Report - Designing Bus Rapid Transit Oriented Development

Los MORROS / Padre hurtado
from OUTPOST to NUCLEUS
Juan Carlos Rodríguez | Benjamín Lizana | Yafei Han | Emily Eros | Maggie Tishman | Carlos Johnson
21 October 2013
contents
overview—4
BACKGROUND
VISION
i. connectivity—6
EXISTING TRANSPORT OPTIONS
EXISTING TRANSIT ISSUES
PROPOSED NEW SERVICES
ii. hub of activity—12
(PERI)URBAN AGRICULTURE
FERIAS LIBRES
ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS
COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS
iii. front lawn—18
iv. gateway—22
summary—24
overview
Lo Espejo
San Ramón
El Bosque
La Pintana
San
Bernardo
AVENIDA LOS MORROS / PADRE HURTADO in the context of Santiago
BACKGROUND
Section Three includes an eight-kilometer long
avenue that spans the distance between La Cisterna
Intermodal Station in the north and Camino Lo Blanco
in the south. Technically discontinuous from the rest of
Gran Avenida, this section is known as various points as
either Avenida Los Morros or Padre Hurtado; for the
purposes of simplicity, this report will simply refer to
the street as Los Morros / Padre Hurtado.
time, buses become very crowded beginning in the
the comunas that comprises the Metropolitan Region,
south, near the public housing developments.
and it extends southward into northeastern San
Bernardo, which forms part of the Maipo Region.
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado also features an active
street life, wide sidewalks, and wide traffic lanes. Two
In terms of land use, the area around Los Morros /
of the centers of commercial and social life are (1)
Padre Hurtado is primarily residential with small
an open-air market, called Persa Los Morros, which
commercial establishments mixed throughout the
operates on weekends near La Cisterna Intermodal
main streets. In the north, the majority of houses are
Station, and (2) Claudio Arrau, a medium-sized cross
detached units, though multiple families often occupy
street that the municipality of El Bosque targeted
the same residence. Density increases dramatically
for infrastructure upgrades and small business
in the south, where public housing developments
development.
are located between Condell and Gustavo Campaña
Gandarillas. Additional public housing developments
are planned for the area.
Section Three includes a population of 190,000,
characterized by a high level of poverty. The census
data shown in Figure 2 indicate that the majority of
residents have low or very low incomes. Most employed
adults work north of the area, leaving their homes in
the morning to travel more than an hour to the city
center. While traffic on Los Morros / Padre Hurtado
generally flows smoothly, peak-hour congestion occurs
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado is a very promising area
with many natural and economic assets, including open
space to the south, a large, relatively young population,
and successful open-air markets. However, it remains
geographically isolated from the rest of Santiago, and
yet economically and socially reliant on the rest of
independence.
currently exist as an outpost—an underdeveloped
settlement dependent on the central city for its income
areas of interventions:
(i) Improve connectivity
(ii) Transform El Bosque and northeastern San accessing jobs and goods.
Our goal is to transform Los Morros / Padre Hurtado
and the surrounding neighborhood from an outpost
into a nucleus—a self-sufficient community, integrated
into the city fabric, that can satisfy residents’ needs
Bernardo into a hub of activity
Bosque and the community’s “front lawn”
Bosque
These interventions are designed to improve economic
opportunity, promote active public spaces, foster a
local sense of identity, and incorporate community
engagement.
75% of workers work outside of El Bosque
centers of both Santiago and San Bernardo to reduce
the area’s geographic, social, and economic isolation.
On the other hand, it involves inward-looking strategies
policies:
HUB OF SOCIAL &
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
(iv)Recreate La Cisterna as a gateway to El and provide a high quality of life. On the one hand, this
involves strengthening the external connection to the
AVENIDA
LOS MORROS
(iii)Transform Los Morros into the backbone of El and consumption. This translates into low quality of life
for residents and undue stress on the transportation
Our vision to create a boulevard is the product of three
intersecting interventions (plus the recreation of La Cisterna
Interodal Station)
Given these objectives, we have identified four main
the city. Los Morros / Padre Hurtado and its environs
system, which provides residents their only means of
Percentage of low- and extremely low-income households in 2002
to build the community’s own social and economic
IT
Y
comunas: it traverses the length of El Bosque, one of
VISION
tr
CONNans
po
r
EC t:
TI
V
La Cisterna
in the morning as a result of this outflow. During this
& TY
I
AL IV
CI T
s: SO AC
ie
C
lic OF MI
po UB
H CONO
E
Santiago
This area passes through two municipalities, or
Source: Municipality of El Bosque
only 25% work
within El Bosque
Our vision will transform El Bosque from an outpost of Santiago to a
nucleus of activity
i. connectivity
EXISTING TRANSPORT OPTIONS
The corridor currently faces several major
At the same time, the corridor has at least two
that fare evasion is not in fact a serious problem. A
transportation issues:
transportation assets that present major opportunities:
large number of people boarding in the south alight
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado is currently serviced by
A.Overcrowding
four bus routes.
