Portfolio - urban design and planning by Mikel Berra-Sandín

portfolio urban design and planning All drawings shown are own work.

Collaborative drawings are specifically labeled to state own contribution.

Mikel Berra Sandín Contents Urban planning Prat in-between 2 Rearranging the space between city and airport in Barcelona for a real airport city Washington Fields 8 Masterplan for the regeneration of Washington Park in Chicago Ronda Sostenible del Garraf 12 Walkable and cyclable connection path between Sitges, Sant Pere de Ribes and Vilanova

Urban research and policy Gros: analysis of retail activity Evaluation of the coronavirus impact in a commercial neighborhood in Donostia

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Gipuzkoa ibaiz ibai 20 Strategy to revitalize rivers in Gipuzkoa as natural, civic and connected spaces Land use and economic growth 22 Analysis of land use and transformation in European urban areas between 2000 and 2018

Professional projects RiConnect: rethinking infrastructure Coordination of a European network of 8 metropolitan areas

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Lifeline 28 A new livable realm for Varberg’s Trädlyckevägen, Special Mention in Europan 16 Delta·polis 2021 30 Rethinking infrastructure to better connect city and nature in the Barcelona metropolis

Prat in-between A new use for the space between city and airport in Barcelona Academic: MArch Final Master Project, 2020 | Specialisation in Urbanism and Landscape ETSAB: Profs. Josep Parcerisa, Álvaro Clua, Olga Felip The goal of Prat in-between is to rearrange the space between El Prat and the Barcelona Airport, where an intense gathering of nature, city and infrastructure takes place. To do so, the proposal tackles this interstitial space in a holistic manner, while paying attention to metropolitan issues and opportunities and solving local needs.

2

Therefore, the project acts in the southern edge of El Prat, improving the accessibility to the port and airport, enhancing existing natural spaces, and building a city limit in dialogue with infrastructure and nature.

Link to video in Catalan here or scan the QR.

Rethink road access

+0,0m

+0,5m

Ensure resiliency

+1,0m

Grow through compacity

+1,5m

3

Airport city

4

Prat-Airport axis

Three project areas, a single goal The project is divided in three areas with differing characters, yet the goal in all three is to get the best qualities of infrastructure, nature and city: Airport city: the existing proposal for the airport city is rethought, leading to a dense and vibrant project.

The aim is to achieve an active and pedestrianfriendly city, where nature is present.

Prat-Airport axis: a new, direct way connects the airport with the neighboring city of El Prat. This creates a new gateway to the city, which opens up to a landscape that unveils as a lamination pond.

South Prat: the planned growth at the southern end of El Prat is relocated, to avoid agricultural soil consumption. Therefore, the proposal creates a new setting with buildings opening up and integrating with nature.

South Prat

5

Building regulations Establishment of minimum regulations to ensure flexibility

Open spaces Creation of diverse ecosystems

Rieres Veg. hidrofítica

Árees inundades Vegetació helofítica

Árees humides Jonqueres i prats humits

Árees no inundables Albereda

Llentia d’aigua (Lemna minor) Llapó pudent (Chara vulgaris) Llapó negre (Potamogeton pectinatus)

Canyís (Phragmites australis) Herba galamera (Juncus bufonius) Lliri groc (Iris pseudacorus) Margall de prat (Carex vulpina)

Jonc comú (Scirpus holoschoenus) Jonc agut (Juncus acutus) Canyamel (Saccharum ravennae) Agrostis (Agrostis stolonifera)

Olivarda (Inula viscosa) Àlber (Populus alba) Esbarzer (Rubus ulmifolius) Plantatge (Plantago major)

Mobility Reordering of accesses and traffic calming

6

Área antropitzada

Urban planning The project faces existing planning regulations understanding the area as a single space, and taking into account all stakeholders. Therefore, planning is rethought so that the qualities of all spaces are enhanced, while keeping a balance with growth expectations.

