Catálogo de Investigaciones 2017-2018

CATÁLOGO DE INVESTIGACIONES | AÑO ACADÉMICO 2017-2018 119 Urban Scotomas: A Chance to Fill the Gaps Research and census data on the urban centers of Puerto Rico show that they have lost vitality and population significantly, which has a socio-economic impact that detriments infrastructure, public safety, businesses, the quality of life of residents, and the ability to attract investment and visitors. The sprawl and the development of shopping centers as urban centres, in particular, have contributed to this dynamic and, in turn, generate urban voids, or “urban scotomas” as referred to in this work. “Scotomas” cause ruptures in the urban fabric that segregate public spaces and their programs, losing consistency and functionality. The architectural project in reference identifies these “scotomas” as an opportunity to re-populate and re-program the space in order to activate the historical centre. A “scotoma” was chosen from the Ponce municipality since this area reflects the highest rate of population loss in the island, according to the United States Census Bureau. The proposal consists of a design of spaces, which are dedicated to art and culture, both reliable promoters of activity and economy, in mixed-use buildings that combine housing with commercial and public spaces. These spaces are self-sufficient creating a network of nodes of activity that would work together to re-generate the space and eliminate scotomas. One of these nodes, ARTEA ETXEA, or art house, is a complex comprising a hotel, galleries, workshops, housing for artists and spaces for itinerant activities. As a Center for the exchange of ideas, commerce and tourism attraction, it also enhances the development of outlying areas, which will return the dynamism to this area of the historic center of Ponce. segismundo itturralde lópez bachillerato en arquitectura mentor: arq. manuel de lemos y arq. raúl rivera urban voids re-populate scotomas sprawl historic center