B. Fare evasion
C. Congestion in La Garganta, just before La (1) The 301 starts at San José and Los Morros /
Padre Hurtado and travels north to La Cisterna
Cisterna
(1) 301 weekdays
(4) 301c / short
Intermodal Station, making a slight detour at the
northern end where Los Morros / Padre Hurtado
(4) From south-north, the 301c originates at Avenida
is unidirectional north-south. From La Cisterna, it
San Francisco (parallel to Los Morros / Padre
continues north on Gran Avenida to the city center.
E. Little connection to the center of San Bernardo
(2) 301 weekends
crossing over to Gran Avenida south of the market.
Hurtado. It turns left on Los Tréboles and finally
2
Proposed commuter train station at Balmaceda and Gran Avenida, which would improve connectivity to the rest of the city
hour traffic, when a high volume of passengers in the
Cisterna Intermodal Station.
south boards the buses to travel to La Cisterna and the
western half of the city via line 4.
one-way portion of Los Morros / Padre Hurtado
•
at La Cisterna Intermodal Station to transfer to other
buses or the metro. In that case, they are almost
definitely paying when they board the next bus or train.
right on Gran Avenida before terminated at La
city center. Buses quickly fill and become too crowded
for passengers to board at stops further along the
Vicuña Mackenna
east-west line 1; and line 4A, which connects to the
Morros / Padre Hurtado early and avoids the
southern end that can be converted
Bus overcrowding is a problem during morning peak-
connects to the northern edge of the city as well as the
the regular 301, except that it detours from Los
Overcrowding
of the city’s five existing metro lines: line 2, which
peak hours on weekdays. Its route is similar to
Ample right of way, particularly toward the Because of the integrated fare system, their payment is
identical regardless of when or where they make their
payment along the journey. Nonetheless, DTPM should
take steps to avoid fare evasion if possible. This is
particularly important if a BRT system is instituted, as
this would presumably minimize transfers to the metro.
Vespucio Norte
La Cisterna Intermodal provides connection to two
(3) The 301 express (301e) runs during morning
•
EXISTING TRANSIT ISSUES
Blanco before turning north on Los Morros / Padre
follows a distinct route on Saturdays and Sundays,
southbound buses.
D. Discontinuous, poorly-planned bike lane
La Pintana municipalities) and heads west on Lo
Los Morros, that operates in the northern end Los
in both directions, using Avenida Baquedano for
Hurtado, and the border between El Bosque and
(2) Because of a successful open-air market, El Persa
Morros / Padre Hurtado on the weekends, the 301
4A
route.
LA GARGANTA
Another issue in the area is “La Garganta,” the
segment of Los Morros / Padre Hurtado that runs
north from Observatorio to La Cisterna. Traffic is
higher and lanes are narrower in this area, and a
left-hand turn to enter La Cisterna causes congestion
during peak hours. To mediate these problems, we
propose:
FARE EVASION
La Cisterna
High levels of fare evasion have been noted at
the southern end of Los Morros / Padre Hurtado,
(3) 301e / express
particularly during morning peak hours. It is possible
EXISTING TRANSIT ROUTES
Metro connectivity from Los Morros / padre hurtado
(1) repurposing this portion of the avenue as a bus- and bike-only road, and
(2) reversing the direction of traffic to flow south to north.
Other vehicles will be encouraged to re-route to
Gran Avenida on car-oriented streets: Balmaceda, Lo
Blanco, Lo Martinez, and Observatorio. Re-routing will
alleviate traffic congestion and will facilitate bike lane
improvements along the corridor.