Existing planning

Reduction of expected development Growth of expected development 5 - Roads

2 - Airport system

-7ha floor area

+4ha floor area +170.000m2 built area 7 - Public facilities

+3ha floor area Airport city

Move it to place it in front of the terminal

ARE Ronda Sud

Move it to create a new gateway to the city and enlarge the park

6 - Urban parks

24 - Agricultural land

-17ha floor area

+17ha floor area 18 - Mixed-use buildings

= floor area +25.000m2 built area

Highway to the port Move it further from the city

Empty spaces

Exchange planning codes so that rich natural spaces are considered as a park

ARE Eixample Sud

Displace it to keep agricultural uses

Proposed planning

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Washington Fields Masterplan for the regeneration of Washington Park, Chicago Academic: BArch 4th year, 2017 | IIT: Profs. Jorge Rovira and Robert Bracken with Maria Mateu, Daniela Sesma, Brianda Mireles and Giada Campigotto Functions: concept and strategy, neighbourhood scale planning, modelling and rendering The aim is to repopulate a struggling area in the South Side of Chicago: Washington Park. To do so, we want to implement a holistic lifestyle throughout permaculture. Its principles, taking care of the land, the people and sharing profits, intend to solve the existing emptiness, crime and unemployment.

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Our main strategy is creating smaller blocks in residential areas, enclosed and with community gardens inside, as a shared space for neighbors. Complementing these, higher density activities such as markets and offices are located around the train, connecting the healthy, rushless community with the city.

Protect existing housing

Create small communities

Bring together in gardens

*Collaborative drawing: modeling and rendering own work, image edits by teammates

*Collaborative drawing: modeling and rendering own work, image edits by teammates 9

*Collaborative drawing: modeling and rendering own work, image edits by teammates

*Collaborative drawing: modeling and rendering own work, image edits by teammates

Smaller and more active blocks The use of smaller blocks allows a greater permeability east to west. Thanks to that, we generate a green loop that connects the blocks with the parks at both ends of the neighborhood and other amenities such as markets or train stops.

10

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RONDA SOSTENIBLE GARRAF Academic: BArch 5th year, 2018 | ETSAB: Prof. Aurora López with Anna Bosch. Functions: urban analysis, concept, diagram and plan drawing, views The conurbation formed by Sitges, Sant Pere de Ribes and Vilanova i la Geltrú suffers from several issues, such as being overly dependent on the exterior, not integrating with the surrounding nature and not having alternatives to the car.

In order to confront such issues, the ‘Ronda sostenible’ is a project that creates a circular pathway between the three towns, bringing the citizens closer and appraising the landscape.

Link to video in Catalan here or scan the QR.

Vilanova - Sitges

19min 1h37 Vilanova - Sant Pere

15min 1h10 Sitges - Sant Pere

8min 42min 12

R

R

Create an easy and practical path

joining in a sustainable way

approaching city and nature

Da d es: Pob la ció q ue est ud ia /t reb a l la resid en t i l loc s d’estu di/tre bal l loca lit za t s p er t ip us d e t ra n sp or t , In st it ut d ’Est a d íst ica de Catalu nya, 2011

Dades: ús de bi ci cl etes, S trava Labs , 2018

D ades : S IM BA , S iste ma d’in d i c a d o r s m et ro p o l i t a n s, 2 0 1 5

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Strategies and actions The analysis of the existing path leads to propose different actions depending on the needs in each part of the path: either the creation of the path itself, or the enhancement of Traçar camí Four main strategies are existing values andeldestinations. developed, defining which actions need to take place in each.

