La isleta by School of APL, Newcastle University

LA ISLETA

participa(tes) A Study in Urban Design and Architecture

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Acknowledgements

Daniel Mallo and Armelle Tardiveau La Isleta Participa(tes) is the result of the course “European Study Visit” 2009/2010, a module of the MA in Urban Design at Newcastle University to which postgraduate students in urban design and architecture participate. We are grateful for the commitment of the students who engaged in this project both at a theoretical and design level. Their curiosity and ingenuity in operating in an unfamiliar culture is clearly present in the projects. Our profound thanks go to Vicente Díaz García who facilitated and helped organising this workshop and whose love for the neighbourhood is quite honestly infectious. Manuel J. Martín Hernández, Pablo Ley Bosch generously guided the students with their knowledge of the area as well as Noémie Laviolle, our friend and faithful collaborator who shared her vision of the small scale/big impact. Eugenio Rodríguez Cabrera kindly joined us on the last day of the workshop to give a wider perspective on the emerging proposals that students presented.

This project would not be complete without the participation of members of the community of La Isleta including Tanausú Zumaquero (from Colectivo Juvenil Échale Mojo), Jonatan Ortega Socorro who runs a neighbourhood website [www.conocelaisleta.info] and members of the AMPA CEIP León y Castillo as well as Lucrecia Betancor, director of the school IES Franchy Roca who kindly hosted and trusted us.

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\\ \\ Contents

Acknowledgements Daniel Mallo and Armelle Tardiveau

The Charm of the Discreet Pablo Ley Bosch

1-5

The Right to the Informal Daniel Mallo and Armelle Tardiveau

7 - 11

La Isleta Participa: Neighbourhood and Heritage Manuel J. Martín Hernández and Vicente J. Díaz García

13 - 17

Design Brief Daniel Mallo and Armelle Tardiveau

Mapping La Isleta 20 - 21

Los Tres Caminos Scott Gibson, Nicolas Vallee and Shaun Cuggy

22 - 31

Ruta Tagoror Mark Stewart, Dominic Lamb and Fedra Papalexandri

32 - 41

Architectural Tapas

Cathy Russell, Marion Catonne and James Longfield

42 - 51

A Conversation With Conchi James Longfield, Sergio Mathos and Sarah Gibbons

53 - 55

La Semilla que Germina - Planting the Seed Nicholas Scannell, Samuel Kenny and Carina Olander

56 - 65

Do It Yourself Sophie Bioul, Christopher M端ller, Robert Newsham and Rachel Phillips

66 - 75

INFObox: Digital Opportunism Alexandra Blaylock, Sergi Mateos, Khalid Setaih and Daniel Shevill

76 - 85

The YPA Speak Out Scott Gibson, Laura Fern, Oonagh Baxter, James Dowen, Jon Gabe, Bo Hu

87 - 89

Dynamic Exchange

Oonagh Baxter, Jim Dowen, Jon Gabe and Bo Hu

90 - 99

Shifting Perceptions Sarah Gibbons, Charlotte Pennell and Jamie Simpson

100 - 109

Making Waves Mark Brown, Kyon Kim and Laura Fern

110 - 119

A Conversation with Jonatan Chris M端ller, Fedra Papalexandri and Nick Scanell

121 - 123

The Charm of the Discreet

Pablo Ley Bosch

Deciphering the Public The diversity of the city shows that not all the public spaces enable the same level of social intensity. It is important to understand the processes behind why only a few places are successful. In fact, what turns a space into public domain is the potential feeling for personal experience, the possibility of engagement with the public, generating situations that continuously redefine themselves (Joseph, 2002). This is an essential condition for the perception of the sense of the public and yet it is not always successful. The weakening of the cultural perception of the public sphere is due to a variety of reasons including functional, but not social appropriation, lack of autonomy of communication media, social alienation, privatisation of collective spaces, etc. This inevitably is reflected in the urban space as supportive of social representation. However, the boundary of the public and the private shows successive shifts in both directions during recent history. Yet the shift of perception might appear to be much more intense nowadays. The social success of a space does not strictly depend on whether it is public, or private. For this reason, the city is full of situations that are socially intense in one

way or another. Driven mainly by processes of social appropriation, a space is given emotional and symbolic meaning through shared social and cultural codes. When these processes of social appropriation are widespread and intense, some of the spaces acquire a particular definition such as collective space. From a physical point of view, European cities hold a wealth of collective spaces, such as streets and squares, which define their fundamental urban structure by intertwining various parts of dense urban tissues. But the 20th century has witnessed a progressive dissociation between public and collective space as a consequence of the increased emphasis on and diversification of the private. In addition to this, the definition of a single and consensual notion for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;general interestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the public realm has become increasingly complex. This adds to the difficulty in defining with precision the idea of the collective in a society that makes explicit this multiplicity and manifests it in evolving ways over time. For Margaret Crawford (2001) the forecasting of the disappearance of public space is due to the inability to understand this type of dynamic. It is essential to decipher the public considering all the activities that take

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place simultaneously: some are driven by institutions, but others take place on the edge of the norms and restructure the urban space by producing new forms of citizenship associated with a wide variety of forms of expression. On the one hand, there are the dominating interests that shape the most visible part of the city with its conventional mechanisms of representation. On the other hand, there are other collectives that develop subtle modes of appropriation through the barely perceptible experiences of everyday life. Therefore, true collective space can only be identified through the friction between the seemingly homogeneous, that represent the institutional interests, and the diversity that represented by all the other initiatives that take place daily on its edges. In fact, the shrinking of public space and absence of a monumental element lead to the fact that centrality has become a dominant component in the emergence of the collective space. Some spaces seem to be designed functionally with the clarity of a planned or institutionalised programme. However, there are others that respond to what we could call discreet collective spaces. These are places of exchange for neighbours in the interstices

of the city, spaces to stop by the road, improvised spaces for leisure and sport, etc. They occur through spontaneity, undefined function, variability and are small scale. Moreover, these discreet collective spaces are characterised by their lack of definition, formal ambiguity as well as by the drastic lack of public space and by their less explicit communal sense. Despite all this, these situations end up generating a positive social and urban meaning. Social practices express a great variety of ways of living. In this sense, the left over spaces of the city contain a wide repertory of situations that give place to unexpected activities and non regulated spaces which emerge either occasionally or frequently (places of informal leisure, spontaneous selling points, meeting places for specific social groups, etcâ&#x20AC;Ś). These temporary activities express processes of appropriation that are articulated in a dynamic way, as if responding to regulations and limitation of spaces in other parts of the city. Usually located in the vicinity of socially structured spaces, creativity and subtle transformation turn these spaces and practices into defined public domain (Franck andy Stevens, 2007).

And sometimes they might establish, even temporarily, links between other spaces and activities. This way, the occupation of interstitial spaces close to other more established ones facilitates reaching a greater collective allowing for continuity and intensity; thus increasing its importance despite less noticeable visibility. This type of urban situation is often characterised as well by their great ability of transformation and adaptation to new situations. Therefore they acquire meaning within the complex repertory of public spaces in the contemporary city.

Las Palmas as Social and Urban Process / La Isleta Despite the difference of scale with other cities, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is notable for its weakness in terms of public space and its formalisation. This can be observed in the fragility of public spaces in such a dense city; characterised by a minimal and hardly articulated network of squares and streets. It can be seen as well in the way the narrow section of the LeĂłn y Castillo street does not clearly convey its key role as a defining element in the articulation of the city and a thread joining various urban sequences that

conclude at the foot of La Isleta. The lack of a solid tradition related to the role of the public in the shaping of urban space, locates Las Palmas in a delicate position with regards to the process of modernisation through the course of the second part of the 20th century. There have been some initiatives, whether individual or collective, with a view to question the way to build the city. But generally, these have not been followed through or lacked clarity. In fact, the debate has often been reduced to the question of architectonic language, or the sheer dialectical confrontation between traditional and modern, vernacular and cult, etc. The limitations of such debate have produced a considerable social loss, preventing from the possibility of reaching agreements between purely formal dichotomies (Ley, 2006). Moreover, Las Palmas has started to show some significant transformation when it comes to public space. The economic growth of the last decades has triggered the transformation of social links, affecting the local scale as well as introducing new and wider types of relationships. In fact, the cosmopolitan tradition of Las Palmas, particularly tangible in La Isleta for its proximity and

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origin to the harbour, has allowed an increasing social and ethnic diversity. This can be traced back to the 1960s with the emergence of tourism and the arrival of the Indian community; and more recently, with the increase of immigrants and the expansion communities such as the Chinese one. Similarly to other countries, we are in a heterogeneous context whose social map is constituted by a considerable variety of environments. Yet the forms of exclusion tend to be more subtle, particularly if we compare with other geographical contexts where social segregation is clearly visible in the spatial organisation of the city. In this context, we can understand how La Isleta forms part of La Palmas in a particular way. On the one hand, the neighbourhood is located at the very end of the city which developed in a linear manner. But more importantly, the urban area of La Isleta is physically identifiable as it is a small peninsula connected to the island by an isthmus. On the other hand, the social makeup and idiosyncrasies of its residents has ensured the preservation of a defined identity as opposed to other parts of the city where neighbourhood links have almost vanished. By responding to different and independent territorial

standards at the scale of the city, the relationship between the social and the spatial that characterised the traditional urban settlements has slowly disappeared (Sennett, 1978). In opposition to the fictitious strengthening of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;neighbourhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; based in privatisation, it is fundamental to promote the local scale of the public. In that respect, La Isleta is exceptional in its clearly recognisable character. The positive perception of La Isleta, which has improved throughout the years thanks to its community of residents, is adding value to its urban and social potential. However, the other added value of La Isleta comes from its co-existence with collective environments at various scales: from places that are more or less subtle that accommodate the meetings of small groups, squares that reflect the identity of the neighbourhood, or places like El Confital that have been adopted to accommodate the needs of the city itself. Even though public space is rare in relation to the rest of the city of Las Palmas, this neighbourhood has appropriated them with particular resourcefulness. The repertory of processes of appropriation and recognisable social milieus is very rich and diverse (the proliferation of

roof terraces used as external extension of the houses, the occupation of the pavements by neighbours for gathering, the private initiative of a theatre in the garage of building, etc). Therefore, facing the lack of conventional public space, La Isleta demonstrates an incredible wealth of discreet collective spaces. All these constitute signs for a project on the collective elaborated from elements that appear insignificant in the first instance. In the contemporary city, both social segregation and the emergence of the private co-existwith the need of the individual sociability and the demands of new forms of the public. In response to the politics of beautifying or monumentalising the urban space, it is essential to search for alternatives. For this matter, it is important to decipher, and relate all these different levels or gradients through which the collective unfolds. And in this process, it is essential to claim plural spaces capable of stimulating urban life.

