URBAN DESIGN STUDIO IV / V : THESIS
Abstract
Latin American historic inner cities encompass rich historical backgrounds. A combination of cultural traditions and architectural styles amalgamate in a historic urban layout. The Spanish Law of Indies dictated the scenic urban focal point of a plaza bounded by the religious, political and economic institutions. However, the emerging urban trend in macrocefalias, the expansion of the city to the peripheries, has taken over Latin American cities. The city of Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras is no exception to the case. Analyzing the historic inner city, successful revitalization's in other cities would provide guidelines in creating a successful historic district. The design for the history and pedestrian nature of the historic center can restore an urban identity for the inner city in Tegucigalpa.
Latin American historic inner cities encompass rich historical backgrounds. A combination of cultural traditions and architectural styles amalgamate in a historic urban layout. The Spanish Law of Indies dictated the scenic urban focal point of a plaza bounded by the religious, political and economic institutions. However, the emerging urban trend in macrocefalias, the expansion of the city to the peripheries, has taken over Latin American cities. The city of Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras is no exception to the case. Analyzing the historic inner city, successful revitalization's in other cities would provide guidelines in creating a successful historic district. The design for the history and pedestrian nature of the historic center can restore an urban identity for the inner city in Tegucigalpa.
Resumen
El centro histórico Latino Americano se destaca por su riqueza cultural e histórica. La combinación de tradiciones culturales y estilos arquitectónicos se amalgaman en un histórico ordenamiento urbano. La plaza como elemento urbano focal, rodeado de las más importantes instituciones religiosas, políticas y económicas fueron establecidas por la colonia Española en Las Leyes de las Indias. Sin embargo, las tendencias actuales de las macrocefalias, el crecimiento desproporcionado de las ciudades fuera de su periferia, se ha apoderado de la ciudad latinoamericana. La ciudad de Tegucigalpa, capital de Honduras, no es excepción al caso. El éxito obtenido por las recientes revitalizaciones y planes de intervencion de otras ciudades Latinoamericanas serviría como un caso a seguir para el distrito histórico de Tegucigalpa. La busqueda de un resurgimiento peatonal y tangible es necesario para la restauración de la identidad nacional en la ciudad de Tegucigalpa.
El centro histórico Latino Americano se destaca por su riqueza cultural e histórica. La combinación de tradiciones culturales y estilos arquitectónicos se amalgaman en un histórico ordenamiento urbano. La plaza como elemento urbano focal, rodeado de las más importantes instituciones religiosas, políticas y económicas fueron establecidas por la colonia Española en Las Leyes de las Indias. Sin embargo, las tendencias actuales de las macrocefalias, el crecimiento desproporcionado de las ciudades fuera de su periferia, se ha apoderado de la ciudad latinoamericana. La ciudad de Tegucigalpa, capital de Honduras, no es excepción al caso. El éxito obtenido por las recientes revitalizaciones y planes de intervencion de otras ciudades Latinoamericanas serviría como un caso a seguir para el distrito histórico de Tegucigalpa. La busqueda de un resurgimiento peatonal y tangible es necesario para la restauración de la identidad nacional en la ciudad de Tegucigalpa.
Identity of a Historic District / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
Real Minas de San Miguel de Heredia de Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela, the dual city or twin city, have worked together as the Central District (Municipio del Distrito Central) since 1937. The expansion of the city has reached beyond the planned limits, therefore it was divided into rural and urban sectors that form the entire capital region. The urban sector comprehends 201.5 km²; the rural sector is composed by 41 villages and 293 settlements (Duron and Padilla, 2007).
Historic District of Tegucigalpa
The historic district of Tegucigalpa is located at the Northeastern part of the city. According to the Honduran Institute of Anthropology it is composed by Barrios El Centro, Los Dolores, Abajo, Moncada, El Jazmin, La Merced, La Ronda, La Plazuela and La Hoya. Its extensive collection of National Landmarks includes Morazan Park, San Miguel Arcangel Cathedral and Ave. Paz Barahona among others. Through its collection of architecture, government buildings, the Choluteca River and bridges, the historic district stands out as a monument as a hole. The recent threats of modernity colliding with preservation have awakened a new era for this historic district, looking forward in the search for national identity.
Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela, the dual city or twin city, have worked together as the Central District (Municipio del Distrito Central) since 1937. The expansion of the city has reached beyond the planned limits, therefore it was divided into rural and urban sectors that form the entire capital region. The urban sector comprehends 201.5 km²; the rural sector is composed by 41 villages and 293 settlements (Duron and Padilla, 2007).
Historic District of Tegucigalpa
The historic district of Tegucigalpa is located at the Northeastern part of the city. According to the Honduran Institute of Anthropology it is composed by Barrios El Centro, Los Dolores, Abajo, Moncada, El Jazmin, La Merced, La Ronda, La Plazuela and La Hoya. Its extensive collection of National Landmarks includes Morazan Park, San Miguel Arcangel Cathedral and Ave. Paz Barahona among others. Through its collection of architecture, government buildings, the Choluteca River and bridges, the historic district stands out as a monument as a hole. The recent threats of modernity colliding with preservation have awakened a new era for this historic district, looking forward in the search for national identity.
Master Plan / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
The Centrality of Morazan
Originally the Central Plaza was established as an empty lot in 1589 for religious, political and market uses. It was remodeled and renamed in honor of Francisco Morazan in 1883, 1890, 1963, ultimately in 2005.
The current layout completely ignores the sense of place and space that made the park a symbol of national identity. Its centrality and pedestrian nature, as well as the current layout provides the opportunity to function as a dual plaza. This enables uses demanded by political, religious and economic activities to take place.
Originally the Central Plaza was established as an empty lot in 1589 for religious, political and market uses. It was remodeled and renamed in honor of Francisco Morazan in 1883, 1890, 1963, ultimately in 2005.
The current layout completely ignores the sense of place and space that made the park a symbol of national identity. Its centrality and pedestrian nature, as well as the current layout provides the opportunity to function as a dual plaza. This enables uses demanded by political, religious and economic activities to take place.
Gen. Francisco Morazan Central Park / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
La Concepcion Market Plaza / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
Ave. Miguel Paz Barahona Streetscape
Is the main avenue that crosses the entire Historic District through the center of the Morazan Park. It was popularly remodeled into the “Pedestrian Street” or “Paseo Liquidambar” after its completion in 2005. The remodeling phase, although a success for pedestrian circulation, lacks connectivity to the heritage, history and place.
The introduction of materiality and patterns, as well as tree lawn streetscaping would reinforce the centrality of the space. This treatment would provide a sense of space that enables the Honduran “cafe” and promenade culture to evolve.
Is the main avenue that crosses the entire Historic District through the center of the Morazan Park. It was popularly remodeled into the “Pedestrian Street” or “Paseo Liquidambar” after its completion in 2005. The remodeling phase, although a success for pedestrian circulation, lacks connectivity to the heritage, history and place.
The introduction of materiality and patterns, as well as tree lawn streetscaping would reinforce the centrality of the space. This treatment would provide a sense of space that enables the Honduran “cafe” and promenade culture to evolve.
Ave. Miguel Paz Barahona / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
A Symbolic Market Place
Los Dolores Church stands monumentally in front of Los Dolores Plaza and Market. The church was originally constructed between 1579 - 1812 with the arrival of the first settlers in Tegucigalpa. Los Dolores market was erected as an Art Deco style building to replace the old building of the 1880’s. Augusto Bressani designed the original structure. It was inaugurated in 1922, later remodeled in 1958 and finally demolished in 1978. Ultimately it was replaced with the existing market in 2004.
This project proposes the replacement of the temporary structures with thin shell structures, a modern representation of the ones introduced by national engineer Francisco Pratts in 1965.
