FIRST PRIZE. International Competition Metropolitan Park, La Carlota

Summary project.

The 103 hectares occupied by the Francisco de Miranda military air base (Aeropuerto La Carlota) is located in the center of the city. The selected proposal takes advantage of the old airport to restore the natural elements that structured the valley, taking into consideration the ecosystem and biodiversity through the rivers that flow from the Avila Mountain and the original condition of the Guaire River, creating floodplains that can be used for recreational and educational activities. The proposal will be transformed into a regulation as part of the plan Caracas 2020. The construction of this park would offer the opportunity to re-connect the city physically and socially, in a moment of democratic changes in Venezuela, proposing a great space for the encounter of all the inhabitants of a city that has been divided for such a long time.

The winning idea proposes the most efficient use of space with great potential for social and urban integration through the implementation of five interrelated strategies that will result in new relationships and meanings for the city:

1.    Environmental Balance: Recovery of the natural landscape of the Valley of Caracas, strengthening ecological connectivity between the Ávila, the main river (Rio Guaire) and the hills to the south. Contribution to the river sanitation and flood control. Re-naturalization of the river and streams, to and consolidation of a metropolitan park system and green corridors, using other potential spaces in the city.

2.    Urban Dynamics: Contribution to the urban mobility in a city that has been congested by the increasing use of the private automobile. Connection of the urban fabric and transformation of the park into a transportation hub integrated to the Metro System and other public transport alternatives, like electric trolley system, bike paths and pedestrian walkways. Development of a plan with the center in La Carlota to attend emergencies at the metropolitan level and creation of a set of well served heliports to contribute efficiently in this matter.

3.    Social Encounter: Creating opportunities for education and innovation, new public spaces, cultural institutions and sports facilities. Creation of an “Air Park”, to honor the memory of the place as an airport and allowing recreational activities open to the sky. The same space would serve as an open space for large gatherings, concerts, fire works and demonstrations made especially for the encounter and reconciliation of the people of Caracas, as the Agora of the City

4.    New housing developments: Compact and polycentric model of occupation with emphasis in ecological and economic sustainability to develop density and services in a new centrality at metropolitan scale, using the airspace previously occupied by the approach cone of the runway. Develop Special Plans with local municipalities and residents to increase the density in the surrounding neighborhoods and new rental developments on public land on top of the highway as connectors to bring the city closer to the park, and also generate financial resources for its construction and maintenance.

5.    Management Model: A model based on the proposed 3 phases, cost estimates and funding sources to create Development Corporations between neighboring, municipalities and private developers under the model of public-private partnerships, which allow them to manage their own benefits and funds for this project.