Transforming Mayoreo into a Centrality

TRANSFORMING MAYOREO INTO A CENTRALITY Creating public spaces & Implementing social functions as incentive for a densification process in Managua

Fabiana Bachem Master Thesis | Master of Architecture Antwerp, June 2018

CONTENTS 04 ambitions 07 introduction 10 urban sprawl 14 absence of qualitative public space 16

housing shortage and devastating housing conditions 18

pollution 18

malnutrition 20 the mercados as centralities 23 research by design 26 research question & methodology 30 Mayoreo as case study 32 growth scenarios 41 formulating a master plan 49 master plan | design interventions mesoscale 52 infrastructure 56 entrances 58 water infrastructure 60 public functions 64 scaffolding for mobile urbanism 70 revitalizing a dead back alley 86 sport as a social catalyst 96 creating a center for the centrality 108 combining living and working 118 introducing a new living typology 133

master plan | phasing

142

conclusion & discussion

145 146

annex bibliography

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AMBITIONS

This thesis aims to show by research trough design that the markets of Managua have the potential to be meaningful places for the people working on the market and those living on and around the market.

More general the objective is also to show that the existing urban fabric of Managua provides a lot of possibilities to create places that help improving the quality of life of the urban residents.

The city of Managua is facing a variety of challenges and problems which affect the everyday life of its inhabitants. One of the bigger problems surely is the immense sprawling of the city which brings a lot of consequential problems with it, such as increasing traffic load or the decreasing connectivity and accessibility to the city of certain groups of inhabitants.

Another fact that struck me was the absence of qualitative public space in the city. Having lived in different Western Europe cities one gets used to be able to spend a lot of time in public spaces. While being in Managua, where public life only happens in some sort of enclaves, I realized how much quality of life is taken away when you do not have the possibility of walking safely from A to B or enjoy urban life on a nice square.

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries of Latin America and that of course also has an impact on the living and housing conditions of many people. Besides a housing shortage of approximately 24.000 homes, a lot of people in Managua live in devastating and intolerable conditions.

Living on the market most of the times also means living in inappropriate shelters with no official connection to electricity nor sanitary facilities.

Another problem going along with the poverty of the country is malnutrition.

In the poorer neighborhoods many families struggle to consume enough fruit and vegetables and consequently a lot of the younger children suffer from stunting.

Moreover solid waste pollution is a problem in Managua. It is especially worryingly that a lot of people seem to have a careless attitude about the waste they produce.

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The objective of this thesis is to show on a small scale (market scale) that some of these problems can be solved or at least be improved by looking closely at what is already there and how small changes and adjustments can have a big impact on the people’s quality of life. “It is important to think about social issues in spatial ways. Space matters and is as integral as social capital and human capacity building in cities.�1 This thesis proposes a master plan which suggests spatial interventions that can help initiating the transformation of the market into a centrality and at the same time illustrates that densification within the existing urban footprint is possible Further it is an ambition of this thesis to demonstrate how this master plan can be implemented incrementally with the help of and participation of the people in the different stages of process.

1 Rosa, Marcos L., Weiland, U. ,2014, Handmade Urbanism - From Community Initiatives to Participatory Models, Jovis Verlage GmbH

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INTRODUCTION

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02 aerial picture of Managua showing the sprawl of the mainly one-story high city

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03 map of the evolution of the urban footprint of Managua. Red shows the size of the footprint in 1989, black the footprint in 2010

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URBAN SPRAWL TREND GROWTH SCENARIO One of Managua’s biggest problems, besides its vulnerability to natural disasters is the continuing political instability in the country.

As a consequence of the struggles for power going on since decades, there does not exist a long-term vision for either country or its capital. A concept concerning the urban planning and development of Managua as the capital of Nicaragua only recently has been formulated and the realization and implementation of these plans has yet to happen.

Especially after the earthquake in 1972 and the following reconstruction of the city, a holistic approach trying to improve the city’s shortcomings regarding infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability etc. was not accounted for. Among other reasons this is why the city of Managua today has one of the lowest densities compared to other Central American cities with 3,851 inhabitants per square kilometer (in comparison San José in Costa Rica has an average of 6,450 per square kilometer. Moreover 50% of the territory does not have regulations about land use and land ownership.1 If Managua does not succeed in formulating a holistic vision for the city and organizing and implementing the corresponding planning instruments and actions, it is quite likely that Managua will keep spreading and expanding its urban footprint.

Problems that will go along with this low density sprawl are not only that probably the expansion will also happen towards ‘risk-areas’ which are vulnerable to flooding and landslides but also in the course of the expansion natural conservation areas surrounding Managua will get destroyed which in turn increases the vulnerability to natural disaster of such ‘risk-areas’ in the city. Furthermore the continuing growth of the urban footprint will cause rising infrastructure costs, more traffic and decreasing air quality.

1 Action Plan Managua, accessed via http://www.urbandashboard.org/iadb/index_studies. html?lang=EN#?city=MGA&page=1 (accessed 03-10-2017)

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04 Intelligent growth scenario for the urban region of Managua, 2030

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URBAN SPRAWL SMART GROWTH SCENARIO Managua has recognized its problems and action is taken to steer the further development of the city in the right direction meaning formulating a vision in form of a master plan, the ‘Plano Maestro para el desarrollo urbano del municipio de Managua’ which is the result of a cooperation of the Managua’s Mayor’s Office and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (also see Managua Part 1, p.49 ff) and setting objectives concerning the sustainability of Managua and the coming developments.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has in the framework of its assistance program ‘Emerging and Sustainable Cities’ (ESC) formulated an ‘Action Plan’ for Managua where the sustainable development of Managua and the accessibility of the city to all inhabitants is the focus.

A study conducted by the IDB in 2014 has shown that there are numerous areas within the current urban footprint that due to their low density could and should be adapted to receive more inhabitants. The study further concluded that if an aspired density of 150 inhabitants/ha is applied to the general level of the city and the areas currently occupied, Managua with its current footprint could house 2,465,704 inhabitants, which is more than 900,000 inhabitants than estimated for 2030.2 The different studies conducted by the IDB and others show that there is a lot of potential within Managua to work with and on which basis positive changes can be brought about and also that the urge to transform the city’s development has been understood.

The mercados of Managua can play an important role in showing on a small scale basis how Managua can become denser and more compact.

And how densification can even provide more benefits and added value for Managua’s inhabitants.

2 DESARROLLO URBANO Y CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO -Estudios básicos de mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático, vulnerabilidades, huella urbana y escenarios de crecimiento urbano para la Región Urbana de Managua, 2014, accessed via http://www.urbandashboard.org/iadb/index_studies. html?lang=EN#?city=MGA&page=1

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05 people meeting at the bus station of Oriental II to chat since there is no appropriate public space anywhere near

06 merchants playing cards between parked cars and trucks on Mayoreo

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ABSENCE OF QUALITATIVE PUBLIC SPACE In the IDB studies on public recreational areas Managua scores below average with only 4,28 ha recreational space per 100.000 inhabitants.

Managua is not only lacking public recreational space but public spaces in general. The problem begins with Managua being a car-oriented city.

As a pedestrian or cyclist it is difficult and often dangerous to move around the city because some streets do not even have sidewalks and there are barely crosswalks or any other infrastructure facilities for nonmotorized road users.

In the historical city center some ‘plazas’ (Plaza de la Revolucion and Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II) and the ‘Malecon’ at the lake side function as public spaces where occasionally festivities and other cultural events take place. Also recently the government has installed several playgrounds throughout the city. However, these appear to be more used as wifi-hotspots than as actual places of social interaction and recreation.

The markets, which inherently are public spaces, attract a lot of people for the commercial purposes and are also used as places of social interaction, yet also here the public function is not really facilitated, meaning there are barely spaces where for example people can sit down and rest for a moment.

In general public life does not happen on the streets in Managua. Certainly there are exceptions but to become a more livable city Managua definitely has to provide more public spaces and improve the ones existing.

07 Managua scores really bad in a survey about recreational spaces within the city with only 4.28 ha per 100.000 citizens

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08 dwelling located on Israel Lewites

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HOUSING SHORTAGE & DEVASTATING LIVING CONDITIONS

Currently there are approximately 35.000 homes in Managua located in risk areas which are highly vulnerable to natural disasters. Moreover there is a deficit of 24.000 homes in Managua.

At the moment already more than the half of Nicaragua’s total population lives in the metropolitan area of Managua. According to estimates this number will increase up to 72% in 2040 which means that until 2040 Managua’s population will grow by 1.5 million inhabitants.

Consequently the housing issue will become more and more pressing.

To avoid the further expansion of the city into ‘risk-areas’ and to increase the urban footprint it is necessary to find space for the growing number of inhabitants within the city’s existing urban footprint.3 Furthermore the conditions in which people have to live in the poor neighborhoods of Managua, and on the markets, have to improve significantly.

The dwellings visited at Mayoreo and also Israel Lewites were devastating.

To get some light in the ‘one-room apartment’ (probably a former storage unit) without any natural light the inhabitants have to hold two electrical wires against each other. The families living on the markets have to use the public sanitation units and have no private access to water.