Projectar el paisatge

Create the path

NOU EQUIPAMENT

Barri/urbanització

PORTA

NOU EQUIPAMENT

PORTA Corredor natural

ENCREUAMENT El camí fa servir el corredor natural

Shape the landscape

Projectar el paisatge

Barri/urbanització

Traçar el camí

Camins de conr ACTIVITAT EXTERIOR Assenyalar cruïlles incertes Masia

Camins de conreu ACTIVITAT EXTERIOR Assenyalar cruïlles incertes Masia

Infraestructura gran

Connexió local

Corredor natural

ENCREUAMENT El camí fa servir el corredor natural

MÍ CA

PORTA

Connexió local

Infraestructura gran

CA

MÍ

PONT Superar accidents topogràfics

NOU EQUIPAMENT

Enfortir punts d’interès

PORTA

BOSCOS Il·luminar i condicionar camí

Nucli urbà

Nucli urbà

Continuar la ciutat

PONT Superar accidents topogràfics

NOU EQUIPAMENT

BOSCOS Il·luminar i condicionar camí

Equipament existent

Continuar la ciutat

Enfortir punts d’interès

ESPAI PÚBLIC Estendre

Àrea buida urbanitzada

Equipament existent

NOU EQUIPAMENT ESPAI PÚBLIC Estendre

CAMÍ Reaprofitar viari sobredimensionat Àrea buida urbanitzada

Strengthen interest points

Continue the city

NOU EQUIPAMENT

NOU APARCAMENT

NOU EQUIPAMENT

NOU APARCAMENT

ESPAI PÚBLIC Enfortir centralitat

NOU EQUIPAMENT

CAMÍ Reaprofitar viari sobredimensionat

Nucli urbà

Nucli urbà

ESPAI PÚBLIC Replantejar caràcter

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EDIFICI D’INTERÈS

EDIFICI D’INTERÈS ESPAI PÚBLIC Enfortir centralitat

Project units Proposed strategies are applied in several areas where the path is discontinuous. Therefore, there are eight project units to be developed individually, yet thought to achieve unity.

Castell de Sant Pere

Camí de Can Baró Sitges - Vallpineda

Sitges Estació Parc Riera

Roquetes Nord Sitges - Rocamar

VNG - Roquetes

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Gros, Donostia: analysis of commercial activity Assessing early retail closures after lockdown Self-promoted: analysis and fieldwork | 2019 -2020 In Spain, the storefront crisis of the last decade has been especially harsh in some provinces as Gipuzkoa, where 19% of small stores have closed since 2012, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). Therefore, retail has faced the coronavirus lockdown in an already weak position. This analysis aims to clarify the early effects of the Coronavirus

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crisis in Retail, thus gathering in-place data in December 2019 and August 2020 and comparing it. Research is conducted in the Gros neighborhood of San Sebastian, an area with a lively commercial activity but not in a prime location. Data is used to determine which retail sectors are most hardly hit by the crisis, and detect evolution patterns.

86% full

Know the evolution of retail

August 2020 Active ground floor premises:

Detect sectors in risk

78% full

Relate with urban form

August 2020

1.153 Inactive:

258 Occupancy rate:

81,7%

Food retail 107 (8%)

Services 453 (32%)

Hospitality 207 (15%)

December 2019

Closed 258 (18%)

Retail 296 (21%)

Difference from Dec 2019

-28 premises

-1,9% December 2019: Active: 1.181 Inactive: 230

Occupancy rate: 83,6% 17

Evolution: December 2019 to August 2020 Closures 58 premises Food retail 4 (7%)

Retail 27 (45%)

Logistics 5 (9%)

Hospitality 10 (17%)

Services 12 (22%)

Openings 30 premises Food retail 1 (3%)

Hospitality 8 (27%)

Services 11 (37%)

Retail 10(33%)

The most affected sectors are retail and logistics, with many closures and few openings.

Ground floor act. depending on street type - 08/20

Less vehicles equals more activity and more resiliency When analyzing activities depending on the type of streets, it is shown that active ground floors increase when there are less traffic lanes.

Likewise, in the evolution between December 2019 and August 2020, the activities in streets with less traffic lanes have had less closures.

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Closures depending on street type -12/19 to 08/20

Activity corridors Heatmaps detect areas where a specific type of activity is predominant.

Therefore, corridors of retail or bars and restaurants are shown in these maps. In such places, public space could adapt to better cater the needs of such activities.

These maps also show areas where there are more closed premises, thus highlighting the zones where reactivation policies are most needed.

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Gipuzkoa

ibaiz ibai Self-promoted: Competition entry | Fall 2018 Winner - Altuning Pro 2018 Prize, Gipuzkoa Regional Government Rivers have historically structured the region of Gipuzkoa. However, in the aftermath of deindustrialisation, their use is unclear, given that most of the industry in its edges is decomissioning. Therefore, rivers offer an unbeatable opportunity to improve our cities and the connections between them, by offering new places to enjoy outdoors.

