumulating capital and power, taking away from the public domain by Leaving streets and pedestrian spaces “outside” desolated”. (Graham in Rieniets, 2009)

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Unplanned Growth

Image Source: ZibatĂĄ sales presentation 2008

Zibata is a the master plan for the new housing development in Queretaro. It was announced in 2009 as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;first planned communityâ&#x20AC;?. It is a privately owned area of 9,000,000 m2 with a perimeter wall and one entrance only. The project area is divided in zones which will become gated communities within it. The land use is exclusively for housing except the green areas and a commercial zone in the north east corner.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Chapter 2 Project Description

Problem Field “Many cities in the developing world where land is abundant, experience a faster growth rate of their built areas than their population.” (Calabrese, 2004) This is true for this case study city: Queretaro’s built area growth rate in five years was 65%, while the population grew only 12.5%. (GEO, 2007) Overwhelmed by this great speed of construction and development, urban planning is giving way to irresponsible land speculation and disregard for ecological matters, in pursuit of a short term economic benefit. The newly developed areas in Queretaro are mainly low income housing or residential, but either way they are always mono-functional and gated. Arguing to cater for security of the dwellers, walls are built up around them “avoiding the city’s permeability and accessibility, becoming impenetrable enclaves physically and socially”. (Arvizu, 2005)

This results in two very evident problems for the people living in the contemporary city:

Socio- spatial segregation.- People are only granted permission to enter certain areas in the city. They must live there, work there, or pay to be welcomed. This widens the gap between the have and the have-nots and in turn increases social and security problems. Rieniets (2009) addresses this phenomenon, “Many large-scale developments are designed as highly visible and glamorous projects, but as inviting as they may appear, they are not designed for the larger public, but for attracting solvent user groups”.

Traffic congestion.- Since the development is happening in the form of mono-functional clusters, people who live in one cluster must move to another one to satisfy other needs such as work, leisure, education, commerce, etc. This obliged movement causes more trips to take place on the limited mobility network, thus more cars are using it during more time, enhancing the probabilities to agglomerate. The solution given to a problem like this is sometimes worse, because they prove to be insufficient

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Gated Communities

soon after they are completed and when an infrastructure project is built to meet these objectives, it does so by destroying the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuity, pedestrian flows are interrupted or obstructed, as well as the legibility and visual coherence.

These two problems are not the only ones perceived in the city today, however, they are the effects of an implicit higher source for lack of an integral planning in which the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth offers a balanced arrangement of workplace, public space, leisure areas, education and health facilities, etc. Approaching a particular problem and trying to solve it through infrastructure projects alone will not provide a sustainable situation; it is just a short term solution, a one dimensional approach. Urbanism has forgotten the backdrop social needs, neglecting that urbanity is a social factor: people make processes happen; exchanges and interactions take place, generation of flows, rhythms, and transformation- all of which make the city. The result is a society that avoids responsibility of ecological damage, segregation, and lack of compromise and responsibility towards issues such as inequity, poverty, marginality and insecurity.

Double-decker over Bernardo Quintana Ave.

Determine through theoretical framework, analysis of the site and in comparison with 3 case studies, guidelines for the definition of a Strategic Urban Plan for BJIC.

Develop a Strategic Urban Plan for BJIC that strengthens the site through the regeneration of an industrial site, and crucial for the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competence in terms of economic growth and spatial configuration.

Design Individual Project Interventions that correspond to the Strategic Urban Plan of BJIC.

Evaluate if and how the Strategic Urban Plan and individual project interventions add quality to the area and how they function within the site, the city and the region.

Draw conclusions of identified guidelines that can by applicable to other sites in similar conditions.

View Over Bernardo Quintanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s double-decker

3rd level Ave. Connecting Bernardo Quintana Ave. and 5 de Febrero Ave.

Double-deckers over 5 de Febrero Ave.

Objectives

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Constructing the city through infrastructure

Research Questions How can the regeneration project of BJIC play a key role in the city of Queretaro as a whole? How have other case studies dealt with the regeneration of a previous industrial site and what are their situations today? Which lessons can be learned from them? Which trends or opportunities can be developed through a strategic plan and design projects to regenerate BJIC? What strategic project interventions are needed to shape conditions for the development of BJIC?

Examples in Queretaro ofGated communities with controlled entrance

Methodological Approach The following project is the development of an urban design and individual project interventions which carry out a strategic plan to regenerate the BJIC site within the city of Queretaro. The guidelines to take into consideration for the structure of the strategy and design, are the result of theoretical and literature study, site analysis and case study comparison. By establishing trends and opportunities, this thesis aims to invigorate potential qualities of a specific site, as a key role to become relevant in three different scales: the city, the district, and the neighborhood. This case study has a double standard; it is more than just the regeneration of a brown field in the city, due of its crucial location it can be used to test how a determined intervention can shape new city dynamics and explore alternative growth patterns in the city.

The methodology used in developing this thesis, is based on the interweaving and synergy between two main aspects: analysis and synthesis. The analytical part deals with objective information regarding the problem field, the context and site analysis, case reference study, and literature investigation. The synthesis part involves creativity and decision making; it engages the definition of potentialities, strategies, concept plan, and design. Both areas are equally important and they build up on each other, overlapping and comparing information, with feedback loops to create a relevant, coherent product documented in this thesis. The project starts with a personal motivation that is the result of the combination of empirical data from the observation of dynamics that occur in the City of Queretaro, Mexico; and the academic framework of the European Masters in Urbanism- Design and Strategies for Cities and Territories. The problem field is defined in order to determine a starting point for investigation. As a result of the determination of the problem field, a specific approach is determined: This thesis is deliberately not solving a specific problem, but it is the search of opportunities and the creation of new strengths. At the same time, it is stated that in the analytical sphere as well as the design, the project must be relevant in three different scales: the city, the district, and the neighbourhood. After establishing these premises, the first step is the creation of the city profile, with the relevant information that will illustrate the evolution of the city, elements that build up the contemporary urban structure and the growth trends that are taking place in the city, as well as how

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

they influence the position of the site. It will conclude with an overview of the city profile and its connection to the problem field, as well as hints of which conditions may help build up a strategy at city level.

The second step is the site profile, the district and the neighbourhood are dissected, understanding the relation to adjacent areas, needs, spatial structure, etc. Having done this, the third step is to analyse 3 case references: Barcelona 22@, Culver City, L.A.; and Amsterdam’s Media Wharf. These case references were chosen because they have similar background conditions to Queretaro’s Benito Juarez Industrial Park and represent three options to choose from: Knowledge City, Entertainment City, and Creative City. They were all industrial oriented, then they suffered a period of downfall, and now they are all regenerated, still keeping the industrial heritage and a strong economic production.

The fourth step is the site compared and contrasted to the three chosen case references; they will be tested in the site in order to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, if Queretaro were to apply their spatial configuration strategies. By analysing all of them and establishing the connection between the economic activity and the spatial configuration, a number of principles and guidelines may be extracted to develop the concept.

The fifth step is the development of strategies and the translation into a specific urban design of the site. Finally, this design will be assessed to check correspondence to the framework set by the spatial planning strategies and identifying principles developed and tested in this case study that can be applicable to other areas. Conclusions of the thesis will be drawn by evaluating how the strategic urban regeneration of BJIC helps the city as a whole in terms of economical, social, spatial and cultural growth.

Relevance This thesis topic is relevant in the context of the European Masters in Urbanism- Design and Strategies for Cities and Territories, because it integrates theory and practice on how urban planning and design can deal with the increasing complexity of the development and composition of the city. In this specific case study, there will be a translation of theoretical values from an academic sphere to a strategic urban design that deals with a context influenced by extremely rapid growth rates and continuous development. This statement is the main stand point to be taken into account in the quest of competence for the city of Queretaro dealing with economic and social factors; but at the same time, a careful regard to the human, ecological, and cultural components.

The SITE: BJIC

Chapter 3 The Site: BJIC (Benito Juarez Industrial City)

Facts and Figures Area: 450 ha. Aprox. Foundation: 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Use: Exclusively industrial. District: Felix Osores Sotomayor Municipality: Queretaro Location: Northwest of the city center. It was the first industrial site to establish in the city, once in the outskirts it has now been swallowed by the urban sprawl. It is in a privileged position along the Inner Ring. Borders: North: Jurica Residential Neighborhood. 1.25 km long East: Mexico- San Luis PotosĂ Highway. 2.7 km long South: Industrial area and low income housing units. 1.8 km long West: Canal as borderline and low income housing units. Longest side: 3.45 km long

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Plan Parcial de Desarrollo Urbano Delegacional Municipal Urban Development Plan, 2007 33

The Site: Benito Juarez Industrial City (BJIC)

fast flows

zone 3

zone 2

zone 1

green and water

high traffic street

housing

Layers

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

BJIC Layers.

Location on main avenue= Importance Size Clients Prosperity Image

Super Blocks

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Green spaces and canals connect the site from within, with preference to slower flows: bike and pedestrian. Two main corridors N-S, and transversal connections that permeate green and public space in the local urban fabricĂ Community oriented. These green areas also act as a transition between the site and the low income housing area to the west and the residential area to the north.

Network of canals

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Street Network

Existing Buildings Size Gradient

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Current Program

BJIC: The Whole Picture

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Design guidelines abstracted from analysis of site. Connection from inner ring to outer ring through the site.- Bringing an extension of a main avenue into the site enhances road connections from inner to outer ring, as well as increasing the perimeter that faces a main avenue, providing commercial benefits. Connections to the adjacent area to the west suggest the creation of a grid.

