Capstone: Fu

Capstone: Debbie Fu

La Matuna Permeation—Connecting the Isle of Oblivion to the Mainland

The studio focuses on a comprehensive urban planning analysis and proposal for the La Matuna area within Cartagena's Historic Center, focusing on enhancing its architectural, socio-cultural, and economic integration with the surrounding areas. Initially characterized by 20th-century buildings and a major train station, La Matuna evolved through various architectural phases influenced by European designs and later, modernist styles.

These six criteria correspond to aesthetic/social value, historic value, direct use value, indirect use value, option value, and the cost of intervening in it (Fu, 2024).
The proposal evaluates the current state of buildings and public spaces in La Matuna, identifying their potential for adaptive reuse and improvement to better serve both residents and tourists. It emphasizes the need for better integration of the area with the rest of the Historic Center through strategic urban design, traffic flow adjustments, and the activation of underutilized public spaces. Key interventions include redesigning public spaces to be more attractive and functional, implementing traffic solutions to prioritize pedestrian and non-motorized transport, and utilizing adaptive reuse for buildings of lesser historical value to boost their appeal and utility. Additionally, the proposal suggests technical solutions like a water management system to address environmental challenges.

Overall, the plan aims to transform La Matuna into a more cohesive, vibrant, and sustainable part of the city, improving both its aesthetic appeal and economic vitality.
The buildings in La Matuna can be categorized into four classes: high socio-cultural and economic value; existence of average value; worthwhile to be renovated but not necessary; and, in urgent need of renovation (Fu, 2024).

The main measure is to re-plan the traffic flow, implement pedestrian-vehicle segregation, prioritize the needs of pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles, and reduce the impact of motorized vehicles on the central area (Fu, 2024).

Capstone: Debbie Fu

Students

Faculty