Centro Intergeneracional en el Panecillo

Abstract

The design of an intergenerational center aims to strengthen the relationships among the inhabitants of El Panecillo, based on an analysis that identifies that the majority of the economically active population is engaged in informal self-employment, which turns into prolonged periods outside the neighborhood. This situation is reinforced by pre-existing urban development problems arising from the area’s location and its informal growth over time. In response to these issues, the proposal seeks to develop an intergenerational center where children and older adults can coexist, two groups that, although seemingly different, share very similar needs and capacities. Based on Aldo van Eyck’s theory of in-between spaces, and through transitional spaces that enable the convergence of these two groups, while particularly considering the site’s steep slope; such a center can contribute to strengthening relationships among the residents who remain in the neighborhood during the working hours of the rest of the population. With the aim of improving their quality of life, social integration, and activation, the project goes beyond the mere creation of a gathering space. Instead, it seeks to promote coexistence, interaction, and mutual familiarization, enabling the exchange of knowledge and skills between generations. Therefore, the proposed project is an intergenerational center conceived as a means of supporting and revitalizing the El Panecillo neighborhod.