MICROCENTRO

Existing Conditions

Most of Ciudad del Este’s economic activity happens in the Microcentro where there are many street vendors, as well as large shopping malls.

Paraguay has low import tariffs which allows for very low prices that attract visitors from surrounding countries to visit Ciudad del Este to buy low-cost goods. Because the Microcentro is shopping-oriented, car, pedestrian and motorcycle traffic are very common in the area. However, the Microcentro is only congested and popular during the market’s hours of operation. In addition, there are several very unorganized and chaotic intersections that revolve around roundabouts, which adds to congestion and creates a dangerous environment for pedestrians.

Intervention Overview

Because of these conditions within the Microcentro area, the following three interventions seek to mitigate congestion and better organize transportation in and around the market and Microcentro area, while also attracting visitors to stay in Ciuadad del Este (addressing our key objectives):

1. Intersection redesign along Ruta 2 to improve safety and congestion

2. Commercial shared streets to improve the pedestrian experience in Microcentro

3. A riverfront boardwalk and park to encourage people to stay in Microcentro & to protect the area from flooding

The two challenging intersections that were chosen to be redesigned both intersect with Ruta 2 and are in close proximity to the Microcentro area. Both the intersection at Avenida Carlos Antonio López and at Avenida Bernardino Caballero were chosen due to their complicated nature and their propensity to accumulate traffic. Improving these intersections would help pedestrians better access the market and help the city better manage traffic congestion in the area, both of which are pivotal for creating a more integrated transit and land use system.

Currently at the intersection of Avenida Carlos Antonio López and Ruta 2, there is no lane striping, making the intersection confusing and chaotic for cars. In addition, there are very few crosswalks, making it uncomfortable and difficult for pedestrians to cross. By enlarging the central island, adding motorcycle lanes to ease congestion and establishing a better lane hierarchy, this intersection can improve for motorists. Improving the pedestrian environment by adding crosswalks will also make this intersection more comfortable for nonmotorists. This is especially important since this location is near the Microcentro marketplace and improving the pedestrian experience will improve connectivity and accessibility to the market. Similar to the intersection at Avenida Carlos Antonio López, Avenida Bernardino Caballero is a very large intersection where there is no lane striping, and very few crosswalks. This location was chosen since this intersection will be the intersection where the BRT turns onto Ruta 2. There are three options for the redesign of Avenida Bernardino Caballero & Ruta 2 based on cost.

Option 1 is an improved roundabout like the one proposed for Avenida Carlos Antonio López, with bus lanes ending far enough away from the roundabout to allow buses to navigate along with traffic through the intersection. The advantage of this option is that it is low cost.

Option 2 is to replace the roundabout with a signalized intersection that gives priority to buses in the bus lane. This option reduces the potential conflict between buses in the BRT and traffic. This is a slightly higher cost than option 1.

Option 3 is to give the buses a flyover so they can turn without being impeded by other traffic and can avoid the roundabout completely. This is the highest cost option since it requires a greater infrastructure investment with the addition of a flyover.

Before

Avenida Bernardino Caballero & Ruta 2

Before

After: Option 2 After

After: Option 1

After: Option 3

Currently, the streets of Microcentro are heavily congested with no clear distinction between cars and pedestrian walkways. Many vendors sell their goods at the market and many visitors come to shop, yet the street is somewhat inhospitable to those shopping due to the number of cars constantly driving adjacent to the market.

By pedestrianizing some of the streets in the Microcentro, this area could become a more pleasant place for both pedestrian and shoppers. In addition, the pedestrianization of spaces in the Microcentro create room for event-based street programming, such as musicians and art events, that could add vibrancy to the area, particularly after shops begin to close down. Ultimately, interventions such as these can move the Microcentro from being a strictly daytime, single-use neighborhood to a multi-use, exciting place to be at all hours.

By creating a more welcoming and fun Microcentro environment, more people would be attracted to make longer trips to Ciudad del Este.

Graphic from NACTO

The shared streets concept, which has informed our intervention, involves the pedestrianization of certain streets during hours of market operation. The market currently operates from 7 am to 4 pm, therefore the proposed commercial shared street would prohibit cars from entering these streets during those hours, but would open up to vehicle traffic from 4 pm to 7 am to allow trucks loading goods into the market.

Certain streets would be maintained for vehicular traffic, as they are right now, so that there will always be access to Ruta 2 and other major routes. Pedestrians Only 7 AM - 4 PM

Cars + Loading Hours 4 PM - 7 AM

The proposed intervention involves converting roads near the market to pedestrian-friendly spaces with street seating and greener medians.

On the left page, the “Before” photo shows a congested marketplace with most of the street dedicated to cars. This would be converted to have more pedestrian space with street seating and greenery.

On the right page, a car-congested street would become a pedestrian thoroughfare with motorcycle lanes (used during off-market hours to avoid collisions with pedestrians).

Before

After

Key Objectives Fulfilled

After