The ‘Action Plan of Managua’ which emerged with the support of the IDB’s program ‘Emerging Sustainable Cities’ the formulation of housing densification pilot project has been prioritized.

‘Central Managua’s Housing Plan’ initiated in 2015 seeks to reduce housing deficit and promote compact growth. However, until now no feasibility studies and analyses have been conducted and the program is waiting for its implementation.4

3 Projections and calculations based on data from: UNITED NATIONS, DESA / POPULATION DEVI SION. (2017). World Population Prospects 2017 via https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/Graphs/DemographicProfiles/ (accessed 24-04-2018) 4 IDB Urban Dashboard Managua via http://www.urbandashboard.org/iadb/index_city. html?id=MGA&lang=EN (accessed 24-04-2018)

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09 percentage of children under 5 years of age who are underweight, stunted, or affected by wasting (%)

10 solid waste collecting point at Mercado Mayoreo.

Waste blocking streets and gutters can lead to severe flooding on the market during the rain season

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MALNUTRITION Nicaragua is after Haiti the second poorest country in Latin America.

Approximately 30 percent of the families live in poverty and over 8% suffer from severe poverty surviving on less than 1,25 US$ daily.

Poverty is closely linked to food insecurity which is even increasing due to the country vulnerability to natural disasters such as earthquakes, flooding or droughts.

Some 17 percent of children aged under five suffer from chronic malnutrition and are thus often stunted.4 Food-insecurity and according malnutrition is not only a problem of the rural areas but also concerns cities such as Managua. A lot of families living in the poor neighborhoods consume only 15% of the fruit and vegetable amount recommended by the WHO.5 Several programs of the United Nations such as the ‘World Food Programme’ and the ‘Food and Agriculture Organization’ assist the Nicaraguan government in providing food and nutrition security by for example implementing strategies to produce food more productively and more resilient.

SOLID WASTE POLLUTION Solid Waste Pollution to a certain extent co-determines the appearance of Managua. Almost everywhere one can see trash, mostly being plastic bags or some other sort of plastic wrapping on the streets. Even though the amount of trash in the streets keeps within limits, waste management is an issue that needs to be addressed. Especially during the rainy season the careless waste disposal into the streets and especially into the city’s ‘cauces’ can cause flooding because the sewage system is blocked.

A survey conducted by the IDB on waste management in Managua showed that 43% of the inhabitants describe their neighborhood as not clean.6 4 World Food Programme - Nicaragua via http://www1.wfp.org/countries/nicaragua (accessed 13-05-2018) 5 Growing Greener Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean - An FAO report on urban and periurban agriculture in the region, via http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3696e.pdf (accessed 13-05-2018) 6 Action Plan Managua, accessed via http://www.urbandashboard.org/iadb/index_studies. html?lang=EN#?city=MGA&page=1 (accessed 03-10-2017)

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ORIENTAL II

distrito IV

CANDELARIA

distrito VI

ORIENTAL

distrito II

AIRPORT PERIFÉRICO MAYOREO IVAN MONTENEGRO ISRAEL LEWITES

distrito I

ROBERTO HUEMBES

distrito III

distrito VII SAN JUDAS

11 the seven districts of Managua with the location of the markets

distrito V

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THE MERCADOS AS CENTRALITIES The eight mercados in Managua, Mercado Oriental, Mayoreo, Roberto Huembes, Israel Lewites, Ivan Montenegro, Pereferico, San Judas and Candelaria were all built between 1950 and 1980 with the initial idea that each one of them would serve as a commercial centre for one of the seven districts of Managua. Moreover the plan was to also let the markets function as some sort of community/neighborhood centre. The mercado San Judas, where next to the market one can find a library, a baseball field, a boxing club and a medical center, is a good example how besides the commercial function the market also offers a social and cultural benefit to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, San Judas is more or less the only market where this idea was actually implemented. During the 90’s the concept of making the markets more than just commercial centers was lost sight of.

However, analyzing the markets showed that they do have a great potential to act as such communal centers. Already now they function as places where people come together and interact. However, the sociocultural importance of the markets is somewhat neglected concerning the layout and design of most of the public spaces of the markets. On all of the analyzed markets (San Judas, Israel Lewites, Oriental II and Mayoreo) underused and inefficiently used spaces were detected which have a great potential to be qualitative public spaces.

With some restructuring and reorganization of the markets and the introduction of new, social functions the markets can transform into centralities within the city and fill the gap of the missing city center. Since the earthquake in 1972 Managua has decentralized away from the old core, developing along the main transport axes to the east and south.7 The empty and somewhat depressing city center is like an unhealed wound in the city reminding its inhabitants constantly of the many struggles and setbacks that the country and Managua had to endure.

The mercados as commercial, social and cultural centres can function as new places of importance for the inhabitants on a smaller scale.

Places in the city where people go to their grocery shopping but also to meet with friends, sport or watch a dance performance and foremost places where people can identify with.

7 Revels, C. S. (2014). Placing Managua: a landscape narrative in post-earthquake Nicaragua.

Journal Of Cultural Geography, 31(1), 81-105. doi:10.1080/08873631.2013.873300

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RESEARCH BY DESIGN

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RECOVERY & CREATION OF PUBLIC SPACE

PROVIDE IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT TO EVERYDAY SHORTCOMINGS

> PLANTING TREES > STREET-SCAPE UPGRADE > CLEAN-UP / COLLECTING GARBAGE > INSTALL LIGHTS

> DWELLINGS

FORMING & STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY/COLLECTIVITY

> SPORT FACILITIES > GARDENING/ FARMING > COLLECTIVE KITCHEN > CULTURAL ACTIVITIES > CHILD CARE > EDUCATION/SKILL CENTER > LIBRARY > RECYCLING/COLLECTING GARBAGE > ARTS&CRAFTS WORKSHOPS

LIVING ON MARKETS AS ENABLER OF INITIATIVES

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RESEARCH QUESTION Managua is a transforming city and faces a lot of problems going along with that process of change. The problems described above, being urban sprawl, the absence of qualitative public space, housing shortage and devastating living conditions, malnutrition and solid waste pollution are all problems which have a direct impact on the quality of life of people.

The objective of this thesis is to investigate if the markets, as part of the existing urban fabric, can provide solution to the problems described above. Consequently the following research question was formulated: Can the traditional markets of Managua provide an opportunity to densify within the existing urban footprint and simultaneously improve the quality of life of Managua’s inhabitants?

To be able to find an answer to that question Mercado Mayoreo was chosen as a case study. Findings from this case study can be projected and evaluated on the other markets. In this way an in-depth research through design can be executed.

Within this case study three sub-questions have to be answered.

• How will Mayero develop if no restructuring measures and other spatial interventions take place. What impact would that have on the general development of Managua when those findings are extrapolated to the other markets?

• Which spatial incentives can be used to reorganize and restructure Mayoreo and initiate the transformation into a centrality?

• How can these planning instruments be implemented on Mayoreo?

METHODOLOGY After choosing Mayoreo as a case study different growing scenarios were predicted on the basis of the preceding analysis of Managua’s markets and their evolution and growth patterns.

To prevent a growth scenario that would result in further urban sprawling and further decreasing of quality of stay and living conditions, different planning instruments/tools were analyzed and evaluated. A lot of reference projects in cities of developing countries such as Nicaragua, where poorer neighborhoods were upgraded by small spatial interventions and the implementing of social and cultural functions, were studied.

12 (p.before) informal market attached to the big wholesale halls on Mayoreo

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13 vacant spots and places with little up to no (economic) activity

Parque Reparto Segovia

Campo De Futbol Los Mangos Villa Canada

14 recreational spaces in the surrounding areas of Mayoreo

Parque Heroes y Martires de Occidente

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The study showed that in a lot of projects the process of change is similar and often starts with the same first actions which provide an immediate improvement to everyday shortcomings.

Social, cultural and recreational functions that were implemented and brought on some change are sport facilities, educational facilities (schools, child care, library, skill centers), facilities or initiatives enhancing the feeling of community such as a collective kitchen, collective gardening or recycling and cultural offers like for example arts&crafts workshops or theatre groups. The participation of the local people plays a very important role in all projects.

To be able to determine if and where such functions could be implemented on Mayoreo a chart was created listing the different functions subdivided into ‘recreation’, ‘education’, ‘community’ and ‘culture’ and linking them to spatial and infrastructural requirements (including the location within the market and the relation with the direct neighborhood).(chart in annex).

On the basis of this chart locations on Mayoreo which meet the laid down requirements were determined and evaluated.

It could be observed that there is a clustering of locations which are eligible and that those clusters often overlap with the zones that in the preceding analysis of the markets were marked as zones where there is less up to no commercial activity. These zones are a possibility to introduce new functions and by that revitalize the market.

In the following different scenarios introducing new functions such a sport and educational facilities on Mayoreo were created in form of master plans. The master plans were evaluated and compared and eventually compiled in one final master plan.

The feasibility of this master plan was studied by zooming in on a microscale, analyzing the existing structures and how they could be retrofitted for new functions. Suggestions concerning the architecture of the interventions were elaborated.

