As international collaborators of ASF-UK, my colleague and I, teamed up with the Social Psychology Research Center of the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana to explore new spatial imaginations for the Buen Vivir (“Good Living”- a Latin American concept of a sustainable society) neighborhood. We built on action-research tools and design tactics at the policy and planning, housing, neighborhood and city scales of Los Pinos - one of Quito´s many informal settlements - that was in the process of developing an upgrading plan. The challenge was to find a balance between upgrading the built environment, addressing ethnic and political group differences and finding a sustainable coexistence with its natural surroundings.

62 families lived on the land, while 250 were on a list to obtain lots once the urbanization is legalized. The 13-hectare land was owned by the Ministry of Agriculture, which was willing to transfer it to the inhabitants of Los Pinos, as long as they complied with a set of conditions regarding land use.

Through participatory design, we facilitated a process of integrated slum upgrading to guide the development of Los Pinos for the short and long term.

1. First, we have developed a management plan with land-use guidelines, in accordance with the requisitions of the Ministry of agriculture, with the aim to transfer the ownership title to the inhabitants and emphasize on urban agriculture.
2. Then, focusing on the urban aspects and on the Municipality’s regulations, we have developed urban plans and guidelines for community, habitat construction and legalization of the land.

Los Pinos has finally started its legalization process in 2014. 

Diagnosis

Dreaming

Development

Portfolio of Options