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

C
Solutions
EMERGING TOPICS
GOALS
Lack of public space
Quetzaltenango has very little public space to offer its
citizens. Its central area does contain a few parks and
open spaces, but these do not fully satisfy the need
for public spaces. Additionally, recreational and sport
facilities are needed, but are not available. Once a
month, one of the main arteries in the neighborhood
is partially closed for cycling and walking.
Potential of art and culture
The Intercultural Center has already positioned itself
as an incubator for museums, galleries, art schools,
etc. However, the poor condition of the buildings and
lack of maintenance are affecting the quality of the
displays. The current exhibition program is hosted in
a very small part of the Intercultural Center, leaving
most of it abandoned or underused.
Creative industries as an economic catalyst
During the workshops that were held in the Intercultural
Center many participants claimed that arts and
crafts could be a potential engine for local economic
development in the city, especially as regards the
Intercultural Center. As most of the area is underused,
a temporary use program could be developed to test
new ideas: creative industries in the context of rural
hubs.
Affordable housing in the central area
Quetzaltenango has a spatial growth rate of approximately
nine percent per year, i. e. some 60 hectares of
land are being urbanized on the urban fringe annually.
People claim that the housing market is under a certain
amount of pressure because there are no housing
developments for apartment buildings in the central
area. The district is losing its inhabitants and the
housing stock is not undergoing renewal.
Weak connectivity and accessibility
Quetzaltenango is a trove of heritage buildings, mostly
dating back to the prosperous times of coffee export.
Hence there are historical parks and plazas that attract
thousands of locals every day. However, the added
value of frequented public spaces is not used to de -
velop socio-economic hubs. The Intercultural Center
has the potential to combine quality public spaces,
a public transportation hub, and socio-economic
attractors. A diverse, accessible cultural space for all
will serve as an emblematic meeting place both at the
local and city levels.
The general objective is to improve the Intercultural
Center as a cultural hub in Quetzaltenango characterized
by a diversity of activities and accessibility for all.
The Center will be transformed into a new centrality,
a place for identity-building and exchange for citizens.
Specific objectives include the integration of the Intercultural
Center into the public transportation system,
and the enhancement of, and connection to public
spaces. Furthermore, new social infrastructure shall
be provided by revitalizing and providing new uses for
heritage buildings—creating a permeable and accessible
urban space for all. The stock of housing in the
central area has to be renewed by upgrading existing
buildings and erecting new multifamily homes.
URBAN STRATEGY
The Intercultural Center constitutes an emblematic,
diverse, accessible, active renovation project for the
city of Quetzaltenango. It has the potential to become
an integral model of economic revitalization by enhancing
the role of culture as a public and economic good.
This can be achieved through the commercialization
of creative industries, with the support of the visual
arts, crafts, audiovisuals, design, and new media. The
Center can also offer creative services such as architecture,
culture and recreation, and the promotion of
research and development. Heritage buildings will be
rehabilitated, non-historical and culturally irrelevant
buildings will be demolished. New uses—such as technology,
cultural activities, sport and residential uses—
will be introduced into the Intercultural Center.
PROJECTS
Revitalization of heritage buildings
The proposal seeks to revitalize and adapt two heritage
buildings inside the former central railway station, and
to implement new uses for them within a future art and
culture hub. Inside the first building, refurbished spaces
for new and existing museums and commercial art galleries
will be provided. The second building will house
an extension to the existing art school. Both spaces will
integrate their program into the city’s cultural agenda.
Technology and knowledge hub
Through strategic alliances with the academic sector,
spaces for the development of technology, innovation,
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