As a final step the master plan and the used tools and interventions were evaluated in the context of in how far they can be applied to other markets and act as incentive to transform into a centrality.

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15 (above) location of Mayoreo in the eastern edge of Managua

16-19 (right) the evolution of the Mayoreo from the original situation to the current situation of Mayoreo (2017). An informal market has developed around the existing wholesale halls

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MERCADO MAYOREO AS A CASE STUDY Mercado Mayoreo was chosen as a case study because already at the first visit the potentials of this market became clear. Due to its function as Managua’s only wholesale market the layout of Mayoreo is very clear and also very spacious with regard to the logistics and infrastructures wholesale trading entails.

The broad streets, big docking areas and empty spaces in between the wholesale attracted more and more merchants over time to set up their stalls and locate their shops wherever they find space. Mayoreo is gradually transforming from an exclusive wholesale market to a mixed market where next to wholesale trading minor trading in form of an informal market is taking place.

These two different functions combined in one market make Mayoreo a very diverse and interesting but also quite complex place.

The infrastructure lacks behind the transformation of Mayoreo towards a multi-functional market. Logistics and infrastructure have to be revised and improved. In general it can be stated that often space is not used efficiently and that reorganizing and restructuring some parts would not only increase the economical capacity of the market but also create space that can function as qualitative public space for the people working on Mayoreo as well as for the people living in the neighborhoods around the market.

Another intriguing aspect of Mayoreo is that people are living on the market, mostly in really bad and intolerable conditions. Officially living on the markets is illegal, nevertheless COMMEMA is not preventing it but rather taking advantage of it by charging the people living on Mayoreo extra rent for their shops. The challenge is to embrace the fact that people are making the market not only their work place but also their home and provide better living conditions and facilitate this sort of densification.

Densifying Mayoreo is also interesting and favorable with regard to its location within Managua.

Mayoreo is located at the very eastern edge of city and urban sprawl will probably continue towards the East because now there are no convincing alternatives presented to the people. Mayoreo can be one of these alternatives and demonstrate the possibility to densify within the existing urban fabric of Managua.

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20 merchants installed their shops on the central square on Mayoreo between parked cars and trucks

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SPECULATIVE TREND GROWTH SCENARIOS

Through urban sprawl in the east of Managua Mayoreo will become an even more important market and therefore will grow in the near future.

How this market will grow is still to be determined.

Mayoreo can grow in a few directions which all have a different impact on the market. In the following different growing scenarios, which are based on the observation and analysis of grow patterns of other traditional markets in Managua, are outlined.

Three scenarios show possible grow patterns of Mayoreo and the impact they have on the market as centrality.

21 first shops arising on the main access street to Mayoreo

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development of new (informal) commerce existing (informal) commerce 22 Mayoreospeculative growth scenario Growth along the street

GROWTH ALONG THE STREET According to the research on the flows and the associated markets’ activities, most likely the highest commercial activities can be found around the busiest streets and the bus terminal respectively the bus routes. Also the appearance of smaller and middle-sized shops along the market’s access roads could be observed.

This growth scenario refers to this growth pattern/phenomenon since the development of commercial spaces already now is taking place along the main street in the west of Mayoreo connecting the access street of Mayoreo and the Panamericana. In the hope of more clients, and more passing customers (in cars) merchants could settle along the two streets so that the market and the commercial activities around the access streets grow towards each other eventually occupying the residential settlements west of Mayoreo.

Consequently Mayoreo would lose its compactness, and start spreading in the neighborhoods usurping their homes.

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23 Mayoreoevolution growth Further Growth within the wall

FURTHER GROWTH WITHIN THE WALL In this scenario Mayoreo keeps expanding within its walls. Spaces that have not been occupied by commerce till now because their less attractive location such as the bus parking are used by merchants to set up or expand their shops. Also it is quite likely for the streets that are already narrowing right now because merchants take in more and more space slowly superseding the car to at some point completely be occupied by shops (such as we can see in Oriental at partly in Israel Lewites for example. The street in the north of Mayoreo running which is the main street for minor trading at Mayoreo at the moment will probably be the first to block out motorized traffic in such a growth scenario.

The consequently loss of open public space would decrease the attractiveness of Mayoreo as a centrality.

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24 Mayoreopossible location in case the wholesale has to move

25 Mayoreoevolution growth Suppression of wholesale

SUPPRESSION OF WHOLESALE This scenario can also be seen as the following step to the prior scenario.

Here the minor trading, smaller merchants are taking over more and more space originally attributed to the wholesale. Successively winning the conflict with the heavy motorized traffic associated with the wholesale trading activities. The halls are gradually used as ‘normal’ market halls and the space in front of and next to the halls is further taken in by small shops. One consequence could be that wholesale will be placed on another plot, possibly closer to the airport directly connected via the Panamericana.

Also Mayoreo would lose some of its diversity and therefore become less interesting.

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GROWTH AS CHANCE

The development of Mayoreo will probably be a combination of the different scenarios with a further grow within the market and parallel the outwards expansion. It is of great importance that during that growing process all actors and users of the market are considered and included so that they do not supplant or mutually exclude one another.

That the market is growing does not have to be the problem, rather it can be a chance to densify Managua in a good and sustainable way, certainly for Mayoreo where there is still enough space to guide the growth in the right direction.

For a sustainable growth it is important to take into account that people are living on the market and that the number of people doing so will probably rise with an increasing growth of the commercial activities. Consequently a way of combining commerce and living and all associated social activities has to be found. It is crucial to understand that the market has the potential to be more than just a commercial centre for the people working there and living on and around Mayoreo. If the densification of commercial activities but also dwellings on Mayoreo happens in a reasoned way this will not only have a positive impact on Mayoreo itself but also the residential neighborhoods.

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PLANTING TREES > creating public space by providing shade > functioning as traffic calming element > providing fruit

WATER COLLECTION > reuse of rainwater > providing drinking water > use for irrigation of urban gardening

REORGANIZATION INFRASTRUCTURE > defining and creating different traffic zones

RECYCLE (COMPOSTING) > use organic waste of wholesale for composting > use compost for urban gardening

SPORT FACILITIES > recreational activities > promoting health and fitness > engaging youth

SOCIO-CULTURAL FUNCTIONS (education centers, child care, library, workshops, collective kitchen, etc) > promoting education and creativity > stimulating collectivity > enabling women

URBAN GARDENING > providing nutrition > creating green space > stimulating collectivity

WATER STORAGE > store water - minimize risk to natural disaster > create green areas > creat spatial limits

INFRASTRUCTURAL HUB > creating one central bus station

INSTALLING TRASH CANS > make it easier to dispose and collect trash

LIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE > promoting safety > extend period of market actvities

DWELLINGS > providing approriate living space > creating a community > providing possibilty to expand > create a community and increase social security

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SPATIAL PLANNING TOOLS

The ‘tool box’ on the left represents a selection of analyzed spatial planning tools, that can be applied on the market to actuate the transformation of the market into a centrality within Managua.

The tools vary from smaller interventions, such as setting up trash cans to help clean-up the streets or the installation of more street lights to increase the safety and also extend the period of use of certain facilities and activities up to bigger infrastructural interventions such as the reorganization of traffic and logistics.

There are also tools that focus more on initiating initiatives such as waste recycling or urban gardening that improve the quality of the public spaces and also create an awareness among the local people about the importance and benefits of qualitative public space.

It is also crucial to understand that the tools cannot be seen isolated. All the tools interact with and enhance each other. The challenge of defining a holistic vision for the market is to find the best possible combination and implementation of such tools.

The selected tools in some way all answer and suggest solutions to the general problems of Managua described above. They are a crucial component in the creation of qualitative public spaces and promoting densification within the city.

26 (left) graphic spatial planning tools

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ening community

URBAN SPRAWL

make longer use of faciliti es possibl

e

initi ate densifi cati on process by strenghth

LIVING CONDITIONS ity bil ra

vu l

ne

se rea dec

space

b l ic f pu

densifi cati on within urban footprint

ABSENCE PUBLIC SPACE

MALNUTRITION

be au ti f i ca ti o no

create pu

r clea ti ng a e r c e by b l i c s p ac

es zon fic f a tr

POLLUTION

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FORMULATING A MASTER PLAN In the following step these tools were applied to Mayoreo and different scenarios for a master plan were created to be able to evaluate the different functions in different locations and the combination of the two.

Some of the tools were subdivided to be able to go more into detail.

The tool of ‘socio-cultural functions’ for example has been divided into library, educational functions, child care, collective kitchen and theatre/ workshops.

27 (left) graphic spatial planning tools

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PROPOSAL 01 - MASTER PLAN

+

recreation area (sport facilities/park/urban farming) can also serve neighborhood clustering of communal and social functions in the east makes layering of functions possible as well as an incremental expansion traffic-calmed sector connects different parts and functions of the market

conflict between ‘Plaza’ and high volume of heavy traffic (trucks) due to the whole sale function of Mayoreo ‘Plaza possibly has to little functions and is to singlepurposed ‘Plaza’ has no real link with recreational area master plan might be too onesided creating an imbalance between east and west difficult to relocate merchants that have to move due to interventions

28 Mayoreo- master plan proposal 01

In this proposal sport facilities were placed in the east of Mayoreo on the area which currently is used as a bus parking. Besides that the area of approx. 5.500m² does not fulfill any further functions for the market since there is almost no commercial activity or any sort of social interaction.

