Part 6/10:
Mayra, another architect at Gehl, illustrates this with her work in Buenos Aires' Barrio 31—an informal settlement or favela.
Respecting Community in Redevelopment
Rather than bulldozing and rebuilding, Mayra's team focuses on improving access, safety, and infrastructure while preserving the neighborhood's vibrant community character.
She notes that communities often have valuable local innovations and social cohesion that shouldn't be lost. Instead, design solutions aim to enhance neighborhood function without erasing its identity, emphasizing collaborative, human-centered approaches over top-down interventions.