| Online ISSN: 1886-4805 | Print ISSN: 1887-7052 | "Architecture, City and Environment" is the name that reflects the open spirit of our journal dedicated to the study of the human habitat in broadest perspectives, scales and approaches. ACE is an interdisciplinary platform for research in architecture, urban planning and territory, open to new forms of study and designed to disseminate results in our own languages. It is published quarterly in Open Access Journal and its existence is due to the work of the Centre for Land Policy and Valuations (CPSV) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and those who collaborate in its dissemination, evaluation of papers and as correspondents.
Centre de Politica de Sol i Valoracions, CPSV / Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, UPC
INTELECTUAL PROTECTION CRITERIA At this moment, it is count with the "Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas", while global protection it is being processed by the World Intelectual Property Organization (OMPI/WIPO). Nevertheless the International Standard Serial Number Office (ISSN) has given the following numbers ISSN: 1886-4805 (electronic version) and 1887-7052 (paper version). All articles will be peer reviewed, using double blind reviewing. COPYRIGHT The article contents and their comments are authors exclusive liability, and do not reflect necessarily the journal editor commitee's opinion. All ACE published works are subject to the following licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 ES http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/ It implies that authors do not hold nor retain the copyright without restrictions but only those included in the licence.
Copyright (c) 2025 ACE: Architecture, City and Environment
Identification of Potential Technical Conflicts and Opportunities Arising from the Insertion of Collaborative Transport Robots (CTRs) in the Near Urban Environment: A Preliminary Field Study
The Collaborative Transport Robot (CTR) is the result of the maturation of electric transport technologies combined with artificial intelligence, applied to a vital task in the near urban environment: the retail transport of goods in collaboration with its citizens. These devices are already appearing in some cities in the service of the new economy of digital commerce. It is necessary to consider the possible technical implications, suspecting both conflicts and opportunities, that their insertion in the near urban environment may trigger. This contribution is part of a project carried out in collaboration with a robotics engineering research institute concerned with the functional challenges posed by the introduction of CTRs in the daily mobility of this urban environment. To this end, observations have been made in various towns in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, taking advantage of the pilot field tests with CTRs; the considerations issued have been based on a qualitative methodology and have been ordered according to the twelve main vectors of this technology. The images collected during the observations show that many of the challenges detected will manifest themselves in the future according to determining aspects such as the service management profile of the CTRs, the speed of their implementation, the diligence of the authorities in their regulation or the capacity of these devices to acquire the necessary information in real time for their circulation in the near urban environment.
Integration of collaborative transport robotics applied to micro-mobility in the local urban environment: proposed recommendations
The development of collaborative transport robotics (CTR) is the result of the development of electric transport technologies and artificial intelligence applied to the transport of goods and services in the near urban environment (NUE). In the future, the appropriate integration of these devices in this environment will depend on the implementation models of the services provided by the CTRs, on the promoters associated with their deployment, whether distribution operators or public administrations, and finally, on the spatial integration and social acceptance derived from them. This contribution is part of a project carried out in collaboration with a robotics engineering research institute concerned with the challenges posed by the introduction of CTRs in this urban environment. The objectives of this contribution are, firstly, to establish a contextual framework for the management of collaborative transport robotics in the NUE; and secondly, to develop recommendations for improving the management of collaborative transport robotics in the NUE. The methodology employed is based on a documentary review of the conceptualisation of the system and a subsequent qualitative analysis considering three dimensions: technological, spatial and managerial. The results presented support the recommendation of the need for an integrated management of CTRs that incorporates public and private actors, and highlight both the potential spatial impact and the influence on citizens' behaviour that can be derived from the implementation of this system in the urban environment of proximity.