Bibliography: Crawford, Margaret (2001): “Desdibujando las fronteras: espacio público y vida privada”. Quaderns d’arquitectura i urbanisme nº228, p.14-29. English edition, “Blurring the boundaries: public space and private life” in John Chase, Margaret Crawford and John Kaliski (editors): Everyday urbanism, Monacelli Press, New York, 1999 Franck, Karen A. and Stevens, Quentin (2007): “Tying down loose space”, in Franck, K. and Stevens, Q. (editors.): Loose space. Possibility and diversity in urban life. Routledge, New York, p.1-34. Joseph, Isaac (2002): “El transeúnte y el espacio urbano. Ensayo sobre la dispersión del espacio público”. Gedisa, Barcelona. French edition, “Le passant considérable. Essai sur la dispersion de l’espace public”, Librairie des Méridiens, Paris, 1984 Ley Bosch, Pablo (2006): “Seis instantáneas sobre lo público”. Atlántica nº41-42, p.5471. Sennett, Richard (1978): “El declive del hombre público”. Península, Barcelona. English edition, The Fall of Public Man. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1977

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The Right to the Informal

Daniel Mallo and Armelle Tardiveau This article discusses the creation of unexpected, unplanned places of encounter; places that encourage togetherness and forum for discussion. In the instance of the neighbourhood of La Isleta in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain), it is envisaged that these places might be spontaneously created or invented while not necessarily designed for that purpose. This article argues for alternative interventions in urban spaces that nurture such spontaneous place making and utilise to its full potential the traditional tight urban fabric, typical of La Isleta. The projects presented in this book illustrate various urban design challenges: why, for example, consider the micro scale as opposed to the macro scale? What does building in an urban fabric that is physically hyper-tight and socially dense imply? How do we create spaces that can foster and intensify exchange? What is the nature of informal spaces that stimulate conviviality?

Micro scale Working at the level of the micro scale, such as a neighbourhood unit (i.e. a definable sub-unit within the La Isletta wider area), forces us to engage from

the initial stages of the project with the human scale, the detail as well as the banality and richness of the everyday life. Possible criticism of working with the micro scale might include that it considers the particular only, regardless of the general. We believe that the general is embodied in the particular, even if it cannot be read and is not intended as structural and sequential. In turn the particular deals with various (micro) intensities at the same time, which might then be extrapolated to a wider more general approach specific to the area.

Micro activities Mapping existing or potential activities of a community and building upon these, invites us to create space that enables the development, or consolidation, of social interaction. We aim to cultivate the embryo of an existing activity, or desire suggested by local residents; in this context writing a programme of activities means acting as social entrepreneur. In La Isleta, we focus on design approaches that sustain the informal everyday life existing initiatives. As architect Teddy Cruz posits, infrastructural or architectural projects â&#x20AC;&#x153;emerge not only out of economic power and capitalâ&#x20AC;? (1) but also out of the social

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capital of a neighbourhood. The projects in this book demonstrate how to create a network of micro scale infrastructures that generate places managed by active participants where social bonds are able to flourish.

Micro spaces The positive values associated to places of social exchange such as ground floor spaces opened onto the street, corner shops or street bars, are embedded in the collective memory of the neighbourhood. In order to create new spaces for exchange we have to take into consideration these social processes and propose a methodology that can unfold over time. This is exemplified in some of the proposals herein presented, whereby the projects are conceived as a set of tools encouraging community led processes. The project evolves as the social needs change and the architect or the urban designer plays the role of a facilitator for a community initiative.

Proximity The spaces considered in La Isleta are left over or in between spaces. Building with the existing urban fabric, that is transforming or revisiting existing

spaces, is indeed adding to the city. The expansion of the spatial vocabulary of cities, the revision of regulations and the extrapolation of traditional typologies need to be addressed in order to accommodate informal shared and communal spaces. Cities, even the densest ones, are rich with such spaces that do not offer the necessary requirements as far as building regulations are concerned but that can indeed be adapted, interpreted and appropriated temporarily by the community. However these are not any kind of vacant space in the urban fabric. While they might disqualify in the first instance as potential public spaces, their proximity to a street guarantees openness and publicness despite of their unexpected location. As Stéphane Tonnelat argues, the street is “a symbol of social relations made out of a mix of local ties as well as anonymous relations. The first idea evokes that shared space of a community and is often referred to with the word ‘conviviality’, whereas the second talks about access to anybody and a civil or respectful co-presence”(2).

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The projects in this book demonstrate how to create a network of micro scale infrastructures that generate places where social bonds are able to flourish

the city (3) can be transposed to the roof terraces as well. Hence, some projects included here are not only based on spatial transformations but also involve the negotiation of spaces not normally considered public. It is the dynamic and temporary nature of some social initiatives that renders this possible. The aim being that informal temporary uses might generate new social expectations and demands which, in some cases, could galvanise into forms of longer term occupation.

Negotiation

Democracy

Another important aspect of the user involvement in the creation of spaces of social intensity is the consideration of the junctures between the social initiatives and planning policies, especially regarding private and public property boundaries. A few projects presented here demonstrate that the limits of the private, the shared and ultimately of the public can be negotiated and readjusted temporarily. Drawing from established practices, some of the proposals look, for instance, at how the street can be reclaimed for events, while other projects might consider how the shared nature of the ground floor of

What is the intention behind strengthening an activity to create spaces of encounter or to take over spaces to support a community of residents to gather and share matters of concerns? The wealth or lack of space fomenting social exchange in a city reflects the state and quality of the democracy practiced locally. The architect and urban designer can no longer afford to be just or merely a service provider, he/she is also an individual engaged in society - i.e. a citizen; our input as a so-called expert is in part driven by our stance in society, our engagement in democratic processes.

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Generating spaces supporting forums for local concerns where cooperation and negotiation is practiced ensures the consolidation of place and a dynamic practice of democracy. In a neighbourhood such as La Isleta, which has a strong and defined popular culture, such places support not only the continuity and but also the development of this culture. Yet, asserting the need for collective space is as important as ensuring that these spaces are open to a wider community. Bringing in activities that invite a diverse population to prevent any form of ethnocentrism as well as fomenting programmes which knock-on effect is outside of the realm of the neighbourhood is a safeguard against an exclusive and self-referential culture. Flow and diversity of and within the community will ensure greater variety of opinion in the shaping of space and a higher quality in democratic practice. Ultimately, as Habermas reminds us, the democratic quality of our society very much depends on the citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; participation and engagement in the implementation and management of policies that are legitimate as a result of a collective debate. This mature engagement of citizens has to co-exist with institutions capable of generating

new forms of solidarity and civic sense. A good institution is the one that certainly creates new atmospheres of democracy that enable collective debate and promote informal initiatives (4). Creating a culture of participation will not only inform decision-making institutions but also enable a true dialogue between citizens and institutions. Habermas stresses that being the facilitator of a true democratic process entails being more than an expert in citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinions. It implies an understanding of the questions posed, the context in which these opinions are raised and eventually being capable of legitimising initiatives, not simply on the basis of them reflecting the opinion of the majority but the quality of the debate in which these opinions are shared (5). We believe that La Isleta offers the conditions to lead alternative democratic practices that can generate new forms of urban spaces. The dense urban form and the existing social bonds are indeed a fertile ground to test new spatial frameworks where initiatives can be articulated and new forms of solidarity and civic sense are practised.

The architect and urban designer can no longer afford to be just or merely a service provider, he/she is also an individual engaged in society – i.e. a citizen

(1) Cruz, Teddy (2000), “Architecture: Participation, Process and Negotiation” in Verb magazine “Crisis“, Barcelona, Actar publishers, pp 150-159. (2) Tonnelat, Stéphane. “The sociology of urban public spaces”,

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Bibliography:

http://stephane. tonnelat.free.fr/ Welcome_files/SFURP- Tonnelat.pdf (accessed 23 November 2010) (3) Constantin Petcou and Doina Petrescu, “Au rez-de-chaussée de la ville,” http://multitudes.samizdat.net/Au-rezde-chaussee-de-la-ville (accessed 23 November 2010) (4) Dupeyrix, Alexandre (2009) “Comprendre Habermas”, Armand Colin (5) Ibid.

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La Isleta Participa: Neighbourhood and Heritage

Manuel J. Martín Hernández and Vicente J. Díaz García School of Architecture, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria In 2007, the research group ‘Architecture, Methodology and Heritage’ from the School of Architecture, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria started to study the neighbourhood of La Isleta with the aim of putting in practice participative urban design. The City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria subsequently promoted the neighbourhood of La Isleta as a Historic Centre, which required the development of a conservation area masterplan (Plan Especial de Protección). In 2009, we started La Isleta Participa research (La Isleta participates) supported by the regional authorities (Gobierno de Canarias). La Isleta Participa is in fact a continuation of earlier research we have developed over the years, focused on the intervention in architectural heritage and historic centres of places such as Canarias but also African cities (Nouadhibou in Mauritania or Vila do Maio in Cape Verde) as well as Latin America (La Antigua in Guatemala o Guadalajara in Mexico).

most important infrastructure of the city but as well heralded the creation of the La Isleta neighbourhood. Today, 25,000 inhabitants live in this neighbourhood.

The neighbourhood

The third scale is that of the residential scale of La Isleta with its urban development from the middle of the 20th century onwards together with the traditional neighbourhood which is the centre of our study.

The first stone of the harbour of Las Palmas was laid on the 26th of February 1883. This marked not only the beginning of the construction of the

Three scales co-exist in La Isleta: The first scale is that of the peninsula of La Isleta, located at the north east tip of the island of Gran Canaria; this classified Natural Park, currently occupied by the military/ defence ministry, covers 560 hectares of the 1,060 hectares of the peninsula. Together with Confital beach, located at the west, they constitute a natural territory of outstanding environmental value. The second scale refers to the harbour with its two major infrastructures: The habour to the south east and Sebadal and the industrial estate to the north east. These infrastructures are key to the economic activity of the island but generate intense and problematic traffic at the narrow neck of the isthmus which connects La Isleta to the rest of the city of Las Palmas and Gran Canaria.

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The traditional neighbourhood of La Isleta is characterised by an urban plan of very narrow streets with lowrise terraced buildings. Descendants of families, who came from the interior of the island (Moya, Fontanales and Valleseco) as well as other Canary Islands, such as Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, at the beginning of the 20th century, inhabit most of these buildings. La Isleta is rich with social, cultural and sports activities run by collectives from the civic society. In the past, the area was associated with problematic social issues due to the lack of amenities and the poor condition of the urban and built fabric. However, nowadays, the everyday life of La Isleta has improved greatly. The relationship between the harbour and the industrial estate with the residential life of the city remains a key issue to the area both in terms of access and proximity.

