MSAUD: Spring Studio 2007

Urban Design Spring 2007

columbia university, gsapp

Two Conurbations in Evolution: Quito + Guayaquil

urban design studio III

-kinetic infrastructurestwo port paradigms

Global Cities are in competition with one another. Those in equatorial south are challenged to tap into the flows of eco-nomic and information currents that pre-dominantly occur in the North. In order to keep pace with a changing market where speed, efficiency, and cost determine suc-cess or failure cities must adapt and re-align. The Port is the stage where the city extends beyond its physical borders into realms that were previously out of reach.

Examination of two similar conditions at various stages of development, one of de-cline and one of emergence are assessed in Ecuador’s main cities: Guayaquil and Qui-to. What can be learned from an urban ac-tor that is no longer economically viable? Similarly, what happens when an inserted urban actor becomes the change agent?

kinetic infrastructures: guayaquil

The port is fading. The largest landhold-er in the southern part of the city will see diminished use in the coming years due to the new Port in Posorja (70km south) and Manta to the North. The area of the port is unstable, unsafe and uninviting providing less than 100 direct, full-time positions although it does provide spo-radic and indirect employment for the sur-rounding informal communities. A new at-tractor must take over for the community as the Port phases itself out. A new urban actor providing stability and generating economic growth while attracting local, regional and global visitors through a re-habilitated waterfront. Simply creating a connection to the water is crucial

Avenue de Quito bi-sects the city and serves as the main armature connecting airport, central business district, and diverse neighborhoods. Terminating at the Port of Guayaquil, the prominent axis is the likely catalyst for economic regenera-tion when infused with programmatic func-tions geared around water: ECO-PARK / AQUARIUM / CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL / INTEMO-DAL TRANSIT HUB. Supporting cast of Ho-tel, Retail + Restaurant, informal market and Event Space allow for a more robust development.

Sandwiched between flows of inbound and outbound, lies a long, narrow lot, ap-prox. 60m wide x 1000m long. Keeping the first phase within the boundaries of the road will allow for the port (in whatever capacity) to function. Program is stacked vertically with undulating topography. Rising above the traffic and the port the visitor has a new vantage point of the surroundings as they traverse eco-park. A visual connection to water and mangroves is made. Swimming pools and water slides further enforce waters presence.

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kinetic infrastructures: quito

A new airport is emerging in the Yaruqui valley northeast of the city. This will spark major growth in the areas surround-ing the airport and road transportation networks. Freshly paved road networks (with more on the way) will improve ac-cess to the airport. Land value will cre-ate development pressure along these cor-ridors. Direct and In-direct businesses servicing the airport will spring up in these suburban / agricultural communities. Unless it is kept in check or planned for properly these new developments will erad-icate the current identity, increase the socio-economic divide and drive some ex-isting residents from their homes.

A new connector road has been rolled over the landscape directly south of the air-port. Ripe for development due to its proximity to not only the airport but the Pan American highway, this piece of in-frastructure will serve as a magnet for support programs of the airport. Its or-ganization must be condensed and elastic allowing needs and values of surrounding undeveloped areas to be utilized for fu-ture economies of Ecuador. Methods of inclusion to benefit those outside of the airports “loop” must also be taken into account.

Airports are organized by a system of in-bound and outbound flows. The movement is continuous: Arrival/Departure Drop-off/Pick-up Import/Export On-time/Delay

Adjacent service and support areas are or-ganized in the same manner. Functions are divided into to and from. Service roads of varying speeds, fast to slow, determine location of program and speed in which it is accessed and used. Here the road splits the site through the middle creating mirrored elements of oppo-site conditions. Transit hub at the cen-tral core creates inter-provincial links to surrounding cities. Utilizing a loop-ing road technique and allowing pedestri-an ROW along the outside edge helps to further organize and contain development. This condensed form allows for adjacent plots to be non-urbanized.

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