Plausible Connections. 1. Extension of Bernardo Quintana Boulevard connects inner ring to outer ring. (City level) 2. Green Spaces and canals connect with adjacent housing areas. 3. Knowledge based and creative economic activities relate production processes in the site with young people, Universities and the other industrial areas. 4. A new North Bus Station is located in the site to connect to the South Bus Station, Queretaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Airport, Main Airports in the country, and other cities. (Regional level)

BJIC: Crucial or representative? This case study is more than just the regeneration of an obsolete industrial area; it is a crucial node of intervention due of its location and size. Because of the expansion of the urban fabric, the site is now in a new centrality along one of the main corridors in the city Ave. 5 de Febrero (see Chapter 1. Street Mobility) and its south borders in the intersection with Blvd. Bernardo Quintana. It is Between the Inner Ring and the Outer Ring. The neighboring areas in short and medium range are mainly housing units with insufficient mix use and facilities. The inhabitants of these neighboring areas represent a big population of the users of the public transportation system and BJIC is located between them and the city center which currently holds the majority of the facilities and services. BJIC can be a test ground for shaping new connections between areas in the city. BJIC is also representative of a unusual (in this context) pattern of growth. As stated in Chapter 1 Growth Trends, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapidly and avidly expanding outwards. By recycling the land in the (new) core, old buildings, and a heritage of productivity (being the first industrial site in the city and stating it future productive activity specialization), an alternate typology of housing and construction of the city can be exemplified, setting the grounds to foster the change in other industrial areas nearby and in cities or areas with similar conditions.

Preliminary program Commercial office space and main facility centers. North Bus Station

CASE STUDIES

Chapter 4 Case Studies

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

EMU European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism. Strategies and Design for Cities and Territories. TU Delft

Case Studies OBJECTIVE OF ANALYSIS OF THE CASE STUDIES

This chapter focuses on three case studies: Amsterdamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Media Wharf, Barcelona 22@, and Culver City. These cases were chosen because they share the aspect that they were once industrial sites turned into brown fields, and now they have been regenerated keeping the industrial heritage, but with a specific intention each. Amsterdam Media Wharf is the Creative City. Barcelona 22@ is the Knowledge City. Culver City is the Entertainment City. The description and analysis of these different standpoints will provide packages of characteristics which later can be used as a toolbox for the final concept. Profiles Amsterdamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Media Wharf Barcelona 22@

Knowledge City Entertainment City

Culver City

PARAMETERS USED FOR ANALYSIS

Creative City

These three examples will be analyzed using the same criteria: Slogan Common with BJIC

The name or phrase given to that area for promotion or self determination. Conditions they share with the City of Queretaro or the site Benito Juarez Industrial City.

Size Comparison

Google Earth image of the site compared with BJIC at the same scale.

Vision

A brief description of the vision for each area, words from its promoters.

Dimension

Dimension of the studied area.

City Competence through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

EMU European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism. Strategies and Design for Cities and Territories. TU Delft

PARAMETERS USED FOR ANALYSIS

Population

Specific Location

Specific Location- Fragment of the city studied, might be a district, or neighborhood.

Previous Situation

Description of the site before the strategy: conditions, economic activities, land use, building typology, etc.

Strategy

Plan of action to promote change in the area.

Spatial Configuration

Spatial Configuration- Synthesis scheme about the grammar and distribution of the plan.

Principle

The idea that is transmitted through the spatial configuration.

Main Program

List of the main program [buildings] which act as anchors, a key project to promote the change intended by the strategy.

Landmarks Economic Activities Housing Typology

Public Spaces Transportation Modes

Waterfront Treatment

Amount of people working or living there, and a general insight of the expected lifestyle: average income, median age, or education, etc.

List of site specific and familiar sights. 1st, 2nd, 3rd economic sector. List of the different varieties available, villas, apartments, closed communities, social housing, residential, etc. List and describe as park pockets, lineal parks, plazas, public squares, sidewalks, etc. All transport means available in the area: car, bus, tram, train, metro, etc. How is it dealt with the areas adjacent to water bodies?

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

City Competence through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

EMU European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism. Strategies and Design for Cities and Territories. TU Delft

OBJECTIVE OF ANALYSIS OF THE CASE STUDIES

The objective of this analysis is not just descriptive. It illustrates three different end results when dealing with a brown field. So the next step would be to test these three strategies through a â&#x20AC;&#x153;quick and dirtyâ&#x20AC;? design put into context in the BJIC site to learn lessons and understand opportunities for the this case, as well as finding elements for the development of the final concept. The methodology to do this design test is to take the main elements of each project and place them as literal as possible to find correspondence with the site BJIC. In the case of Amsterdam, the main element started as grassroot in which creative people set up the Art City inside the NSDM abandoned warehouse. In BJIC there is not a building of that size that contains a strong historical heritage as the NSDM Shipyard, but the main principle of the redevelopment of the area starting from bottom- up by creative people may also take place here. The condition would have to be to turn a cluster shape Art City into many Art City Bytes, in which artists and creative people can move into abandoned warehouses scattered in the site. The principle remains: an abandoned industrial building due to its low rental price attracts creative people to use them as workshops and living spaces. These people add quality to the area, and then bigger companies looking to benefit from this image come into the site, bringing more facilities to the area. Barcelona 22@ is a completely opposite approach; this regeneration project is established top- down in which a public initiative stated a normative document for the development of the area that seeks to attract knowledge based industries, universities, incubators, etc. The spatial configuration of the project will maintain Cerdaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grid, the continuation of the main street, Ave. Diagonal, onto which landmarks, city facilities, and public spaces are distributed to equip the area to act as a city in itself. This is traced at exactly the same scale in the BJIC site and it results in the prolongation of the existing mobility network of Queretaro City, connecting the Inner Ring to the Outer Ring and allowing a local urban fabric that allows different uses, from housing, to working spaces, facilities, open spaces, etc.

City Competence through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

EMU European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism. Strategies and Design for Cities and Territories. TU Delft

OBJECTIVE OF ANALYSIS OF THE CASE STUDIES

Culver City is made up of thirteen themed districts containing city facilities placed along the main streets; the rest of the area is mostly a series of mono-use residential neighbourhoods. The districts themes vary from a corporate area to the art district, providing something for everyone and every use or activity. This scheme was reinterpreted in the BJIC site by tracing the districts from Culver City along the main streets on the site and maintaining the activity relationships among the different districts. Each of the three â&#x20AC;&#x153;fast and dirtyâ&#x20AC;? designs, are tested with a SWOT analysis and conclusions are drawn from them. The conclusions will include desirable conditions, design tasks, the definition of the urban program, and guidelines for the development of the final design.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

City Competence through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Amsterdam NSDM Shipyard Media Wharf

Queretaro Benito Juarez Industrial City Common aspects between Amsterdam Media Wharf and Queretaro City and/or the Benito Juarez Industrial City. _Even though the physical distance is not significant; both have been disconnected from the city center. Media Warf is separated from Amsterdam by the IJ canal, and BJIC is cut off from Queretaro by the national highway that runs through the city.

1 km

5 km

_Housing areas which provide a strong work force are close to each of the sites.

industry which is located in BJIC, but some of thearea is not used anymore.

_Both cities’ historic economic role is reflected in both sites, as well as the change they underwent. Amsterdam’s historic economic role was as an important port, the NDSM Shipyard is evidence of this activity, but it eventually came in disuse. Queretaro’s economy and its urban fabric is the result of an auto-part based

_High speed mobility network provide accessibility to the area. NSDM Shipyard is accessed via the Ringweg Noord and BJIC has the National Highway 5 de Febrero, that forms part of the city’s inner Ring; and the Fray Junipero Serra Outer Ring. City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Amsterdam NSDM Shipyard Media Wharf

1 km

5 km

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amsterdam is becoming an international image of a creative city. Media Wharf is the new media center of Amsterdam, located on the former shipyard NDSM in the north IJ-Embankment. Media Wharf is a cluster of creative industries, new media, art and culture, that transforms the industrial heritage while preserving its historical value for inspiring workplaces. The new international creative hotspot classifies users in five priority groups: international appealing media companies, small creative enterprises, large service staff, public events organizers, and artists. These activities share a common environment and thus become together a stable base for the future ensuring a balanced growth. By sharing the facilities, networks are created as well as an exciting environment which generates positive synergies and unexpected cross-connections. It is a stimulating meeting point where established names mix with rising stars, where the boundary between media and art blurs.â&#x20AC;? Media Wharf Initiative

Site Profile Media Wharf. International Place for Creative Industries Dimension Population Specific Location Previous Situation

Strategy

Spatial Configuration

approx. 86.000 m2 not known The former NSDM Shipyard, location for the Media Wharf, is located in the North IJ-Embankment in Amsterdam. In 1946 was established a large shipbuilding conglomerate along the IJ, the Netherlands Dock and Shipbuilding Company (NDSM). In the fifties NDSM became one of the most modern shipyards in the world, it was heavily invested in modern quality equipment and trained personnel. In the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Asia absorbed all new orders, and the competition made NDSM build ships with loss, yet the losses were acceptable considering the immense expertise to maintain. In 1978, NDSM officially went out of business, all activities were suspended. In the late 1999, a group of artists, theater people, skaters and architects calling themselves Kinetisch Noord approached the local council with a plan to redevelop the former shipyard. In June 2002, Kinetisch Noord presented its plan to turn the NDSM into the largest hotbed for artistic talent in the Netherlands. Working closely with tenants, Kinetisch Noord has built affordable studios and other working spaces. NDSM builds the basic units that the tenants then complete themselves, giving everyone a say in the costs, quality and design of their own spaces. The wharf offers opportunities for exhibitions, try-outs, large and small performances, festivals, parties and so on. The quality of the area is achieved by adding value to the buildings already there. The public space is oriented towards the waterfront and inbetween buildings. Six buildings have been regenerated within a common area.

Principle

Klaprozenweg

++ + + + +

Nothing is destroyed or built entirely from scratch. The history of the site is a profound, common platform in which redesign of the space and creative activities in it bring added value to whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already there. City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Site Profile Media Wharf. International Place for Creative Industries Main Program and Economic Activities

Public Space

Transportation Modes

Dazzleville 900 sq. meters Painted temporary outdoor workshops.

Section 4 4,000 sq. meters. Youth area with a skate park, a boulder/cave, music studios, multi-functional project spaces and a hip-hop school.