San bernardo
the way to the city center. The bus would then travel
the BRT is running), the 301 will begins its run to the
San Bernardo is currently a major trip destination for
along Gran Avenida to the city center. After dropping
center of Santiago at Lo Blanco, rather than San José
residents of El Bosque—particularly for work. The
off passengers at the city center, the bus would return
in the south. As it does currently, o weekends, it will
close proximity to the center of San Bernardo and
to Los Morros.
deviate from Los Morros / Padre Hurtado in order to
future economic development and will likely attract
even more residents in the future. However, all existing
Bike lanes
Transantiago routes are currently oriented towards the
A bike lane currently runs along portions of Los
center of Santiago. There are several colectivo routes
Morros / Padre Hurtado; however, poor design
that extend into San Bernardo, but the connection
currently imits its effectiveness. First, the lane is
from El Bosque to the center of the southern city is
discontinuous and fragmented. Moreover, because it is
quite limited and travel times are long.
not separate from the sidewalk, pedestrians frequently
obstruct the path. Cars occasionally park on top of
the lane, as well. These hazards could be eliminated
through better design.
In order to flexibly integrate with the proposed BRT
avoid the Persa Los Morros.
service in Section Four, the express bus would be a
During AM peak traffic, traveling down Gran Avenida
BRT vehicle with doors on both the left and right; this
or Los Morros / Padre Hurtado if comparable in terms
will facilitate boarding from conventional bus stops as
of time.
well as left-lane BRT stations. The express service will
operate from 6 am to 10 am.
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado has ample width in the south to support BRT
Transit Intervention 1
Balmaceda 2
The Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE)
PROPOSED NEW SERVICES
has proposed build an additional stop along its
commuter line for Balmaceda and Gran Avenida, which
Intervention 1: BRT
residents from the southern terminus of Los Morros
San José
San José
Claudio Arrau
Condell
Lo Blanco
Alejandro Guzmán
Alejandro Guzmán
Lo Blanco 2
Balmaceda 1
La Cisterna
La Cisterna
La Cisterna
/ Padre Hurtado may wish to access. Once the train
We propose to reorganize the street to construct a
To reduce crowding problems and improve connectivity,
continuous bike lane at street level, separated from
we propose adding an additional peak-hour service
vehicular traffic. The lane would run the entire length
to transport passengers from four key bus stops in
of Los Morros / Padre Hurtado and would be painted
the south of Section Three to the city center. The
green to further distinguish it from the auto lanes. The
first proposed route would begin at San José and Los
lane would form an integrated network with the area’s
Morros / Padre Hurtado and travel north, stopping
The 301, meanwhile, would continue running down
other bike lanes.
at Condell, Balmaceda, and Lo Blanco before cutting
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado as usual, with one minor
across Lo Blanco to continue north on Gran Avenida all
change. During weekday morning peak hours (when
station is complete, the express BRT line would be
extended west along San José and briefly north on
Gran Avenida to reach the station—in something like
an s configuration.
301 weekday AM peak
BRT weekday AM peak
301 weekends
Balmaceda
Lo Blanco
Claudio Arrau
San José
Alejandro Guzmán
La Cisterna
BRT proposed for Gran Avenida
La Cisterna
301 weekday off-peak
Intervention 2: Circulator
The second proposed transit route would be a loop to
connect residents of El Bosque to the proposed new
Proposed Intervention 2
SAN BERNARDO
Balmaceda
EFE station at Gran Avenida and Balmaceda, and
Lo Blanco
to improve public transport access to San Bernardo.
This would require connecting Balmaceda all the way
Alejandro Guzmán
Lo Blanco
through to Gran Avenida.
Intervention 3: Unobstruct La Garganta
Claudio Arrau
San José
Condell
Observatorio
San Bernardo loop
Connect Balmaceda across Gran Avenida
The portion of Los Morros / Padre Hurtado between
Juan Solar Parra and Vicuña Mackenna, known as
“La Garganta,” currently runs north to south, against
the primary flow of traffic during morning peak hours.
We propose reversing the direction of traffic on this
Proposed Intervention 3
segment and making Los Morros / Padre Hurtado
bike and bus only. Auto traffic would be rerouted onto
Baquedano, a parallel street, and Gran Avenida.