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Therefore, this project establishes strategic axes to transform Gipuzkoa’s waterways in a unified way. To do so, it identifies existing policies that can be improved and researches foreign case studies, and proposes new strategies to achieve lively, accessible and user-friendly riverbanks.

R

Nature

Renaturalize empty spaces

Public space Mobility

Foster sustainable tourism

Goals

Strategies

Benefits

Improve water quality

To be improved: Control and reduce leaks Renew sewer pipes and treatment plants Eliminate barriers

Safe bathing in rivers

Promote biodiversity Naturalize riveredges

Heritage

Favor soft mobility

Foster the use of riveredges by citizens Improve city parks and public spaces in riveredges

To be done: Soften riveredges Introduce floating planters

To be improved: Build watersport facilities Build other public facilities Promote leisure activities in rivers To be done: Guarantee accessibility to riveredges

Promote sustainable mobility in riveredges

To be improved: Build bikepath network in riveredges

Ease intermodality

To be done: Connect bikepaths with public transit stations

Promote and communicate projects and strategies in a unified way Expose heritage Praise rivers in Gipuzkoa

More species Reduced flooding risk Better aesthetics

Easily accessible parks in city centers More options for a healthier life

Less pollution Faster intercity mobility by bike Easier combination between bikes and public transit

To be improved: Propose leisure paths in riveredges

Spreaded development of tourism in the whole region

To be done: Implement unified communication and signage

Easy system of paths Awareness and pride on rivers

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Land use and economic growth Analysis in European urban areas between 2000 and 2018 Academic: Master in Advanced Architecture Final Thesis, 2022 | ETSAB: Prof. Josep Roca Specialisation in Urban and Architectural Management and Valuation European countries have had a faint population growth in the 21st century, but urban land has grown at a fast pace. To understand this, the research analyzes urban land use in Europe as a whole and in each of the 717 Functional Urban Areas, while relating it with economic and demographic factors. and observing related policy in case study metropolises.

Per capita urban land change, 2000-2018, in m2/inh

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Research concludes that urban land take in Europe takes place mainly out of urban areas or in small and medium urban areas. Land take does not relate to population growth, but it does relate to economy: lower-income countries and countries with faster economic growth take more land.

+

—

More urbanised land...

Outside FUAs

In Functional Urban Areas

change

2000

change

2000

change

499 mill.

+5,5%

191,0mill.

+1,5%

308,3mill.

+8%

184,6 mill. change

+7%

2018

527 mill.

193 mill.

333 mill.

Urban land

change

2000

2000

123,7 mill. change

89.676km2 +22%

93.376km2 +17%

2018

2018

2018

219.544km

2

109.821km

2

2000

42.402km2 change

+10%

109.723km

2

Urban land per capita

change

2000

100.000 mil

2000

2000

50.974km2 change

469 m2/hab +97 m2/hab

302 m2/hab +27 m2/hab

2018

2018

2018

416 m /hab

566 m /hab

2

2

229 m2/hab change

+7 m2/hab

change

146,8 mill.

+10,4%

135 mill.

EST

90,9 mill. change

+10,1%

2000

2000

55,9 mill. change

2

2000

17.912km2 change

2018

+7%

45.504km

2

2018

62.767km

2

2000

change

270 m2/hab +10 m2/hab

236 m /hab 2

2018

411 m2/hab

2

2018

change

MED

m2/hab

0

2018

19.266km

2

21.772km2 change

2018

26.237km

2

Central city 2000

197 m2/hab change

2018

192 m /hab 2

Suburban area 2000

389 m2/hab change

+33 m2/hab

2018

422 mPower /hab BI Desktop 2

Variación de p.c. 2000-201

REGIO

REGIO

Variación p.c.2000-2018 2000-2018 (m2) P.c. urbansuelo landurbano change, (m2)

200

62 mill.

Functional urban areas Variación de suelo urbano p.c. 2000-2018 y variación relativa de PIB P.c. urban land change and GDP p.c. relative change, 2000-2018 p.c. 2000-2018 (sig. >99%)

600

400

2000

-5 m2/hab

329 m /hab 280 m /hab 6.3. Evolución465 de suelo urbano > Análisis por AUFs 2000

2018

Suburban area

+20%

2018

100 mill.