The Oostvleugel (East Wing) 2,250 sq. meters. Theater studios and performance areas to the east of the NDSM hall. The Noordstrook 6,000 sq. meters Artists’ studios, artists’ homes, cafés and restaurants and experimental programming and exhibition areas.

Kunststad (Art City) More than 7,000 sq. meters. Stacked workshops and free lots in the NDSM hall.

Renewable energy, a heat pump, a windmill attached to a crane, prayer and gas station ‘God and Gas’ (it pumps vegetable oil), mobile gardens and a mobile library.

Hellingen. 2,500 sq. meters. Traditional studios and an underground canteen. The wharf houses two enormous ramps, ramp X and ramp Y. Under them are artists’ workshops. Including sculptors, painters, photographers, set builders and a coppersmith. The area around the ramps form a square for activities and events such as shows, concerts and filming; as well as the meeting place for creative people in Amsterdam.

De Houten Kop Pavilion A café and performance area made from recycled materials and straw.

The space in between the buildings of the Media Wharf acts as a vestibule that unifies the different uses and buildings, as well as a meeting place for the people. The common waterfront area is a hard surface flexible enough to be used as public spaces in which events, exhibitions, and concerts are held. No dominant green areas are located here. There is a free ferry for pedestrians and cyclists that leaves from Ruijterkade Amsterdam Central and Houthaven Veer. Bus line 35, 38, 91, and 94. Private boat sailing from the Singel.

Land-MARKS

Site Profile Media Wharf. International Place for Creative Industries

4. Laasloods

1. Timmerwerkplaats

3. NDSM Loods 6. Kraanspoor

2. Baanderij Helling Banen 5. Smederij

0.00 m

500 m

1,000 m

Helling Banen

Image Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Site Profile Media Wharf. International Place for Creative Industries 1. Timmerwerkplaats

Image Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

2. Baanderij

Image Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

1. Timmerwerkplaats. The monumental facades and the roof of this former carpentry workshop from 1926, were restored in old style and inside the shed there is an entirely new space built. The headquarters of MTV Networks are located here; it contains a complete recording studio of approx. 1000 m2, a control room and editing suites.

2. Baanderij The Baanderij building in 1957 contained the main office, the assembly room and the canteen of the NDSM. Now renovated, this building contains the IJ-Kantine, which is a cheerful and modern decorated brasserie, situated at the water of the NDSM yard. The IJkantine, has become a perfect meeting place for business people. The IJ-Kantine has also two private rooms where meetings are being held. The first and second floors are occupied by the advertising company Lemz and architecture office Heren 5. 3. NDSM Loods The largest shipbuilding shed has been redesigned into the Art City, a cultural incubator with facilities for theater, performing arts, a skate park and other public events. Aiming at a mix of emerging artists and arts supporting enterprises, new media and old crafts, from no-budget, low-budget and some budget initiatives of various artistic and craft disciplines. There is plenty of room here for performances and exhibitions.

3. NDSM Loods

Image Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

Site Profile Media Wharf. International Place for Creative Industries 4. Laasloods

4. Lasloods. This former hangar is located in a convenient site at the entrance of the Media Wharf. The industrial lobby is a monument and as such is renovated. It has a semi-public function as a public square for indoor events or large exhibitions. The space for creative businesses is designed in a separate building that 'floats' above the Lasloods Image Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

5. Smederij

5. Smederij . This former hangar building will be redesigned into a space for leading creative companies with very mixed program. The building will contain a hotel with associated facilities such as coffee shop, restaurant, meeting rooms and sky lounge. Image Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

6. Kraanspoor 6. Kraanspoor The NDSM yard is bigger than just Media Wharf. The Kraanspoor contains a 270 meter long building whose foundations are the former Crane Rail. The Kraanspoor is the headquarters of the IDTV, the third largest independent production company in the Netherlands and the Discovery Channel.

Image Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

Source: Media Wharf www.mediawharf.nl

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Media Wharf IS Benito Juarez Industrial City

CR_Expo Center

TV Studio

3. BJIC

Hotel / Conference Center

0.00 m

500 m

1,000 m

Media Wharf IS Benito Juarez Industrial City Timmerwerkplaats Baanderij

TV Studio

BJIC

Lasloods

CR_Expo Center

Smederij

Hotel/Conference Center

NDSM Art City

Art City Bytes

Located close to an access street to the complex Adjacent to the water, farther from the rest of the buildings. Strategic Location at the entrance of the complex. Has a coorporate facility use, but is related to the creative industries, so it nourishes from the art city and the waterfront. From Cluster Art City to Byte Art City Strongly related to the public space and the waterfront. BJ Creative City doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t aim to connect the city physically, but to become an activity center for the creative and artistic population transforminig into an economic force.

3. BJIC

1 km 58

5 km City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Queretaro Benito Juarez Industrial City Common aspects between Barcelona 22@ and Queretaro City and/or the Benito Juarez Industrial City. _High speed mobility network provide accessibility to the area. Poble Nou has the coastal ring road and the Av. Diagonal, and Queretaro has the National Highway 5 de Febrero, that forms part of the city’s inner Ring, and the Fray Junipero Serra Outer Ring.

1 km

_Both cities have a strong economic role at regional and country level. Barcelona is the “first Spanish metropolis in competitivity, exporting 22.5% of all Spanish industrial and non-industrial goods”(Ajuntament de Barcelona). Queretaro (9.719) has a higher per Capita Growth index than the national level (8.455). (SEDESU, Sustainable Development Agency).

_Even though the physical distance is not significant, both have been disconnected from the city center by a mobility infrastructure. Poble Nou is divided from Barcelona by railway tracks, and BJIC is cut off from Queretaro by the national highway that runs through the city. _Zoning plans legally regulate the management of the city and the area.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Barcelona Poble Nou 22@ Barcelona *

1 km â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barcelona has taken on a new challenge: to become fully integrated into the new technology revolution. Poble Nou, an area within the metropolitan area of Barcelona which has been the cradle of the principal nucleus of Spanish industrialization during the XIX century, is today proposed as the main economic and technological platform of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain in the XXI century. Barcelona, technological capital of Spain, is to become one of the principal technological capitals of Europe. The future of its competitive capacity will depend on its capacity to integrate new technology and to intensify the tertiary-industrial activities rich in knowledge. It now seems possible to promote new production activities to some of the old industrial zones such as Poble Nou, as well as some higher functions such as training, research and development, also making possible the introduction of new advanced services and of new housing.â&#x20AC;?

22@BCN ACTIVITY DISTRICT Ajuntament de Barcelona

Site Profile 22@Barcelona, the District of Innovation Dimension Population

198.26 hectares More than 42,000 new workers, half of them with university studies, and that number is predicted to reach 150,000.

Specific Location

22@Barcelona Project is developed in the Poble Nou neighborhood, belonging to San Marti district in Barcelona. In spite of the name, 22@ Barcelona is a normative plan, it is not an actual administrative district of the city.

Previous Situation

The Poble Nou neighborhood was considered the Catalan “Manchester” because it used to be a competitive manufacture industry district. However, if has been cut-off from Barcelona by railways. The manufacture industrial activity is mostly obsolete nowadays.

Strategy

“Transform obsolete industrial areas into a space of high urban qualities with activities linked to knowledge and innovation.” This approach is taken by the 22@Barcelona Municipal Company through the modification of the General Metropolitan Plan of the industrial zone of Poble Nou to transform the area into a 22@Barcelona Activities District, dedicated to new economy activities related to information and communication technology. This is a top-down approach, which includes six area projects that will act as drivers of this ambition. The city is also providing infrastructure to fertilize the land, the New Special Infrastructure Plan is taken into action by providing a modern network of energy, telecommunications, district heating and pneumatic refuse and waste collection systems. In addition to the strategic areas to be developed, the 22@Barcelona Municipal Company is aiming towards the creation of four 22@Barcelona Activity Clusters composed of specialized companies, institutions, universities, technological centers, incubators, and residences.The clusters are: Media Cluster, ICT Cluster, Medical Technology Cluster, and Energy Cluster.

MODIFICATION OF THE PGM (General Municipal Plan) FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF POBLENOU 22@BARCELONA ACTIVITY DISTRICT Ajuntament de Barcelona

Strategic Areas Eix Llacuna Audiovisual Campus Diagonal Park Llull Pujades Llevant Llull Pujades Ponent Perú-Pere IV

Strategic Program Media Cluster ICT Cluster Medical Technology Cluster Energy Cluster City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Site Profile 22@Barcelona, the District of Innovation Strategic Areas Strategy

1. Llacuna Axis

2. Audio-visual field

3. Diagonal Park

Axis that reinforces the sea-mountain relationship of the sector, incorporation of open spaces, installations and activities. This new axis will make up a triple system in conjunction with the Rambla del Poblanou and Sant Joan de Malta, located practically in the centre of the activity district.

Blocks of activities related to culture and new audio-visual activities in the surrounding area of the Old Can Arañó factory.

Activity centre fronting on the future Diagonal /Pere IV park.

2. 4.

4. Pujades-Llull (West) Continuity between the traditional nucleus of Poblanou and the centre of the city, by means of a combination of activity and housing uses.

5. Pujades-Llull (East) Front to Ave. Diagonal, façade of the avenue along almost three blocks. Important proximity of the area to the new Diagonal-Mar centre.

6. Pere IV-Perú Strategic creation of centrality and a strong urban structure, acting as a vertebra, which will determine the legibility of the rest of the area.