La Garganta
Isabel Riquelme
La Cisterna
Reverse traffic direction
ii. hub of activity
(PERI)URBAN AGRICULTURE
anti-poverty strategy. Southern Santiago was chosen
permanent employment and additional temporary job
sources of funding include the national Fondo de
actionable. Therefore, we recommend proceeding with
at that time for its proximity to both the fertile Maipo
during the harvest season.
Solidaridad e Inversión Social (FOSIS), FAO, Vida
the first approach, or pursuing the second strategy only
is to create economic opportunity for the existing
Urban agriculture is the cultivation, processing,
River Basin and the center of Santiago, benefits that
Chile (an initiative of the Chilean Health Ministry),
after completing very careful studies of a potential
residents in order to build wealth and enhance local
marketing, and distribution of food and horticultural
the area still boasts today.
and the Ministry of Agriculture, which provides block
parcel’s existing uses.
quality of life. However, such interventions also serve
products in intra-urban areas. It often takes place in
transportation goals by reducing the need for residents
small garden lots interspersed within residential or
to make long commutes into the center of Santiago for
commercial area. In this case, because Los Morros
work.
/ Padre Hurtado is situated on the urban periphery,
The primary objective of transforming El Bosque
and northeastern San Bernardo into a hub of activity
We have developed four specific strategies for meeting
this goal:
(A)Promote (peri)urban agriculture on underutilized land
(B)Support and expand existing ferias libres
with access to large, undeveloped plots of land, the
possibility of larger scale, periurban agriculture also
exists.
international, national, and local scale. Internationally,
with La Universidad de Chile to train residents on
the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the
urban growing techniques. The program trained 70
Three possible strategies could be undertaken to
United Nations has adopted urban agriculture as a
people in 2012—all free of charge—and plans to hold
pursue urban agriculture development. First, portions
key strategy across Latin America and within Chile
seven additional trainings this year.
of large underutilized lots in the southern end could be
specifically. Cities and regions in other Latin American
While some urban farms do exist in the northern
portion of El Bosque, there are currently none to the
south, where land is more plentiful and less densely
In Southern Chile, the Center for Education and
settled. This constitutes a tremendous opportunity for
Technology for the Development of the South
the municipalities of El Bosque and San Bernardo,
(CET SUR) has created a network of urban farms
which are in a position to launch initiatives similar to
throughout the Bíobío Region. Partnering with civic
those in Bíobío and La Pintana. Partners that could
groups and government agencies, the initiative has
assist with planning and implementation include the
Situated on the urban periphery, this area actually
placed a special emphasis on business formation and
Red Agricultura Urbana and Cultivos Urbanos, two
has a long history of urban farming. In 1941, Chile’s
the commercialization of produce. This has helped
recently formed grassroots advocacy organizations,
national agrarian reform subsidized workers to
generate wealth for many beneficiaries, the majority of
as well as CET SUR, La Chile, and the Municipality
purchase and farm land in La Pintana (which then
whom are women. The city of Valdivia has also created
of La Pintana, which can draw on their previous
included present-day El Bosque) as part of a larger
22 agricultural microenterprises, providing a source of
experiences instituting such programs. Potential
place, identity, and ownership, and to provide low-cost,
corridors
bordering El Bosque, recently launched a partnership
including Quito, Ecuador, and Rosario, Argentina.
extend beyond the economic realm to foster a sense of
(D)Support the revitalization of key commercial intervening decades but has recently reemerged at the
in this area would be to kickstart the local economy
However, the outcomes of this intervention would
high-quality produce to local residents.
grants to municipalities in rural provinces (including
is now changing. La Pintana, one of the municipalities
countries have successfully adopted urban agriculture,
(C) Promote employment and procurement opportunities at existing anchor institutions
widely supported or adopted in Santiago; however, this
Enthusiasm for urban agriculture diminished over the
The primary objective of instituting urban agriculture
and create opportunities for job and business creation.
Somewhat surprisingly, urban agriculture has not been
San Bernardo, which is part of the mostly rural Maipo
Province).
purchased and converted into agricultural operations.
We have identified 1.67 square kilometers (486 acres)
of such land. Second, much smaller areas could be
carved out of underutilized lots slightly farther north.