Next to the sport facilities urban farming and gardening could take place.

Together it would form a recreational area not only for the market but also because of its location at the edge of the market for the neighborhoods of Concepcion de Maria and Villa Reconciliacion.

Adjacent to the sport fields other functions such as an education and skill center as well as a child care centre, a collective kitchen and a community hall are placed in the existing structures.

Along the wall which marks the border between the residential neighborhood and the market the objective is to introduce more dwelling typologies on Mayoreo and hence densify the market. Moreover the outer ring of the streets in North, West and East become pedestrian respectively traffic-calmed streets.

Another bigger intervention is the creation of a central square, a ‘Plaza’ in the middle of Mayoreo combined with a bus station and a parking.

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PROPOSAL 02 - MASTER PLAN

+

clear distinction between whole sale activities and other market activities park and recreation area also serves neighborhood connection of national bus terminal with market possibility to relocate merchants and also for general growth of commercial activities

bus parking area might be over dimensioned and to singlepurposed to function as a qualitative public space square connected to bus terminal does not have any function and will probably be occupied by merchants

In this scenario the big bus parking area is transformed into a park area integrating urban farming. The focus here lies more on creating a green area where people from the market as well from the neighborhoods come to relax.

One of the wholesale halls is transformed into a basketball hall combined with a polyvalent space which can be used also either for sports or for other events and activities. A small square is created within a cluster of shops with a collective kitchen interacting with the covered space in the hall.

Moreover an education and skill center is placed adjacent to the basketball hall in already existing structures which are barely used at the moment.

A new hall structure which can be used for commercial purposes is planned in the middle of Mayoreo.

A bus station is situated on the central axes close to the Plaza.

Another focus of this proposal is to improve the connection between the market and the national bus station in the South-East by replacing the accumulation of shops with a canopy structure which allows for a visual connection between the two places and at the same time can be used by merchants to set up temporary shops.

29 Mayoreo- master plan proposal 02

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PROPOSAL 03 - MASTER PLAN

+ compatible functions such as education, recreation and culture are clustered site is confined and protected by the surrounding structures national bus station in the middle of the market brings on new dynamics and new potential clients for the merchants clear distinction between whole sale activities and other market activities

-

merging of the local and national bus station might put too much logistical pressure on the market and collide with the heavy truck traffic of the wholesale interventions are to one-sided and create an imbalance difficult to connect social initiatives to residential functions

30 Mayoreo- master plan proposal 03

This master plan aims to give Mayoreo a new and improved ‘face’, meaning its appearance towards the main street. Therefore the current bus station is moved to one central bus station for national as well as local busses in the middle of Mayoreo. The structures of the current bus station are converted into an education and skill center including a child care centre. In the open public space connected to the bus station sport facilities (basketball courts) and a playground are placed.

Moreover one of the existing buildings can be used for cultural purposes such as a dance or theatre studio or function as workshops.

The bus parking area in the east as in the prior proposals is transformed into a park area connected to the new social and cultural hub at the former bus station. In the smaller hall on the left of the park area communal spaces, such as a communal kitchen and a community hall.

This scenario also proposes the densification in form of dwellings at the outer ring of Mayoreo, the pedestrian zone however, is limited to the educational and recreational area.

45

PROPOSAL 04 - MASTER PLAN

+ densification not only in the outer ring but also on former bus parking which offers enough space to install a park as well as new dwellings square in the middle can be used for multi purposes (expansion of sport facilities, waiting zone for bus station, cultural events)

-

different interventions do not have a real connection with each other user conflict between square and the middle and recreational zone in the east

This proposal examines the possibility to place sport courts on the central square of Mayoreo which at the moment is used partly for parking and maintenance of the busses and partly for some small scale trading. The open space has a size of approximately 6.000 m² and therefore presents itself as an optimal space for such purposes.

Next to the sport facilities a public square is placed which in turn is connected to a bus station located at the central boulevard.

The bus parking area in the east in this proposal is used for new dwellings on Mayoreo. The dwellings are imbedded in a park and hence on the one hand function as a recreation zone and on the other hand as an expansion of the residential neighborhood. The new dwelling/park area has a connection to some communal functions, being a collective kitchen, a community hall and child care in the bigger hall right next to the park zone and an education in the smaller halls in the North East.

31 Mayoreo- master plan proposal 04

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32 Mayoreo- master plan final proposal

47

FINAL PROPOSAL MASTER PLAN This master plan aims to integrate and combine all the interventions and restructuring measures that were considered positive and logical in the preceding research on master plans in a best possible way.

In this scenario most of the interventions, meaning the retrofitting of existing structures and the introduction of new (social) functions and the addition of several new structuring elements take place in the outer ring of Mayoreo, which is most connected to the surrounding neighborhoods.

In the North-West corner the existing structures of two smaller shelter halls located a little bit set back from the busy market street are transformed into partly dwelling and partly an education center including a child care service.

Right now the halls are either empty or are used as storage units.

Directly connected to the classrooms is an outside play area which in turn is connected to the new introduced basketball court in a former wholesale hall. Currently the wholesale hall right now is beginning to transform from an wholesale only purpose to a mixed purpose hall with same smaller stands in the aisles and also some smaller storage units. The advantage of placing the sport facilities in the hall is that shadow is provided the whole day and the use of the place is not dependent on weather conditions.

The central boulevard of Mayoreo is transformed back into a green axis by doubling the size and linking infrastructural functions to it.

The end of the boulevard forms a central bus stop connected to a public square. Also along the boulevard a new hall structure, similar to ones existing will be built.

In the North-West corner three of the existing hall structures are transformed into dwellings on the first floor and commercial space on the ground level. Also some communal functions such as a community hall and a collective kitchen are introduced.

The area of the bus parking is used to develop new dwellings which act as an expansion of the surrounding neighborhood.

In the following this proposal will be elaborated in more detail.

The feasibility of the different interventions will be studied by zooming in on the existing structures, the necessary infrastructural interventions and the possibilities to implement and realize the proposed design

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MASTER PLAN - DESIGN

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33 Mayoreo- master plan

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34 on some of Mayoreo’s streets the merchants have claimed so much space with their shops that passage is getting more and more difficult for cars, trucks or pick-ups

35 the boulevard of Mayoreo is the main infrastructure axes of the market. Traffic can be quite chaotic here, with cars, busses, trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians all trying to get to their destination via the main axis. Depending how much the street is claimed by merchants there are two to three parallel lanes

53

EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

bus

trucks

bus station

cars/pick-ups

pedestrians

The infrastructural layout of Mayoreo is very clear. However, due to the transformation of the market into a multi-purpose market and the consequent evolution of different street typologies, the infrastructure lost some of its clarity. (also see book Managua Part I) On the boulevard spatial conflicts between the different road users and shops become the most obvious. Trucks that want to cross, busses that stop on several places and taxis and caponeras that slip through result in traffic chaos and needless congestions on the central axis.

Moreover the initially green boulevard is no longer recognizable as such because shops have occupied almost all of the green space.

36 scheme of Mayoreo’s road network and the different road users

54

pedestrians cars/pick-ups traffic calmed

37 scheme of Mayoreo’s road network and the different road users

bus

trucks

bus station

cars/pick-ups

cars/pick-ups traffic calmed

pedestrians

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NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

The biggest intervention regarding the infrastructure is the duplication of the central axis, the boulevard.

This way the boulevard is functioning as a big roundabout which will improve the logistical chaos at the crossing of the most busy street of Mayoreo. At the end of the boulevard a central bus station is placed. All the local busses riding into Mayoreo will stop at this central bus stop.

Congestions due to randomly stopping busses can thus be avoided.

Relocating the existing ‘bus stops’ and creating one new bus stop which is connected to the new ‘plaza’ and also closer to the surrounding neighborhoods means a benefit for such.

At the outer ring of Mayoreo traffic islands with trees which act as chicanes are installed to calm down the traffic in this area. Already now these streets are in the process of becoming less busy, hence the islands will facilitate and support this process and at the same time increase the quality of stay of these streets. Trees also are being used to block certain streets and paths completely for motorized traffic and others partly for trucks and other heavy traffic.

In general the infrastructural interventions facilitate the ongoing processes of making some streets traffic-calmed or even car-free.

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38 this existing entrance leads to the bus parking area.

Caponeras use it to enter the market coming from the North

39 the main pedestrian entrance to Mayoreo when coming from the South squeezed in between two houses and almost not visible

57

ENTRANCES

new/altered entrances existing main entrance

40 the master plan suggests the opening up of Mayoreo towards the surrounding residential areas

The preceding analysis of the infrastructure of Mayoreo (for details see ‘Mercados of Managua, Part I’) showed that there is almost no visual and physical connection between the market and its surrounding neighborhoods. The wall which is limiting Mayoreo and only has official openings towards the main access street in the south is a crucial factor regarding this problem. However, the wall also helps constraining the market’s growth within the walls and therefore has its reason for being.