Site Profile 22@Barcelona, the District of Innovation Spatial Configuration

The Cerdà grid from the “Eixample” is continued in this area, new 22@ classification transforms the previously classified as industrial land into public land for facilities, green spaces and social housing. Allowing a compact and diverse use of space. The Diagonal Avenue becomes an important axis that crosses through the area towards the sea. The main program is located along this avenue, starting with the Agbar Tower and the Media Park Complex, ending at the sea front with the Forum, Congress Center, Diagonal Mar Park and the Forum Port; with the coastal ring road providing accesibility to the area. Ave. Diagonal

+ + ++ + ++ + ++ + ++ + ++ + + + + +

+++ +++ +

+ + ++

++ ++ + + +

Coastal Ring Road

Principle

Main Program

The whole area will be a balanced environment in which all the infrastructure, facilities, workspace, green space, and housing needed are distributed throughout the city fabric. The 22@Barcelona Activity Clusters contain the program that will act as driver of the area. These are: Media Cluster

ICT Cluster

Barcelona Media Park, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Media Innovation Center, IMAGINA building (audiovisual production center), Media- ICT building, Audiovisual Council of Barcelona, Barcelona Televisió, Radio Nacional de España, Mediapro, ADN

Medical Technology Cluster

Energy Cluster

Offices and research laboratories, Barcelona Science Park, BCN Biomedical Research Park, Biotech Catalonia, University or Barcelona, UPC, Telemedicine, Novartis, etc.

Barcelona Digital ICT Technology Center, 22@Interface Building, T-Systems, Telefónica, Yahoo Europe, Casio, Municipal Computer Institut e, Orange, Research and Information Society (Catalan Government), etc.

Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, Endesa, Ecotècnia, Agbar, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Barcelona Technology and Enterprise Campus (b_TEC)

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Site Profile 22@Barcelona, the District of Innovation Landmarks and Open Spaces

Glories Mall Media and ICT Cluster Agbar Tower

Hotel Habitat Sky Clot Park

Diagonal Park

Diagonal Mar Mall

Diagonal Mar Park Poble Nou Park Port Olimpic

Barcelona Internarional Convention Center Port Forum Forum

Economic Activities

Economy is structured on tertiary-industrial activities rich in knowledge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;@ Activitiesâ&#x20AC;?, those that use individual talent as their main productive resource, related to research, design, publishing, culture, database management or multimedia activities. These @ activities, coexist with traditional activities in the neighborhood and create a rich and diverse productive environment that favors overall business competitiveness.

22@Barcelona Municipal Company Housing typology

Housing

Residences in five story buildings

Waterfront Treatment

Sport Facilities

Park, Port and Forum

@Queretaro IS Benito Juarez Industrial City

Santander Bank Call Center

Connection to Outer Ring

Diagonal Mall

Forum @

Diagonal Park

Connection to Outer Ring Congress Center

Habitat Hotel

DIagonal River Park

BQ Mall @

Coorporate Tower

River Park

Media and TIC Cluster Sendero Mall

1 km

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

@Queretaro IS Benito Juarez Industrial City SWOT Analysis Strengths

Weaknesses

_Restoration of the river provides almost 4 km of waterfront combined with green public spaces. _The street fabric fits well to provide accessibility within the site and outside it, since it continues the flows the city already has with the connection of the inner ring and the Outer Ring. _Strong subcenters of activities within the site. _Higher building density will allow for open spaces, parks, wider sidewalks, etc. _Intensification of facilities throughout the site. _Isolation to the East side of the Ave. 5 de Febrero. _Demolition and retracing of the whole urban fabric.

Opportunities

_Empty areas allow for flexible future development within the unifying framework of the urban tissue. _Strategic location can work as a bridge between the periphery and the city center. _Provide an alternative of attractive housing, workspace, and facilities. _Connect the site to the surrounding low income areas by providing shared facilities and open spaces.

Threats

_Queretaro doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the infrastructure for public transportation that Barcelona has, and this lack could damage the quality of the space if mobility relies on the use of private cars. _There might not be enough ICT oriented companies, institutions, to occupy the new space and the site will not regenerate with the same strength.

Queretaro Benito Juarez Industrial City

1 km

Common aspects between Culver City and Queretaro City and/or the Benito Juarez Industrial City. _At the moment of its foundation, both were relatively far away from the city center, but now they have been absorbed by the urban sprawl, located in a strategic location. _High speed mobility network provide accessibility to the area. _River running through the area. 68

_Clear mobility axis forms the main urban structure of the area. _Manufacture industries shifting to economy based on tertiary sector leave behind big scale industrial buildings. _Mostly mono use housing areas surround it. City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

L.A. County Culver City *

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City of Culver City - Economic Develo

9770 Culver Boulevard P.O. Box 507 Culver City, CA 90232 TEL 310.253.5760 FAX 310.253.5779 www.culvercity.org/business

1 km Centrally located between the beach and downtown Los Angeles, Culver City is a safe, modern and progressive community with great shopping, dining, and entertainment, a vibrant business environment, and an exceptional quality of life. Culver Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique combination of small-town charm and big-city amenities, make it a great place to live and work. With roots in the early days of the motion picture industry, it has now become a powerful multimedia hub, and a Mecca for the fashion and architecture industries. The City boasts dynamic start-ups and world-class companies and is host to a vibrant artistic community offering live theatre, music and dance, as well as a burgeoning array of restaurants, art galleries and retail stores. Culver City Redevelopment Agency

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Culver Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13 Districts

1. Art District

6. Helms Bakery District

_Mainly Galleries, privately owned - grassroots _Linear along main street _Walkable '09 )*--4

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With nearly 200 stores, Westfield Fox Hills is a major regional mall with convenient access from the 405 and 90 freeways. In January 2008, Westfield began an extensive renovation and expansion: improvements include 330,000 square feet of exciting new retail space, restaurants and outdoor patio dining. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2009 and will feature Target and Best Buy as new anchors. Other retailers in the mall or within walking distance include Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, JC Penney, Office Depot, Circuit City, Marshalls and Hooman Pontiac GMC Buick. The Four Points Sheraton, Radisson and Courtyard by Marriot are also located nearby.

2. Corporate Pointe

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4&16-7&%" _Industrial design, furnishings, interior design, retail +&''&340/ #06-&7"3% $033*%03 business, architectural industries. )":%&/ 53 "$5 _Creation and production of design objects _Art commercialization Descriptive name: Design District 8"4)*/(50/ /"5*0/"-

The Hayden Tract is an 86 acre district located south of National Boulevard between Hayden Avenue and Eastham Drive. Once a manufacturing center, mid-century bow truss buildings have found new life as creative office space for technology, advertising, entertainment and fashion tenants attracted to the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central location and proximity to the studios. Known for its internationally-acclaimed architecture, many influential businesses have their offices in The Tract, including Nike, Ogilvy & Mather, Ed Hardy, Eric Owen Moss Architects, Smashbox Studios & Cosmetics and Rock+Republic.

Corporate Pointe is a premier business center in the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southeast corner. The area houses professional service firms in the fields of finance, insurance and real estate, as well as entertainment, media, and healthcare companies. Symantec Corporation chose this location for their expansive Southern California campus.

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The centerpiece of the Helms Bakery District is the historic Helms Bakery Building (1931), which is headquarters for contemporary furniture, delicious cuisine, and a delectable slice of Culver City history. The district includes home and office furniture retailers such as H.D. Buttercup, Thos. Moser, HĂ¤stens Beds, several restaurants and the ever-popular performance space, the Jazz Bakery.

4. Fox Hills

Many small community-serving businesses salons, bakeries and retailers - are located along Washington between Sepulveda and Overland, just west of Sony Studios. Modern and historical buildings on the Sony Pictures Studios lot house production offices for feature films, television, and short-term commercial and other projects. Take the Sony Pictures Studios Tour and step back into a legendary time. Explore Culver Center, at the intersection of Washington and Overland, which includes popular places Best Buy, Ralphs, and Ballyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gym. The surrounding area also features the King Fahad Mosque, as well as a media office and studio complex, 10950 Washington, that serves as western headquarters to the NFL Network.

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5. Hayden Tract

Washington-National is becoming a â&#x20AC;&#x153;transitoriented districtâ&#x20AC;? in anticipation of the Exposition Light Rail extension from Downtown Los Angeles. New developments planned for the area include an exciting mix of retail, residential and office space. The first phase of the Expo Line is expected to be completed in 2010, with plans in place to eventually extend it westward to Santa Monica.

_Linear structure, between Jefferson Boulevard and the River 8&45 8"4)*/(50/ _Ignores the waterfront _Acts as a barrier between the parks to the east and the river to the west _Big footprint of buildings _Magnet for industries Descriptive name: Corridor

Downtown Culver City is an exciting pedestrian-friendly district encompassing an eclectic mix of restaurants, retail and entertainment venues, as well as major media powerhouses Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Culver Studios. The area is also home to City Hall, Brotman Medical Center, the historic Culver Hotel, state-of-the-art movie theatres, and nationally-renowned theatre companies Center Theatre Group at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and The Actorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Gang at the Ivy Substation. In the 1990s, the Culver City Redevelopment Agency (CCRA) launched a successful revitalization program that resulted in this stunning culinary and cultural renaissance.

_Totally car-oriented. Direct access from the freeways surrounding the area 405 and 90. _Cluster shape, not linear _Shopping mall _Big stores (Best Buy and Target) with huge parking lots Centrally located between the beach and downtown Los Angeles, at the front act asCulver anchors the area. community with City is a safe, of modern and progressive great shopping, dining, and entertainment, a vibrant business _Two very high endenvironment, hotels and an exceptional quality of life. Culver Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique combination of small-town charm and big-city amenities, Descriptive name: Shopping make it a great place District to live and work. With roots in the early days

One of the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busiest commercial boulevards, Sepulveda is a major north-south route running parallel to the 405 freeway. It is anchored by regional shopping centers as well as an array of local neighborhood services, restaurants and retailers. Major chain stores such as Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Toys â&#x20AC;&#x153;Râ&#x20AC;? Us, Babies â&#x20AC;&#x153;Râ&#x20AC;? Us, Pavilions, TJ Maxx, Ross, Pier 1 Imports, Staples, and Big Lots are found along its length.

Culver City's Jefferson Boulevard corridor is a magnet for new media companies and other creative industries. Distinguished by its brick buildings and nestled between Ballona Creek and the Baldwin Hills, businesses such as National Public Radio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; West, HOK Architects, Charlotte Tarantola, Paige Premium Denim, Moldex and STAR ECO Station are located here. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also find Culver City Park, the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest recreational facility, which features playing fields, a state-of-the-art skate park, a popular dog park and more.