Map of parcels that could support (peri)urban agriculture
While these lots are closer to many people’s homes
and more integrated into the urban fabric, they are
also currently the site of many informal homes and
commercial activities. Launching an agricultural
initiative would likely require the displacement of
very vulnerable populations. The third option would
be convert certain areas of sidewalk to micro-scale
gardening. This is particularly feasible in the southern
end where the roadbed is very wide. This is the least
robust of the three options but the most immediately
Photograph of sidewalk gardening from the Red Agricultura
Urbana (RAU), a potential partner
Based on land valuations, each acre of land is worth
metropolitan region. With a name like El Bosque
Morros, which operates on Saturdays and Sundays is
could make limited market operations possible on
workers in supportive services: laundry, food services,
approximately CHP 36,000,000 ($71,000 USD).
(meaning “The Forest”), creating a brand that frames
a focal point of neighborhood social and economic life
weekdays as well. The municipality could support a
waste disposal, cleaning, maintenance and repairs,
We recommend launching a trial project on a smaller
the comuna as a place of nature and bounty should not
and contributes strongly to the area’s civic identity.
more permanent market by adjusting the allowable
administrative assistance, etc. We recommend targeted
One of the keys to developing Los Morros / Padre
parcel (ex. three acres) in order to experiment with
be difficult. Branding initiatives should be carried out
hours of operation and possibly constructing permanent
policies to expand the healthcare sector and attract
Hurtado is to support the commercial revitalization
crop-growing and other activities. The most successful
throughout the corridor, giving a sense of local identity
or semi-permanent structures to shelter vendors and
additional businesses of this nature. Policies should
of major intersecting streets. One existing example
urban farms pursue diverse portfolios of activities, and
through murals and other art installations, bus stop
provide storage for their wares.
also promote the use of local labor and services
of a strong commercial corridor is Claudio Arrau,
we recommend that an agriculture project experiment
architecture, parks, etc.
whenever possible; this will foster future economic
which boasts a newly renovated streetscape and many
ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS
growth and provide an additional opportunity for
neighborhood-serving retail establishments. Claudio
urban/peri-urban agriculture to integrate within the
Arrau’s success is due in part to its unique urban
Urban and peri-urban agriculture offers a promising
community.
design—it is the spine of many intersecting residential
objectives more viable, sustainable, and beneficial for
role in Chilean public life. Location, hours, and vendor
local residents.
licenses are regulated by the municipalities in which
Agricultural products produced in El Bosque should
be targeted locally, to improve food quality and
availability for the community, as well as externally,
to generate additional income for the community.
A local market could be constructed on site to sell
produce to local residents, possibly with a tiered
must be residents of the municipalities in which
they sell; though there are documented instances of
feriantes fraudulently obtaining licenses, the local
requirement means that supporting and expanding the
ferias can be an important local economic development
strategy.
health
civic
Avenida Lo Martínez is another prime candidate
lg. commercial
for such investments. It, too, benefits from many
N
locally cultivated produce.
On weekends, traffic is currently rerouting from
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado to Gran Avenida to
accommodate Persa Los Morros. Our proposal to
permanently reroute cars to Gran Avenida and create
a bus-, bike-, and pedestrian-only street for this portion
1
Faigenbraum,loBerdegué and Reardon, 2002
institutions within Section Three. “Anchor institutions”
intersecting side streets (59 in all) and short block
are medium- to large-scale employers that are
sizes, particularly on the western half. It has a much
likely to remain in an area due to fixed capital or
local needs. An examination of local businesses
wider roadbed than Claudio Arrau, but much of this
BOSQUE
in El Bosque and Persa 40 in San Bernardo. Persa Los
We recommend developing anchor industries and
Lo Martínez
DE EL
restaurants, businesses, and institutions across the
farmers could also be crucial to commercializing
development strategy is necessary.
has already been turned over to public space, creating
and organizations shows the presence of several
hospitals and health facilities in Section Three. These
facilities provide employment not only for highlytrained medical professionals, but also for a host of
concerted municipal investments.