Nevertheless some openings should be made to create a connection between the market and its neighborhood so that interaction between the two can take place.

The master plan proposes several new entrances which are all connected to new public functions and public spaces.

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41 new water infrastructure of Mayoreo

0.7 m 2m

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42 section of the new boulevard.

Because certain parts will flood during rain, it is not a favorable situation for merchants to set up there. A strip in the middle of the two boulevards merchants have space to set up their business.

2m

10 m

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WATER INFRASTRUCTURE Water shortage is a problem on Mayoreo. The only water tower in the West corner of Mayoreo cannot provide enough water for all the merchants for a whole day. Nevertheless until now nothing has been undertaken by Commema or the government to find a solution to that problem even though a measure seems obvious.

The great surface of roofs of the wholesale halls can be used to collect and store rainwater that falls plenty during the rainy months (mayoctober). Rainwater can be collected in water tanks at each of the halls. If a filter system is integrated the water can even be used as drinking water.

In case that the water tanks are too small to collect all the water, the overflow can be directed to the central boulevard.

Due to the two wadis in the boulevard it is able to function as a water retention zone. Furthermore the water flows of most of the streets are also directed to the boulevard. As the streets will get renewed in the course of time, this should be kept in mind and the streets should be built with a slight slope towards the middle axis.

The proposed water structure brings improvement in several ways: • rain water is collect and can be reused (approx. 4 million liters per year/per roof) • the wadis in the central boulevard prevent merchants to set up stalls in the green zone • retaining water helps keeping zones green which increases the quality of stay because greener and bigger trees provide more shade • the water infrastructure minimizes the risk of damage in case of heavy rain and flooding

43 example of a wadi in Kronsberg, Hannover

by Atelier Dreiseitl

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44 social functions, including dwellings, are interlaced with newly created or improved public space

45 planting trees plays a crucial role in improving and creating public space since they provide shade

recovery & creation of qualitative public space introducing social/cultural/ recreational functions

61

PUBLIC FUNCTIONS

In order to facilitate change and initiate a transformation of Mayoreo into a centrality the recovery and creation of the public spaces in Mayoreo is the most crucial step.

Public spaces with a high quality of stay are the fundament for any further development. Around these public spaces new social functions, such as for example a school, a library or a basketball court, can develop. Qualitative public spaces interlaced with public functions will help form and strengthen the community on Mayoreo and stimulate the densification process.

The master plan proposes to concentrate public spaces and functions in a sort of strip going along the North side of Mayoreo and connecting it with the East corner.

This area was chosen because it already now is the area on Mayoreo where most public life happens since it is the main shopping street for minor trading and people come here to do their daily grocery. The atmosphere here is more local and familiar and differs much from the wholesale area.

The separation from the wholesale area is another factor why the area is beneficial for public life. No trucks or other heavy means of transport drive through this area which makes it much safer.

The closeness to the neighborhood was also a decisive factor as it gives the possibility to open Mayoreo up towards its surroundings. This way Mayoreo represents an added value to the neighborhood as well.

Summing up a strip of public spaces is created in the North and East of Mayoreo on which several social functions string together.

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46 in the streets of the outer ring of Mayoreo the atmosphere is pleasant and familiar

47 street in the North of Mayoreo

63

predominantly minor trading wholesale wholesale less truck traffic

48 zones wholesale & minor trading: existing situation of Mayoreo with wholesale trading mainly in the five halls marked in red.

The surrounding area (in green) is more used for smaller trading actions and therefore trucks barely come here.

49 the atmosphere in the wholesale area is much different, with trucks dominating the picture

64

50 Temporary Workshop & Recreation Centre of Qianyi Farm Big Smallness Studio + Wuhan ADAP Architects

51 pavilion designed by Spanish architect duo Selgascano in Kibera, part of the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

52 Pop-Up Stores -Libros Mutantes at La Casa Encendida by Cuarto Orden

65

SCAFFOLDING FOR MOBILE URBANISM

When designing in a context such as Mercado Mayoreo, it is important to make designs that are flexible and can be altered by its users.

Yona Friedman wrote “Any attempt at a static solution would be unwise.

We propose a mobile urbanism which would search for techniques allowing the construction of large units within which an infinite flexibility is required; techniques allowing the provision of supplies (water, energy, sewage disposal) capable of rapid alteration and reutilization; techniques using elements, inexpensive, simple to erect, easy to transport, reusable.“ So in order to provide such flexibility and mobility some of the architectural elements proposed in the master plan are made out off scaffolding elements. Scaffolding is used for the bigger structures, such as the new bus stop but also used to build smaller architectural elements such as a bench or a shop unit.

The idea is to have one central storage point for scaffolding elements where people can buy or rent the parts they need to built a storage shelf for example.

This way the scaffolding architecture elements can be found on the market going from a big shelter construction to a simple sitting facility forming some kind of uniformity for the market.

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53 there are various possibilities to build sitting elements with scaffolding elements

54 a simple shelf structure can be made out of scaffolding and can help to use the space in the wholesale halls more efficiently.

A shelf unit can also easily be transformed into a small shop unit.

67

The images on the left and below give an impression of what is possible with scaffolding. The big advantage is its flexibility. The merchants or families can built furniture or structures tailored to their needs and budget.

The different structures, such as for example the sitting elements on the left, can stand and function on their own but can also be integrated in a bigger structure, such as a shop or the bus station.

The different scaffolding techniques (e.g. ring-lock scaffolding, frame scaffolding) can be used for different purposes and have different advantages.

55 a canopy is the most important feature for a shop to protect the goods and merchants from the sun. The canopy structure can gradually be expanded with shelfstructures. Several configurations are possible depending on the type of shop.

68

scaffolding balcony structure

scaffolding shelter structure

scaffolding roof structure

scaffolding shop units

scaffolding depot

56 locations on Mayoreo where scaffolding can be used in different scales. The bus station is the biggest scaffolding structure.

The vacant hall (in red) is used as deposit for scaffolding elements where people can rent or buy the elements they need.

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57 scaffolding sitting elements integrated in the shelter structure of the bus

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58 back alley parallel to the busy shopping street in the North of Mayoreo. Currently the place is only used for storage

nity commu

helps maintaining public functi on

social functions revitalize the vacant space

publ

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muni cti ons st rengthen sense of com

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71

REVITALIZATION OF A DEAD BACK ALLEY

In the North-West corner of Mayoreo between a smaller wholesale hall and a covering structure for storage a relatively narrow back alley is located. The alley can be accessed via two entrances, one from the busier street in the North and the other on the East side. Both entrances are quite difficult to find, especially if one does not even know about the existence of the back alley.

The fact that the structures are mainly unused and no activity can be found in the alley probably relates to the rather hidden location. What on the one hand implies a negative effect on the economical amenity of this place, can represent an advantage for other functions.

Due to its location and layout the back alley is not only a little hidden but also a protected and sheltered area. Although it is only a couple meters from the busy main street for minor trading, the atmosphere in the back alley is really calm.

The calm environment provides for a good location for educational functions, such as a library and a school.

The back alley can function as a learning enclave in busy Mayoreo while still being easy accessible for merchants and their kids and also people from the neighborhood.

The public function of an education and skill center is combined with dwellings. On the one hand the public function can stimulate the development of a small community of the back alley by transforming it into a lively place and on the other hand dwellings or rather the dwellers can help promoting the public function by creating a sense of safety and maintaining the place.

The two functions support and enhance each other.

Moreover already now there are some signs that suggest that people are using the structure as dwellings.

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59 currently only some units in the back alley are used as storage units. There is almost no (economical) activity to be found here

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60 one can find signs indicating that people already using the place as their home. The dishes on the right suggest that people are living in this back alley

61 view from the back alley looking towards the busy shopping street

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62 the stairs on the right mark the entrance to the back alley from the street east of the back alley

63 the parallel street to the back alley is busy with merchants. The stairs in the background lead to the back alley

76

64 the existing structure is transformed into partly dwellings and partly an educational center.

The economical function also partly remains

educational functions (classrooms, child care, library)

economical function

dwellings

informal market/ canopy structures

big canopy structures

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65 the existing structure column/ beam structure with corrugated roof and can be used as structural framework

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66 one unit is approx. is 22,5 m². The existing structure can be filled in with load-bearing walls and further walls for room division.

The structure for the access balconies on the first floor stands in front of the existing structure.

78

67 the units can be combined to create different dwellingtypologies

DWELLINGS For the dwellings one unit (22,5 m²) can be used as starting unit.

Depending on the required space and the financial resources of the dwellers the unit can either be expanded by combining to units horizontally or by adding another floor. The structure for the access balconies can work as an incentive for the dwellers to expand vertically.

Some collective facilities, such as collective sanitary blocks and a collective cooking/washing area are provided. That makes it possible that the dwellers can decide themselves if and when they want to invest in a private bathroom. Moreover the alley itself functions as a collective outside space where the dwellers can set up their chairs and hammocks and interact with their neighbors.

