“CALLE DE LA AMARGURA” TOWARDS URBAN RENEWAL WITH HUMAN ACTIVITY

Abstract

This paper seeks to expose an urban renewal process, which takes place since 2005 in a street called “Calle de la Amargura” (Street of Bitterness) in Montes de Oca, Costa Rica, through the multidisciplinary project called “TCU Calle de la Amargura hacia una renovación física, recreativa y cultural” (TC-519).
The "Calle de la Amargura" is located at the entrance of the University of Costa Rica, this street has a negative connotation, for years has been recognized as a dangerous space, with crime and drugs.
In 2005, this project began to revitalize this area through a multidisciplinary team. “TCU Calle de la Amargura hacia una renovación física, recreativa y cultural” has had students of architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering, history, anthropology, journalism, public relations, audiovisual production, visual arts (painting, sculpture, graphic arts), theater, music, environmental health, philology, education, sport, sociology, art history.
The strategy is based on multidisciplinary teams, which are organized in three areas: 1) physical renewal, 2) recreation and community training and 3) relationship with community groups and institutions. In brief, this paper aims to show an overview of this process, which goal is to promote the appropriation of public space, through alliances and recreation activities for serving as a platform to develop various public and private sector initiatives