Identity Importantly, La Isleta has a strong identity thanks to its urban, social and environmental characteristics that have enabled the development of a thriving neighbourhood and civic life. The natural

landscape of La Isleta, which we depicted earlier, is mirrored by the social landscape with a strong identity and cultural values that can serve as examples in other parts of the city, or for future interventions. The current administration, which came to power in March 2007, has initiated a series of proposals that allow us to envisage a more participative urban design development. These include Plan General de Ordenación, Plan Estratégico de la Ciudad (PROA 2020), Plan de Desarrollo Comunitario, Capitalidad Cultural Europea, etc. This approach is addressing social, urban and environmental issues through the active participation of the citizens themselves. For La Isleta, this means establishing relationships between masterplanning, private enterprise and neighbourhood collectives’ initiatives thus involving the residents in the decision making of the issues that affect them on a daily basis and will shape their future.

The cultural heritage: La Isleta masterplan In the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, we can envisage three precedents for this masterplan: one is

for the preservation and refurbishment of the historical centre Vegueta-Triana (P.E.P.R.I: Plan Especial de Protección y Reforma Interior), the other two deal with the enlargement of the historical centre towards the north (P.E.P. Perojo) and of the historic periphery (P.E.P.R.I. Tafira). The first two masterplans show two distinct forms and evolutions of the preservation of the historic centre of our city. The Vegueta-Triana masterplan was driven by the preservation of existing heritage buildings and therefore driven by a careful control of new development. While the Perojo masterplan allowed for a freer approach as the area had been better preserved and offered good urban, architectonic and typological qualities. In the case of La Isleta, we will witness a third type of masterplan. In this case, we can no longer simply emphasise the historical heritage or architectonic quality of place; nor the homogeneity of the facades or the typologies. In this case, we must deal with the quality of the urban design and more importantly with the identity of the residents and their intangible heritage. In no other place in the city will we ever meet such a strong relationship, for instance, between the street (height of buildings and width of

street) and the social dynamic. Thus, in this case, we are not dealing with a classical heritage masterplan and at this end of the process, a document entitled P.E.P. La Isleta (Plan Especial de Protección) will be put forward for agreement to the municipal government. As this masterplan will be the document that will articulate the future of the neighbourhood, it is expected to fulfil its objectives while remaining an openended document.

A few key priorities for the development of this masterplan: New heritage: Identity is the heritage of the everyday. The concept of historical heritage should be articulated in relation to the built heritage (before demolishing or refurbishing) and attempt to preserve the traditional façade with its typical single storey building. Multifold aspects: The social, environmental and urban aspects constitute the three main axes to analyse in the area along with the economic, commercial and tourist aspects. The crossing of all these aspects is important for the methodology.

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Participation: Residents’ roles will not only consist of providing information such as consultation processes, but will also include taking part in the negotiation of the related decision-making. Sustainability: The directing principles for a sustainable development of the European Territory (2000) will be taken into account and will include the control of urban expansion, the improvement of urban quality, efficient management of urban ecosystem, sustainable mobility and evaluation of the cultural heritage. Flexibility: With reference to the traditional methodology for urban design, this masterplan will be developed in a complex context of continuous evolution. The objective is to move from a classic urban masterplan, which is closed, to a model of open strategic management. Systematisation: New technologies offer the opportunity to obtain updated information of what happens at any moment. Dealing and managing this information for the benefit of the residents is a challenge that must be taken hold of in La Isleta. Social units: A line of enquiry and research that remains open in the project deals with the drawing of geographic

and social areas, recognisable by the residents. These allow us to generate and analyse information in a two-way process, obtaining and returning the information to the residents themselves. The most important issue is to have an impact in the urban codes and in the management of urban services; the objective is to enable this information to become accessible and part of the administrative procedures.

The methodology Some of the social participative methodologies are already in practice such as the participative observation (field observation), in which the agents accompanied by the residents of the neighbourhood collect information. As well, the organisation of sessions during which various actors relate ‘community processes’ in place.

The two key processes in the first phase of our project include: Discussion workshops (EASW, European Awareness Scenario Workshop), a tool that consists of organisation of a meeting of approximately 50 residents

representing different sectors: business, administrative, collectives, sports related etc. Participative action-research, a research model whose key concept is knowledge to transform. With a view to reach an objective, the why and what for are the means for negotiation. A bottom-up approach as opposed to top-down.

Return of information: The first step of participation. Information on historical, social, urban and environmental aspects of the neighbourhood was collected in the first phase of the project. The objective here was to search for a method to return the information back to the residents. The dissemination of information is as important as its collection as it enables the residents to understand that their voice is heard and their ideas are important for the key decisions that will be made for the neighbourhood. For this, we would like to take on board the development of Active Urban Indicators. UN-Habitat define Active Urban Indicators as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;series of management tools that allow the identification of urban reality and that serve as basis for the articulation

of policies, programmes for continuous and sustained improvementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Active Urban Indicators are embedded in urban legislation from the public administration while they remain accessible to the citizens. Active Urban Indicators give the opportunity to have in real time, data concerning a specific part of a city. We are dealing with the improvement of the social, environmental and urban information that are required by the public administration and the agents for a precise study and analysis of the reality of an area, as well as a concern for the continuous return of this information to the citizens. In the end, we are taking advantage of the opportunity of incorporating in society the means of Information Communication and Technology, as well as its links with the increasing development of social participative methodologies and the progressive modernisation of local administrations.

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Design Brief

La Isleta is a traditional neighbourhood of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (380’000 inhabitants), the capital of the island of Gran Canaria. La Isleta is located on the slopes of a small peninsula connected to the city of Las Palmas by a very narrow neck of approximately 200 metres in its shortest section. The area has a dense and tight urban fabric with hardly any public spaces, except for the nearby beach, which acts as the main public space. Narrow streets and a car-orientated urban policy have left very little space for inhabitants to gather outside of home. The starting point of the project is a spatial research carried out by the planning group of “La Isleta Participa” who have established a subdivision of the area defined by micro-social units. By mapping the cultural landscape of the streets of La Isleta, they have identified and acknowledged social units where strong bonds and collaboration between residents are already in place. Together with this, we have identified a series of areas of opportunity offering potential spaces for intervention. These areas constitute five different spatial categories. Roof terraces: The traditional housing typology (one storey high and a flat roof) provides a wealth of available space on the roofs that in many cases remains unused. Vacant plots: The neighbourhood has many vacant plots where demolition

has occurred. In many cases these sites are dormant because of the current economic climate. Ground floor unit with housing above: The traditional housing typology in the area consists of a ground floor unit for either a garage, a local shop or a workshop that would be run by a family living above. This typology is still very evident in the area and is signaled by the large doors on the ground floor. The ground floor unit was traditionally an extension of the street life and provided a space where neighbours would come in spontaneously. The nature of these spaces –in same cases with a very deep floor plan– potentially offer a starting point for the generation of a new type of ‘public domain’. Existing public space: There are very few public spaces in the area. The design of these spaces seems alien to the way in which people live and engage with their neighbours. Disused buildings: Similar to the vacant plots, the area holds many disused or abandoned buildings that could bear a temporary use. The projects presented in this book include the articulation and transformation of at least two of the above categories to generate a space for social exchange, a catalyst for an area, and the seed for a future provision. Often guilt-free, these interventions grant time to planners and developers for their strategic longterm thinking while they aim at enabling community desires.

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Mapping La Isleta

Alternative tour site of interest

Ground floor unit- living

Roof terrace

Disused building

Vacant plot

Existing public space

Caminos > Los Tres Caminos: Alternative Mapping

Gibson, Nicolas VallĂŠe Shaun Cuggy ScottScott Gibson, Nicolas Vallee and and Shaun Cuggy 22 â&#x20AC;Ś

3 2

1 Plaza Del Pueblo: A redeveloped open space that fails to integrate with its surroundings due to walls, landscaping and a library building that divides the space from the adjacent buildings and streets.

2 Potential identified to enhance this node for social activity with the creation of a new space, through the demolition of No 76 Calle Princesa Guayarmina, reuse of No 67 Calle Princesa Guayarmina for community use and create a shared surface junction between all five streets. 3 Potential identified to divide a long residential block by creating a new link between Calle Adargoma and Calle Bentaguayre by removing a disused building at No 29 Calle Ardagona and utilising a ground-floor unit at No 14 Calle Bantaguayre.

4 Potential identified to divide a long residential block by creating a new link between Calle Bentaguayre and Calle Bentejui by utilising a ground floor unit at No 17 Call Bentaguayre and removing a disused unit at No 24 Calle Bentejui.

5 Potential site identified, comprising

a large vacant plot at 97 Calle de Perez Munoz, with disused plots at 99 Calle de Perez Munoz, 14 Calle Acero and a vacant plot at 41 Calle Bentaguayre. The site provides a significant opportunity to create a social space combining new cultural and community uses integrated with a new internal space.

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24 …

Stringing La Isleta

“

‘The Three Paths’, or ‘Los Tres Caminos’ provide an optimum location, offering potential for providing a new range of activities and meeting spaces that will allow different groups to come into contact with each other

“

> Los Tres Caminos: Scott Gibson, Nicolas Vallée and Shaun Cuggy In Las Isleta there are close relationships in small ‘social units’ but there is a lack of social cohesion beyond this level, caused in part by a lack of suitable meeting spaces for people to gather and meet. We consider this to be a barrier to greater interaction between groups, neighbourhoods and wider communities in La Isleta and beyond. People in the immediate area have also expressed a need for a new community facility. Our site is located in the western side of La Isleta within a triangular block facing onto the commercial street of Calle De Perez Munoz and the quiet residential areas adjacent to Calle Acero and Calle Bentaguayre. It includes a large area of vacant land and disused buildings that extend out from its empty heart to all of these streets in what we call ‘The Three Paths’, or ‘Los Tres Caminos’. It provides an optimum location, offering potential for providing a new range of activities and meeting spaces that will allow different groups to come into contact with each other at all levels, from the local to neighbourhood level and beyond La Isleta. Other projects in this book provide a unique opportunity for this site to accommodate a Project Development Centre for empowering the La Isleta community to

participate in nurturing these projects, delivering them and ‘showcasing’ them to inspire others about the benefits of community-led regeneration. The approach is based on Teddy Cruz’s model practiced in San Diego and the Mexico Border towns. Closely linked is an Exhibition Area for displaying work on the projects, promoting La Isleta’s culture and local arts and craft, combined with a Retail Space, offering related products and materials for developing proposals. Serviced Accommodation will be provided for specialists to assist the communities working in the Project Development Space. A new Local Community Space is also proposed to encourage local social units to meet for a variety of activities: nursery, after school clubs, keep fit, adult well being and so on. The Central Outdoor Space is where the Three Paths will converge together. The space will promote encounters and social exchange between different social groups. Opportunities for meeting will be reinforced with a Café, Gathering Space and a series of Roof Terraces. All of these are intended to be adaptable to changes on a daily and seasonal basis, and in the long term capable of being used for other activities to ensure that the development is sustainable.