8. Jefferson Boulevard Corridor .*% 8"4)*/(50/

_Central location. Washington Blvd. is the longest %08/508/ continuous flow in Culver City and Downtown is right in City of Culver City - Economic Development the center of it. _Strongest historical heritage of the area, landmarks _Walkable _Mixed use includes city facilities, leisure, and retail. 9770 Culver Boulevard P.O. Box 507 Culver City, CA 90232 TEL 310.253.5760 FAX 310.253.5779 www.culvercity.org/business.asp

As Overland Avenue traverses Culver City from north to south, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find important landmarks along the way. Some of these include Culver Center at Washington Boulevard (see Mid-Washington), the Veterans Memorial Complex and Senior Center at Culver Boulevard, and the Raintree Plaza shopping center at Jefferson. The campus of West Los Angeles College, part of the Los Angeles Community College District, lies on 70 beautiful acres overlooking Culver City.

The La Cienega South Design and Art District (LSDAD) houses a unique collection of handpicked antiques, hand-made furnishings, and distinctive artwork. The companies that comprise the LSDAD represent some of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest and best importers, wholesalers and artists in a burgeoning design district that caters primarily to the rising stars of the interior design, retail business and architectural industries. Industrial and other creative uses are also scattered throughout the area.

7. La Cienega South

The intersection of La Cienega and Washington Boulevards is the hub of a large cluster of galleries exhibiting emerging and established artists. The influx of so many prominent art galleries to this eastern stretch of the City prompted the New York Times in 2007 to praise its art scene and call Culver City a "nascent Chelsea."

3. Downtown

_Helms Bakery Building. Landmark and historical reference of the area _Mostly restaurants 07&3- "/% " $*&/&(" 4065) _Furniture and home -shops _Smallest district in the city Descriptive name: Food and Home District

The West Washington area extends roughly two miles along Washington Boulevard between the 405 freeway and the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s western border near Lincoln Boulevard. This regional east-west arterial street carries over 30,000 vehicle trips per day and is home to professional and healthcare services, as well as one of the top grossing Costcoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the nation. The Redevelopment Agency is actively working to enhance the West Washington area through a synergy of public and private investments.

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of the motion picture industry, it has now become a powerful multimedia hub, and a mecca for the fashion and architecture industries. The City boasts dynamic start-ups and world-class companies and is host to a vibrant artistic community offering live theatre, music and dance, as well as a burgeoning array of restaurants, art galleries and retail stores.

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Since 1971, the Culver City Redevelopment Agency has stimulated reinvestment in the community by creating opportunities for business growth, jobs, and affordable housing. The Agency is currently working on several projects throughout the City, some of which are noted on the map by â&#x20AC;&#x153;CCRA.â&#x20AC;?

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Culver Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13 Districts

9. Mid Washington

12. Washington National

_The program caters to the local people in the form of salons, bakeries, retailers, etc. _Sony Pictures Studios _Closely related to Downtown Descriptive name: Community-Oriented District

_Transit oriented district with the light rail station located there _Mix-use retail-residential-office _Gateway to the exterior of Culver City, big scale connection through light rail station and main parking lot. Descriptive name: Gateway

10. Overland

_N-S axis that unites Washington Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard _Landmarks are located along this axis: Culver Center, Veterans Memorial Complex and Senior Center. _The West Los Angeles College _Cuts through a housing enclave Descriptive name: Landmark Axis

13. West Washington

_Linear along Washington Boulevard _Extends from downtown outward of Culver City towards the beach _Car-scale oriented _Costo, a wholesale store is located at the end _It seems as if it were an arm stretching out from Culver City, trying to catch as many people to receive visitors, taxes and revenue for the city. Descriptive name: Extended District

11. Sepulveda

_N-S axis that unites Washington Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard _Busy street with retail alongside. _High traffic flows Descriptive name: Commercial Boulevard

13 are too many Culver City District

Relationship

Descriptive Name and Associations

Art District La Cienega South

Focus on art and creation.

Art District Design District

Corporate Pointe Washington National

It is strategic to be highly accesible, especially for business.

Business District Gateway

Downtown Mid-Washington Helms Bakery District

Walkable districts with services and facilities for locals.

Fox Hills Sepulveda

Specialized in retail and car oriented.

Shopping District Commercial District

Hayden Tract Jefferson Blvd Corridor

Re-use of big buildings. Creative industries and offices.

Re-use District Corridor

Overland District

Landmark Axis

West Washington

Extended District

Downtown 3. Community-Oriented District Food and Home District

Chunks 71

City Profile Culver City, the Heart of Screenland Dimension Population

Specific Location

Strategy

Spatial Configuration

4.94 square miles 40,158. Median Age: 42.1 Culver City is a chapter city within Los Angeles County. Thirteen districts make up Culver City and each of them complements the image of the whole. The districts are: Art District, Corporate Pointe, Downtown, Fox Hills, Hayden Tract, Helms Bakery District, La Cienega South, Jefferson Boulevard Corridor, Mid-Washington, Overland, Sepulveda, Washington National, and West Washington.

Provide a balanced city in which public facilities, housing, working, and commercial options are offered; with an economy based on the tertiary sector and maintaining the old character of the city with the Sony Picture Studios and the Culver City Studios. Two main mobility axis: Washington Boulevard W-E and Jefferson Boulevard SW-NE united by two N-S connections: Sepulveda Boulevard and Overland Avenue. The 13 districts are placed along these mobility lines, facilities and mixed use are only found here. The space in between are residential neighborhoods.

+ + + + + + ++ + + + + +

Washington Boulevard

Sepulveda Boulevard

+ Principle

Overland Avenue

Jefferson Boulevard

Public facilities and services will be classified and organized through the specialization of the public image of each district and placed alongside the main mobility routes obtaining maximum visibility. The quality of the city will be achieved by complementation of the diverse districts throughout it. City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

City Profile Culver City, the Heart of Screenland Main Program Sony Picture Studios, Culver City Studios, City Hall, Police Department, Fire Station, Medical Center, Theater, Senior Center, Fox Hills Mall, West Los Angeles College, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Department of Motor Vehicles, post office, schools, corporative office space, creative office space, hotels, retail and leisure.

Landmarks Veteran’s Memorial Complex and Park, Helms Bakery, Sony Pictures Plaza, Culver Hotel, Heritage Fountain, King Fahd Mosque, Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Augustine Catholic Church. Economic Activities Motion pictures industries, entertainment industries, creative offices, retail, and leisure. Economy based on the tertiary sector. Housing typology According to the Culver City General Plan for Land Use, the majority of the housing typology offered is “low density single family”, free-standing, residential houses in the neighborhood clusters.

Public spaces

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

Culver City Park

Veteran’s Memorial Complex & Parks

Fox Hills Park

Syd Kronenthal Park

Lineal Parks

Parks Culver West Park

Blanco Park

Carlson Park

Lindberg Park

El Marino Park

Blair Hills Park

Media Park

Tellefson Park

Pocket Parks

City Profile Culver City, the Heart of Screenland Transportation Modes

Waterfront

Previous Situation

Public transportation is managed by the Culver City Bus. The first phase of the Expo line, a light rail line from Downtown Los Angeles to a terminal station in Culver City started in 2006, with an estimated completion date in 2010. The objective of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority is that the line eventually will be extended westward to Santa Monica. Paved waterfront, ignored by the constructions

Culver City was established by Harry H. Culver in 1917 along a transportation route, between the Los Angeles and Venice Beach. Culver City based its economy on the Film Studios, and industries such as Western Stove, and the Helms Bakeries. The Hayden Industrial Tract was established in the 1940s. During the prohibition years night spots sprung in this area, but after WWII, car dealerships replaced them. Once a small community, Culver City grew and through 40 annexations it increased its size to about five square miles. This growth made redevelopment necessary in order to plan and provide facilities, mixed use, and a good quality for the people living and working there.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Culver City IS Benito Juarez Industrial City Chunks

Art District Design District

Shopping District Commercial District

Business District Gateway

Re-use District Corridor

Downtown Community-Oriented District Food and Home District

Landmark Axis Extended District

Connection to Residential

Wholesale Supermarket Community Center

Hotel Memorial Multipurpose Center Theater Medical Center City Office

Transport Station

Big Scale Stores Connection to Inner Ring Connection to Outer Ring Sendero Shopping Mall

Music Hall Actors Studio

1 km

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Culver City IS Benito Juarez Industrial City SWOT Analysis Strengths

Weaknesses

Very mixed use, a varied array of facilities and services make it a very attractive area. It acts as a city in itself with all the facilities needed for the inhabitants. Maintenance and rehabilitation of the older buildings become a source of heritage and image of the area. Creativity and intelligence-based economy is closely related to the type of population living and working there. People bring personality and positive aspects to the area. There is a great accessibility for cars, connection to the regional scale through to the link to the highway system. Internally, everything is organized along the main streets. Some districts are more pedestrian oriented, since they offer walkable and public areas along main routes with facilities along them. Variety in office space to choose from, from corporate buildings to converted warehouses for creative offices. Leisure activities attract external people to the area boosting the economy.Different activities oriented district complement each other. Specialization borders in fragmentation. Sectorization of facilities and mixed-use is exclusively for main streets. Disregard towards the river waterfront. No transition areas between housing and big-scale buildings. The urban fabric has high contrast. There are no anchor points like Culver City Studios in Benito Juarez Industrial City that could provide for a creative identity.

Opportunities

Reinforce the economic activity of the area. Provide housing typology options for people coming here. Sense of community for the people living and working here, since they find all the facilities they need there. Act as a bridge to bring together Jurica, a high residential area, with the low income housing to the west and south of the site. Boost the artistic and creative schools in the metropolitan area. Gateway will make BJIC become a node in the local and regional transportation. The facilities offered in this site can cater to the mono functional surrounding areas.

