Urban Design Lab Handbook – Dialogue-oriented urban transformation processes and practical approaches from Latin America and the Caribbean

C
Solutions
EMERGING TOPICS
Activate heritage monument
Many buildings, including protected heritage monuments,
are in a very poor physical condition. The renovation
and maintenance of historic wooden buildings is
very costly and house-owners cannot afford necessary
investments. Unclear ownership structures as well as
a lack of subsidies and regulations contribute to the
situation. Moreover, fire hazard poses a great threat to
wooden structures.
Arts and culture as a catalyst
Paramaribo has a rich cultural heritage and diversity.
Culinary events, sports and crafts are very important
for the Surinamese population. While some neighborhoods
around the historic center are strongly influenced
by the cultural background of their residents
(shops, restaurants and street markets), Paramaribo’s
inner city lacks activities that stand for the country’s
rich culture.
Stop monofunctionality
The historic center lacks diversity as regards functions
and activities—most buildings accommodate (government)
offices that close in the early afternoon. Many
buildings are disused. There is a very limited number of
residents in the core zone of the historic center, which
is why the inner city turns into a dead place in the
afternoons and at night.
Life at eye level
While there are lively commercial neighborhoods
around the historic center and in the suburbs, the inner
city itself lacks businesses, shops, restaurants and
creative spaces. The ground floor areas are in a state
of decline. Shopkeepers find it unattractive to open a
business due to high rental costs and a lack of customers.
This contributes to the abandoned character of
the historic city.
Introduce affordable housing
The historic center counts only a limited number
of residents. Land and rental prices are too high
for regular households. People also prefer to live in
stand-alone buildings with a garden and parking
space. However, the revitalization of the inner city
and the creation of new housing typologies could
attract certain groups—including tourists, expats,
elderly people, or young couples and families—to
move to the historic center.
Lack of public space
Apart from a few public spaces, there is a clear lack
of attractive recreational areas in the historic center.
Open spaces within the inner city lack shade, street
furniture or facilities for children and youngsters. The
absence of trees providing shade make walking and
strolling through the city center inconvenient, which
is why even short distances are travelled by car.
Ineffective mobility
During office hours, the historic city faces great traffic
problems. The public transportation system is ineffective,
and most people rely on their cars. This creates
traffic jams, noise and pollution—especially along the
main transport corridors, and contributes to the tight
parking situation in the inner city. Cars often block
sidewalks, which makes walking inconvenient.
Security as a concern
Public safety is a great concern. Some areas are recognized
as “no-go” zones at night time. This is partly
related to the high numbers of homeless people, some
of whom appear to suffer from drug addiction or mental
illness, sleeping on porches or inside vacant buildings.
Paramaribo’s red light district is a disreputable place
located in the historic center, and people particularly
avoid this area at night.
GOALS
The vision of the project for the historic center of Paramaribo
is to create a lively place with sustainable housing
projects and interconnected public spaces that
facilitate human scale mobility, and to enhance the
historic center by activating commercial, cultural and
social values that create a vibrant economy. Therefore,
population size shall be increased in an attractive
urban environment suitable for different target groups
by creating more proximity between housing, parks
and working places. A system of green, safe public
spaces shall be created to provide shade and light in a
walkable streetscape, as well as recreational areas for
residents, customers, and visitors. Through mixed-use
developments, especially in ground-floor zones, job
opportunities in the creative and technology sector
(start-ups, entrepreneurs, etc.), restaurants, cafés and
shops should be created. A community-building process
shall be incentivized by creating civic networks
to enhance intangible heritage and cultural values, and
to manage a process supporting functional diversity
and mixed use in the historic center.
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