Regaining a sense of belonging
ON FENCES
Regeneration of Clara Campoamor Square and Its Surroundings
The Clara Campoamor Square regeneration project aims to reinterpret the region's agricultural and building traditions, integrating stone fences, water elements, and native flora. The design prioritizes tradition, cohesion and inclusion, creating a space that connects with the historical heritage but also promotes sustainable resource management. Beyond physical transformation, it fosters builds social ties by creating new relational spaces between two areas disconnected by an existing road.
Spain
Local
San Silvestre de Guzmán, Huelva
Mainly rural
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
2024-04-11
Yes
ERDF : European Regional Development Fund
No
No
As an individual
The project seeks to create a sustainable and inclusive urban space that fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens community ties. Drawing inspiration from the agricultural and architectural heritage of the Andévalo region, it reinterprets traditional elements such as stone fences, schist and lime walls, mills, and native flora. These features, which have historically shaped both rural and urban spaces, are transformed into multifunctional elements like road boundaries, benches, and planters, celebrating the local building tradition while introducing a new edge to the square.
The intervention promotes social cohesion by creating new relational spaces between areas previously disconnected by a road, encouraging intergenerational exchanges and community engagement. Aligned with principles of beauty, sustainability, and inclusion, the project offers a safe and healthy environment protected from noise and vehicular pollution. The design integrates symbolic and functional elements, including a traditional fountain, generous seating areas, and native plants that evoke the Andévalo landscape, enriching the space with color, fragrance, and texture.
Sustainability is reinforced through permeable paving that enhances soil permeability and supports natural water management. The project also introduces cooling islands to mitigate the heat island effect, promoting a resilient microclimate within the urban space. Multifunctional fences, water points, and natural viewpoints contribute to both the functionality and the aesthetic quality of the square, crafting a space that feels both rooted in tradition and forward-looking.
Beyond its physical transformation, the project aims to restore a sense of belonging by connecting the community with its historical and cultural heritage while responding to contemporary needs. This refuge for both people and local wildlife shapes a future where social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and cultural identity are at the forfront.
The intervention promotes social cohesion by creating new relational spaces between areas previously disconnected by a road, encouraging intergenerational exchanges and community engagement. Aligned with principles of beauty, sustainability, and inclusion, the project offers a safe and healthy environment protected from noise and vehicular pollution. The design integrates symbolic and functional elements, including a traditional fountain, generous seating areas, and native plants that evoke the Andévalo landscape, enriching the space with color, fragrance, and texture.
Sustainability is reinforced through permeable paving that enhances soil permeability and supports natural water management. The project also introduces cooling islands to mitigate the heat island effect, promoting a resilient microclimate within the urban space. Multifunctional fences, water points, and natural viewpoints contribute to both the functionality and the aesthetic quality of the square, crafting a space that feels both rooted in tradition and forward-looking.
Beyond its physical transformation, the project aims to restore a sense of belonging by connecting the community with its historical and cultural heritage while responding to contemporary needs. This refuge for both people and local wildlife shapes a future where social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and cultural identity are at the forfront.
Heritage
Sustainability
Community engagement
Place identity
Reinterpretation of local techniques
The Clara Campoamor Square regeneration project is a model of sustainability, integrating environmentally responsible practices that enhance urban resilience while preserving local heritage. One of its core sustainability strategies is the reuse of traditional materials such as schist and lime, both of which are key elements in the architectural identity of San Silvestre de Guzmán. This approach significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with sourcing and transporting new materials, promoting a circular economy within the project. Additionally, a big part of the paving system has been designed using permeable surfaces that facilitate the natural absorption of rainwater, reducing the risk of urban runoff and flooding. This feature also contributes to groundwater recharge, an essential factor in a region where water conservation is crucial. Importantly, the project avoids the use of in-situ concrete, minimising the environmental impact often associated with traditional construction methods. Instead, a new paving system consisting of locally used pavers has been introduced, maintaining continuity with the existing town pavement to avoid abrupt visual contrasts. The new paving stones are certified to contain up to 30% recycled materials and possess the capacity to degrade nitrogen oxides and other pollutants, actively contributing to air purification. The project places a strong emphasis on biodiversity, incorporating native plant species such as pines, holm oaks, and rosemary, which require minimal irrigation and are well-adapted to the local climate. These measures help maintain ecological balance while enhancing the aesthetic quality of the space. By aligning with European Union sustainability policies and best practices, this project serves as an exemplary case of how urban regeneration can be ecologically responsible and culturally relevant.