Multiple Collection Methodology for Studying the Connection between Behaviour and Design in the Built Environment
This study examines the relationship between urban design and convivial behaviour using a multiple-data collection approach. By comparing two distinct urban parks—Superkilen in Copenhagen and Parc Central del Poblenou in Barcelona—the research demonstrates how different spatial configurations and design solutions influence social interactions. The methodology integrates direct observation, behavioural mapping, survey data, and graphic representation to systematically assess convivial behaviour across two diverse yet comparable environments. Both Superkilen and Parc Central del Poblenou were designed by high-profile architects with the intent of fostering interaction among diverse urban populations. While both parks were conceived as highly designed, convivial spaces, fieldwork reveals stark differences in their actual use and effectiveness in promoting social interactions. This work validates the methodology’s analytical power by comparing two analogous areas within these parks: the Red Square’s circular seating in Superkilen and a comparable seating arrangement in Poblenou. Findings highlight the impact of adaptable and flexible design elements in fostering conviviality, indicating how adaptable seating arrangements, cultural symbolism, and environmental comfort play crucial roles in shaping public space dynamics. The study contributes to urban design research by providing empirical evidence on how different design strategies foster inclusivity and social engagement. The results also offer practical recommendations for urban planners seeking to enhance conviviality in contemporary public spaces. Future research is encouraged to expand on these insights by applying this methodology to a broader range of urban settings.
A Methodological Proposal for the Integration of Robotic Services in the Urban Public Space of Cities
The integration of urban services with robotic technology in the public space of cities requires an in-depth analysis of both the characteristics of the technological system and the existing urban structure. The proposal of this work, based on the methodology of the case study, proposes a process to develop the research, and selects the case study of last mile distribution services with the autonomous robotic platform ONA. Throughout the process, a theoretical analysis is proposed, to which data, empirical evidence and rounds of discussion between professionals in urban planning, robotics, architecture and engineering, as well as end users and citizens, are added, seeking to reach a consensus on the characteristics and requirements of the technology that must be integrated and the changes that must be made in the urban public space, both in its planning and design. The RUS (Robotic Urban Services) Template, incorporating the characteristics of a specific urban robotic service and the list of urban aspects to consider, is used as a guide of the opportunities and the constraints detected for the integration.
Sustainable Architectural Restoration of Heritage Villages in jordan
Traditional heritage architecture represents identity and cultural heritage. Given the importance of sustainability in preserving heritage architecture, this article, through theoretical and field studies, focuses on how heritage houses in two villages in southern Jordan (Al Taybeh and Al Nawafleh) were restored and rehabilitated. The goal is to preserve the identity and authenticity of these two villages by analyzing the architectural elements that characterize their heritage houses, as well as the restoration methods applied to them. This is achieved by studying sustainable restoration methods to highlight the positive aspects of these approaches, which can be recommended as good practices guidelines for future restoration efforts in other heritage villages in Jordan. The research methodology includes fieldwork, site observations, and interviews to evaluate the restoration process. Site selection was based on historical significance, level of degradation, and ongoing projects. The study assesses the advantages and challenges of the restoration techniques used, comparing them with international standards such as ICOMOS charters to highlight the need to balance the best global practices with local socioeconomic and environmental considerations. Findings emphasize the necessity of sustainable restoration techniques preserving architectural and cultural integrity of heritage villages. Rehabilitating these villages as cultural and tourist destinations can enhance local tourism, economic development, and community engagement. Their successful transformation demonstrates how heritage preservation supports cultural continuity and reinforces local identity. Finally, the study highlights the importance of government oversight, education, and community engagement in sustaining Jordan’s architectural heritage. Establishing a structured maintenance program and promoting awareness will protect heritage villages, ensuring the preservation of their historical and cultural significance for future generations.
