‘VIDA A DESCALZOS’

This intervention was the first activity of our Urbanism minor class. Catalina Pollack, an invitational architect and urban activist visited and gave us a few classes and presented this activity to us. We were tasked to transform one of Pamplona’s unpleasant streets in the center of the city, Calle Descalzos. The aim of the project was to interact with the dwellers living in the street and extract and reveal their essence through the balcony. Each group had to interview 2 residents living in the street and create an action based on what they have discovered. This action was presented on the last day of the intervention where we had a mini celebration. There were a series of actions that happened along the street sparking interest and life on the street that day. More than interviewing them and finding out about their lifestyle, I learned that the real definition of a good city is based on the contentment of the dwellers living in it.

On the last day, it was great to see the neighbors interact with each other and enjoy. It struck me how just simple actions, created such a big impact on the street and the people living there. They looked so thrilled to be participating in the intervention even if it was just for a while. I am reading a book called The Happy City by Charles Montgomery about the relationship of psychology and Urban planning. The books basically says that the most important aspect about creating a city is the happiness of the dwellers. It is useless to create a city that is beautiful, but the inhabitants are unhappy. This intervention reminded me of the important points I read in the book because here I saw it in real life. I saw the happiness of the people with what we had created for them. Be it small actions that displayed their personality, they were overjoyed. This activity further strengthened my belief that urban planning is about creating better lives for the inhabitants of the place. The aim is of urban design is the well being of the people. If the people are contented then that is a good sign that the city is functioning well.

Group Credits: Juan Ignacio Urdaneta, Adriana Villarosa, Julio Viejo