This book may seem a simple accumulation of twenty-one public space projects in eight Latin American cities. On closer inspection, the presentation of project descriptions, photographs, and annotated drawings reflects a concern to analytically explain the operative aspects at work.

The publication is not intended to serve only as a catalogue, guide, or manual on how to produce public space in spontaneous settlements. Rather, it goes beyond the aims of an index of best practices. It is intended, instead, as an empirical base for a critical and theoretical engagement with the problematic of development, social inclusion, public investment, (in)formal settlement, civil society and the public sphere. The publication achieves its final function at this third level, by providing a compelling argument to expand the agency of architects and urban designers and creatively find ways of justifying, financing, and building public spaces in communities ?spaces that have a catalytic effectiveness in achieving significant urban and social transformation.

This book was awarded by a Graham Foundation Grant and CAF Development Bank of Latin America.

FEATURED CASE STUDIES:
CONSERVATION
72 Linear parks along the Estero Salado | Guayaquil, Ecuador
80 National Park Babil.nia and Chap.u Mangueira | R.o de Janeiro, Brasil
88 Urban agriculture along the Rimac River | Lima, Peru


WASTE MANAGEMENT
96 Moravia Ecological Park | Medellin, Colombia
104 Plaza La Cruz, La Palomera | Caracas, Venezuela


RISKMANAGEMENT
112 El Guasmo Beach, floodable park | Guayaquil, Ecuador
120 Safety plazas in Santa Mar.a El Triunfo | Lima, Peru
128 Recovery of the Juan Bobo Creek | Medellin, Colombia


INFRASTRUCTURE
136 Northeast metrocable parks Comuna 1, La Popular | Medell.n, Colombia
144 Barrio Las Independencias escalators and walkways | Medellin, Colombia
152 Funicular in Dona Marta | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
160 Complexo do Alem.o | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
168 Ecotecnia Urbana Miravalle | Mexico City, Mexico


PAVEMENT, PATHS AND THE SPACE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS
176 Pavement, paths and stairs Cerro Santo Doming and Cerro Toro | Valpara.so, Chile
184 Cerro Santa Ana urban rehabilitation | Guayaquil, Ecuador
192 Fernando Botero Library | Medellin, Colombia
200 Moravia Cultural Center | Medellin, Colombia
208 Espa.o Crian.a and community programs | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
216 Plaza in Villa Tranquila | Buenos Aires, Argentina


ACTIVITY
224 Casa Kolacho Comuna 13 | Medellin, Colombia
232 AfroReggae Cultural Center | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
240 Alto Per. | Lima, Peru
248 El Calvario Puertas Abiertas | Caracas, Venezuela