Threats

The economic activities of Queretaro ar not so entertainment oriented as in L.A. Knowledge based industries might not provide enough work for the low social classes surrounding the area. Heavy car use due to sectorization. Dwellers have to travel long distances within the area to get to all the facilities needed. attractive area.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Potentialities and Opportunities Applicable in BJIC CR_Expo Center

Media Warf. Amsterdam TV Studio

_Reuse of buildings, avoiding demolition. _Evolution through time. First, grassroots come in, bigger corporations with additional facilities come afterwards. _Existing buildings interact with the canal. _Flexible use of space.

3. BJIC

Hotel / Conference Center

22@. Barcelona

Santander Bank Call Center

Connection to Outer Ring

Diagonal Mall

Forum @

Diagonal Park

Connection to Outer Ring Congress Center

Habitat Hotel

DIagonal River Park

BQ Mall @

Coorporate Tower

River Park

Media and TIC Cluster Sendero Mall

_Extension of the inner ring connecting to the outer ring through the site. _Water body related with green public spaces. _Urban grid is the right scale to create pedestrian movement. _Compact use of urban space. _Poles of centrality are connected to the main avenue. _Open spaces are designed in different scales for different uses. _Coexistence between production activities, housing, and city facilities.

Culver City. Los Angeles

_Wide range of city facilities. _Includes different types jf economic activities and workplaces. _Extends onto the city, connecting and atracting different areas. _Poles of centrality are placed along main avenues. _Green spaces are organized throughout the site. Option of housing within the site.

Connection to Residential

Wholesale Supermarket Community Center

Hotel Memorial Multipurpose Center Theater Medical Center City Office

Transport Station

Big Scale Stores Connection to Inner Ring Connection to Outer Ring Sendero Shopping Mall

Music Hall Actors Studio

City Profile Comparisson Matrix Amsterdam

Barcelona

Site–

Previous Situatio–

The name or phrase given to that area for promotion or self determination.

Synthesis scheme about the grammar and distribution of the plan

Manufacturer Center Barcelona 22@ District of Innovation

Media Warf. International Place for Creative Industries

Slogan-

Spatial Configuration-

Poble Nou District:

NDSM Former Shipyard

Description of the site before the strategy the land use, building typology, etc.

Ave. Diagonal

Klaprozenweg

++ + + + + Coastal Ring Road

Strategy-

Plan of action to promote change in the area

Main Program-

List of the main program [buildings] which act as anchors, a key project to promote the change intended by the strategy.

Landmarks-

List of site specific and familiar sights

Transportation ModesAll transport means available in the area: car, bus, tram, train, metro, etc.

Artists moved in to the former shipyard and redeveloped it into the largest hotbed for artistic talent in the Netherlands.

Transform obsolete industrial areas into a space of high urban qualities with activities linked to knowledge and innovation

Art City bites, TV Studio, Creative office space, restaurant, Hotel/Conference Center, CR_Expocenter

Media, ICT, Medical Technology, and Energy are the acntivity clusters that will act as drivers of the area.

_Timmerwerkplats _Baanderij _Lasloods _Smederij _NDSM Art City

_Agbar Tower _Forum _International Convention Center _Habitat Hotel _Media and ICT CLuster _Poble Nou Park





Waterfront-

How does the spatial configuration respond to the waterfront.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Culver City

BJIC

Film Studios

Industrial Area

Culver City, L.A.

Benito Juarez Industrial City

Site–

Previous Situatio– Description of the site before the strategy the land use, building typology, etc.

Slogan-

THe Heart of Screenland

The name or phrase given to that area for promotion or self determination.

Spatial ConfigurationSynthesis scheme about the grammar and distribution of the plan

+ + + + + + ++ + + + + +

Washington Boulevard

Sepulveda Boulevard

Overland Avenue

Fast Flows Housing

Jefferson Boulevard

Green and Water

High Traffic Street

Strategy-

Plan of action to promote change in the area

Main Program-

List of the main program [buildings] which act as anchors, a key project to promote the change intended by the strategy.

Landmarks-

List of site specific and familiar sights

Transportation ModesAll transport means available in the area: car, bus, tram, train, metro, etc.

Thirdteen themed districts containing city facilities placed along the main streets, maintaining the old filmic character of the city with the Sony Picture Studios and the Culver City Studios. Sony Picture Studios, Culver City Studios, City Hall, Police Department, Fire Station, Fox Hills Mall, West LA College, Culver City JD Library, Department of Motor Vehicles, corporative office space, creative office space. _Sony Picture Plaza _Veteran’s Memorial Park and Complex _Fox Hills Mall _Culver Studios _Helms Deep Bakery _Heritage Fountain _St. Augustine Catholic Church





Waterfront-

How does the spatial configuration respond to the waterfront.

Case Studies Toolbox Comparison in BJIC Street Structure

Chunks / Districts

Amsterdam Media Wharf

International Place for Creative Industries

Barcelona 22@Barcelona The District of Innovation

Culver City The Heart of Screenland

Opportunities and Potentialities for BJIC

The street network doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change in the montage of Amsterdam or Culver City, but the one in Barcelona presents the opportunity of extending the Blvd.. Bernardo Quintana, which is part of the Inner Ring towards the north-west, cutting through the site. By solving this extension there could be an improvement in the connectivity to the streets leading to the Outer Ring, creating links at city level. By extending an already important avenue through the site, the plots adjacent to it gain visibility and thus become attractive to investors.

The Amsterdam montage offers the flexibility of using the existing buildings and creating a quality from within, allowing for a relatively low investment and less risk. It does not require a big master plan and financial venture to happen. There are no big chunks to build, it adjusts to what is already there: the old warehouses, but through activities, it brings out a quality and makes the place urban and interesting instead of an abandoned site. The Barcelona montage illustrates that the chunks are happening at strategic locations along the main streets. The first chunk is located along the existing N-S axis of the Inner Ring; the second one is along the diagonal street with a gran finale through facilities

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Main Program

Connections

Parks/ Open Spaces

0 1 km

CR_Expo Center

TV Studio

3. BJIC

5 km Hotel / Conference Center

0 1 km

Santander Bank Call Center

Connection to Outer Ring

Diagonal Mall

Forum @

Diagonal Park

Connection to Outer Ring

Congress Center Habitat Hotel

DIagonal River Park

BQ Mall @

Coorporate Tower

5 km

River Park

Media and TIC Cluster Sendero Mall

Connection to Residential

1 km

Wholesale Supermarket Community Center

Hotel Memorial Multipurpose Center Theater Medical Center City Office

Transport Station

Big Scale Stores

5 km

Connection to Inner Ring Connection to Outer Ring

Music Hall Sendero Shopping Mall

Actors Studio

and green spaces at the NW end, and the third one is along the street that unites the Inner Ring to the housing areas to the west. Culver City montage offers two main opportunities: the first one is the zoning of areas. This proximity and thematization helps create a strong and cohesive image of the specialized different districts within the BJIC site. The second opportunity that the Culver City montage offers is the extension outside the site. This extension suggests connecting to the adjacent areas through activities or program. In both Barcelona and Culver City, the main program layout corresponds to the criteria of the chunks, closer to the main avenues means bigger and better.

The area adjacent to the canal in Amsterdamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s montage is not treated with a green park, it is a hard surface that acts as a flexible space for events, recreation, gatherings, or just circulation, and it gives unity to the art bytes that took over the old warehouses over the site. The montage in Barcelona shows a strong relationship between the green space and the canal, however, there are several green spaces connected to the main street, combining the big projects in the chunks and main program with green areas. This relation manifests itself in the Culver City Montage, there are small green pockets around the site, but the main green space is in the center of BJIC and along the main street.

The Amsterdam montage reflects that the connection of BJIC to the adjacent areas and to the city may happen through the generation of activities that create interest and become a hotspot for a target group, in this case: creative industries entrepreneurs. The Barcelona montage focuses mainly on the city level connections by improving the connectivity of the street network from the Inner to the Outer Ring, providing better accessibility to and from the adjacent housing areas to the west and to the city center. The connections obtained in the Culver City montage focus on the local scale, by placing the program along the main streets, N-S flows are encouraged from a specialized district to the other. There is also the connection to the residential area north of BJIC site, by having a shopping center and retail facilities. 81

URBAN DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS Chapter 5 Urban Development Concept

What if..? Starting Strategy The urban condition canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be designed exclusively topbottom. Strategic Plans for the construction of the city must be flexible because they will be executed by more than one generation of planners, and most importantly of users. The complexity of the city shows that there is no need to establish a complete master plan, no one can coordinate everything. Instead efforts are focused on shaping conditions to steer development while leaving space for spontaneity, contrast, conflict, and excitement. (Zandbelt&vandenBerg, 2005)

How can we ignite the transition of BJIC from an industrial site in decay into a new alive and exciting center for living, recreation and work, with urban facilities, diversity and high productivity? Start by shaping conditions: start with grassroots! Grassroots: Small scale initiatives with a future potential. Grassroots are characterized by their bottom- up approach, low budgets and mobile characters like small enterprises, artist workshops and small events. (Zandbelt&vandenBerg, 2005, p. 32)

The urban regeneration of any area involves a big investment and a big market risk. In an area as big as BJIC and

with the condition that it is still working as an industrial area with many stakeholders, having complete control is unlikely and the whole task dawns inviable. In order to close the gap between the current situation and the desired one, the strategy must focus on minimum action to boost the maximum benefit.

In order to get started, the plan is divided in three phases, which allow short term, and local initiative strategies with achievable and identifiable goals, allowing building up long term and regional impact. By adding instead of erasing and resetting, the site can gradually develop through three phases:

Phase 1. Image Makeover Phase 2. Preparing to Become a City Phase 3. Diversification and Densification City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Phase 1 (0-5 years)

abandoned warehouses of BJIC), this could work as a social and entrepreneurial incubator.