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analysis

26 â&#x20AC;Ś

This diagram illustrates the 3 social groups that converge over our chosen site. The site is currently an unused space which lies at the centre of the residential block and also the area where the social groups meet. This presents an ideal opportunity to transform the site into space that can aid the social cohesion of these 3 groups but also the wider communities within La Isleta.

local

neighbourhood

la isleta & beyond

This purple coloured person will represent the local people that live in and around the existing residential block that surrounds the site. The symbol will be used to represent the areas and buildings of our proposal which local people would be most likely to use.

This lime coloured person will represent the neighbourhood people that live around the site in the wider neighbourhood. The symbol will be used to represent the areas and buildings of our proposal which neighbourhood people would be most likely to use.

This blue coloured person will represent people who live outside of the neighbourhood and perhaps outside Las Palmas. The symbol will be used to represent the areas and buildings of our proposal which people outside of the neighbourhood would be most likely to use.

social space

accommodation

retail space

meeting space

activity space

Outdoor roof space

public space

concept

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Phase 1: Securing the site with buildings.

28 â&#x20AC;Ś

_The residential unit above the Cafe and Gathering Space will be brought into use as Serviced Accommodation.

_At the Gateway the part-completed Exhibition Area will be used as temporary Retail Space until the Second Path is created.

_The first path will be created by linking a new Gateway entrance across the site to a new Cafe and Gathering Space.

path 1

Phase 2: Attracting people to the site.

_It also provides Roof Terraces for users and visitors to the project

_It provides a new focal point for the Central Outdoor Space, and divides the original First Path into a new First and Second Path.

_Extending the project from the Gateway into the centre, new space will accommodate the Exhibition Area and Retail Space.

path 2

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Phase 3: Complete growth of the site

30 â&#x20AC;Ś

_It also provides the Roof Terraced area that is to be shared between neighbouring residential units.

_It allows the Central Outdoor Space to become a complete focal point for The Three Paths.

_Creation of the Project Development Centre and the Local Community Space allows the final Third Path to be created.

path 3

Exchange in the Movement

Inside / Outside

Appropriation

the three paths

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> Ruta Tagoror: Alternative Mapping

Mark Stewart, Dominic Lamb and Fedra Papalexandri 32 â&#x20AC;Ś

1 Universidad Popular is the largest school in La Isleta. Its entrance opens onto a narrow and heavily used crossroad. This is perhaps undesirable considering the flows of children at the start and end of school. Behind this high yellow wall lies a particularly large vacant plot. The plan is that this area should become a community centre but the owner of the land is open to its temporary use before construction begins. This site is particularly relevant owing to its position on a main artery road and because of the size of the school which it is attached to.

2 This is a vacant building which extends onto streets on both sides of the block. It is in a prime location as it is located near to key amenities and services such as Universidad Popular La Isleta, an evangelic church and some bars.

3 This is a private garden which overhangs out onto the street.

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34 …

Stringing La Isleta

“

Inspired by Teddy Cruz, this project involves ‘tactics of encroachment’ whereby the school grows outwards beyond the walls which confine it

“

> Ruta Tagoror: Mark Stewart, Dominic Lamb and Fedra Papalexandri In the heart of La Isleta is a school cut off from surrounding communities. It’s walls turn it into a fortress which creates contradictions between these physical barriers and the services which could be offered by a major school in a central location. These walls also force children to walk to school via what is currently a busy street with large volumes of vehicular traffic. With children as our focal point, out intervention looks to open up the school thereby providing additional services and reinforcing community cohesion. Inspired by Teddy Cruz, this project involves ‘tactics of encroachment’ whereby the school grows outwards beyond the walls which confine it. Vacant plots adjacent to the school act as sites where school functions can occur and the physical relationship with residential plots allows local residents to manage and run such a project. The intention is that locals volunteer their time in order to pass on skills to children or adults within the ruta tagoror. Skills and information passed on can then be shared with others within the community. In addition to a sense of ownership arising through volunteering, the fluid nature of this project means

that it becomes useful to different groups at different times of the day. Ultimately, a new form of sophisticated social choreography takes place. The intention is that this project should be managed by the residential blocks which it passes through. Funding comes from the renting of this flexible space for other uses by other groups. For example, it may on the weekends be rented out as a smaller market place or be used for private functions. Profits then return to the project allow it to be maintained and upgraded. Ruta Tagoror perhaps furthers ideas of a more socially and culturally engaged community by demonstrating to children active democratic processes on a daily basis.

…35

Our site provides a connection and link with the school and the ‘los tres caminos’ (1) and ‘architectural tapas’ (2) projects.

site (1)

(2)

Our project will also act as a catalyst for similar community priority spaces in and around La Isleta

36 …

n The site spans across two ‘micro social units’ creating a larger more united community group. The route also links to the school through the continued use of similar floor treatment and patternation. As a result of the site, we predict that further services will be needed close by (ie sweet shop). These can be located in existing groundfloor units currently unoccupied on the main street to the east of the site.

The new ruta takes advantage of two currently vacant plots and two groundfloor units which will be knocked through to complete the route. The site is also flanked by roof terraces that will be accessed through neighbouring buildings and used for their surveillance capabilities.

ool

to sch

kitchenette WC/changing

modular storage

storage

folding doors

traditional La Isleta salt ‘street art’ inspired patterns

sliding bookcase folding slide

plant canopy sliding white board

sliding ladder

neighbouring roof terrace

…37

38 …

floor Repetition of floor treatment allows us to suggest a route from our site to the School, thereby creating a mental association between the two. Use of ceramic tiles not only allows for decorative motifs within plots but also involves the design input of the immediate community thereby allowing a sense of ownership. This design input relates to salt carpets created each year by local residents where streets running through La Isleta are used as canvases for pictures made of salt.

modular furniture

community walls

The site’s furniture comes in the form of modular elements - rigid foam shapes with a weatherproof covering that are cheap to create and replace. These modular elements interlock together and can be configured to suit the user’s needs. The number of configurations possible is endless.

The nature of the site means that the ruta tagoror addresses gable walls of the adjoining properties. Here the facing bricks are personalised by the members of the community that use/manage/visit/encounter the ruta tagoror, to provide an informal ‘visitors book’. As well as providing clues to the success of the project, it also adds a further sense of responsibility of ownership for users of the site.

structure

folding slide

sliding white board

It is important that structures can be folded away, allowing more space for movement and greater security for items used at other times of the day. It also means that these sites can be appropriated by groups outside of the intended timetable should this be necessary. That said, it is important that the site can function practically at various times of the day. Therefore sliding and folding units have prescriptive uses. Such units, including slides also create a playground out of space which is important within such small sites. It also lends a playful nature to the project wherein units are pulled out of green canopies.

sliding bookcase sliding ladder

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ruta

- a safe route to school for the children

40 â&#x20AC;Ś

creche

- young children can play, eat, learn, sleep, read, while their parents work

school

- the school can exist outside of its walls and extra skills can be picked up from local volunteers

community - adult education workshops, events, exhibitions, artistic performances or local community assembly meetings

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Local volunteers become actors within Ruta Tagoror. Pre-existing ties within residential blocks mean that social units can act as working processes rather than simply being inhabited spaces.

Tapas > Architectural Tapas: Alternative Mapping

Cathy Russell, Marion Catonne, James Longfield 42 â&#x20AC;Ś

3 2

4 1

1 Plaza Marruecos is an existing public space that is relatively well used thanks largely to its public telephone. Currently restricted by cars driving through and parking we noticed roof terraces on 2 sides of the plaza which afford the opportunity for expansion and relation with and across the plaza.

2 Calle Menceyes is a strong community street where there still remains a vibrant street life with neighbours in contact regularly throughout the day. Many of the residents use the Plaza de Ferret to relax and play and the street could benefit from a more direct link to this plaza. 3 Calle Benartemi receives a large amount of trade from locals due to a high proportion of ground floor retail units. Pedestrians find themselves restricted by vehicular traffic. The unused garage at the top of the street provides an opportunity to extend the pedestrian realm and create a stopping point within the street.

4 Located on the edge of a quiet area there are a number of neighbouring buildings with varied activities which are restricted from extending into the street by vehicular traffic. The site is also located on the border of the declining eastern edge of La Isleta which would benefit from increased social activity.

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44 â&#x20AC;Ś

Stringing La Isleta

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

It is imperative that we firstly identify the potential hinted at in current patterns of activity and secondly recognise how an intervention could build upon the opportunities presented

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

> Architectural Tapas Cathy Russell, Marion Catonne and James Longfield Toward the eastern edge of La Isleta we encountered a physical and social demise when read in relation to the wider neighbourhood. Calle Umiaga, where we have chosen to intervene, lies on the border of this area and at the intersection of several previously identified social units. As we studied the area we realised that, though generally lacking an expression in shared public space, it would be wrong to conclude that there is a lack of community activity. We began to realise that the dominance of the car has pinned social activity back behind the characteristic facades of La Isleta. In our interview Conchi reinforced this idea that contained activity has become the most recognised form of social exchange. Exemplifying this phenomenon, we learnt that a warehouse within our site was actually a music hall. Bernard Tschumi states that ‘Architecture and its spaces do not change society, but through architecture and understanding of its effect we can accelerate processes of change underway.’ It is therefore imperative that we firstly identify the potential hinted at in current patterns of activity and secondly recognise how an intervention could build upon the opportunities presented. In response to the presence of hidden activity we took the opportunity to expand this into a series of interconnected spaces,

each carrying specific meaning, declared through both form and programme. Whilst all the spaces are not necessarily relevant to each social group, their proximity encourages exchange and individuals gain exposure to one another. We drew inspiration from Tapas which is a local plate comprising distinct dishes. Dishes reflect the individual activities that occur in adjacent buildings. The participants share the dishes, their hand passing from one to another. We see this as the locals passing from one building to another with varying levels of immersion in each programme. Individuals play both the role of spectator and actor, observing and choosing their level of participation, each person acting as a transmitter of activity. The interaction is experienced in the shared exposure to multiple activities. Tschumi goes on to argue that ‘There is no longer a causal relationship between buildings and their content, their use and of course, their very improbable meaning. In developing our chosen site we intend to adopt a phased approach where each phase explores a different aspect of the relationship between form and programme. We intend that each subsequent phase builds on the previous intervention and benefits from its activation.

…45

SHOP

A LL

SIC H

CHURC

LA ISLETA- Gran Canaria

FLEX

SHO PS

FO B A L L BA OT R

Roof terrace Disused building

Stage 1. Shared surface Stage 2. Music hall programme development

Stage 3. 1. Stage Creation of garShared surface. den and café

ES IBL PA

MUSIC

CHURC

GARDEN

B A L L BA OT R

A FE

Existing

46 …

Stage 4. Flexible space Stage 2. Music hall programme development.

