SANTO DOMINGO.- "The need to strengthen coordination between territorial development plans, improve the coverage of public transportation, and advance in the use of renewable energies and environmental protection were four pillars focused on by sociologist Marino Tejeda during the conference "Improving the City," held yesterday by the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU).
The professional cited “past urban interventions, such as the Ciénaga Guandules Plan, underscoring the need to incorporate a participatory approach in urban improvement processes”
Among the proposals presented at the conference were strengthening the relocation of populations in at-risk areas and promoting a law that regulates evictions and the promotion of social production of habitat to strengthen social cohesion and environmental sustainability.
Emphasis was also placed on the need for more inclusive planning adapted to local realities.
The purpose of the event is to conduct a historical review and future projection of the urban development of Santo Domingo, identifying progress and areas of opportunity for the city.
The event is a preparatory day for SD 2000 50+, which will take place in 2025, with the aim of generating and sharing innovative ideas for the urban planning of the capital.
During its development, community participation was supported, involving citizens, urban planning experts, architects and students, in a constructive dialogue about the future of the city.
The rector of the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU), Miguel Fiallo Calderón, said that, for him, it is “an honor to begin this important event, a preparation, on the road to Santo Domingo 2000, fifty years later.”.
As an architect and rector of UNPHU, he added, “I recognize the importance of addressing the challenges facing our city of Santo Domingo in terms of urban planning.”.
“This initiative arose within our Metropolitan Architecture and Urban Planning Committee, as a continuation of the seminars: “Santo Domingo 2000” in 1975 and “Santo Domingo 2000, Twenty Years Later” in 1995, events that carried out diagnoses and provided proposals that are still applicable today. However, it is essential to update them in light of current problems and seek short-, medium-, and long-term solutions,” Calderón added.
A more inclusive planning approach was proposed, taking into account local realities. (External source).
Architect Gustavo Valdez indicated that Santo Domingo has evolved a lot during the last 50 years and expressed that among the things to improve are implementing the use of public transport, promoting a lane for motorcycles and cyclists, and land use.
The need to remove dilapidated vehicles from public roads must also be addressed so that citizens can get around.
The conference was held in the Max Henríquez Ureña Hall of the university and featured the participation of prominent professionals in urban planning, architecture and related fields, who shared proposals to address the current and future challenges of Santo Domingo.
Topics such as sustainability, urban mobility, infrastructure, and the quality of life of citizens were addressed.
With information from Listín Diario.
Cover photo: Listín Diario.