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EDUCATION AND SKILL CENTER The objective of establishing an education and skill center in the back alley starts with moving CEFODI from its former location to the back alley.

CEFODI is a NGO founded in Ecuador which mission it is to implement initiatives that contribute to the integral and sustainable development of the local communities.

On Mayoreo CEFODI they started an initiative which works against child labor. CEFODI offers classes and pre-school education to children whose parents are merchants working on Mayoreo.

Besides pre-school and elementary school courses, CEFODI also offers classes that teach the children cooking, tailoring or mechanics.

At the moment the school is located in a building close to the COMMEMA office in the South of Mayoreo.

By moving to the back alley CEFODI gets the chance to expand. Besides classes for children also classes for young adults and adults could be given in the evening. A library completes the educational offer and can be used by everyone.

Next to the possibility to expand the location itself is favorable for such an education center. The space between the back alley and the next wholesale hall can be used as an extended outside area and play ground.

Also the location is better connected to the surrounding neighborhoods so that also children from could make use of the educational offers.

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68 floor plan of first floor.

The plan represents a later stage of the transformation process where some dwellers made use of the first floor to live.

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69 A-A elevation

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phase 0 the existing structure consisting out of concrete columns and beams with corrugated sheets as roofs.

The back alley is for the most part unused.

phase 1 gradually the existing structure is filled with load-bearing brick walls and units for dwellings and educational functions are formed.

Cefodi moves from its former location to its new destination.

GSEducationalVersion

phase 2 Cefodi expands to the first floor.

Access balconies are build to reach the first floors on both sides.

phase 3 Also dwellers expand vertically taking Cefodi is example and making use of the already existing access balconies.

70 evolution dwellings and education center

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71 the zone between the new educational center and the retrofitted wholesale hall is transformed into a playground/ square which is directly connected to CEFODI so the space can be used as outside play area for the children

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72 section of the square connecting the education center/ child care with the sports hall which can also be used by the students during breaks or PE classes.

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73 view of the collective street of the education center (CEFODI).

The balcony structure which gives access to the first floor is made out of scaffolding.

The elements invite to claim and privatize space to a certain level.

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74 the wholesale hall located in the North of Mayoreo is mainly used for storage.

community engagement

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SPORT AS SOCIAL CATALYST

The study and analysis of projects in developing countries that aimed to upgrade the public space and linking more social functions in order to improve the quality of life in poorer neighborhoods, showed that sport facilities often work as a social catalyst. Basketball courts or another kind of sport facility were installed in poorer neighborhoods almost immediately have a positive impact on the life of the locals because the areas become more lively and hence safer. Moreover giving children and the youth the possibility to sport, can help keeping them of the streets.

Sport facilities and sport clubs and teams promote the communal feeling.

For Mayoreo, this wholesale hall was chosen to be transformed into a sports hall because of several reasons.

The existing structure with its big span and height provides enough space for sport activities such as basketball. Further the structure makes it possible to play sports in the shadow which is crucial for such a warm and sunny country such as Nicaragua. Since the space is covered it can be used the whole day, no matter the time or weather.

Also the location of the wholesale hall was an important factor in choosing the right place for a sport facility. The hall is connected to the busy shopping street in the North of Mayoreo, where people come to do their daily groceries. The street and hence the hall are the ones most connected to the neighborhood.

The location between the educational center and the central square also makes it possible to link more functions to the hall. During the day the facilities can be used by children of the school for physical education of for their breaks.

If there are bigger social events or festivities happening on the square the hall can be used as covered extension of the square or as festivity hall itself

88

75 the wholesale halls are mainly used for storage. In the aisles merchants set up small shops.

76 in front of the wholesale halls some merchants set up their shops in the ‘parking zone’.

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77 due the big span of the halls construction a free division of storage units is possible. A lot of space in the halls is not used because there is no stacking system

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78 floor plan of the transformed hall with a basketball court, a multipurpose space for dance lessons, theatre groups or other events and changing rooms.

The polyvalent space can also be used as an extension of the square.

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79 section B-B the visual connection between basketball court and playground is provided by separating the two with a net.

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80 section A-A the sports hall is connected to the central square and the playground. The side walls are mainly open to provide natural light and a connection between the sports hall and the market’s activity on the street next to it.

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93

phase 0 the original hall structure partly used as storage space for the wholesale, partly used for minor trading actions.

phase 1 the walls partly are getting removed or lowered to let more natural light enter.

phase 2 installing the basketball court as well as changing rooms.

The lower walls can be used as benches to either watch a basketball match or the goingson the street

81 transformation of wholesale hall into sports hall

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95

82 the hall is open towards its surroundings to guarantee the interaction between the sports hall, the square and the shopping street. One can sit on the small wall and watch a basketball match or the goings-on of the market

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83 back alley parallel to the busy shopping street in the North of Mayoreo. Currently the place is only used for storage

linking the infrastructural hub to the hub of public life generates activity and liveliness

97

CREATING A CENTER FOR THE CENTRALITY

Even though there are seven local bus lines stopping inside Mayoreo there is no central bus stop provided. The busses circulate around the central axis stopping several times to let people get in or get out. That often causes traffic problems in the busier periods of the day because the stopping busses are blocking the traffic behind them To solve this problem a central bus station is built at the end of the central axis. At this location the bus stop fulfills several functions.

The bus stop is located where most people that come to Mayoreo by bus want to be anyway, being the main shopping street for daily purchases in the North or the neighborhoods in the north of Mayoreo.

Moreover the bus stop functions as a blockade, preventing cars and other motorized vehicles from entering the traffic calmed street via the axis.

The bus stop also functions as a gate to the square which is located right behind it.

The square is the new heart of the public life of Mayoreo. Here everybody, the merchants, the visitors, people from the neighborhoods can come to recreate, rest, have a drink and meet with friends.

The stairs shape the square at the same time can be used as seating facilities.

Next to the canopy structure, trees provide shadow and help create qualitative public spaces.

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84 currently the local busses stop at more or less random spots on the boulevard.

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85 location of Mayoreo in Managua’s public transport network

86 the picture shows one of the more formal stops. A covering structure is providing shade for the waiting people.

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87 the square, located at the end of the boulevard, acts as a junction between the market and the neighborhood.

Merchants, visitors of the market and people from the surrounding neighborhoods can come together and interact with each other. The entrance to Mayoreo north of the square is worked open. A visual and physical connection opens up the market towards the neighborhood

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88 section A-A the big and open covering structure is used a bus stop on the one hand and as a shelter facing the square on the other side

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89 elevation B-B the bus station functions also as a gate to the central square attached to the shelter structure

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90 people resting in the shade under trees on the central square in Granada

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92 The ‘Parque Central’ in Granada is located in the middle of the city right next to the Cathedral of Granada.

The square is a very lively and pleasant place where a lot of locals like to spend some time of their day.

The square was a source of inspiration for the square proposed for Mayoreo

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93 the bus station as central arrival point in Mayoreo and gate to the central square. Together the two elements form the new center of public life of Mayoreo.

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94 the shelter structure of the bus station also frames the square located on the other side. A lot of trees provide additional shade.

The polyvalent space of the sports hall can be used as event location in combination with the square for bigger events.

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95 in the North-East corner of Mayoreo are some halls which are partly used for storage and sale and partly vacant.

WORKING

create mixtu

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COMBINING LIVING AND WORKING

The North-East corner of Mayoreo represents an interesting mixture of the extension of the busy shopping street, some wholesale trading and some vacant spots. The atmospheres changes from pleasant to a little unsafe within a couple meters.

Within this mixture one can occasionally find narrow bistros built against the wall of Mayoreo and also some indications that people are living in this area of the market can be found.

The ambition for this area is to promote and stimulate what is already beginning to happen: a densification process. The existing structure of the halls allow to add an extra floor with minimum effort and people can live on top of their own shop. The proposed design also gives the possibility to expand or alter the apartments with time or combine two units to one bigger living unit.

In order to give some incentives to live on the markets in an appropriate way collective sanitation blocks and other communal facilities are provided. A collective kitchen as well as some ‘community rooms’ are located at the Eastern end of the halls.

Moreover more trees are planted so that the traffic in this area is calmed and at the same time more shade is generated.

Another important intervention in connection with introducing dwellings in this area is the accessibility and the connectivity with the neighborhood.

Therefore the wall is opened up to create a proper entrance or rather connection between the two areas.

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96 hall structures with some fruit and vegetable shops

97 narrow shops/houses are built against the wall of Mayoreo

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98 the drying laundry is an indication of people living in the structures

99 another indication of people living in the halls. In this case they built their home on top of their shop.

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100 floor plan of the ground floor.

The commercial function of the ground floor remains. Only the right end of the halls get a more collective function such as a collective kitchen and a community gathering hall

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101 floor plan of first floor.