Stage 3. Creation of Garden and Cafe. Stage 4.

All the Spaces. tapas Flexible

CH UR

Within our corner of La Isleta many residents frequent the church of Nuestra Senora del Carmen. People enjoy gathering socially outside the church before and after services. However the dominance of passing traffic prevents them from chatting and the noise often disrupts the service. We intend that these and other activities are allowed greater freedom by changing the surface of the street in Phase 1. This is not forced pedestrianisation but an intervention that will remain flexible and respond to the fluctuation of social activity in the area.

Stage 1. Shared surface

Proposed - Shared

The inspiration for the pattern is drawn from the annual carnival where the community comes together to design salt carpets on the street. We propose that the designs created on Calle Umiaga, would be made permanent.

Proposed - Pedestrianised

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Connected to the Church is a music hall where a small band managed by Maria practice. There is also a soup kitchen hosted by members of the Church.

Stage 2. Music hall programme development

Phase 2 builds on the existing activity of the music hall by proposing an increase in the programme. This could include theatre, dancing, football and film screening, etc. This programme will also benefit from Phase 1.

48 â&#x20AC;Ś

A large crowd arrives for the weekly dance session.

The boys from the football bar celebrate as Messi scores another vital goal

A concert allows the youth from La Isleta to let their hair down.

The increased activity as a result of Phase 2 presents the opportunity in Phase 3 to develop a thriving community hub comprising a co-operative cafe and garden in the two derelict buildings opposite the music hall on Calle Umiaga.

Stage 3. Creation of Garden and Cafe.

The form of the intervention remains subservient to the existing facades leaving them untouched while enveloping the new programme. The street pattern continues through the intervention.

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50 â&#x20AC;Ś

Residents enjoy a cafe con leche out on Calle Umiaga.

Within the cafe much of the talk centres around the future of the area.

The garden provides a cool retreat from the mid day sun.

Luiz. Has been a regular at the Catholic Church for the past 20 years and spends much of his time coordinating their charity efforts. He would like more space to provide for the poor and homeless in the area. Marta. Has seen a growth in trade at her corner shop and would like to open up another shop selling local produce nearby. Helena. Is a regular at the cafe where she runs open sewing workshops, she has so many people coming that she needs more space to run them.

Stage 4. Flexible Spaces.

Marie. Enjoys having many more people using the Music Hall and would like to have a series of smaller rooms for lessons and practises. Ruigi. He has brought his experience from working in the football bar to the cafe and now splits his time working shifts in both. He thinks that the area currently lacks a pool and games hall. Pepe. Is an expert dominoes player from Serbia but turned his hand to gardening and would like a space to pass on his new found skills to younger people.

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In Phase 4 neither form nor programme are defined. The sharing of experiences and activities made possible through the previous phases is intended to trigger a broader community discussion, held within the Phase 3 intervention, as to the future of the adjacent disused building.

Use the outline above to show us what you think this space should become.

A Conversation With Conchi

Education There are five primary schools, three secondary schools and two nurseries in La Isleta. The majority of students who attend these schools live in La Isleta themselves. The parents association were mainly involved in regularly organising activities for children after the school day has finished and these activities tend to take place within the schools themselves. Learning languages is particularly important to the local people and for that reason more families are sending their children to private bilingual schools outside la Isleta. Not all families can afford this for their children however. After completing their schooling many young people remain in Las Palmas or move to other Islands or Spain to pursue further education at university. Within La Isleta the Universidad Popular is very popular. It is here that many adults attend further classes, it is particularly well attended by women who enjoy many courses,

including dance and crafts. These classes form an important part of the social interaction of the area as they are a place where people meet regularly.

Changing demographics There is a generally aging population in La Isleta, this is due to two main reasons. The first is that in general the traditional family unit is getting smaller as people are having fewer children. The second is that there are a lot of youth who leave, however there are a lot of people who remain faithful to the area and still the majority of people who grow up in La Isleta continue to stay. There are a number of reasons for this connection. Economically the harbour continues to provide a lot of work and is a focal centre for the area. There is also a strong sense of family in La Isleta, people know each other and feel socially attached.

“

People regularly sit outdoors in the summer and chat across the street

“

Conchi is a member of the Board of Govenors (AMPA) of the Léon y Castillo nursery and primary school, which is attended by one of her two daughters. As a result Conchi is very involved in the activities and development of the school.

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54 …

Society

Changing times

People’s social networks are generally large. Conchi expressed the opinion that all of the neighbourhood knows one another and networks stretch as far as ten streets away. There is also a strong openness to the community outsiders are welcomed and adopted in La Isleta coming to share the same love for the place as the locals.

As a neighbourhood there is the feeling that La Isleta has improved a great deal within the last twenty five years, benefitting from modernisation in terms of access and amenities. In the past it had an unsavoury reputation within the city and there used to be places you wouldn’t go to, however today locals feel safe to walk anywhere, bar a few poorly lit streets at night.

There is an overriding sense that La Isleta is well located within the city. It is in close proximity to the harbour as well as the beaches and has a complete provision of amenities. The locals love the beach and it is here that much of the memorable interaction and meeting takes place. It is the strongest public space in La Isleta despite its location to the very west. La playa de las Canteras or el Confital in particular is considered to be an amazing natural space, referred to as the jewel of La Isleta. There is a strong desire for it to remain as such and avoid further touristic development.

People regularly sit outdoors in the summer and chat across the street however Conchi felt that she missed being able to leave the door open as security has become an issue. Children tend to play indoors much more as they favour computer games, television and the internet. Also the increase of traffic has contributed to children spending more time indoors. Conchi said that she would only let her seven year old daughter out on her own in a small locality such as the neighbour’s house but that she would be accompanied if she was going further afield within La Isleta, such as to the local parks or the beach.

Public spaces

Traffic

It was of particular interest to note that although they felt that there was an under provision of public space within La Isleta the locals generally did not want any more public squares. It was recognised that the un-programmed public spaces tended to be used for drugs exchanges and they were reluctant to see existing public spaces become areas of monitoring and high security as has happened to other parks in the city of Las Palmas such as Castillo de la Luz.

Traffic use in La Isleta is a problem, it has become dominant on the streets in the area and it has become almost impossible to park. Due to the restricted space the number of cars has now reached a maximum. We were informed that there are some accidents and that it had become dangerous for children in the area to use some of the streets.

The conversation with Conchi was led by James Longfield, Sergio Mathos and Sarah Gibbons.

“

Due to the restricted space the number of cars has now reached a maximum

“

Social spaces for men and women differed slightly. Men in the area tended to socialise in the many bars in La Isleta though depending on the quality of the establishment they were not all male dominated spaces. In one particular instance a refurbished bar saw a large increase in its female customers. As well as meeting at the Universidad Popular classes many women meet through charitable organisations and the children’s play parks. Everyone was keen on using the beach and there was a wide social mix at the larger events such as the annual carnival.

The opportunity for pedestrianisation was discussed and recognised as a possible solution in some places such as outside schools and around the existing squares, however it was also recognised that a main part of the solution lay with a change in mentality towards the use of cars as currently people use them to make short trips within La Isleta itself.

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> La Semilla que Germina: Planting the Seed

Alternative Mapping Nicholas Scannell, Samuel Kenny and Carina Olander 56 â&#x20AC;Ś

4 5 1

1 There is an opportunity to join social blocks and activate corners in this site using the 2 typologies on both sides of the street. There is little chance to work with existing amenities that are located to the west, so program and scale will be important here.

2 There are many dilapidated buildings in this site where the strong urban grid has broken down. The site is very parochial however there is an opportunity to unify 3 social blocks using 3 typologies. A key oneway system route goes through the area that connects one side of La Isleta to the other. This could be taken advantage of. 3 This large area to the north has a chance to address a complex boundary condition found to the north of La Isleta. There is an opportunity to bring activity to the north of Calle Arauz using the 3 typologies present.

4 There is an opportunity to work with one of the small number of existing public spaces and bring activity to this underused square with 2 typologies. The site has links to a strong north south route with excellent views down to the port.

5 More activity and amenities are seen where the urban grid is clearly defined. There is an opportunity to work with existing amenities on an active north south route. This includes 3 typologies in one of the few areas of activity in this part of La Isleta.

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58 …

Defining a Network

“

In the future, all of La Isleta can turn into a sea of green allotments... the seed has been planted

> La Semilla que Germina Planting the Seed

Nicholas Scannell, Samuel Kenny and Carina Olander What is green & bursting with activity, and gives the locals a chance together to build something meaningful in La Isleta, Las Palmas? It is la semilla que germina , a community program that uses vacant plots and empty roof terraces, and turns them into allotment gardens and a gardening information centre for the residents of La Isleta. The whole project is based on community participation, bringing together people from the neighborhood and giving the elderly meaningful activity, as well as the young people a reason to stay in the area. La semilla que germina brings a green element into the city. It acts both as showcase allotment gardens to be seen from afar, and a place for the community to learn about growing their own produce. The allotments will be available for all interested residents to use. La semilla que germina also provides a great opportunity to teach local school children and other groups about growing produce. As well as the allotment gardens, la semilla que germina will include a project information centre, a café, a seed exchange, a place for locals to meet up and hang out and a workplace to construct planters and other

elements of the allotment gardens, all managed by the community. The project takes advantage of a vacant plot, an abandoned building, an abandoned ground floor unit and two empty roof terraces. The site is carefully chosen so that it connects two lively areas together and draws activity into a more quiet area of La Isleta. The site also takes advantage of “the trick”; to the complex one way system of La Isleta. this is taken advantage of by the residents and in passing this location the image of the allotment would be planted. La semilla que germina can start small scale; the gardens and the project centre are designed so that they easily and affordably can be constructed by the locals on site. The allotments are for local residents, registered and managed by community representitives with the help of local professionals. The ideology can then be duplicated throughout La Isleta. All that is needed are some more vacant plots and roof terraces that are readily available in the area. In the future, all of La Isleta can turn into a sea of green allotments... the seed has been planted.

…59

La semilla que germina is situated in the north of La Isleta. There is a breakdown of the strong grid like urban grain in this area which subsequently has lead to a lack of activity and a high proportion of vacant and derelict sites.

The site is dominated by one social group resulting in an excellent location for the creation of a parochial space. The large number of surrounding social groups and constant activity of local residents using the one way system, results in a prime location for the project to spread across La Isleta.

60 â&#x20AC;Ś

There are numerous views which look directly into the site. It is these views which the project hopes to exploit in order to break these surrounding barriers of the site.

It is this spread and thus the germination of the seed which is very significant to the project, the aim is to create a more natural environment for the area. This project is therefore a showcase of how this can be possible.

Site analysis

Management Centre: Inside the building on the ground floor is the heart of the project which contains tools for hire, information and local experts. The first floor contains a large greenhouse and seed exchange.

