The College of Architects of Valparaíso submitted a proposal for a new urban plan to the presidential delegate for reconstruction, Andrés Silva. The proposal seeks to re-direct local streams and create ​​a Metropolitan Park. The approval of such a plan is one of the last steps in the reconstruction effort after a major fire engulfed the city last April.

The members of the College proposing ​​the new urban plan seek to be considered, along with other projects that are part of the government’s initiatives to rebuild. The selected projects will rebuild the areas affected by the fire as defined by the Executive.

The President of the local architecture organization, Sótero Apablaza, said that "in this crisis, we must act promptly in the face of catastrophe."

"In Chile there is a great singer and poet named Ángel Parra, who has a very beautiful song about Valparaíso, with the lyrics describing the city as 'so poor, so dirty and so beautiful.' We hope that from this disaster we can take advantage of a great opportunity to create a less dirty, less poor and more beautiful city," said Apablaza.

The proposal includes plans for urban parks, new roads, areas for environmental restoration, updated equipment and land clearance for housing. The plans were developed by dedicated technical committees of the college, created for the purpose of deciding how to rebuild the port city.

What successful post-disaster urban reconstruction plans are you familiar with? 

Original article, originally published in Spanish, here.

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