It involves three main actors: university students, unemployed people and BJIC warehouse owners. It is declared in the Law for Education of the State of Queretaro that every individual that has studied in a recognized high education institution must provide Social Service for his or her community. Social Service is considered a temporal job position in the interest of the society and the State, with a minimum of 480 active hours of duty, which must be executed to completion in order to obtain a legal professional diploma. In the state of Queretaro there are:

Students from creative- oriented faculties could develop projects in which they train people, teaching them skills and giving them a job, while starting their own business. For example, industrial designers who are interested in having a wood furniture land can produce their designs in a carpentry workshop. Fashion designers can be put to work together with indigenous women and taught how to sow and knit to produce their designs. These are only a few examples that can catalyze a win- win situation. This model is sustainable and brings an added bonus by clustering in old abandoned warehouses; where specialization and synergy take place by having all these young intellectuals and a newly motivated workforce; slowly, a new dynamic in the area can start

Universities

Graduate Programs

Technical Universities

R & D Centers

Training Centers

Image source: Presentation: Why Queretaro? By Secretariat of Sustainable Development 2008

There is a big population of well-trained students that have to do social service, this represents high talented employees without having to pay them. If this social capital is united with unemployed and untrained people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the means to care for themselves, and given a big flexible place (the

This diagram illustrates the strategy to start the development. The inner ring represents the actors: Students, unskilled labor, and warehouse owners. The second ring explains what each of them provides into the mix and the third one explains how they will benefit from this plan.

Phase 1 Reference Images: Desired Activities taking place. A win-win-win situation will be the spin-off this dynamic will have. BJIC will have an injection of people, ideas and activities; these translate into the positioning of a new, fresh and productive image. Galleries, studios, cafĂŠs, and young professionals like architecture and graphic design offices may be lured into the site. The old warehouse owners will have fertile properties again. At the same time, a very small investment is needed and the plan is flexible to take over the warehouses that are available, nothing more and nothing less is needed, but if it is successful it can easily grow.

the west and the rescue of a big scale building to venue a Community Center that will act as the beacon of the strategy proposed. The strategy consists of creating spaces capable of generating cultural, social, and productive activities besides industrial bringing the gap between the industrial polygon and the adjacent housing area.

In terms of spatial intervention to enhance this situation and create strong conditions for the next phase, two projects are fostered: A lineal park on the canal bordering the site to

In 2010, Mexico will celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of its Independence. In this framework The Bicentennial Fest, an event of concerts and shows will take place in BJIC to introduce people to the site under a different light. The Invista Tower will hold a countdown clock to the Bicentennial Fest to create interest in the area.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Diagram Phase 1

Phase 2 Reference Images: Desired Effect

Phase 2 (5-10 years) A city plan is needed to stir the development of BJIC towards an intended effect before the market interest in the area works against itself. The previous phase set the bases for a new use in the area, at the same time, the city dynamics pressure the industries to move out since it is not convenient for an industrial site to be in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core. The industries that stay behind must be attracted to pull out of the site by incentives from the government, but not pushed. This way the land is free for transformation and housing and mixed-use complexes are now welcomed. Extension of the Inner Ring to the Outer Ring, by enhancing this connection, the site will benefit from a strategic centrality. The land adjacent to this main avenue will increase in commercial value since the visibility brings quality, prestige, hierarchy; so high-rise buildings will develop along it.

The definition of block sizes and the character of the streets are important to determine the typology, size and use of the buildings. In order to better illustrate this, the project for Block Zero will be developed as an example for the typology of BJIC and the new lifestyle. The city plan must include public transportation links to the city center and other production areas to provide accessibility, easy to arrive, easy to leave. The community that helped create the buzz for the development of BJIC must play a significant role in the image and design of the site and its elements like urban furniture. The model of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art in motionâ&#x20AC;? is an example of a policy that can be adapted to maintain an active relationship of the community. This way, the site will maintain a real and exclusive character and identity.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Diagram Phase 2

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art in Motion decided to sponsor a bus shelter design competition after learning that public art and improved amenities increase public transit ridership.â&#x20AC;? Source: Project Bottlestop: A Solar-Powered, Bottle-Adorned Bus Shelter. Inhabitat 12/07/09 http://www.inhabitat.com

Phase 3 Reference Images: densified & specialized

Phase 3. (15-20 years) When all conditions have been shaped, land is fertile and attractive for promoters and private investors, densification and diversification will occur. Occupation is expected to happen in the manner of zoned diversity, in which is the natural result of the spatial configuration and the industrial heritage. Big footprint buildings, land availability, accessibility and connectivity will set the guidelines alone. With the development and increase in population of the site, the manufacturing lines of industries like TREMEC and INVISTA will move out. However, the buildings and the history of their contribution to the city and the development of the city’s economy will remain. This creates a framework in which ICT, knowledge industry, and technology incubators in collaboration with the Universities in the city can move into this venue to create a specialized park, an industrial museum, etc. And reinforce the productive activities and economic generators in BJIC site.

Emscher Park, IBA ata.hannam.ac.kr

This strategy will be backed up by the project interventions planned for this phase, a complex area with a Congress Center, Bus Station and Hotel. The Bus’s destinations include connection to Queretaro’s International Airport, Mexico City International Airport and all the International airports in the region, as well as to Queretaro’s current Bus Station in the south of the city and other cities, making the site strategically located, closer not physically but through accessibility. The Congress Center and Hotel are world scale facilities which make BJIC attractive for offices and business headquarters, bringing specialized workforce to the site as well as tourists and business travelers.

Mediacomplex22@. Barcelona, Spain. Copper Developement Asociation 88

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Diagram Phase 3

URBAN DESIGN

Chapter 6 Urban Design

Every individual proposal reflects the objectives of the overall strategy. The projects are:

Lineal Park Community Center City Plan Street Design BJIC Park Block 0 Congress Center and Bus Station Future Densification and Specialization

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Diagram Phase 1

Plan Phase 1

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Lineal Park Integrate the site with the adjacent housing areas.

Community center

Eliminate the canal as a barrier between BJIC and the surroundings.

Integrate the site with the adjacent housing areas.

Carry flows: green, blue, pedestrian, bikes.

Function as a magnet of activities, people, creations, events, etc.

School

Pedestrian & Bike Bridge

Gathering Plaza

Community Center

Outdoor Workshop Space

The canal only carries water during rainy season; the rest of the year it is almost dried out, by providing an inverse ziggurat shape, the need for pedestrian bridges is diminished, since people will be able to cross it anywhere when the water level is low. The steps can be used as continuous benches. Some pedestrian bridges at strategic locations will be placed.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

The regeneration of the canal and the lineal park will generate the warehouses to open up to the park and interact with the adjacent housing area.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

City plan Preserve and intervene lightly on outstanding structures in the cityscape like the Invista Tower, and the Electric Substation.

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Street Structure

Green Network

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Grid of Super Blocks

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Re-densification

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Main Program

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The Whole Picture

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Street Design Distinction in typology, character and use of the N-S and the E-W streets. Main structure

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Connection Inner Ring- Outer Ring. Increase density of use: increase commercial and public facilities. Becomes the extension of the inner ring. High density of use Mixed uses, especially tertiary sector and public facilities. Plan a rise in transportation demands through the provision of bus lanes, bike lanes, parking spaces and bus stops. Package of flows: public and private (bus lanes/car lanes), fast and slow (motorized traffic/non motorized traffic). green public spaces, bike paths, public transportation.

Borderline.- Increase public transportation, green public spaces, slower flows. Preference of public transportation. Broad sidewalks Green public space acts as transition between housing area and BJIC site. Slow flows relate to green. The houses adjacent to the street will shift to tertiary sector use and grow in height. Buildings in the BJIC site will open up to the green/blue front.

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

N-S Inner Streets. Walkable

W-E Inner Streets.- Connect the site to adjacent area.

Smaller scale

Community â&#x20AC;&#x201C;oriented

High activity

Experience of the gradient in scale and use.

Buildings must relate to public space

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Diagram Phase 2

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Plan Phase 2

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BJIC Park Recreational and Sports Facilities

BJIC Park BJIC Park is located in the center of the site as a green space with a mix of recreational and sport program. It makes the surroundings an attractive destination and adds value to the land creating its own sustainability by being maintained by the local property taxes.

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Chicago Millennium Park. scandinst.luther.edu

down: Central Park New York. Shoppaservice.com

up: Chicago Millennium Park. gallagher.com

lightningsoccerclub.com

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Block 0

Mixed -use & Housing Typology New building typology. Blocks within a super block

Block Zero The project involves a housing & mixed-use complex that exemplifies the typology of development for the area. It promotes retail amenities designed to appeal to local as well as regional shoppers to support the area as a vibrant place.

Super a

block area = 7.3 ha Mixed-use (office 70% housing 30%) Mixed-use (office 50% housing 50%) Mixed-use (retail 33.3% housing 66.7%) Housing Block Special Program

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Context Area

Block Zero

Area comparable with BJIC representative block in adjacent housing area. Total Area = 12 Blocks

7.3 ha

Total Plot Area =

Covered Area: 81%

Covered Area: 50% 50%

Average Area / House =

Housing:

(58,800m2)

153.75m2

100% 316 

73,816 m2

Green & Public Space gained

Average Area / House =

153.75m2

Housing:

Office: Retail:

(74,925m2) (23,325m2) (12,150m2)

23% 12%

66% 487 

Gross Floor Area:

113,400m2

100%

Special Program (old warehouse reuse):

Total Built Area: 58,800m2

12,774m2

Total Built Area:

126,174m2

Floor Area Ratio =

1.73

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Typology Mixed-use Building

The Typology used in this project integrates housing with offices, retail, collective facilities and public spaces. The configuration allows a transitional area between public and private open space protecting pedestrians from the elements and giving the sense of a protective unified big scale fortress, while providing visual connections between outside and inside.

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

up: Amsterdam Parkrand. MVRDV. wikipedia.org

down: Mountain Dwellings. BIG. big.dk

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

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Diagram Phase 3

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Plan Phase 3

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Congress Center and Bus Station BJIC North Bus station links the site and the city to the International Airports in the BajĂo Region (see Chapter 2) including Queretaro International Airport, Mexico City, Toluca, Leon, etc. Providing a mass public transport to link the site and the north of Queretaro to the rest the city and the region will bring the site closer to these hubs, not in physical distance but in accessibility.

