Urbanistas

Chapter 1

Defending Lisbon’s public space and community spirit

Defending public space and preserving community life should be one of the top priorities for any city planner but it is not always an easy task. In fact, over the past two years it has become the main challenge for non-profit organisation Fundo Arquitectura Social, headed by two architects and a sociologist. They work with Lisbon’s most touristy neighbourhood, Bairro do Castelo, home to the famous São Jorge Castle.

Chapter 2

Revamping Niterói, a city in the shadow of Rio de Janeiro

The city of Niterói often lives in the shadow of Rio de Janeiro. It is home to pristine beaches and stunning views, and houses the overflowing population of Rio de Janeiro city. Seen as a more economically viable option for many of Rio’s workers, the city’s population swelled 130 per cent between 1970 and 2010. We meet Verena Andreatta, who’s behind the master plan for the city.

Chapter 3

Carla Guerrera: do urbanistas plan a city differently?

Do cities work better for men than women? And do female planners bring a different mindset to design? North Vancouver planner Carla Guerrera – just named one of the world’s best young urban planners by New York’s Urban Land Institute – thinks it’s worth exploring.

Chapter 4

New York’s public spaces: Boardwalks

Today we look at how a natural disaster led to one of New York’s most successful public architecture projects. After the destruction of the boardwalks in Rockaway Beach by Superstorm Sandy, Sage and Coombe Architects were tasked with getting the beaches back up and running. We look at its success.