CULTURA
libres. The two primary markets are Persa Los Morros
food. Connecting the ferias libres to a (peri)urban
the southern end of Section Three, a larger economic
wishing to develop skills in related fields.
creating short, very walkable blocks—and in part to
DE LA
strategy promoting its products and targeting
play an important role in supplying the community’s
benefits. However, given the number of residents in
El Bosque to offer training programs for individuals
streets, providing ample access to the street and
CASA
settled residential areas, they have relatively few ferias
few supermarkets, suggesting that ferias libres already
availability, and generate a certain degree of economic
Social organizations and institutions could partner with
BOSQUE
other ferias, in conjunction with a concerted marketing
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado currently has relatively
strategy to promote local identity, increase food
BOMBEROS
Though El Bosque and San Bernardo are densely
lower prices these markets offered.1 The area around
DE EL
incomes. Products could also be sold at El Persa and
high-income households), citing the higher quality and
MUNICIPALIDAD
pricing scheme designed to assist individuals with low
the ferias operate. In order to get a license, vendors
produce at ferias libres (versus just two percent for
Av. Riquelme
Ferias libres, or open-air markets, play an important
low-income households purchased 90 percent of their
Av. Alejandro Guzmán
the aforementioned institutions in order to make these
of produce for many low-income santiaguinos. In 2002,
Av. Observatorio
resources. The project could pursue partnerships with
FERIAS LIBRES
The ferias libres already serve as an important source
Av. Lo Blanco
other initiatives, based on interest, experience, and
the (peri)urban agriculture strategy described above.
Av. Balmaceda
with plants and crops, small animals, bees, and
The ferias libres also have an important connection to
COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS
Figure 12: Map of Anchor Institutions along Los Morros / Padre
Hurtado
a smaller-scale and intimate-feeling streetscape.
Many commercial uses already exist on the corridor;
however, these could be built up further targeting
businesses in the area for façade improvement grants,
a dumping site. This area could be transformed into a
small business loans, and business assistance. Changes
park or other space to benefit the public.
in zoning could help as well, and public investment
in street lighting could enhance local commerce and
public space.
Lo Blanco
Map of key commercial corridors
Lo Blanco
Avenida Lo Blanco is another wide but highly
Claudio Arrau
underutilized street. The avenue has many major
institutions along it, including El Bosque’s Estadio
Municipal and Hospital El Pino. It is currently a major
thoroughfare for buses and, under our proposed BRT
Lo Martínez
Persa Los Morros
intervention, would become an even more crucial
transit corridor. While Lo Blanco is quite green toward
the western side, the eastern portion is relatively
barren, and could benefit from targeted investments in
landscaping.
The southeastern corner of the intersection with
Los Morros / Padre Hurtado should be an area of
particular focus. Currently, the hospital is set back from
Lo Blanco and offers only a blank wall to the avenue.
has a blank wall facing Lo Blanco should. Behind it
there is large vacant lot that is currently being used as
Lo Martínez has many successful existing businesses that could
nonetheless benefit from additional loans or grants (Google Maps)
Below: existing infrastructure investments along Lo martínez /
Top Left: Successful existing business and landscaping on Claudio
Arrau / bottom left: dumping site on Lo Blanco next to Hospital El
Pino (google Maps)
iii. front lawn
The main avenue of Los Morros / Padre Hurtado has
this space could be used for small-scale neighborhood
wide lanes, wide sidewalks, and active street life, but
gardening, as described in section II.
several improvements could enhance existing public
spaces and imbue a greater sense of local identity.
These initiatives aim to transform the avenue into the
backbone of El Bosque and San Bernardo, as well as
the community’s “front lawn.”
BUS STOPS
Bus stops should be redesigned to provide a better user
experience. Due to ample street width, the bus stops
could be located in the median, with center-boarding
buses, in order to move heavy traffic away from the
NAME CHANGE
sidewalks and bike lane. In addition, bus stops in
First, the street name itself should be changed to
the southern end of the corridor should be equipped
promote a sense of identity and continuity. The
with pre-pay facilities in order to speed boarding and
final name should be selected through a community
alighting during peak hour service; this will further
engagement process.
alleviate congestion issues.
