'our cities ourselves' - la boca neighbourhood buenos aires


'our cities ourselves' is an exhibition which shows the visions of ten of the world's cities from
ten of the world's leading architects. these cities have proven to be leaders in innovation in
sustainable transport and are fertile ground for further transformation. each has the leadership
potential to make the transformational leap in urban planning that is needed, and are also places
where ITDP (institute for transportation and development policy) works.

nearly all of the cities are in developing nations, because this is where most urban growth will
happen over the next 20 years. they have the opportunity to learn from and leapfrog over
the mistakes made by developed nations, particularly the over-dependence of cars in
the united states.


proposed roads and pedestrian bridge


buenos aires is argentina’s largest city, with nearly a third of the country’s population living there.
its metro, known as subté, opened in 1913, the first in the southern hemisphere. even though
the public transit system is well developed, the use of cars continues to grow and traffic congestion
with it.

the project is located at 'la boca' - site of the old industrialized port and now home to squatters,
poor housing and an eight-story highway viaduct.

argentian palo arquitectura's proposal for the project was to create a people-friendly waterfront,
accessing existing popular cafes, bars and tango clubs. lay down promenades with bike lanes
and public sides either side of the river, linked by a brt, water taxis and pedestrian/bicycle bridge.
transform old freight line to pedestrian and bicycle boulevard with new housing and shops.



a pedestrian bridge



the new waterfront






buenos aires - aerial view of the city



the waterfront



the existing bridge


buenos aires facts:
population: 12.8 million
city population growth rate: 0.8%
national gdp per capita: 13,800 (USD)
expected gdp growth: 3.5%
cost of one ride on public transit: 0.30 usd
car ownership:170 cars/1000 people