Collaborative Transport Robots (CTRs) Applicable in the Proximal Urban Environment: A Review
Collaborative Transport Robots (CTRs) are not yet a frequent or well-known reality for many urban stakeholders, including city agents, transportation planners, policymakers, construction professionals, service providers, and other relevant participants in the urban mobility ecosystem. This lack of familiarity presents a significant barrier to the development and implementation of novel, adaptive, and creative urban mobility solutions. It also hinders the integration of CTRs into already-existing transport networks, systems, and physical infrastructure. CTRs represent a broad, versatile, and rapidly evolving category of robotic systems designed specifically for deployment in urban environments. These robots are typically equipped with an array of advanced sensors, artificial intelligence technologies, and connectivity features. These tools enable them to operate autonomously, navigate complex urban landscapes, and interact safely and efficiently with humans, vehicles, and other robotic systems in real time. Moreover, CTRs hold the potential to significantly increase the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of urban transit systems. They can help reduce congestion, streamline last-mile delivery, enhance pedestrian experiences, and offer novel mobility options for individuals who face transportation barriers, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. In addition, CTRs may contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality through the automation of low-emission mobility tasks. As the technology behind CTRs continues to develop, urban decision-makers and stakeholders must become more aware of and engaged with these innovations. A better understanding of CTR capabilities and applications will be essential for shaping future cities that are more accessible, resilient, and responsive to the needs of all residents.
The Role of Greenery in Street Art and Its Contribution to Urban Aesthetic Enhancement
The symbolic function of greenery in public art reflects its deep-rooted cultural and ecological significance, serving as a reminder of humanity's interconnectedness with the natural world. Artists often draw inspiration from the organic forms of trees and plants, creating artificial structures that echo the beauty and resilience of their natural counterparts. This symbiosis between art and nature not only enriches the urban environment but also fosters a sense of harmony and reverence for the ecosystem. Moreover, greenery assumes a decorative role in public art, both as an integral part of existing urban spaces, such as green roofs and vertical gardens, and as embellishments on walls and facades, imbuing them with distinctive character and vitality. Additionally, the incorporation of living elements into art installations blurs the boundaries between artifice and nature, creating dynamic compositions that evoke emotional responses and engage the senses of urban dwellers. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the diverse roles’ greenery plays within the realm of public art, drawing insights from a range of case studies spanning different geographical locations. It elucidates three overarching trends observed in the utilization of greenery as a foundational element in public art: its symbolic function, decorative significance, and its integration into living or symbiotic art forms. Greenery transcends its conventional role as mere inspiration for artists; instead, it emerges as an indispensable component of urban landscapes, contributing to their aesthetic appeal and functional utility.
Pueblo Español: A Political, Geographical and Aesthetic Enclave
Pueblo Español, a neighborhood located in Montjuïc, Barcelona, emerged at the beginning of the 20th century as an enclave that challenges both the physical and symbolic boundaries of the city. From the "outside-inside" perspective proposed by Foucault and Blanchot, this urban project questions the limits between the city and the countryside, manifesting itself in the coexistence of different realities that serve as a space for encounter and dialogue between past and present. The methodology of analysis is based on the very definition of the term enclave, exploring the genesis of Pueblo Español from three perspectives: political, geographical, and aesthetic. Politically, this enclave reflects the aspiration for the unity of Spain, between federalism and unitarism, challenging the social and cultural divisions of the time. Geographically, it presents itself as an entity between the urban and the peri-urban, questioning the boundaries between the city and the countryside. In aesthetic terms, Pueblo Español challenges the canons of the beautiful and the ordinary from the logic of the popular. Analyzing Pueblo Español as an enclave is essential to understanding its complexity and contradiction: the lack of a well-defined city project; the fact of being a very defined container, but without a specific function; being on the edge of the conventions pre-established by the Modern Movement. This series of singularities has led Pueblo Español to be considered a fragment of Barcelona, but outside of it—that is, a political, geographical, and aesthetic enclave.
