207 et. al, 2014). This process focuses highly on the experience and involvement of residents, incorporates the context of the development areas and tailors the project’s design to their needs and values (Beza et. al, 2014). Public space provides areas for children and residents to engage in recreational and cultural activities. When it is a communal space, these areas can also centralize community services like medical facilities and a church (Beza, et. al, 2014). For example, in the town of Caracoli, in Colombia, these spaces are called “parque del barrio” and acquire special meaning for residents who view this as the “central focal point’ of their community (Beza et. al, 2014). Here, the success of the public space project was measured by “the resident’s positive perception of spaces”, especially the public space of the “parque del barrio”. This perception is highly dependant on “incremental development and the available resources that work together to produce a particular aesthetic” that is designed through the community’s vision (Beza et. al, 2014).
170 Resident’s Front Garden.
It is common for architects and urban designers to come up with large development projects for community spaces. Although the design of these spaces are innovative and creative, the large scale of the development project is difficult to manage in terms of costs and construction. In the most successful cases, designers have promoted small incremental construction and favor simple designs that are easy to build or use recyclable materials (see Laguna Chapel in Case Study section).
171 Children Playing Outside Local Bar.
CULTURAL ANCHIETA
URBAN DESIGN OF HEALTHY COMMUNITY SPACES