The existing structure offers the possibility to lay an additional floor on which dwellings can develop

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102 A-A elevation of the transformed hall structures. The balconies facing both sides of the street promote the interaction between street and building

GSEducationalVersion

103 B-B more trees are planted to on the one hand generate more shade and on the other hand to calm the traffic by acting as chicanes

104 (right) transformation of the existing structure into dwellings and commerce combined

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phase 0 GSEducationalVersion

the existing structure consisting a steel frame structure and a secondary steel structure which supports the roof.

phase 1 load-bearing walls or an added frame construction attached to the existing structure are used to divide the commercial units and carry a first floor

phase 2 gradually people will start building new floor slabs and stairs and build a floor on top of the commercial units

phase 3 dwellings develop on the first floor with always two housing units sharing one collective outside area

phase 4 the houses can and will expand partly onto the outside terraces.

phase 5 dwellers live on top of the commercial function. As the commerce stops in the afternoon the streets can be used as collective outside space

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105 view of one of the streets in the North-West corner of Mayoreo where living on the first floor is combined with commerce on the ground floor.

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106 in the East of Mayoreo currently a big bus parking is located. Other than busses being maintained and cleaned during the day nothing happens in the area.

solve problems by interlacing dwellings and the market

119

INTRODUCING A NEW LIVING TYPOLOGY

The master plan proposes to transform the big area in the East of Mayoreo which is currently used for the maintenance, cleaning and parking of busses , into a new residential area.

The area that now is some kind of appendage of Mayoreo, not really belonging to the market or bus station and neither the neighborhood, would become the extension of the residential area around Mayoreo.

As dwellings a new typology is proposed which combines housing with urban gardening or also called urban horticulture. The ambition is to create compact and dense living while making the city greener and more productive.

For the layout of the dwellings the social housing complex of Michel Ecochard in Casablanca was a big inspiration. By arranging the different rooms in an L-shape a small courtyard is generated. The idea was adopted since courtyards play an important role in the living culture of Nicaragua as well.

On a grid of approx. 6x6m the L-shaped units where arranged in such a way that always to courtyards face each other so that a bigger collective courtyard is created. The courtyards in turn are always orientated towards the collective zone between two rows of houses. This collective street is used as access paths to the different houses as well as for the urban gardening.

Another important aspect in designing the typology was to make it possible to expand. The dwellers should be able to expand and adapt their homes depending on their demands and means.

The compact grid of 6x6m intends to encourage a vertical expansion as well as the fact that the people living in these dwellings already begin with a first floor.

120

107 bus parking area on Mayoreo which is otherwise not used

108 bus parking area on Mayoreo which for a great part is not used

121

109 across the street is another bus parking area which still has capacity

110 the bus parking area on the other of the street of Mayoreo

B

122

A

B

A

111 five rows of back-to-back houses are built on the former bus parking area. The houses always face towards a urban gardening zone in the middle. A park zone connects the national bus station with market

0

5

20

123

starting unit a dwelling unit consists of a cooking/living area and bathroom on the ground floor and a bedroom and a terrace on the first floor.

The roof is made out of scaffolding elements and can therefore easily be re-assembled in case of one expansion of the dwelling. Moreover the structure makes a natural ventilation possible.

expansion possibilities the typology provides the possibility to expand first on the balcony and later by adding a second floor

configuration of units two units are always combined facing each other. This way a collective courtyard is generated

112 starting unit and different expansion possibilities and configurations

124

113 ground floor the shared courtyards face the urban gardening zone in the middle which is simultaneously functions as a collective street

114 first floor one up to two bedrooms are located on the first floor

0

5

10

125

115 A-A elevation new housing typology

116 B-B section the dwellings are orientated in such a way that urban gardens in the middle get the maximum amount of sunlight whereas the dwellings get as much shade as possible.

This is also why fruit trees are always planted at the North side of the garden.

126

127

117 urban gardening in front of the houses. The courtyards are facing the collective gardening zone

128

118 Horticulture project in Los Laureles Sur. Irrigation system made from water bottles provides plants with the right amount of water

119 Big water tanks in which the rain water is collected to provide water in the dry season

129

HORTICULTURE AS INSTRUMENT TO BUILD GREENER CITIES As described earlier Nicaragua is a low-income, food-deficit country and one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Around 30% of the families of Nicaragua live in poverty and almost 20% of the children aged under five suffer from chronic malnutrition.8 The initiative ‘Growing greener cities’ of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) amongst others assist cities in developing countries to create ‘green cities’ which focus on resilience, self-reliance, and social economic and environmental sustainability.

One important instrument or feature of ‘green cities’ in developing countries is ‘Urban and peri-urban agriculture’ (UPH). UPH is the cultivation of crops (fruit, vegetables, roots and also ornamental plants) within cities. Horticulture can empower communities and contribute to the food security and nutrition in these communities. UPH can also lead to the improvement of neighborhoods, by introducing waste management, strengthen the community and sometime creating new jobs for the residents.9 In Managua two successfully horticulture projects, one in Ciudad Sandino and the other on Los Laureles Sur, have been established with the assistance of the FAO.

HORTICULTURE IN LOS LAURELES SUR Los Laureles Sur was chosen as a project site because it is one of the poorest neighborhoods of Managua and has high rates of food insecurity and malnutrition. 17% percent of first-year primary kids living there were affected by moderate to severe stunting due to malnutrition. Families living in this area were consuming less than 60g fruit or vegetables a day which is only 15% of what the WHO and the FAO recommend.

A training centre was built in Los Laureles where residents could sign up for courses in organic gardening. In the training centre they learn about gardening technologies, seedlings, irrigation etc. After the training the receive a basic toolkit with which they can establish a garden at their own home.

Because Managua has a long dry-season they invited a simple irrigation system made out of plastic bottles and using stored rainwater from the 8 9

http://www1.wfp.org/countries/nicaragua (accessed 13-05-2018) http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/greenercities/en/whyuph/index.html (accessed 13-05-2018)

130

120 irrigation-system with re-used plastic bottles

MAYOREO

LOS LAURELES SUR

121 Los Laureles Sur is located nearby Mayoreo. A horticulture project in Mayoreo could profit from the expertise in Los Laureles Sur

131

whole year to guarantee the water supply to grow vegetables all year long.

In 2012 the training centers in Los Laureles Sur and Ciudad Sandino achieved a total production of 1.5 tonnes of vegetables. After following the courses at the training centre people grew tomatoes, sweet peppers, onions, lettuce, chard, radish, spinach, beets, eggplant, squash, celery, cucumbers, green beans, sweet potatoes and herbs in their backyards with the result that average consumption of vegetables in the gardening families increased by 60%.

The success of this project also prompted the government to include UPH in its National Human Development Plan and to invest in programs that encourage the urban food production.10

LOS LAURELES SUR AS MODEL FOR MAYOREO A horticulture project on Mayoreo itself could profit of the experience and the knowledge of the existing training centre in Los Laureles Sur. The residents can take courses and afterwards start growing vegetables and fruits in collective urban gardening zone between the houses. The collected water from the big roofs of the wholesale halls can be used for the irrigation system if the natural irrigation connected to the boulevard is not sufficient.

10 Growing Greener Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean - An FAO report on urban and periurban agriculture in the region, via http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3696e.pdf (accessed 13-05-2018)

132

133

MASTER PLAN - PHASING

134

122 phase I: public spaces are recovered and created by planting trees, installing additional lights, providing trash cans and sitting possibilities (for example combined in a ‘tree island’)

123 trees not only provide shade but also function as traffic elements calming down or even blocking traffic.

Bigger regulating traffic elements such as the long roundabout/ boulevard also function as green space for Mayoreo.

135

PHASE I : RECOVERY & CREATION OF PUBLIC SPACES

newly planted trees 124 phase I: The actions necessary to improve public spaces have to be taken and financed by the local government in cooperation with Commema.

The first step in the transformation process of Mayoreo is the recovery and creation of public spaces. That means reorganizing traffic flows to create space where people can stop and rest, sit down, chat with each other and take a break. This happens mainly by transforming over dimensioned roads in public space where trees can be planted.

Those trees will provide shade and invite people to reside for a moment.

Shade is an essential feature in creating qualitative and functional public spaces in a country with a warm and sunny climate such as Nicaragua.

Benches and other sitting elements are installed in the shady areas.

Upgrading the existing street-scapes is also one of the first actions that have to be taken. Streets need to be mended where necessary and the general appearance of the streets need to improve by cleaning them up.

This also includes setting up trash cans to give the people the possibility to dispose their trash properly in the first place.

Moreover it is important to install additional streetlights to increase the security of the market during evening and night times. This also extends the hours the market and the added social functions can be used.

These elements can be combined in for example ‘tree islands’ which simultaneously function as traffic calming elements.

136

125 phase II: a central bus station and square form the new center of Mayoreo.

The new hall completes the pattern of the existing wholesale halls.

126 phase II: together with the public functions (basketball court, polyvalent space, square with cafĂŠ) that are located around the bus station the complex forms the center of public life on Mayoreo.

137

PHASE II : CREATION OF A CENTER & NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR COMMERCE

127 phase II: a new center is created as well as the possibility for the commerce to grow

In the second phase the central bus station as well as a new (wholesale) hall is built. The bus station flanked by the new square form the center of public life on Mayoreo and functions as a joint between the market and the surrounding neighborhoods. Furthermore it helps structuring the traffic and establishes a clear arrival point on Mayoreo.