Cooperative Cafe: Located on the ground floor is a non- commodified place for refreshments where locals can gather. On the first floor there is space for equipment and gardening materials.

Flexible Indoor Public Space: Ground floor disused garage allows for many activities including workshop for construction of facades or garden terraces using reclaimed materials.Can also be used for large group visits.

Community Gardens On a disused plot and large adjacent roof terrace the gardens exist in the form of varied recycled plant boxes and green walls. Levels are used to increase light to plants and to connect to roof terrace.

Project axonometric

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62 â&#x20AC;Ś

Small reusable water containers

The management building operates on a wider scale to the rest of the project. It was necesary to make this building more permeable through widening existing access points. The living wall attached to the facade allows for modular planting boxes to be placed on the building and for adjustable furniture at ground level.

Recycled materials

Expansion of existing openings

Sliding furniture

Management centre

Levels connection

â&#x20AC;Ś63 Recycled materials

Flexible stairs

Connecting levels

The vacant plot is inhabited using another modular system. A steel frame with clip on levels and stairs made from recycled materials allows adjustable gardens to optimise sunlight and connect to adjacent terraces. Home made plant boxes of any size are used to grow produce.

64 …

Fernando’s discovery

As shown in the below diagram the management centre operates on a much wider scale than the parochial spaces of the immediate gardens. It is from here that anyone wishing to join the project can go for expertise, tools and seeds and thus start their own garden. It is this process by which the project can expand. There are numerous vacant plots and unused roof terraces which the residents of La Isleta can exploit to expand la semilla que germina. This project has the potential to transform the urban area into a self sufficient natural environment for all residents to enjoy.

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> Do IT Yourself: Alternative Mapping

Sophie Bioul, Christopher Müller, Robert Newsham and Rachel Phillips 66 …

2 2

3 2

GO 3

S G G

S O

G S SS G

G G

G G O G

G G G

S G

4 4

H B S

G G G G G G G S 3

G G G G G 2

2 1

G G

G G G G G G G

G S G G G

B S

G G

G G S

S G G G G

G G

1 3

G G

3 G

S 3

SG O

G 3

3 1

2 3

2 1

S G

G G

S G G S S S G G

G G S G

G G G G

3 1

G G O

1 3

G G G G G

G G

G G G S G G B 3

S 2

1 We located two abandoned buildings with first floor roof terraces lying on opposite sides of Calle Tecin. This road is a particularly busy crossing between two previously mapped social groups and we realised the opportunity these rooftops gave for linking these groups.

2 Our third site is also on Calle Tecin where the pavement rises up to the entrance of four dwellings creating unappropriated space. It then ends abruptly adjacent to a vacant plot and abandoned building.

4 We located an extremely large vacant plot which was adjacent to a number of first floor private roof terraces. We felt that this gave a strong potential for providing green public space which currently does not exist in our studied area.

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68 …

Defining a Network Don’t wait for someone else to do it...

“

> Do IT Yourself: Sophie Bioul, Christopher Müller, Robert Newsham and Rachel Phillips

_HAD ENOUGH OF THOSE VACANT PLOTS AND DISUSED BUILDINGS CREATING A NEGATIVE IMAGE ? _NEED SOMEWHERE TO ENJOY AN ACTIVITY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY ? _GET TOGETHER AND BUILD YOURSELF THE PLACE YOU ARE DREAMING OF! _DON’T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT... WE WILL HELP YOU.

Using your own skills and tradition of self-construction we will help you access and transform an underused space into your own community facility. The materials will be recovered from the island guaranteeing minimal cost and a small ecological footprint.

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PROCESS STEPS

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Vacant plots and disused buildings have been identified by the council

Members of the community can contact the council to get permission to use the site

The community clears the site with the view to appropriate it

Community members will receive a design guide showing them options for their site and use of materials

The community will have the opportunity to meet with a design professional to check the feasibility of their proposal

Materials can be found around the island with partnerships being established between community groups and local shops, factories and the docks

The community appropriates the space

POTENTIAL SITES

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Salon Vivienda

Disused Building

Roof Terrace

Public Space

Vacant Plot

The location of vacant plots determines their suitability for different community groups:

Small Street - part of a small social unit ideal for a use by a very

local group.

Main Street - connects to a larger network, ideal for a use by a

community group that operates throughout the whole of La Isleta.

Public Square - potential to become a point of destination for the residents of La Isleta.

MATERIALS PALETTE 1.PALLET

2.BARREL

3.DOORS

5.TYRES

4.BOTTLES and CANS

6.GLASS

A.FLOOR

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B.WALL

C.ROOF

D.GARDEN

E.FURNITURE

2.E

5.D

4.B 5.B

7.B

1.E

4.B

A.FLOOR 1.PALLET

B.WALL

1.A 1.B

5.B

C.ROOF

D.GARDEN

E.FURNITURE

7.GRAVEL

Construction process

5B Tyre Wall Characteristics - Indoor or outdoor - Load-bearing - Single storey only

Materials

- Tyres - Wooden stakes - Rubble

10/m2 3m/m2 0.6m3/m2

Instruments

- Shovel - Post driver - Tape measure - Plumbline

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Difficulty Knowledge Positives (+)

- Stirdy, Load-bearing construction - Noise and Heat insulation

Negatives (-) - labour intensive

A1 Wooden paletts floor Characteristics - Indoor and outdoor spaces

Materials

- Wooden paletts - Wooden beams - Bolts - Gravel

0.85/m2 2m/m2 6/m2 0.2m3/m2

Instruments - Spirit Level - Saw - Drill - Sander

Difficulty Knowledge Positives (+)

- Good-looking uniform surface - Provides insulation from the floor

Negatives (-)

- Requires precision and uniform materials

Construction process

ACTIVITIES CATALOGUE

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POTENTIAL REALISATION Typologies: vacant plot, disused building and roof terrace Location: main street Activities: performance stage, exhibition space, sports facilities, meeting space Materials: pallets, shipping containers, glass bottles, recycled timber frames, concrete, recycled fabric, planting... Venue for local youth group: Initiated by a local resident wanting to create a space for the local youth to congregate.

Performance Stage

An area for live performances of music, dance etc. Suggested Location: Suggested Typologies: Construction: Considerations: Noise, Capacity, Audience...

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> INFObox: Digital Opportunism: Alternative Mapping

Alexandra Blaylock, Sergi Mateos, Khalid Setaih and Daniel Shevill 76 â&#x20AC;Ś

1 A number of disused buildings on the edge of the La Isleta neighbourhood provide the opportunity to create a stronger physical link to the surrounding ammenities.

2 Blocked off roads and disused buildings on the edge of La Isleta limit access as well as sprawl.

3 These disused buildings at a cross road are adjacent to a number of roofterraces that provide opportunities to rise above the streetscape.

4 This long deep site cuts through the urban fabric and multiple social units allowing for potential connections.

5 Plaza de Ferret is an example of successful public space and how buildings interact with this space.

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Defining a Network INFObox establishes the environments in which, language facilities, work stations, children’s games and the internet can be accessed

“

> INFObox: Digital Opportunism: Alexandra Blaylock, Sergi Mateos, Khalid Setaih and Daniel Shevill INFObox: The Digital Opportunism programme draws on the ideology behind Deleuze and Guattari’s Lines of Flight concept in which; ‘Lines of Flight transgress thresholds of normal conventions towards unexpected manifestations’. As thresholds are broken, spatial environments begin to occupy new territories. The semiotics of social and urban patterns can be connected to the cultural environments reflected within La Isleta’s micro-social units. INFObox: Digital Opportunism constructs a ‘molecular reform’ in the urban fabric of Las Palmas, therefore creating spaces for community interaction. Overriding social issues within the neighbourhood are; high levels of unemployment, lack of opportunity to study language and the potential to create cities for children. INFObox establishes the environments in which, language facilities, work stations, children’s games and the internet can be accessed. This generates the potential social and spatial sphere in which La Isleta’s residents can develop new digital skills and networks to enhance opportunities in the area. The project aims to colonize the vacant plots and other adjacent typologies of potential public space. This will form the urban interface between La Isleta’s

micro-social units. In order to materialise the INFObox project, a ‘HUB’ for the program will be located on the northern tip of the neighbourhood. This peripheral location has primarily been selected for the interaction between various spatial typologies of public space and a local school. The site also has aspirations to engage with the wider district. By providing these amenities for La Isleta the INFObox ‘HUB’ will act as an electronic registration reception, in which members of the community sign up for the program to access the facilities. Once registered to the project community members can enter the PODs. These interventions will begin to arise across the neighbourhood as spatial opportunities for intervention arise, within vacant plots. In attempt to create an adaptable and evolving fabric to the landscape, the ‘HUB’ will supply the physical material and tuition for the construction of the information units. The community construct their own temporary units, to suit their own needs. The project places the designer in the middle of the process allowing the population to establish their own identity that will radiate around the Island.

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Radiation from the HUB The HUB is the centrality of INFObox: Digital Opportunism. It is a process by which INFObox PODs are displaced throughout La Isleta to provide the physical interface for a new community digital network. • • • • •

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Community members learn to build PODS for different typologies. INFObox HUB provides space and materials for the PODs to built by the community. Materials to build the PODS are stored in adjacent disused buildings. People come to learn about INFObox and register to be able to access PODS. Examples of LanguagePODS and ChildrensPODS can be seen and link to the nearby school

As soon as a vacant plot becomes available in La Isleta the community can begin to establish and create a digital manifestation. Typology options for a plot are WorkPOD, GeneralPOD, ChildrensPOD and LanguagePOD depending on the need and location. Alternatively individual PODs can be located in any free space and act as a parasitic intervention. POD Typologies 1. LanguagePOD 2. GeneralPOD 3. WorkPOD 4. ChildrensPOD

Language PODS

Childrens PODS

Disused Building Store

Construction Zone

Roof Terrace Cafe

Construction of the PODs Members of the community construct the cubes themselves at the HUB. They can essentially design their own PODs depending on the site arangement, choosing the combination of panel options. Polycarbonate (2 different types of panel), Timber or Mesh.

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1. Fitting the Panel into the uprights

2. Drilling the panel into place

3. Attaching the side to L-Plate.

4. Drilling the corner supports.

POD features: • • • • •

Mesh Panels for ventilation. Light weight panels for ease of transportation. Screwed together for ease of construction and deconstruction. Option of wheels for moveability on site. Pin-coded door locks for controlled access.

Appropriating Vacant Plots CONSTRUCTION ZONE

82 â&#x20AC;Ś Transport of the POD from the HUB to site.

Individual Parasitic PODs

Gridbase for more than one POD

Electricity connections run under the grid base from an adjacent approving building or power supply, the internet is wireless from the HUB.

How To Gain POD Access Want access to a computer?