Central city

39.684km2 +14%

46.956 km

2018

Suburban area

change

Variación del suelo urbano

CEN

2000

+10,9%

2018

+54 m2/hab

REGIO

Central city

162 mill.

2018

Suburban area

2

Functional urban areas Variación de suelo urbano per cápita 2000-2018 y PIB p.c. 2018 (sig.

Per capita urban land change, 2000-2018 and GDP per capita 2018 >99%)

P.c. urban land change, (m2) Variación suelo urbano2000-2018 p.c. 2000-2018 (m2)

2000

2000

2018

Central city

change

366 m2/hab +50 m2/hab

Power BI Desktop

8 (sig.

change

198 mill.

Suburban area

+23%

2000

2018

Central city

change

183.053km2 +20%

is land a tool for economic growth?

Suburban area

+9%

2000

€ €€

€

In large metropolises (population > 1 million) 2000

2018

change

€?

Central city

2018

?

?

but less density:

2000

2000

?€ € €€

CEN

EST

MED

400

400

300

300

Variación suelo urbano p.c. 2000-2018 (m2)

Population

Europe

?

200

100

0

CEN

200

100

0

-200

0 mil

50 mil

100 mil

PIB PPA per cápita 2018 ($ constantes) GDP p.c. 2018 (constant dollars)

150 mil

-100

0,0

0,5

1,0

1,5

Variación relativa PIB p.c. 2000-2018 (%) GDP p.c. relative change, 2000-2018 (%)

2,0

-100

23

0 mil

E

RiConnect: rethinking infrastructure Coordination of a European network of 8 metropolitan areas Professional, as part of Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona: 2021-2022 Functions: organisation of meetings and participation sessions, support to metropolises, writing technical and divulgative documents, communication and budget management RiConnect is a network of eight metropolitan areas aimed to rethink mobility infrastructures.

The network is funded by the URBACT program of the European Union, which intends to foster integrated urbanism, participation and action planning: an approach where all stakeholders work actively together towards a holistic plan to improve cities and communities.

Mid-term meeting | Amsterdam, October 26th, 2021 Images: Stela Salinas / AMB

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In RiConnect, the goal is to integrate mobility infrastructures to achieve more equitable, sustainable and livable metropolises. To do so, five topics have been covered: mobility, public space, planning, ecosystem functions and social impact. With these, partners have created integrated action plans to improve roads, stations or parks.

Rethinking mobility infrastructure

for more equitable

and sustainable metropolises

25

Building and sharing knowledge Raising awareness on the opportunities of rethinking mobility infrastructures has been one of the key goals of the network.

To do so, we have gathered a wide range of case studies to inspire policymakers and designers working on mobility, public space and planning issues, and show that a better relationship between mobility infrastructure and its surroundings is possible.

Promoting integrated urbanism through a cocreation process In the local project in Barcelona, aimed to transform a national road, a thorough participation process has been engaged, where citizens and institutions are cocreating the analysis and the proposal of actions to be held in the area. In such process, I have been part of the co-creation team, and in charge of the coordination of two large-scale events, thought as street fairs, to explain the projects to citizens.

Final event | July 3rd, 2022 Images: Stela Salinas / AMB

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Collaborative work towards better metropolises The core task of the network is to learn together and to support each other while creating integrated action plans. To do so, we held an intense agenda of meetings and webinars featuring top urban practitioners, while sharing experiences with other networks of cities.

The work resulted in a local plan for each partnering metropolis, a final report shaped as a guide to integrate infrastructure, and a large final event in Barcelona with more than 100 attendants.

Final meeting | Barcelona, July 7th, 2022 Image: Aran Tiepolo / AMB

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Lifeline A new livable realm for Varberg’s Trädlyckevägen Freelance professional: Special mention, Europan 16 Sweden | 2021 with Álvaro Clua, Aleix Salazar, Javi Morera Functions: concept (collaborative), participation scheme and plan drawings and diagrams ‘Lifeline’ aims to convert Varberg’s Trädlyckevägen road into a lively street. A growing city structured upon roads irradiating from its city center, Varberg has a low-density periphery with a lack of vibrant public spaces.

