BUENOS AIRES: THE MICROCENTRO PLAN
BUENOS AIRES THE MICROCENTRO PLAN Experiences and Lessons Learned _ Metropolis Meeting 2015 INCLUSION INNOVATION SUSTAINABILITY
CONTENTS 1. Urban Context 2. Urban Design Framework 3. The Public Realm Design and Implementation 4. Sustainable Mobility Plan 5. Smart City Technology 6. Heritage: Building Facades and Entrances 7. Ambience
1. URBAN CONTEXT south vs nor
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America
The Greater Buenos Aires State has a population of around fifteen and half million people Buenos Aires City Centre population is approximately 2.9 million people. The city has a density of about 13,680 people per square kilometre
A million people and several hundred thousand vehicles pass through the central business district of Buenos Aires -- the Microcentro -- on any given workday The Microcentro Plan aims to: - Flip the 70/30 ratio of space devoted to cars and people in the downtown and in the process - Cut the number of private cars that pass through the area by over half during work hours
Buenos Aires, Mexico City and São Paulo, one of the three Latin American cities considered an 'alpha city.
MICROCENTRO PLAN STUDY AREA
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MICROCENTRO PLAN: - The coordinated and comprehensive implementation of actions and programs to aid progress toward sustainable urban development - To reduce waste generation, promote more ecological transportation, adapt infrastructure to care for the environment
OBJECTIVES - Implement different activities intended to improve citizens quality of life and promote taking care of the planet
LOCATION OF MICROCENTRO PLAN STUDY AREA WITHIN THE BIGGER BUENOS AIRES CITY CENTRE
MICROCENTRO PLAN: URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
THE LOCATION OF THE MICROCENTER PEDESTRAIN AREA IS LOCARTED IN THE PINK COLOR Microcentro Plan is a comprehensive program of technological, spatial, economic, cultural and environmental actions that prioritize people and public spaces first The program is combined with a Sustainable Mobility Plan that puts the emphasis on prioritizing public transport, road organization, and safety and the introduction of technologies that can provide real-time information in order to generate the cultural change needed to attain an inclusive, healthy, and modern city
THE MICROCENTRO PLAN As part of the public-space redesign, an urban design and planning project has been implemented which aspires to revitalize the Buenos Aires central business district, called the Microcentro. Microcentro Plan began in November 2012 and will run until August 2015. It covers an area of 1.4 square kilometres.
The Microcentro Plan respects the original concepts of the architects who designed its streets and buildings, and applies cuttingedge technologies to preserve and modernize and make them sustainable
THE LOCATION OF THE MICROCENTER PEDESTRAIN AREA IS LOCARTED IN THE PINK COLOR The Urban Design Framework for the Microcentro Plan uses the existing grid pattern to connect various spaces and districts in the Buenos Aires Microcentro or City Centre
n Microcentro is changing the way people move about the siest area of the city ay, the city downtown is more accessible, with cleaner air, mo t, less noise pollution and more-space for the pedestrian and list world's largest cities are all taking such steps to prioritize the estrian in their busy centers and Buenos Aires is keeping pace
KEY AREAS OF ACTION Restoration of heritage buildings Traffic and transport management Waste treatment, including underground waste containers and differentiated waste disposal Increase in security Development, Tourism and Culture
KEY AREAS OF ACTION Ordering of public space Restoration of heritage buildings Street leveling and pedestrian priority areas Maintenance and enhancement of avenues and walkways
The Microcentro Plan Precinct consists of a network of pedestrian streets, key vehicular and BRT distributors and shared streets.
The high densities within Buenos Aires activates a vibrant night and street life scene in the Microcentro
THE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES OF THE MICROCENTRO PLAN : Coexistence: the interaction in an space between a group of people that recognize each other and have something in common Diversity: of activities, spaces and people
DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES: Security: a space that seems calm and visible and where people do not feel betrayed Vibrant spaces: spaces considered crowded with activity options that let people share and spend time Local distinctiveness: the identity of a precinct or zone
Calle Florida or Florida Street is the main pedestrian route through the Microcentro and is approximately 1 km long Calle Florida and the surrounding streets, and shopping malls have become an international shopping destination
Calle Florida is one of the city's leading tourist attractions and bustles with shoppers, vendors, and office workers alike because of its proximity to the financial district
For decades, Florida and Lavalle have been two of the most attractive and popular streets in downtown Buenos Aires for locals and tourists alike for one simple reason: no vehicular traffic.
More recently, more streets were added to the pedestrian-preferred mix creating another tree-lined zone filled with walkers, cyclists and locals lounging at outdoor Happy Hours. The City of Buenos Aires is converting other streets in the downtown grid to either 100% pedestrian only or, pedestrianpreferred with 70% of the street dedicated to pedestrians and only 30% or one lane available for vehicular traffic.
PUBLIC REALM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
Certain of the pedestrian zone street corners were expanded to provide more space for pedestrians
In certain streets of the Mircocentro public realm the curbs were leveled to form an integrated level with the pedestrian and vehicle zone
Part of the implementation strategy of the Microcentro Plan included the expansion of the pedestrian zone; and the construction of new paths; safer pedestrian crossings; the introduction of new robust street furniture components including bollards and benches.