The new hall can be used for an expansion of the wholesale activities and serve as a new location for minor trading merchants to set up their businesses. Shops that are removed due to spatial interventions (such as the bus station) can relocate and establish their business in the new hall.

As well as phase I, phase II has to be carried out by the local government in cooperation with Commema.

138

128 the existing (vacant) structures develop gradually into dwellings.

This image above shows the ‘dead back alley’ where some families started to establish their homes.

129 social functions will stimulate the feeling of community and collectivity. The community runs, maintain and use the social and public facilities and increase their value and quality.

139

PHASE III : INITIATING AN INTERPLAY BETWEEN LIVING AND PUBLIC LIFE

130 phase III: a growing community and social functions in interplay transform Mayoreo into a centrality

The first two phases lay the foundation for the further development of a community and public life on Mayoreo.

In the next phase it is important to stimulate the development of dwellings and the development of new social functions and facilities at the same time since they are interdependent and enforce each other.

A crucial step in this process is the provision of (semi-)public sanitation blocks on Mayoreo. Several blocks are installed on different locations on the market to create incentives for people to start living on the market.

Around these sanitary facilities new dwellings can develop in locations like the ‘dead back alley’ or the North-West corner of Mayoreo where working and living can perfectly be combined.

This process is an incremental process, meaning it starts with one or two family taking advantage of the sanitary facilities and establishing their home on the market. The facilities of course also imply a great improvement for families already living on the market Concurrent with a growing community on Mayoreo the social functions will be initiated and stimulated.

These initiatives are community driven and will grow and adapt depending on the users’ needs and material means.

The idea is to create the best possible conditions for Mayoreo to transform Mayoreo into a centrality by stimulating and engaging the community.

140

140 master plan with all the proposed interventions marked in red

141

142

CONCLUSION The case study on Mayoreo showed that by applying the different spatial tools and considering various aspects regarding the importance of public space and the interplay of social functions and living on the market, the markets can be transformed into a centrality.

The master plan proposed in this thesis answers the research question and shows that the traditional markets of Managua provide an opportunity to densify within the existing urban footprint and simultaneously improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of Managua.

Mayoreo has different features, different potentials and problems than the other markets but the methodology applied to Mayoreo could be applied to other markets in Managua to transform them into centralities.

Transforming Managua’s markets into centralities would result into a network of centralities spread over the city. These centers of public life can help holding Managua together and partly prevent a further spreading of the city. And most importantly they will have a positive impact on all the surrounding neighborhoods.

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DISCUSSION It is very important to understand that to bring on positive change the first step is to look where and what the existing potentials of a market are.

In the case of Mayoreo, one big potential lies in the development of nice and familiar shopping streets consisting of informal stalls and shops around the bigger wholesale halls.

Another advantage of Mayoreo is the generous layout of the market due to its wholesale function. This leads to a lot of smaller spaces in between the bigger structures which can be transformed and get a new function.

Of course, it is just as important to analyze the existing problems and how these problems impede positive developments on the market. On Mayoreo for example, the wholesale function does not only provide a generous layout but also generates heavy traffic which in turn causes problems concerning the infrastructure and conflicts between the different user of the market.

This analysis helps to understand the market and to be able to evaluate where which intervention can have a positive impact.

Another crucial aspect is the focus on recovering, improving and creating public spaces as base for any further developments. Linking new functions (from sport facilities to child care) to public spaces creates an interdependency between the two which guarantees the success of the interventions because they enhance and reinforce each other. Qualitative public spaces attract people and invite them to stay and linking functions to that spaces makes them even more attractive. On the other side public functions only work and remain if there are used by people so consequently public spaces and functions are strongly interlaced.

Furthermore forming a community around the public life is essential since it creates social security on the markets. This way the public functions will also be used after the market’s commercial activity stops. Moreover the maintenance of public and collective places is a crucial task and by creating a sort of feeling of ownership among the community they will take care of the public spaces.

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living

light

opt. Locker rooms

collective kitchen shaded outside area

arts&crafts workshops

library opt. Outside reading area

education/skill center

shade

best case (semi) shaded space

bleachers

stage

non-sealed/porous surfaces

retention' basin, rainwater collection barrels

some sort of protectinon, eg.

Fence

141 evaluation chart for locations for interventions on Mayoreo

temporary dormitories

communal sanitation

opt. mobile stage

furniture

dwellings space to expand (vertically) water & electricity supply

concerts, theatre, etc

shade + sun

kitchen equipment & kitchenware

water & electricity supply

tools, furniture

equipment (furniture, pc's)

bigger room for community meals

opt. Storage rooms

bigger shelters

covered + lockable rooms

opt. Space to expand

covered + lockable rooms (several rooms)

opt. Kitchen

sanitary installations

light

opt. Street furniture

playground equipment

light

sports field

equipment

Spatial & infrastructural requirements

child care protected outside play area shelter/covered rooms

semi protected area

playground ouside + shade

(water) recycling & management

culture

(infra)structure

sport facility big open or covered space opt. Storage

spatial

gardening/urban farming bigger outside space

community

education

recreation

INITIATIVE

kids + their families

merchants + merchants families

inhabitants of neighborhoods

who benefits

Commema, Alcadia Managua

Commema, Alcadia Managua

Funding/Support/Approval

central (prominent) location?

integrated in public space (landscape casco)

connected to public space network

visitors market

inhabitants market & neighborhood

inhabitants market & neighborhood

visitors market

inhabitants neighborhood

commema, NGO (movitep),

protos, community, commema, Alcadia

NGO, Commema, community

community

Commema, opt. Companies (such as carpentry)

connection to neighborhood

Nicarali, community

terre des hommes, CEFODI, Alcadia, Commema

easy accessible for delivery of materials

merchants + families

everybody (tmaybe esp.

Teenagers and women?)

more quiet area

close to neighborhood

not directly next to traffic/circulation merchants' families, families from community, NGO routes neighborhood, single parents

not directly next to traffic/ circulation routes

with connection to neighborhood

location (within market)/relation neighborhood

all

workshops, collective kitchen, education/skill center

eduction/skill , sport facilities, pot. playground

education/skill center, public space

culture

education/skill center

eductaional center

library

playground, education/skill center

child care

education/skill center

LINK TO OTHER INITIATIVES

compost > waste managament

Comments

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ANNEX

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BIBLIOGRAPHY - IMAGES All pictures, images, plans, graphics or schemes used in this book were taken or made by one of the ISTT studio students, except the following: 02 Walls, Scott P. (2015) aerial view Managua via http:// spicycarrots.com/post/114684968974/the-sprawl-of-single-

story-managua-an-earthquake (accessed 12-05-2018) 03 IDB Plan de Acción,, Managua Sostenible (2014) retrieved

via http://www.urbandashboard.org/iadb/index_city.

html?id=MGA&lang=EN (04-01-2018) 04 Environmental Resources Management for IDB (2014)

DESARROLLO URBANO Y CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO -Estudios

básicos de mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático,

vulnerabilidades, huella urbana y escenarios de crecimiento

urbano para la Región Urbana de Managua

Compromiso de Consultoría No. 3: Estudio de huella urbana y

escenarios de crecimiento 07 Urban Dashboard, Managua, Public recreational areas per

100,000 residents via http://www.urbandashboard.org/iadb/

index_city.html?id=MGA&lang=EN (accessed 12-05-2018) 09 FAOSTAT country profile (2018) via http://www.fao.org/faostat/

en/#country/157 (accessed 12-05-2018) 10 Inestroza, Eva (2018) El plastico es el principal desecho en

este mercado en Managua, via http://www.qhubo.com.ni/

mercados/43314-por-un-mercado-limpio/ accessed 12-05- 2018) 14 google earth, edited with Adobe Illustrator 43 Atelier Dreiseitl,via http://nl.urbangreenbluegrids.com/ measures/bioswales/ 50 Big Smallness Studio + Wuhan ADAP Architects (2017),

Temporary Workshop & Recreation Centre of Qianyi

Farm via https://www.archdaily.com/882001/the-temporary- workshop-and-recreation-centre-of-qianyi-farm-big-smallness-

studio-plus-wuhan-adap-architects (accessed 29-03-2018) 51 Baan, Iwan (2017), Selgascano-designed pavilion transformed

into school for Kenya’s Kibera slum, dezeen, via https://www.

dezeen.com/2017/01/05/selgascano-designed-pavilion- transformed-into-school-for-kenyas-kibera-slum/

(accessed 29-03-2018)

147

52 (unknown) (2015) POP-UP STORES! Libros Mutantes at La Casa

Encendida by Cuarto Orden, Madrid – Spain via http:// retaildesignblog.net/2015/05/23/pop-up-stores- libros-mutantes-at-la-casa-encendida-by-cuarto-orden-madrid-

spain/ (accessed 29-03-2018) 85 Rutas de Managua y Ciudad Sandino via https://rutas.

mapanica.net/mapa/ (accessed 05-0-2018) 109 google earth, edited with Adobe Illustrator 118 Growing greener cities in Latin America and the

Caribbean http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/greenercities/ en/GGCLAC/downloads.html 119 ibid.

120 ibid.