PUBLIC SPACES
TRAFFIC CALMING
In terms of structural improvements, the street
By narrowing the lanes and placing bike lanes
width should be reconfigured in order to improve
immediately adjacent to vehicular traffic, our
public spaces for the residents, who already use the
interventions act as natural traffic-calming
streetscape for walking, playing, vending, and other
mechanisms. This will allow for the removal of speed
daily activities. Traffic lanes could be narrowed in
bumps, which can make passenger’s travel experience
order to create a park-like ribbon of green space along
more uncomfortable. Constant, slower speeds will also
the avenue. This would serve an important function as
be more fuel-efficient than speed bumps.
a green space for local residents, many of whom live
in crowded conditions far from existing parks. Some of
Plan view of center lane boarding near the intersection with Lo
Blanco
Above: 3d rendering of the intersection between Los Morros / Padre
Hurtado and Balmaceda / below: section of centerlane boarding /
right: section drawings of representative portions of los morros /
padre hurtado
Plan view of intersection between Los Morros / Padre Hurtado and
Balmaceda
iv. gateway
La Cisterna intermodal station is a critical component
clock; it currently closes for several hours each night,
of Greater Santiago’s transportation network;
even though transit services continue to run, and this
thousands of commuters pass through the station on
poses security problems for individuals who must make
any given day. Many of these individuals are residents
transfers on the street.
of Section Three who arrive at La Cisterna by bus and
transfer to the subway in order to reach the city center.
For phase two, La Cisterna should improve façades
and entrances to open up to the street. Streetlighting
Top: passenger wait for a bus connection in La Cisterna’s
underground bus interchange area / Bottom: The planned Union
Station in Washington, D.C. successfully integrates a variety of
modes and creates a permeable and airy public space
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
immediate
within 5 years
Long term
— simple pedestrian improvements
— improve façade and entrances to
— redesign building to reorient
(painted crosswalks, raised crossings)
open up to the street
activity outwards
— landscaping
— streetlighting
— iconic architecture
— remove fence
— skylighting within building
— rooftop park
— encourage vendors
— vendors and farmers market
— art installation
La Cisterna serves its purpose as a functional space
should be installed for security, and windows and
for transit interconnections. However, its form could
skylights could be added to the building to allow
be greatly improved in order to integrate it within the
natural light to enter the station. Outside the station,
community. The building’s grey façade, metal fences,
additional vendors and perhaps a feria could be
— put in place value capture policies
poor pedestrian access, and lack of windows combine
encouraged to sell goods, and power lines could be
— vendor stalls
to give it the air of a bunker. We propose several
buried. Inside the station, an electric bus charging
— bury power lines
interventions to improve the facility in the short term.
station would need to be installed to accommodate
In the longer term, however, dramatic renovation
new vehicle technology.
should be undertaken to transform this structure
into a more welcoming, permeable facility with
better accessibility, active public spaces, and inviting
architecture.
In the long term, La Cisterna should be redesigned
in order to serve its transportation functions while
improving its urban form. The building should include
iconic architecture that reorients activity outwards. A
For the first phase of improvements, La Cisterna can
rooftop park and art installation should be considered
begin making simple pedestrian improvements by
in order to create additional public spaces and foster
raising and painting crosswalks. The fence could be
local identity at the site.
removed and landscaping could be done outside the
building. In addition to these structural improvements,
the facility should also begin operating around the
— electric bus charging station
— adjust hours to address safety
concerns (possibly 24/7)
Bottom left: loading trucks at the back of La Cisterna that will
need to be accommodated in new plan / bottom center: existing
vendor stalls could be improved and expanded to support
commercial activity / bottom right: La Cisterna currently handles
a variety of transport modes (pedestrian, bike, and colectivo as
well as bus, metro, and personal vehicles) that will be need to
be accommodated in new plan / top right: Current façade of La
Cisterna is unwelcoming
summary
The Los Morros / Padre Hurtado area of El Bosque
and San Bernardo exhibits great promise as a growing
part of greater Santiago. However, this area could be
improved with better connectivity, greater economic
development, improved public spaces, and a renewed
sense of local identity. To that end, this report outlines
a set of four primary interventions:
(i) Improve connectivity
(ii) Transform El Bosque and northeastern San (iii)Transform Los Morros into the backbone of El Bernardo into a hub of activity
Bosque and the community’s “front lawn”
(iv)Recreate La Cisterna as a gateway to El Bosque
These improvements are designed to transform the
area from an outpost into a nucleus—a self-sufficient
community, integrated into the city fabric, that can
satisfy residents’ needs and provide a high quality
of life. We believe this will offer benefits to the
community in the short-term and for years to come.