How to intervene in degraded pericentral areas in Latin American megalopolise

Abstract

It is noted that, considering the main problems facing cities today (increasing urban footprint, environmental crisis, social divide, dehumanization, etc.), in Latin American megalopolises (MGL-LA), there is still insufficient critical reflection on the approaches used to intervene in degraded pericentral areas (APD). Therefore, there is a clear need to rethink how these approaches have been implemented in order to rehabilitate them as environments that provide adequate quality of life conditions. It is understood that questioning these approaches will significantly improve the attitude and aptitude with which other similar contexts would be intervened in the future, enhancing their impact in terms of comprehensiveness and sustainability. To this end, attention is focused on six significant interventions carried out in five MGL-LA, studying them through a comparative analysis that seeks a holistic and integrative approach, inspired by Integrated Urban Regeneration (RUI). In some respects, these interventions have addressed this need; however, research shows that they are still far from being considered comprehensive, as they fail to address environmental, social, economic, cultural, and spatial issues in a balanced, harmonious, and sustainable manner.