One of the design principles for the public realm was to reduce the street furniture clutter; introduce new street furniture components; and the planting of trees.
Underground waste disposal and recycling bins with a capacity of 5,000 litres were installed on roads and pedestrian walkways
In certain areas of the Microcentro the original paving was incorporated in the design of the public realm
Part of the upgrade of the public realm included the design and implementation of new street lighting components which included the incorporation of LED lighting and catenary lights
Various types of new street lights were incorporated in the public spaces and streets in the Microcentro Plan Zone. The new street lighting components also increase public safety at night.
Catenary Lights were incorporated throughout the Pedestrian Precinct. It minimizes clutter in the narrow streets where there is limited space for street furniture components within the public realm zone.
Part of the street lighting strategy was the recovery of historical street lamps in the historical sites and in front of key historical buildings
Part of the restoration strategy of the Microcentro Plan was the installation of uplighting and bulkhead lights at
The manhole covers and services are covered by movable planter boxes
SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PLAN The Sustainable Mobility Plan looks to generate the necessary cultural change so that our next generations are able to live in an inclusive, healthy and modern city FUNDAMENTAL PILLARS GIVING PRIORITY TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT Incentivizing public transport use Sustainable Mobility Promoting walking and bicycle use throughout the city
SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PLAN: TRAFFIC CONTROL AND TRAFFIC SAFETY PLANNING Reducing road accidents and improving traffic control mechanisms. Intelligent Mobility THE INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC SYSTEM includes new traffic planning tools and instruments to facilitate traffic circulation
ECOBICI: BUENOS AIRES BIKE SHARE PROGRAM Building on a small, manual system from 2010, the new Ecobici features an expanded coverage area, 24-hour service, and 200 new automated stations Ecobici users are expected to take nearly 36,000 daily trips and over a million trips a year The system gives users new options for transit, and complements Buenos Aires significant investment in bike lanes over the past several years Along with new pedestrian projects, rapidly improving biking amenities, and increased public transit, Ecobici is a cornerstone of Buenos Aires vision for a future of strong sustainable transit
When Ecobici first opened in 2010, it offered just three stations and 72 bicycles, all operated out of manual stations (photo ) Now, the system is further expanding, along with a significant technology upgrade.
There are now 200 new fully automated stations and 3,000 bikes - the system has become large enough to play an important role in the city s transit In addition to being more efficient and easier to use, with automated stations the system is now open 24- hours a day, instead of only during business hours
In a manual system, an attendant records the user s information and helps with checking in or out the bike, including payment This information can be recorded on paper or electronically Automated systems are where the user checks in or out the bikes and makes payments electronically either at the terminal or kiosk or directly at the docking station These types of systems often use specialized key cards for the users
EcoBici has evolved to meet international best practices with a large, automated system covering significant parts of the city s busiest districts The growth of Ecobici has been complemented by significant investment in biking infrastructure in the city Accompanying the new lanes have been a series of policies encouraging the installation of bike racks, bike education programs, and credits for purchases bicycles
Previously used almost exclusively for recreation, biking now represents 3.5% of all trips in the city A bigger, fully modern bike share in Buenos Aires will bring many benefits From enhancing social interaction to improving health and the quality of life, Ecobici will lead to a better urban environment for Buenos Aires residents The project is the latest example of Buenos Aires commitment to sustainable transit
Although the City of Buenos Aires encourage non-motorized transport, motorbikes are still a very popular mode of transportation The public realm design of the Microcentro Plan provides dedicated parking areas for motorbikes
The preferable means of transportation to reach Florida Street from almost anywhere in the city, is the Buenos Aires Metro (subte, or underground) Metro lines have stations within a short walking distance of Florida Street Most bus lines reaching the downtown area have stops near Florida Street
Part of the Microcentro Plan s strategy is to: Limited access to various streets at certain times Ban vehicles except service vehicles on certain streets Allow only drivers with permits to certain streets Vehicular parking in the Microcentro Precinct is very difficult to find and very expensive
The Smart City Strategy for the Microcentro Plan include: The introduction of Smart Phone application which provide information of the area Touch-screen information offers live updates on public transport frequency and the availability of city bikes, Interactive maps and sensors to test air and noise pollution and give live weather reports and forecasts Free WiFi in tourist and commuter hotspots and on public transport Free cellular phone and tablet charging stations
HERITAGE: BUILDING FACADES AND ENTRANCES The facades of 70 iconic and historical buildings in the centre, are being carefully restored and illuminated with LED lighting, as part of the Microcentro Plan
AMBIENCE By evening, the pace relaxes as street performers flock to the area, including tango singers and dancers, living statues, and comedy acts.
Day time events are encouraged in certain public spaces and streets in the Microcentro
TRADING Informal trading is not allowed in the Microcentro; however; there are a few informal traders occurring at present in a small area in the Microcentro The only vendors allowed within the public realm are small newspaper and magazine kiosks
Further public realm and building upgrades are currently implemented as part of the Microcentro Plan.