Urban Densification as a Tool for Sustainable Development Policy in Switzerland
The article examines the implementation of urban densification policies in Switzerland as a strategic response to limited land availability and the pursuit of sustainable spatial development. The research investigates the mechanisms that enable social acceptance of inward development and explores whether high-quality architecture can be produced under the spatial and legal constraints these policies impose. The methodology is based on a literature review and a typological analysis of selected recent projects realized through architectural competitions. Case studies include various types of infill and redevelopment interventions—such as extensions of existing buildings, high-rise developments, and hybrid structures—evaluated within the framework of urban land reserve classifications. The findings suggest that densification projects, when designed by experienced architects and supported by effective planning instruments, can enhance urban quality of life and result in socially accepted, environmentally conscious outcomes. While densification often faces challenges like public resistance (NIMBY effect), limited access to green areas, and increased spatial tensions, thoughtfully planned projects can mitigate these issues and even contribute to improving existing neighborhoods. In Switzerland, densification policies are strongly supported by the public, as demonstrated in national referenda, and are embedded in constitutional and legislative frameworks. Although the compact city model may seem less essential in countries with more available land, it remains a relevant planning approach due to its ecological, economic, and social advantages. When properly communicated and implemented through inclusive processes, urban densification can serve as a catalyst for architectural innovation and support broader goals of environmental sustainability in urban development.
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Chan Chan (Peru), The Earthern City. The Threat to the Cultural Landscape of a World Heritage Site
The present research identifies, reads and analyzes the degree of transformation and loss of the cultural landscape of the Chan Chan Archaeological Complex in Trujillo (Peru), inscribed on the World Heritage List but considered in danger by UNESCO. The objective of the study is focused on the reading of the landscape of Chan Chan, as well as on the analysis of the actors and managers involved in the transformation of the integrated rural-urban landscape. Through a holistic and multidisciplinary methodology, geographic information systems (GIS) and cartographic viewers were applied, allowing to obtain a detection, analysis and processing of the main urban -environmental problems which affect the buffer zone and highlight the loss and vulnerability of the cultural landscape. The research is focusing on mobility, density and solid waste; these being the most significant. The approach to the transformation and impact around these indicators allowed us to determine and define a proposal for strategic guidelines that will allow safeguarding and revaluing the image of the cultural landscape of Chan Chan so that the site can be removed from the endangered list. The key elements of the proposal are a specific project for the regulation of the buffer zone; the protection of existing agricultural areas; the displacement north of Chan Chan of the heavy traffic heading north of the country; the enhancement of the huachaques and their enormous potential for the preservation of the natural environment and biodiversity.
Green Roofs Application on Urban Heat Island Mitigation in the Valparaíso City, Chile
The implementation of green roofs as a nature-based strategy to mitigate climate change is urgently being applied in many cities, as in addition to providing important and numerous benefits to the quality of public spaces, it offers a reduction in the energy consumption of buildings, especially on hot or summer days. Valparaíso is a city located in the central zone of Chile, with a coastal Mediterranean climate. The thermal behaviour and the presence of an atmospheric and surface heat island have been evaluated in summer and winter using urban transects and remote sensing. The atmospheric heat island has been recorded up to 5.2°C at 8 pm, on a sunny winter day, and up to 8.8°C on a sunny summer day. Regarding the surface heat island, values up to 4°C in winter and up to 6°C in summer have been recorded for sunny days at 2 p.m. In this paper, and as a way to mitigate these behaviours, local scenarios and strategies have been simulated through the implementation of green roofs on buildings in the city centre, using the ENVI-met software. The results of these simulations are presented in order to mitigate both surface and air temperatures in the city. The strategy of implementing green roofs is able to reduce the surface temperatures of building roofs, but more important is the reduction of air temperature at pedestrian level, which favours urban life.