La Isleta

When you want access ring or text the HUB and you will be given a PINCODE for a POD door. This will allow access to a certain typology, for the length of time you desire.

Take the PINCODE to the INFObox Site you want to use.

Your PINCODE will open a POD door and allow you access to a computer a limited length of time.

You will have an allocated amount of time to use the computer for free, after which point you may be charged to continue depending on the typology.

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INFObox : Typologies Typology 1 - SINGULAR APPROPRIATION

84 â&#x20AC;Ś

Typology 1 provides a single rentable space which can take advantage of any site in La Isleta appearing on any street corner or public square. Internet access and the opportunity to learn new skills, strengthens job opportunities and may potentially encourage an influx and outflux of business from an economically deprived region of Las Palmas. Typology 2 - Language PODs In order to encourage education growth within La Isleta. INFObox can also provide larger manifestations of PODs offering a digital learning environment for languages, taking resources from online library facilites. The larger configurations allow the opportunity for group learning and tutoring sessions. The community can obtain new skills, which will potentially expand their horizons.

General Use PODs Interior Perspective

Typology 3 - Childrens Gaming PODs A digital playground for children, with temporary installations of gaming units. The random arrangement of the PODs uses wheels and allows for flexibility to adapt to the changing trends of children’s technological desires. The street facade acts as a safety buffer between road and contained children’s space.

…85 Typology 4 - General Use PODs The arrangement of the general use typology recaptures public space from the street, to create a multiuse courtyard, which provides a meeting place. This aims to promote community interaction and transcend the micro-social boundaries. The PODs create the environment for the people of La Isleta to have access to the internet and space for recreational activites.

Childrens Gaming Interior Perspective

The YPA Speak Out

Tanausu is an active young man of the neighbourhood who is a part of the youth group Échale Mojo as well as the green collective Ben Magec. Tanausu is a familiar face in the area and a central actor in the varied events that take place around La Isleta. The Young People’s Association is a nongovernment organisation who were established to provide a space as well as opportunities to promote culture. They aim to increase the representation of young people at the local level. The group provide a communication link between young people and authorities such as the local Council. Additionally they enhance the participation of young people in order to increase their sense of belonging to the area. The association is comprised of a core team of five people. Much of their time is spent organising a variety of group activities for up to 50 people in the 2530 age group. Activities include cultural, design, excursions to the countryside, sports, political involvement, media and environmental projects.

Empowerment There is no self-organisation and a place for empowerment is needed. If you don’t give young people the power to decide on issues for themselves they won’t get involved at all. In La Isleta there is a strong tradition of political and social involvement which must be continued.

Open space There is desire for natural and green spaces. La Isleta is close to open land (mountains) but access is poor at present. Much of the area in the mountains belongs to the military and is off limits. There are few public spaces in the area. There are few places to meet friends in La Isleta and they are mostly on street corners or at home. The beach or parks outside La Isleta are popular places to meet friends and pass the time. Public spaces are often overlooked or occupied by bars where people drink and use drugs. Therefore, young people do not spend much time in the public spaces. Young children are not allowed to play in streets alone because of car traffic and fear of crime. The fear of crime would decrease if the urban form, in terms of streets were changed.

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The large square: Casa Pueblo included trees and planting which was much more popular as a space. It was redeveloped (with European funding) to provide an underground car park. The square is on the roof of the car park and is hard surfaced for security reasons (trees provided hiding for drug dealers?). The area is no-longer good for sports, children’s play or general enjoyment. There is no gender equity with regards to use of space. Boys usually occupy the centre for sport while girls stay around edge and there is no interaction between both groups. People cannot see or travel across the square easily because there are no direct visual or walking connections. Dealers now use the walls of the car park and library around the square instead of the trees to hide. The space should be reorganised to make it more integrated. Successful places in La Isleta include the football all-weather pitch (adjacent to the school) and local beach. The all-weather football pitch is only accessible at all times because the lock on the gate is broken.

Activities Young people feel quite angry about their situation. They want more than

just music and cinema. Other than the sports facilities which are provided at the schools, there are none that are regulated and controlled. People have to go outside La Isleta for leisure of cultural activities, which is more possible for those with money to spend. There were spaces for basketball and football near the beach but these areas have been redeveloped with the pedestrianisation of the beachfront. There are no resources for theatre.

Social Young people do remain in La Isleta. Most people, aged 22-30, who move away from the area do return after a while: “If you live here for one year you will stay for another”. Many people own their own homes and remain in the family home which is passed down through generations. When family (or household) sizes increase their houses are extended upwards. This allows people to stay in the area and live near childhood friends and family. This has created a very tight knit community. People have become more private though, and tend to spend more time indoors playing computer games and watching TV. The schools are not well

connected and therefore, pupils do not mix between the schools. La Isleta is a popular area for people. It is quiet, close to the beach, clean and many families with money are moving into the area.

Perception of the area La Isleta has a bad reputation, the fear of crime is quite high but the area is actually quite safe. The image is a legacy of historic problems. There is a need to improve image / perception of the area and increase communication between groups. The perception may also change if public space is improved. There are a lot of local people to provide natural surveillance of the area.

Development history La Isleta has developed over several generations, originating with a shantytype development of wooden houses, replaced in 1920s with solid construction. Many buildings on individual plots have been replaced, although many have been funded with ‘black money’ (money laundered in construction) when the Single European Currency was adopted. The area now has a very high population density of 30,700 per square kilometre. Regulations are alleged to prevent development of stepped roof terraces, instead favouring extensions upwards that encompass the whole building footprint (or perhaps the whole façade).

Transport Employment The area suffers from high unemployment levels. Most people are either employed at the port or in construction. Jobs only tend to be available at the port if there are family connections. Construction jobs have been lost due to the economic recession and its effects on the industry.

People own cars from as early as 18 years for their individual ‘freedom’. Traffic is a big issue but proposals for a Ring Road will not solve problems in La Isleta – the approach is too excessive and focussed on traffic. There are no cycle routes. The conversation with Jonatan was led by Scott Gibson, Laura Fern, Oonagh Baxter, James Dowen, Jon Gabe, Bo Hu.

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> Dynamic Exchange: Alternative Mapping

Oonagh Baxter, Jim Dowen, Jon Gabe and Bo Hu 90 â&#x20AC;Ś

1 5

1 Cul de sac overlooked by a rooftop terrace and balconies. Vacant plot provides opportunity to connect adjacent streets. Multiple garages along street offer potential to activate street frontage.

2 Car dominated environment adjoining area of green landscaping. Holds potential to become pedestrian oriented environment or new public space. This could be supported by existing ground floor uses and overlooking roof terraces.

3 This vacant site adjoining theatre presents opportunity to utilise the space for temporary purposes to support the theatre and improve the character of the street. Potential for informal and flexible performance space enhanced by overlooking roof terraces and balconies.

4 Disused corner buildings along the busy street could create a focal point or gateway to indicate activities further along the street and direct people towards the square.

5 Cul de sac at the end of a quiet street, the building has a roof terrace which could potentially link into the adjacent street while the garage presents potential for an active street frontage.

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From Micro to Macro

“

In contracted form, each space operates in isolation serving the micro-social unit while in expanded form they create a unified whole that extends its reach throughout la Isleta and beyond to Las Palmas

“

> Dynamic Exchange: Oonagh Baxter, Jim Dowen, Jon Gabe and Bo Hu Our project seeks to potentialise the strengths and opportunities of Taliarte through alternative spatial events, interventions and temporary structures. “The area is rich in social capital with a medley of distinctive characters living and working in the area” (Teddy Cruz). A combination of roof terraces, vacant plots, ground floor units, public space and disused buildings creates “a series of interstitial spaces that present significant opportunities” (Pascal Nicolas-le Strat). Drawing inspiration from the existing theatre and ballet school, the desire is to create a social stage that permits the dynamic exchange crucial in tackling social issues and stigma within the area. The concept is to generate flexible spaces that expand and contract in response to shifting urban rhythms; the patterns of daily, weekly, seasonal and annual events that form the everchanging backdrop of community life (Knox 2005). In contracted form, each space operates in isolation serving the micro-social unit while in expanded form they create a unified whole that extends its reach throughout la Isleta and beyond to Las Palmas.

We propose to launch the project with a street party so people can experience rather than imagine its potential. The scheme depends upon community ownership and should develop from individual involvement to become the Taliarte cooperative reinvesting profits back into the community. The project will be an incremental process that cultivates existing activities and allows new uses to flourish. The initial impetus encourages activities to spill out onto the street and reclaim the space; an evolution from donated to modular furniture will enable the space to develop spontaneously in response to community needs. As activity intensifies, new interventions including the ‘community living room’ and theatre extension will be developed. A sequence of spaces will be created that transcend the classification of ‘public or private’ and become ‘reciprocal’ places that weave together the diverse strands of people and activities to create a vibrant urban tapestry. Through natural accrual, the initiative will grow and gain momentum transforming the car park into a community asset. There is no final stage of development; the space should continue to evolve and articulate new spaces for dynamic exchange.

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> Shifting Perceptions: Alternative Mapping

Sarah Gibbons, Charlotte Pennell and Jamie Simpson 100 â&#x20AC;Ś

4 2

3 1

1 This vacant plot on Calle Anzoz lies alongside a busy route into and out of La Isleta.

2 This street, Calle Temisas is a completely unoccupied street.

3 This second vacant plot lies on Calle La Naval and forms part of the perimeter of La Isleta

4 Calle Benartemi is the main shopping street. As a busy street it stands as a boundry line with a vibrant and well populated area standing to the west contrasted by deterioration to the east.

101 â&#x20AC;Ś

102 …

From Micro to Macro

“

This site is in a unique location not only because of the social conditions which are prevalent, but also its connection to the city

“

> Shifting Perceptions: Sarah Gibbons, Charlotte Pennell and Jamie Simpson Our site sits on the boundary between La Isleta and the bus terminal that connects La Isleta to Las Palmas. Our site is a vacant plot on the edge of increasingly decaying urban fabric, with many abandoned buildings. This part of La Isleta has a stigma of crime and fear, which is reinforced by the bus terminal itself which seemed abandoned to the drunk and homeless. This perception of the area is what our proposal will address. This site is in a unique location not only because of the social conditions which are prevalent, but also its connection to the city. The site sits on a road which has strong connections to Las Palmas. On our trip to Las Palmas we encountered a carnival, one of many, which are very important to the island with parades and parties throughout the year. There are eleven in Las Palmas alone and more importantly one, ‘The Fiesta de la Naval,’ a maritime parade which takes place in La Isleta itself. The idea is that the site becomes a ‘carnival factory,’ where costumes and floats could be made, where dances and music could be prepared and practised. Throughout the year the site would be in constant change depending on users. The locals would be the majority users and so a degree of permanency is required.

