Resilient neighborhoods: a different little world

At this point, we can only say that old models have not worked. Economic, energy, social, urban models … This pandemic has been a humbling experience, especially in developed countries. We are all vulnerable to crises, and to prepare we must know the threats we face. Globalization and global warming multiply risks: natural disasters; health, economic, energy, humanitarian and environmental crises; food and water shortages …

Therefore, we professionals and citizens have to put on the “guerrilla” helmet … and the work helmet … to start building resilient neighborhoods. And for it I start by imagining “a different little world”, what I call micro-neighborhoods.

A micro-neighborhood is a walkable urban unit (approx. 400m x 400m) with large public green areas. It is designed to improve public health, accessibility, mobility and sustainability. It is a healthy urban environment that drives the local economy, social cohesion and self-reliance. To these are added strategic support areas, conceived as commercial, urban facilities, energy and transportation hubs that support micro-neighborhood units. Micro-neighborhoods and support areas can be linked to each other in different ways, depending on different connectivity strategies and urban planning priorities.

Design strategies are divided into four areas of action that I will briefly summarize:

• Health: Large public spaces with green areas integrated among buildings, with sports areas, greenways and community gardens. Green roofs in buildings. Bioclimatic and sustainable architecture with smart technologies and renewable energy usage. Small agriculture production in micro-neighborhood support areas. The objective is to stimulate mobility, pedestrian safety and social cohesion to reduce sedentary lifestyle, obesity and improve mental health. Improve air quality and reduce the heat island effect, reducing chronic diseases among the population.

• Mobility- Accessibility. The micro-neighborhood is designed for pedestrians and cyclists. Its dimensions, approx. 400 m wide, allow walkability not only for adults, but also for children, the elderly, the disabled and the sick population. Wide bike lanes, parks and greenways connect different units, expanding the network. There is no surface parking, but underground. Road traffic occurs around micro-neighborhoods, connecting them together at different levels of density. The public transport hubs are located in the outer support areas. The objective is to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and sedentary lifestyle.

• Economy. The micro-neighborhood has the small business spirit. The ground floor of the buildings are mainly commercial. Inside we will also find nurseries, community centers, libraries or homes for the elderly. Large commercial areas are located in external support affix along with other large facilities (health, educational, government). Offices are located in the micro-neighborhood perimeter buildings, facing road traffic. The aim is to strengthen the local economy and support it with a small agricultural production (community gardens) in case of food supply problems.

• Energy-water. Sustainable and bioclimatic architecture, smart technologies and renewable energy systems, reduce the consumption of external energy in buildings. The micro-neighborhood external support areas provide energy and heating through clean strategies. Rainwater is captured, retained and treated for local use. The goal is a “zero energy” neighborhood that reduces its energy dependency and water consumption.

This idea was submitted to the Pandemic Architecture competition.