Its Productive Complexes and Transforming Rural Landscapes: An Adapted Taxonomy for River Basins in Southern Chile
Chile is a country highly vulnerable due to its geographical location and the frequent occurrence of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. These events not only affect infrastructure but also profoundly alter both the natural and cultural landscape, posing a significant challenge to sustainability. Territorial management must integrate architectural expressions with the historical, ecological, and social processes that shape the landscape, particularly in rural areas, understanding the landscape as a dynamic process influenced by both climate change and human activities. This paper analyzes the multidimensional impacts of climate change on local architecture in the southern region of the country. The study is based on comprehensive fieldwork in rural architectural complexes that employs interdisciplinary methodologies. The focus of the research is on the river basins extending from the lakes of the Andes Mountains to their mouth in the Pacific Ocean, in regions with a strong history of silvoagricultural exploitation. These changes have reconfigured the landscape and affected the sustainability of rural territories. This work examines how historical, social, and ecological transformations have redefined the uses and functions of productive rural architecture in the San Pedro River basin, in the Los Ríos Region of Chile. Based on this analysis, a taxonomy of these uses and functions is proposed, with the aim of developing strategies that contribute to the sustainability of the rural cultural landscape, considering the socio-ecological dynamics resulting from the interaction between ecosystems and human activities
Frontiers of Gentrification. Privilege, Dispossession, and Youth Geographies in Downtown Mexico City
This article examines the "frontier effects" generated by processes of gentrification and urban renewal in the center of Mexico City, with a particular focus on the youth geographies of the Cuauhtémoc borough. From an ethnographic and cartographic perspective, it analyzes how young people experience, embody, and re-signify urban transformations in a territory marked by inequality. Based on mapping exercises and territorial narratives developed with youth living in the Roma and Doctores neighborhoods, the study identifies spatial scales that are not fixed, but rather mobile and permeable, revealing contrasts between privilege and dispossession, safety and threat, cosmopolitanism and stigmatization. Fieldwork shows that gentrification and urban renewal are not totalizing processes in the neighborhoods where they occur, but rather uneven phenomena manifested in lifestyles, social recognition, symbolic boundaries, and everyday practices. In this context, youth produce cartographic narratives that portray urban frontiers as “spaces of extremes,” where the material and symbolic expansion of Roma over Doctores activates new forms of spatial injustice. The study argues that these frontiers not only divide but also articulate conflicting and unequal relations, reconfiguring the territory as a field of generational and political dispute. Thus, youth are not mere spectators of urban renewal processes, but active agents who, through their trajectories and spatial appropriations, make visible the tensions, resistances, and possibilities for reconfiguration in this transforming urban center.
Residential Segregation, Housing Policy and Territorial Planning in the Basque Country (Spain)
Despite the growing economic disparity and its reflection in the territory through residential segregation, few studies relate residential segregation with the housing policy developed in the Basque Country. Therefore, this study aims to analyze residential segregation and examine its relationship with public housing policy. The Basque Country was selected as an instrumental case study due to its high level of public housing construction compared to the rest of Spain. A quantitative methodology was used focused on the statistical analysis of economic, social, and housing indicators. The Geo-Segregation Analyzer and ArcGIS software facilitated the measurement of segregation and its geographic visualization. Areas have been identified that concentrate a greater degree of vulnerability due to having municipalities with an industrial past that have been subjected to reconversion processes. Incipient trends of displacement of vulnerability in the most peripheral areas are also observed. However, no strong correlations have been found between a greater provision of public housing and greater segregation, although geographical associations have been found in certain areas. The study concludes that the integration of housing policy in territorial planning could mitigate segregation. Likewise, adapting the promotion of public housing based on levels of vulnerability, avoiding excessive concentrations and considering location factors, can promote social equity throughout the territory.
social cohesion, vulnerability, spatial distribution, territorial planning
The Hidden Structure in the Swiss Pavilion by Le Corbusier and Jeanneret
In the spring of 1932, the structure of the Swiss Pavilion in the university city of Paris was exposed to view, in its entirety, for a short period of time. The photographs taken at that time of the execution of the work allow it to be clearly appreciated: a framework of four-level metal profiles resting on an elevated concrete platform, in turn, supported by robust supports of the same material. From that moment, as the work progressed, the metal part was camouflaged under successive layers of coating until it was completely hidden, while the concrete remained openly exposed. Based on little-known images of the intermediate stages of the building’s execution, the article reviews the dilemma posed by the relationship between technical form and aesthetic form and examines the terms in which Le Corbusier approaches and resolves the issue. It is also estimated the contribution of his collaborators, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand, and the influence of the cultural context of the visual arts on the project, scarcely appreciated until now. The article contributes to opening a path of research in which the observation of photographs of the building under construction is the support to address a better understanding of the determinism of the technique in the conception of buildings: its condition as a powerful stimulus for the imagination of any observer contributes to clarify the relationship between construction means and architectural objectives.
