Project Overview
The Spring 2024 Urban Design Capstone Studio, held at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design, engaged in a comprehensive study and urban design project focusing on Paipa, Colombia. This initiative was a collaborative effort with Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, and aimed at integrating urban-rural redevelopment strategies to enhance the socio-economic and environmental fabric of Paipa.
Context and Collaboration
Paipa is a city with a rich historical and cultural background, positioned in a diverse geographic landscape that includes the Andes mountains. This semester, the studio explored the city's potential for sustainable development, emphasizing resilience in urban design. The collaboration with Universidad de Los Andes provided a vital international perspective and direct engagement with the local context, enriching the studio's analysis and proposals.
The studio began with an extensive systems analysis of Paipa, assessing various physical systems such as natural sustainability, parks, recreation, wellness, transportation, infrastructure, and socio-economic issues. Students traveled to Paipa for a field study and design workshop, which were instrumental in forming the initial urban design frameworks. This hands-on experience allowed students to engage directly with the site and local stakeholders, fostering a deeper understanding of the city's dynamics and challenges.
Design and Development
Following the field study, students refined their frameworks and developed detailed urban design plans. These plans focused on enhancing Paipa's role as a tourist destination while ensuring sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for its residents. The projects addressed key issues such as mobility, water management, economic diversification, and the integration of public spaces with natural systems.
The capstone produced a series of digital and physical outputs, including master plan, infographics, architectural drawings and 3D visualizations. These materials collectively highlight the studio’s comprehensive approach to urban design and the practical application of theoretical principles. The semester culminated in a collaborative studio book that documents the research, analysis, proposals, and design solutions developed throughout the term.
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