Los Dolores Church stands monumentally in front of Los Dolores Plaza and Market. The church was originally constructed between 1579 - 1812 with the arrival of the first settlers in Tegucigalpa. Los Dolores market was erected as an Art Deco style building to replace the old building of the 1880’s. Augusto Bressani designed the original structure. It was inaugurated in 1922, later remodeled in 1958 and finally demolished in 1978. Ultimately it was replaced with the existing market in 2004.
This project proposes the replacement of the temporary structures with thin shell structures, a modern representation of the ones introduced by national engineer Francisco Pratts in 1965.
Los Dolores Market and Plaza / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
The Importance of Monumental Architecture
The outstanding collection of architectural heritage buildings that composes the historic district of Tegucigalpa comes together in Ave. Miguel Paz Barahona. The National Identity Museum erected in 1881, the Correos Nacionales de Honduras (National Post Office Building) 1882, Hotel Plaza, Dionisio de Herrera Park and Manuel Bonilla National Theater come together to potentially create a space for cultural identity.
The application of streetscape design, paving and materiality comes together in emphasizing the importance of the buildings to restore National Identity. The trees are replaced by street lighting to provide illumination to the symbolic buildings of this block.
The outstanding collection of architectural heritage buildings that composes the historic district of Tegucigalpa comes together in Ave. Miguel Paz Barahona. The National Identity Museum erected in 1881, the Correos Nacionales de Honduras (National Post Office Building) 1882, Hotel Plaza, Dionisio de Herrera Park and Manuel Bonilla National Theater come together to potentially create a space for cultural identity.
The application of streetscape design, paving and materiality comes together in emphasizing the importance of the buildings to restore National Identity. The trees are replaced by street lighting to provide illumination to the symbolic buildings of this block.
Cultural Identity District / Urban Design Thesis / may 2013
Calle El Telegrafo / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
Miradores de La Reforma Liberal
After Tegucigalpa was renamed the capital city of Honduras, president Marco Aurelio Soto and Ramon Rosa introduced the Liberal Reform. The reforms symbolized the biggest transition in the city’s urban form and history into reflecting the ultimate Honduran republicanism style. Soon after the administration of Soto and Ramon Rosa, public monuments were planned in their names to stand in from of Los Dolores Plaza.
The monuments never happened and instead the San Miguel Arcangel stands in the plaza. The miradores are named in honor to complete the circle of national heroes in the historic district.
After Tegucigalpa was renamed the capital city of Honduras, president Marco Aurelio Soto and Ramon Rosa introduced the Liberal Reform. The reforms symbolized the biggest transition in the city’s urban form and history into reflecting the ultimate Honduran republicanism style. Soon after the administration of Soto and Ramon Rosa, public monuments were planned in their names to stand in from of Los Dolores Plaza.
The monuments never happened and instead the San Miguel Arcangel stands in the plaza. The miradores are named in honor to complete the circle of national heroes in the historic district.
Escalinatas de la Reforma Liberal / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
Paseo Marco Aurelio Soto / Urban Design Thesis / May 2013
Identity of a Historic District
The historic district of Tegucigalpa is a live place with enormous potential for urban revitalization. Throughout the years it has survived the test of time adapting itself to the demands of the modern city, where its colonial layouts and republican ideals dim in the plazas that stand today. The study of its history and place can ultimately provide design solutions or proposals that inspire modern interpretations. Through the use of materiality, patterns, pavements, vegetation, urban infrastructure, preservation and adaptive reuse, it is possible to restore the sense of space. All together the fields of architecture, preservation, history and urban design unite to create AN IDENTITY OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
The historic district of Tegucigalpa is a live place with enormous potential for urban revitalization. Throughout the years it has survived the test of time adapting itself to the demands of the modern city, where its colonial layouts and republican ideals dim in the plazas that stand today. The study of its history and place can ultimately provide design solutions or proposals that inspire modern interpretations. Through the use of materiality, patterns, pavements, vegetation, urban infrastructure, preservation and adaptive reuse, it is possible to restore the sense of space. All together the fields of architecture, preservation, history and urban design unite to create AN IDENTITY OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.