Sociocultural Facilities and Resilient Architectural Systems: The Cable Factory and Can Batlló
Resilience in the field of spatial planning contributes to the sustainable development of socio-spatial systems and deals with the unpredictable effects of climate change in urban areas. This article discusses resilient architecture by comparing two case studies: the former industrial complexes transformed into sociocultural facilities of the Cable Factory in Helsinki and Can Batlló in Barcelona. Through a grounded theory methodology, this research combines three inductive methods to collect data: semi-structured interviews, observational research, and secondary research. The aim of this work is to define properties and characteristics that promote the creation of a conceptual framework in resilient architecture from an evolutionary resilience approach and, thus, contribute to the projection of resilient cities. Thanks to the planning of spatial indeterminacy, the resilient properties of persistence, adaptation and transformation are identified in the architectural systems of both cases. The results show 16 resilient characteristics that are integrated in the spatial, social and temporal dimensions. Two categories of indeterminate space are also distinguished: raw space at the Cable Factory and freespace at Can Batlló. It is concluded that indeterminate spaces offer freedom of appropriation and confront obsolescence and change of use through evolvability and flexibility.
Shared Housing and Foreign-Born Population: The Existence of a Dual Residential Market of (Sub)let Rooms in Barcelona
Shared housing as a residential option is currently widespread, especially in large cities, where the excessive cost of dwelling generates a large part of the residentially excluded population. By 2022, the foreign-born population living in the Barcelona region amounted to 28.5% of its residents, becoming key players in its current demographic, residential and urban dynamics. During the first stages of their residential incorporation process, shared housing, coming from informal residential markets, is a common form of housing tenure. The main aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between foreign-born population and the supply of rooms for rental in Barcelona. Due to the absence of official statistics regarding shared housing, a quantitative and spatial analysis is conducted at the census tract level. Data obtained from the Idealista.com website, combined with sociodemographic variables from official sources is used for this purpose. This information is processed using Local Moran’s I index and K-Means clustering method. The results show that the number of listings is positively correlated with the presence of immigrants and, in the areas where both variables converge, two different dynamics appear. In the central area of Barcelona, which concentrates the city’s main tourist and leisure activities, rooms are higher priced and most immigrants from the Global North are located there while, in the outskirts, room prices are below average and almost all the foreign-born population is from the Global South.
Determining the Relationship between Land Use Characteristics and Passenger Ridership of Light Rail Transit Lines in Kuala Lumpur
This paper determines the relationship between land use characteristics and passenger ridership of Light Rail Transit lines in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Two LRT lines, namely Kelana Jaya line and Ampang line were selected. Data on the type of land use, land use mix, size of land use and population size within one KM radius from each transit station along the two selected LRT lines were collected. Data on passenger ridership at each transit station was also collected. The relationship between land use characteristics and passenger ridership of each selected LRT line was determined. Additionally, the effects of the factors related to land use characteristics, pedestrian infrastructure design (PID) and LRT station characteristics on passenger ridership of the two selected LRT lines were examined by using multiple linear regression (MLR) model. The results of the relationship between land use density and passenger ridership, land use diversity and passenger ridership show that there is no clear association exists between these components. However, the high land use density and medium land use diversity at most of the transit stations along the Kelana Jaya LRT line attracted high passenger ridership but high land use density and medium land use diversity along Ampang LRT line attracted low passenger ridership. The results of the MLR model show that only one factor namely “residential land use” was influential in affecting the passenger ridership of the two selected LRT lines.
