Proyect Nomada/Social Integration and Ephemeral Architecture in Urban Public Space

Abstract

We live in an urbanizing world, which not only brings prosperity, but also extreme poverty and the gap between the poor and rich is getting wider. Cities of developing countries are marked by social, spatial and economical segregation, which creates deep social and economic disparities leading to social isolation and income inequalities. Proyecto Nómada is based on the workshop developed at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, under the direction/supervision of Professor Alfonso Solano and it searches for an answer to the following question: “What can architects and designers do for the problematic of forced displacement in Colombia?” This project is a strategy that helps marginalized communities to integrate into the city through cultural and educational activities, ephemeral architecture and temporary occupation of (forgotten) urban spaces. Together with four cultural houses and different artistic collectives, the strategy was tested in the city of Bogotá in June 2011. The project has a great receiving from the community and helped in the visualization of different urban groups affected by vulnerability and displacement.