The cinema, bar, photography studio, crèche, cafe, gardens and dance studio are permanent. The space needs to be able to change and have a sense of flexibility. We propose to design a series of moveable platforms working with the site typology. Our design is concerned with movement as a response to the variety of scales it has to cater from local residents, visitors, to the carnival procession. It can be a space where exchange of ideas can take place, where imagination and ideas can grow, where skills in costume, photography and other forms of carnival production can be harnessed. It can be a place where skills can be learned and where recreation can take place. It will try to counteract poor perceptions of the area. It is a place which can reconnect La Isleta to the city. The design encompasses a number of typologies featured in La Isleta, including roof terraces, vacant plots and disused buildings. The platforms to the back of the site are particularly designed for La Isleta residents, although are accessible to all. They create gardens and roof terraces to the existing apartments. These platforms hope to create a feeling of privacy and ownership, whilst providing key outdoor space. We believe through the programme we are proposing we can start to re-establish the vital link between city and neighbourhood.

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104 â&#x20AC;Ś

Concept: Most of the year the platforms are raised allowing multiple activities to take place. The platforms act as a stepped blurring of the boundary between La Isleta and Las Palmas. At carnival time the platforms are lowered allowing space for the festivities to happen!!

Currently the site is vacant and as it sits on the boundary between the bus terminal and La Isleta creates a perceptible barrier between La Isleta and Las Palmas. Below: To reinforce the relinking of Las Palmas to La Isleta we are introducing platform style bus shelters along the bus routes.

Kit Bag:N x stackable panels N x platform lifts lots of people

Above: Bus routes in La Isleta, the site is highlighted in pink.

105 â&#x20AC;Ś

106 â&#x20AC;Ś Adult Learning

Workshop

Year round use: During the year the site will mostly have all the platforms raised creating more rooms and space to facilitate a variety of activities such as:- Adult learning, Workshops, Studios, Dark rooms, Creche, Gardens, Cafe and flexible public space.

View of the Creche from Calle Benartemi

107 â&#x20AC;Ś

View from La Isleta over new Gardens into the Bus Terminal

107

View into cinema and workshop/ studio space.

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CARNIVAL TIME!! ‘Design can contribute to a connection that makes it possible to consider oneself conversant with a cultural dynamic in different spheres’ Maarten Hajer and Arnols Reijndorp In Search of New Public Domain

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> Making Waves: Alternative Mapping

Mark Brown, Kyon Kim and Laura Fern 110 â&#x20AC;Ś

1 Combination of vacant plots form the potential to provide open space which will link two social units.

2 Series of disused buildings, roof terraces and a vacant plot. This site has a close proximity to the school and social housing which creates the opportunity to provide community links. Local businesses could also benefit from an improved local economy.

3 This space between larger housing blocks is percieved as being private. It contains the potential to provide a network of spaces which connect nearby vacant plots.

4 Existing public space provides coastal views. Here we recognised the potential to provide an extension of the existing space by using overlooking roof terraces as well as disused buildings which are adjacent to the site.

In the same space there are a series of small recesses in buildings which could be used to improve the environment along the adjacent street.

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112 â&#x20AC;Ś

From Micro to Macro

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We strive to develop a programmatic model that creates change at a local level and spreads horizontally over time

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> Making Waves: Mark Brown, Kyon Kim and Laura Fern Our vision for La Isleta takes influence from readings by Teddy Cruz and Pascal Nicolas le-Strat. We strive to develop a programmatic model that creates change at a local level and spreads horizontally over time. We also aim to base local interventions around interstitial spaces. Diverse collective platforms that refrain from adopting a specific identity. The Making Waves programme aims to establish strong reciprocal relationships between the local education system, local business, the local community and slow tourism. Based primarily on the premise of language exchange between the slow tourist and local school children, the main target is the retention of students at the local schools and therefore an enhanced community with greater potential for positive development. Each participant has something to gain from the Making Waves experience. The tourist receives subsidised accommodation in exchange for providing educational and language classes for local children. The community gain the opportunity for additional income by running the

programme and providing local cuisine and entertainment for both the tourist and locals. Connection to a surfing school and workshop enhances the local economy and encourages the involvement of local youth. In terms of the physical nature of the scheme, we have identified a combination of roof terraces, disused buildings, a vacant plot and under-used ground-floor living units and established the following facilities: • • • • •

Accommodation for the tourist and surfing instructor; Classroom spaces; A surf workshop with exhibiting area; A communal reception and menu for activity Flexible shared roof terraces

A small vacant plot situated to the rear of the surf workshop becomes an interstitial space. Vertical circulation in this space bridges two social units, something that the Making Waves programme endeavours to replicate throughout La Isleta.

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Making Waves: The horizontal programme

“I would love an authentic cultural experience of La Isleta”

“We want to stay at our local school but need foreign language skills for the future”

114 … Our programme is concerned with tackling the issue of student retention in La Isleta. Through locating schools in the area, teaming them up with local businesses and the local community and in providing accommodation for the slow tourist, we aim to create a mutually beneficial programme that creates positive ripple effects, strengthening and uniting the whole of La Isleta. Making Waves represents the first attempt to achieve this.

“I could do with some assistance in my workshop”

“How can we generate additional income?”

Summary axonometric Connecting pavilion structure provides storage and space for roof top activities

Shared roof terrace Learning terrace

115 â&#x20AC;Ś

Surferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accommodation

Menu of activity

Surf workshop and shop

Classroom spaces

Tourist accommodation

Unpacking the suitcase A linear intervention that connects four roof terraces and opens up to provide storage and space for a variety of activity.

116 â&#x20AC;Ś

Learning Terrace An extension of the ground floor classrooms offering space for safe outdoor activity and learning

Roof Terraces Local residents maintain full use of their individual roof terrace at designated times

Food The opportunity for members of the local community to serve authentic food to the tourist and other locals

Carnival A space to embrace the carnival season and prepare costumes and events

The Interstice: A 3-D menu for activity The opportunity for local community members to advertise activity and food menus and await an open response.

117 â&#x20AC;Ś

The opened roof terraces provide the perfect venue for meals prepared by local community members. A space for coming together.

The neighbourhood network Activity can extend out into the local community. Local residents provide accommodation and food in their own homes.

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The ripple effect “I’ve had a fantastic holiday! Met some great kids, ate amazing food and have experienced the real La Isleta.”

“We’re developing good language skills and have been able to stay at our local school.”

“Business is booming thanks to assistance and the new selling platform.”

“Cooking has been a great way of getting to know each other better and the extra money is a bonus!.”

119 â&#x20AC;Ś

Participate in the Making Waves programme and experience the most fulfilling holiday of your life. Stay in fantastic accommodation situated in the real La Isleta opposite the friendly Barrientos bar and within short walking distance from the world famous Confital Bay. Take advantage of authentic locally prepared traditional cuisine at the Making Waves roof terrace and become part of the local community. Meet enthusiastic children and pass on your knowledge. Do something rewarding on your travels, participate in the Making Waves programme.

A Conversation with Jonatan

Jonatan has lived in La Isleta all his life and his family have been here for over a hundred years. A few years ago he initiated a website (www.conocelaisleta. info) primarily aimed at residents of La Isleta that provides information about the area. Initially the website contained information relating to archaeology and history in the area, but as the website expanded in content it also expanded to contain information relating to more current events.

Tourism Jonatan explained that unlike other areas of the Canaries tourism generates only a very small part of the economy of Las Palmas, it is virtually non-existent in La Isleta itself.

Economy The entire economy of La Isleta, and to a lesser extent Las Palmas, is based around the port, which is essentially a petrol station for intercontinental cargo ships. Most of the people from La Isleta who work, do so in relation to the port. Historically the port has been responsible for the increase in the multicultural community particularly Chinese and Indian groups.

Population expansion After the death of Franco many Gran Canarian families returned to the islands from South and Central America; particularly Cuba and Venezuela. This in part explains the very fast population growth and the appearance of a South American style of architecture. Jonatan’s website is also used to help those returning find their families again.

Benefit culture In recent years there has been a reversal in attitudes with regard to employment. By and large local people are very rooted to La Isleta and this causes problems of its own. Few unemployed leave in search of better jobs on other islands or the mainland there is a general acceptance of the government allowance.

Property prices Land and property is very expensive in La Isleta with the average house price roughly €200,000 (£170,000). This along with overcrowding often causes extended families to live together under one roof.

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122 â&#x20AC;Ś

Universidad Popular

Public space

The Universidad Popular was an essential resource for the community. It was sited near the square until ten years ago. It was used at night for adult education as well as sports in the evenings for the local community. Since its move to its present site ten years ago this important role is no longer evident. It was felt that there was a need for a more informal indoor meeting space.

The locals are used to getting together informally. Generally speaking there is a gender divide in the way people meet. Men tend to meet outside on the street and in bars. Women tend to use the beach. However in recent years due to modern living, free time is often spent inside the home.

Drugs Though not as prevalent in recent years there is a perceived drug problem in the area, with drug dealing often being visible in the main square in La Isleta.

Residents Associations La Isleta is home to approximately 30 residents associations of differing sizes. Due to politics and competition between them there is considerable tension between the groups who are made up of mostly older residents. People with strong connections are seen as threats and vice versa.

Religious Groups

Public schools

The predominant religion in the area is Catholicism, but there are a number of other churches in the area such as Evangelical Christian, and traditional Chinese and Indian places of worship. There is generally little tension between the groups.

School standards are felt to have dropped in recent years and there is a growing preference for Private schooling. This has seen the innovation of government assisted private schooling where the government subsidises children’s school fees.

Car dependence The conversation with Jonatan was led by Chris Müller, Fedra Papalexandri and Nick Scanell

“

Men tend to meet outside on the street and in bars. Women tend to use the beach

“

The bus system around La Isleta is unreliable and inconvenient, and is therefore not used very much. There is also a cultural preference for the car, which will regularly be used for short trips to the shops. It is felt that it will take alot of effort to change embedded attitudes. Cycle use is limited due to the steep topography of the area.

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Contributors

Oonagh Baxter, Sophie Bioul, Alexandra Blaylock, Mark Brown, Marion Catonne, Shaun Cuggy, Vicente J. Diaz Garcia, Jim Dowen, Laura Fern, Jon Gabe, Georgia Giannopoulou, Sarah Gibbons, Scott Gibson, Bo Hu, Samuel Kenny, Kyon Kim, Dominic Lamb, Pablo Ley Bosch, James Longfield, Daniel Mallo, Manuel J. Martin Hernandez, Sergi Mateos, Christopher Müller, Robert Newsham, Carina Olander, Fedra Papalexandri, Charlotte Pennell, Rachel Phillips, Cathy Russell, Nicholas Scannell, Khalid Setaih, Daniel Shevill, Jamie Simpson, Mark Stewart, Armelle Tardiveau, Tim Townshend and Nicolas Vallée.

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