Geomorphological Analysis of the Guadalquivir Estuary. Possible Influences of Climate Change
Using a multidisciplinary approach, this study analyses the possible consequences of rising sea levels as a result of climate change. The chosen location is one that has undergone major transformations in the last 2.500 years: the Guadalquivir estuary, in the south of Spain. This article examines the causes of changes in sea level and their relationship with the human factor. From a methodological point of view, we begin by analysing the findings of earlier studies on issues related to changes in sea level and, more specifically, the transformation of the Guadalquivir estuary from a large bay in the Tartessian period (fourth-sixth century BCE) to the so-called Lacus Ligustinus of Roman times, and from that lake to its current status as a marsh. The data obtained, together with the written references about the city of Tartessus, are related to the evolution of the coastline in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, enabling us to form a picture of the estuary in the last three centuries and identify the anthropogenic causes that have transformed the coastline. Lastly, we draw conclusions about the consequences that a rise in sea level could have on the marsh, which would be flooded and revert to the shape of Lacus Ligustinus, and on Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Missionary Patrons in San Javierito: Jesuit Heritage in the Bolivian Chiquitanía
The urban-architectural influence of the 17th-century Jesuit presence in the new communities of the rural region of the Bolivian Chiquitanía is a little-studied topic. The emphasis has always been on the analysis and conservation of the missionary circuit, which was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1990. However, small villages near the missions present planning and construction patterns inspired by the missionary presence. For this study, the community of San Javierito, belonging to the parish of San Francisco Javier in the Department of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, founded in 1960, was considered. This community has characteristic features of the mission in its square, chapel, and direct urban environment, which were studied through the analogical method that allowed determining the coincidences concerning the Jesuit missionary genesis. The analysis was developed based on functional, formal, and constructive variables from the urban and architectural point of view. As a result of this comparison, the percentage of similarity for the missionary legacy was shown on a rating scale.
Indicators of the Impact of Changes on the Disposition of Entities and the Morphogenesis of Urban System Connections
The aim of this work is to show the differences in the spatial characteristics of the various dispositions of the entities and the influence of the way of connecting them, on the frequency of their use. The paper presents a methodology that enables interpretation of indicators for a certain number of dispositions of entities from linear, orthogonal and radial-concentric models. The research showed that all the presented variants of the linear disposition retain the same coefficient CC and CL, while CF is significant and decreases where the number of branches connections increases. The orthogonal and radial-concentric disposition show an increase in the coefficient CC depending on the number of current system connections and a rather low coefficient CL, which decreases where the number of connections increases. The same trend is shown by the coefficient CF of orthogonal and radial-concentric disposition, which are significantly lower than in examples of linear disposition. The average index IxLACFa in the orthogonal model has a higher value than in the radial-concentric model due to the geometry of the network, while the average index IxpLACFa has the highest value in the case of the linear model due to the reduction in the frequency of the use by interpolating branch connections. The research methodology shows the possibility of exact calculation of indicators and interpretation of qualitative characteristics of a certain form of disposition of urban system entities at the fourth level of resolution of urban morphology.
Facilities That Make the City. The Rehabilitation Intervention in Recent Barcelona
Beyond the service they provide, facilities play a key role in urban planning and the shape of our cities. On a large scale, they play a structuring role, in order to guarantee the equal distribution of basic services for the whole city. Local facilities contribute to articulating the city as an aggregation of elementary units of coexistence - neighborhoods and districts - with an increasing degree of complexity and autonomy. Emblematic cases are the new cities planned during the first half of the s. XX, if we find precedents in some expansion projects of the s. XIX. Secondly, we will address the role of equipment in the morphology of the city, moving from the urban plan to the physical reality; from the abstract order to the concrete building that provides the service. While large city-scale facilities become landmarks, many of them iconic buildings of exclusive architecture, other smaller-scale facilities contribute to order a structure of centers and sub-centres, to regenerate degraded fabrics, to energize the public space, to act as catalysts for urban activity, to complete the urban tissue with a new passage or to build an edge in transition to natural space. Too often architecture publications and magazines emphasize only the building as an object of design, of magnificent design, but decontextualized from urban tissue. In the construction of our urban environments, the implementation of an equipment building on public land, with public money and with a program decided by the administrations, is a golden opportunity to "make a city".