BJIC North Bus Station

Commercial Area Plaza

Bus Stop

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Hotel

Green Roof

Congress Center

Bus Stop

City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Re-densification

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Main Program

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

Future Densification and Specialization

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ASSESSMENT

Chapter 7 Assessment

How does the plan incorporate the important ideas of the strategy? This project explored the possibility of determining from theoretical framework, analysis of the site and in comparison with 3 case studies, guidelines for the definition of a Strategic Urban Plan for BJIC, and the design of project interventions that carry out the strategy in search of adding quality to the area. The regeneration project of BJIC plays a key role in the city of Queretaro in several ways. It is important to notice that this project is representative of how other industrial areas that have been swallowed up by the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sprawl can regenerate and become poles of economic activities. The spatial configuration of BJIC explores the opportunity of using brown fields as sites for growth within the city, increasing the land occupancy and providing open space and additional facilities, this way urban sprawl can be slowed down. This creates opportunities for new lifestyles; the plan suggests an alternative to what is being built in the city in regards to housing typology, the organization and accessibility of open space and the injection of mix uses. It allows an arena for new economic generators to develop alongside a new typology of housing options. BJIC embodies a crucial issue in the city as well. Due to the explosive growth it is located in a strategic location just outside of the traditional city center; it borders with the main N-S mobility axis, and is in between the city center, the inner ring and the outer ring. This makes BJIC an important node in the street structure of the city in order to improve the connections from the city center to the outer ring and the expansion areas. By extending the Blvd. Bernardo Quintana, which is part of the Inner Ring towards the north-west, cutting through the site there could be an improvement in the connectivity to the streets in the adjacent neighborhoods as well as a connection leading to the Outer Ring, creating links at city level. By extending an already important avenue through the site, the plots adjacent to it gain visibility and thus become attractive to investors.

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

The north part of the city is made up of mainly housing areas with no city facilities, the residents are forced to move to other parts of the city to satisfy their needs for work, shopping, education, leisure, etc. By establishing BJIC as a new centrality filled with amenities, services, work spaces and productive activities, the neighboring areas will also benefit from this regeneration plan, and BJIC will turn into a closer alternative to the city center, this dynamic will interlace BJIC into the structure of the city becoming a pivotal point for future growth and development. BJIC New Development Plan is a crucial center because of its strategic location and it’s highly production and economic development, relevant not only in the local scale, but in the regional scale as well. Neighboring cities with a high industrial activity which are currently competing with Queretaro can complement their needs with the facilities offered in BJIC, for example: the Congress Center. By having an identity and specialized character of production and facilities it becomes an attractive center for travel and business among other cities in the region. The plan creates a distinctive identity for BJIC as a special place, within the site itself there are specialization zones for the span of activities that happen in the area as a whole, as in the case study of Culver City. Clustering of like functions does not bring fragmentation, but avoids a mediocre mix spread. Having a theme and proximity helps create a strong and cohesive image of the specialized activities within the BJIC site. Specialization brings out a specific image, innovation and development. The zoning in BJIC allows the following: Workshop and studio productive areas (1), corporate business areas (2), recreational, retail and commercial (2), and ICT (3). The plan can be phased and developed over time by different developers, builders, architects, etc. It allows and even plans for unexpected things to happen. It allows for each phase to build up on the previous one and depending on its success, the process continues, adapts, or changes: Phase One. Image Makeover. Small Investment Phase Two. Preparing to Become a City. Demand for planning and development. Phase Three. Densification and Diversification. Private and Public Investment. The main path of activities and program through the site happens in a transversal manner from NW to SE. It is a transition between the small footprint housing area to the west, and the big scale, busy area to the east along the N-S Axis of the Inner Ring Ave. 5 de Febrero. This also creates a gradient between the level of investment and control, as well as the development through time: • The first program is the community Center, a relatively low investment due to the recycling of the industrial building, the government’s role is to subsidize the rent of the venue and canalize the social service program with the people in need. However, the success depends on the community and the actors themselves. Local character. As learned in Amsterdam case study, the plan can start with a very flexible structure, using the existing buildings and creating a quality from within, allowing for a relatively low investment and less risk. It does not require a big master plan and financial venture to happen. There are no big chunks to build, it adjusts to what is already there: the old warehouses, but through activities, it brings out a quality and makes the place urban and interesting instead of an abandoned site. • The second programmatic layer is the mixed use development and park. This intervention relies on a bigger investment and greater organization and top down control. City plan, developers, real estate agents and the market in general are involved. The local market will determine its success. As seen in the Barcelona case study, the development of a specific area can help trigger the rest of BJIC. These areas focus on the combination of activity and housing to attract people into the area and provide a good quality of life. • The third big project is the BJIC North Bus Station- Congress Center- Hotel complex. This is located in the far SE corner of the site, bordering on the Inner Ring having the most accessible and visible area in the site. This projects calls for the most important public-private joint investment and logistic organization that go beyond the planning of BJIC itself, considering the bus destinations and schedules, as well as out of state and international promotion for the Congress Center and Hotel. The success of this area relies on local and actors on different levels: district, city, regional, national and international. Global character.

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Strategic Project Interventions

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City Competence Through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX.

CONCLUSIONS

Chapter 8 Conclusions

This thesis is based on the creation of a strategic spatial configuration as the result of the analysis of the case studies and the lessons learned from them deriving from the approach and principles used in each case, not in the literal program or spatial configuration. In order to be able to translate these lessons in tools for BJIC, the understanding of the site was elemental. It is difficult to introduce something completely new and expect it to work, that is why the formation of the strategy begins with something local, small scale and involving the people. The initiative to turn old warehouses into social and design incubators, are planned to create a momentum and change of image on top of which additional developments may happen. Development and growth canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be stopped, but the territory shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be hurt either, nor having land means we should occupy all of it. Is growth only about sprawling onto the ecological landscape around the existing city? It is important to explore new paradigms and ways of planning and reusing our city in order to make the most of the territory and its resources. In this case study, growth occurs inward.

Growth = ReRe-use:

The space of BJIC: huge plots, buildings and street networks.

Re-cycle:

The history of Queretaro industrial profile, this image can be embraced and updated.

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Re-think:

The way the city is growing. Do we need walls? Do we want a fragmented city of clustered facilities? Rethink of the image of this area.

Re-design:

The economic generators, the productive areas, and the work spaces, in conjunction with public space, amenities, retain, housing, public transportation, and so on.

Re-connect:

The people and the activities.

This project offered me the possibility to understand the potentialities of the structure of the city of Queretaro and put them to test through the design of a strategic spatial configuration for BJIC site. This resulted in more than a master plan for an area in decay, but the framework to question the way the city is growing and to position a strategy which objective is to connect in different ways and scales. This thesis encloses the main core of the EMU agenda; it is a combination of empirical data, theoretical framework, case study, and analysis of the structure, dynamics, and relationships of the site BJIC, Queretaro and its regional area. In correspondence to this there is the creation of a strategy through the understanding and weaving together of the sociological, economic, technical and managerial aspects of urban planning in the form of a physical intervention; as well as a concern in phasing the strategy time to make it feasible to carry out.

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REFERENCES

References

Arvizu, C. 2005. Evolución Urbana de Queretaro. Queretaro, Mexico. Tecnológico de Monterrey campus Queretaro.

Bazant, J. 2001 “Periferias Urbanas, Expansión urbana incontrolada de bajos ingresos y su impacto en el medio ambiente.” Editorial Trillas, S.A de C.V. Mexico,

Brugmans, G. 2009 ‘Open City : Designing Coexistence.’ International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam 4th edition. Uitgeverij SUN Amsterdam

City of Culver City. Discover Culver City. City Map. Chamber of Commerce of Culver City. Culver City, L.A.

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Ellin, Nan. 1996. “Postmodern Urbanism.” Princeton Architectural Press. Revised edition. New York,

Global Environment Outlook (GEO) 2007. Project Queretaro. Mexico.

Lazo, Pablo. “Assembled in Mexico, Markets on Wheels as a Public Space alternative.” Arquine. Summer 2006 vol. 36

MediaWharf 2009. Media Wharf, International Place for Creative Industries, viewed on 5th October, 2009, [http://mediawharf.nl]

Pozo, A. 1944 Primer Informe Constitucional, rendido ante la H. XXXIV legislatura del Estado por el C. Gobernador, Lic. Agapito Pozo. Queretaro, Mexico. Romero, Fernando. 2000 “Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México.” Laboratorio de la Ciudad de México. México,

United Nations - 1992-2009 UNESCO World Heritage Centre | v3.0, Updated 06 Oct 2009 [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/792]

Urban Planning Department 2000, MODIFICATION OF THE PGM(General Municipal Plan) FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF POBLENOU 22@BCN ACTIVITY DISTRICT Ajuntament de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Willis, Daniel. 1999 “The Emerald City and other essays on the architectural imagination.” Princeton Architectural Press. New York,

Zandbelt&vandenBerg. 2005. Big and Beautiful. Comparing Stadshavens in Europe. Stadshavens Rotterdam NV. Rotterdam, The Netherlands

22 ARROBA BCN, S.A.U. 2006, 22@Barcelona, The Innovation District, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Barcelona Spain.

22 ARROBA BCN, S.A.U. 2008, 22@Barcelona, State of Execution, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Barcelona Spain.

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Colophon

European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism Strategies and Design for Cities and Territories TU Delft

Final Thesis City Competence through Strategic Spatial Configuration. Case Study: Queretaro, MX. Paula Paola Barcena Mapi Mentors: ir. Daan Zandbelt dr. ir. Remon M. Rooij

January 2010 Special Thanks to: Jose Miguel Ortiz Portas

EMU Coordinator TU Delft: Ir. Meta Berghauser Pont Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urbanism Delft University of Technology Julianalaan 134 BGWEST 800 The Netherlands Tel. +31 1527 89020

Secretary General EMU: Maura Slootmaekers Department of Architecture, Urbanism and Planning Kasteelpark Arenberg 51 3001 Heverlee Belgium

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