“A promising economic model to literally mine cities rather than nature” – Holcim Awards Jury
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Project entry 2014 Latin America – Under Construction: Restoring an urban historical center, Quito, Ecuador
“To understand the problems of this Quito heritage site, it is essential to discuss and define access policies and management that are sustainable and inclusive. All citizens should have equal participation access, not only experts and not only on merely technical requirements. Point of views, mandates and thoughts of other actors need to be considered, as well as the demanding duties which cannot be delegated to the state.” – Jaime Erazo, PhD Urban Studies and collaborator on the project.
The jury noted that Under Construction is one of few entries in the competition that suggests a method rather than espousing a specific design proposal. The recommended approach encompasses the use of a near-extinct form of trade to rescue threatened historical centers. Additionally, the strategy involves the reuse and recycling of existing material stocks.
Last updated: July 05, 2014 San José, Costa Rica
The jury noted that Under Construction is one of few entries in the competition that suggests a method rather than espousing a specific design proposal. The recommended approach encompasses the use of a near-extinct form of trade to rescue threatened historical centers. Additionally, the strategy involves the reuse and recycling of existing material stocks. Materials that cannot be directly reprocessed are re-inserted into new use-cycles: wood for making furniture, stones for making foundations and construction debris for making gardens. All in all, the design promotes not only a promising economic model, but most importantly one put to work to literally mine cities rather than nature.