Water Sensitive Urban Design: Construction Systems, Materials Choice and Use Criteria to Improve Surface Temperatures
Water sensitive urban design stormwater and rainwater management construction systems (hereinafter, WSUDs) contribute to the resilience of areas to water when they are implemented in urban development and they enable recovery of the water cycle. However, these systems can increase surface temperatures in a context of rising planet temperatures. This article aims to establish criteria for choosing and using WSUDs that lower surface temperatures in a climate of hot and dry summers. It summarizes the main results of seven years (five years of measurements) of WSUD surface temperature records. The methodology is mainly based on manual and in situ measurements, at a detailed scale, under the green canopy, with a thermographic camera and other devices that measure complementary parameters at the same scale (light meter, anemometer, hygrometer). The conclusion is that there are two main groups of WSUDs and materials, depending on their thermal performance: those that contain and retain water and those with a faster infiltration speed, with surface temperatures above the environmental ones during hot summers. Parameters that clearly influence surface temperatures are the specific heat of the water, in the first group, and the shade of the building and the green area, the albedo, the thermal inertia and the granulometry in the second one.
Balances and Perspectives on the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Latin America and the Caribbean
This research aims to assess recent progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Latin American and Caribbean countries, with special attention to the advances and challenges in the region. The motivation lies in the need to understand the current state of SDGs implementation, particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The novelty of the study lies in its comparative and up-to-date approach, using data from the 2019-2023 Sustainable Development Reports to analyze 10 selected case studies. Unlike other studies, it focuses more deeply on the analysis of the SDG 11 targets. The methodology employed includes the analysis of 140 SDGs targets, processing the data obtained from the reports to assess progress and setbacks in their achievement. The results show that, although there has been a progressive increase in the achievement of the SDGs (from 57.1% in 2019 to 69.2% in 2023), more than 30% of the targets have not advanced or have regressed since 2015. This finding highlights the urgency of intensifying efforts to ensure a sustainable future. The research provides a balance that identifies key conditions, challenges, and opportunities, and proposes a reference framework for future monitoring of SDGs achievement, particularly in the context of urban sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Risk Management in Ecuador's Built Cultural Heritage: A Critical Analysis of Administrative Competencies in The Case of Cuenca
The article analyses risk management and its administrative competencies in Ecuador through the case of Cuenca's built cultural heritage, employing a sequential approach and critical analysis of processes, resources, tools, and tangible results obtained. Methodologically, the analysis uses the mechanisms from Querol's Cultural Heritage Management Manual (2010; 2020), namely: 1) knowledge of heritage; 2) planning through public management activities in the territory; 3) control through the application of regulations according to levels of responsibility; and, 4) dissemination related to the tasks of divulgation and delivery of assets to society. Simultaneously, these are evaluated using the Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Scale (OESS) proposed by the International Consortium for Evidence-Based Practices Research. It is determined that the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of knowing and planning are average, whereas poor in the case of controlling and disseminating. Lastly, it is confirmed that the administrative management of the case study —and probably of other territories— is developing in the analyzed subject, limiting the consideration of built cultural heritage as a development agent.
The Architecture of Arequipa; Studies of “El Arquitecto Peruano” Journal
The purpose of the article was to catalog the buildings that the El Arquitecto Peruano journal identifies as the most important in Arequipa, a city located in the south of Peru, according to the vision of the time and from a Lima perspective. The objective was achieved by consulting “El Arquitecto Peruano” journal using keywords. The bibliographic review took into consideration the authors who have carried out studies on the journal, as well as using all the articles as a primary source. Articles on Arequipa architecture are recorded, and the main characteristics identified in each article are synthesized into a table. The results listed the buildings that until the end of the publication were relevant in the city of Arequipa and compiled the important articles based on the definition of architecture that has been recognized according to the UNESCO declaration. The article concludes that the journal El Arquitecto Peruano highlighted the architecture of Arequipa between 1937 and 1963, emphasizing its value within a national vision. The studies focus on colonial architecture, highlighting the Baroque-Mestizo style while valuing the significant boost of the neo-colonial style promoted by the IV centenary.