The proposal transforms one of such roads, fostering closer distances and a new façade

on the street, more mixed uses and a higher density, a better connection of communities at both sides of the road, stronger centralities and more space for soft and sustainable mobility.

Link to video here or scan the QR code.

Industrial center

Värnamovägen den Österle

E6 Highway

Östra Träslöv

CIVIC center Trädlyckevägen

VARBERG CENTER Public facility center Österängsvägen Österleden

g vä st ku st Va en

Leisure center

A new path is re-opened between the millenary trees of Sankt Jörgen Kyrkogård, a new itinerary to the historical Varbergs Vattentorn

Varbergs Vattentorn

Common spaces within the housing areas are reactivated and connected to Trädlyckevägen

New stairs up-hill, to Varbergs Vattentorn.

An attempt to open the cemetery to the surrounding areas

Transformation of the roundabout (Hagarondellen) into a human-scale intersection which allows easy access to the cemetery from Varberg's city center

Demolition of the underpass and new at-grade crossing, in order to promote an integrated street. A new mix-use building marks a new access to the cemetery and Varbergs Vattentorn

ATLE

B

TRÄDLYCKAN

e ntr

A new mix-use building allows active ground floor and marks the entry to Trädlyckevägen.

Small changes in the shape of the sidewalks causes clear perception of continuity and allows more space for pedestrians and bicycles

Storages and car-park block the integration of those housing states with Trädlyckevägen. It is possible to promote new uses for the car-park mixing new housing, shops and storage. The proposed buildings reinforces the continuity of the street.

ning sgat an

en stväg Väsku

28

In the near future, blank facades of the storages could be re-opened and include ground-floor activities

A subtle change in the street section is enough to provide sidewalks and cycle lanes at both sides and keep the atmosphere of the housing areas Fridhemsgatan

B

Sollyckans Kyrka

B

Trädlyckevägen

Håstensgat an

's erg

Trädlyckevägen

Sankt Jörgens Kapell

B

arb oV ←t

Civic Centre

The green patch owned by the municipality is preserved as a sacred natural ecosystem with high biodiversity values

A new entrance for Sankt Jörgen Kyrkogård

ce

gr än

d

SANKT JÖRGENSK KYRKOGÅRD

New Bus Stops along the street

y c it

es

Före

New sidewalks and redefinition of the access to the Hagaskolan

Br ag

Closer distances

Softer mobility

Stronger centralities

­

­

to Håsten park →

Äckregårdsvägen

Social and Senior Housing

Håstenskyrkan

HÅSTENS TORG A multifunctional public space for the community

Coop Håstenshallen Vårdcentralen Håsten

HÅSTEN

Natural water depuration system

Västgötgatan

Skånegatan

Håsten Centre

Trädlyckevägen

LINEAR PARK

rain garden

rain garden B

New trees (in blue) will be planted in order to complete the linear park and transform it into a green corridor between Brunnsberg and Nedregården / Östra Träslöv KARLBERG

The existing underpasses are transformed into rain gardens. These areas help to protect the area from floodings and enfosters biodiversity KARLBERG

eden Österl

B

LINEAR PARK

← to Furuberg sskogen

B

Trädlyckevägen

LINEAR PARK

A large linear park (more than 5 Ha) as a green corridor and leisure area for the city. The areas with lush vegetation are kept untouched and new plantations of trees complete the empty areas.

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Delta·polis 2021 Rethinking infrastructure to better connect city and nature Freelance professional: Winner, ‘Nusos i cruïlles’ competition | 2020, phase 1collaborator Authored by Robert de Paauw, Álvaro Clua, Berenguer Gangolells and Paula Bruna Functions: urban analysis, concept creation (collaborative) and territorial scale drawings El Prat and Sant Boi, two towns separated by the agricultural delta of the Llobregat river, are connected by large roads that do not allow soft mobility or a connection with the landscape. The project proposes a metropolitan promenade between both cities, concentrating traffic in existing infrastructures and liberating spaces

30

to enjoy the Delta, activate it and regenerate its natural values. In addition, at both ends of the promenade new urban developments serve as a gateway and metropolitan centrality, activating the space with new uses and strong connections to public transit.

Calm underused roads

Join cities with activities

Create new centralities

*Collaborative drawing: linework is own work 31

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