The intervention at Clara Campoamor Square is designed to create a harmonious blend between historical aesthetics and contemporary urban functionality. The project respects the town’s traditional visual language by incorporating locally sourced schist and lime, ensuring that new elements integrate seamlessly with existing structures. The square’s layout encourages interaction and engagement by providing a variety of seating options, including benches integrated into perimeter walls and standalone seating areas strategically placed for both sun and shade exposure. The introduction of a water feature pays homage to the historical wells and troughs once common in the area, adding a calming auditory and visual element to the space. This not only enhances the sensory experience but also improves the microclimate by mitigating heat in warmer months. Furthermore, the design takes into account the natural topography, avoiding unnecessary alterations to the terrain and preserving the site's historical essence. By balancing respect for tradition with contemporary needs, the project serves as a model for aesthetic and functional urban renewal, demonstrating how urban spaces can retain their character while adapting to modern standards.
Inclusion and accessibility are fundamental principles in the redesign of Clara Campoamor Square, ensuring that it is a space for all residents, regardless of age, mobility, or social background. The intervention follows universal design principles, incorporating barrier-free pathways, ramps, and wide walkways to facilitate access for individuals with reduced mobility. The square’s layout has been carefully planned to encourage intergenerational interactions, with shaded seating areas for older residents and open spaces for children to play. The project also addresses a key issue of social segregation by reconnecting two previously disconnected areas of the town, strengthening pedestrian networks and fostering a greater sense of community. Beyond physical accessibility, the intervention is inclusive in its approach to design elements, integrating features that cater to diverse sensory and cognitive needs. Informational signage is designed to be clear and accessible, ensuring ease of navigation. These thoughtful design choices ensure that the square is a welcoming and equitable space, serving as a reference point for future inclusive urban interventions in similar small-town settings.
The success of the Clara Campoamor Square project is largely attributed to the active involvement of the local community. From the outset, residents of San Silvestre de Guzmán participated in shaping the design through workshops, public consultations, and surveys. Their insights influenced key design decisions, including the selection of seating arrangements, the preservation of historical elements, and the incorporation of native vegetation. This participatory approach not only resulted in a space that reflects local values but also fostered a sense of ownership and pride among residents. Community engagement extended beyond planning to the construction phase, where local artisans were employed to integrate traditional craftsmanship into the project. This reinforced the town’s cultural identity while providing economic opportunities for skilled workers. Additionally, ongoing dialogue with the community has ensured that the space remains adaptable to evolving needs. By prioritising public involvement, the project exemplifies how urban regeneration can be a collaborative effort that empowers citizens and strengthens social cohesion.
The project is a result of coordinated efforts among various stakeholders at local, regional, and European levels. The Ayuntamiento de San Silvestre de Guzmán played a central role in initiating the project, aligning it with the town’s broader urban development strategy. The Consejería de Fomento, Articulación del Territorio y Vivienda de la Junta de Andalucía provided technical oversight, ensuring compliance with regional planning regulations and sustainability guidelines. Financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) was crucial in enabling high-quality materials and sustainable solutions to be implemented. This multi-level engagement facilitated the exchange of expertise, resources, and best practices, strengthening the project’s impact and long-term viability. The collaboration between different governance levels highlights how effective partnerships can drive meaningful and sustainable urban transformations.
The project embraced a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from architecture, urban planning and environmental engineering. The collaboration between these disciplines ensured that all aspects of sustainability, heritage conservation, and social inclusivity were integrated into the design process. Architects and urban designers worked closely with ecologists to enhance biodiversity and ensure the planting of climate-resilient vegetation. It played a key role in conducting community outreach and assessing the social impact of the intervention, ensuring that public needs were addressed. The involvement of artisans contributed to the preservation of local craftsmanship, maintaining traditional building techniques while incorporating modern solutions. This interdisciplinary approach led to a well-balanced and highly contextualised urban intervention, demonstrating the benefits of cross-sector collaboration in sustainable urban regeneration projects.
The project distinguishes itself from mainstream urban interventions by prioritising the reintegration of traditional rural elements within an urban setting. Instead of conventional urban furnishings, historical stone fences and local masonry techniques have been adapted as seating, border elements, and planters, even continuing the existing ones and mirroring them. This integration not only preserves historical references but also contributes to a coherent streetscape that reflects San Silvestre de Guzmán’s identity. Additionally, the introduction of paving that actively degrades pollutants demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to urban air quality management. This innovative combination of historical materiality and contemporary sustainability solutions sets a precedent for future projects in rural and semi-urban communities.
The project followed a structured methodology that combined historical research, environmental assessments, and participatory design processes. Initial site analysis helped identify key elements that needed preservation and those that could be adapted for modern use. Environmental studies ensured that sustainable solutions, such as water-efficient landscaping and pollution-reducing paving, were integrated effectively. Community workshops allowed residents to contribute their perspectives, ensuring that the intervention aligned with local values and expectations. The phased implementation of the project allowed for ongoing evaluation and adaptation, ensuring a balance between technical feasibility and community needs. By combining rigorous research with active citizen participation, the methodology used in this project provides a replicable model for urban renewal initiatives in similar contexts.
Several elements of this project are highly transferable to other municipalities looking to implement sustainable and community-driven urban regeneration strategies. The participatory design process, which encouraged direct involvement from residents, can serve as a model for other small towns seeking to create inclusive public spaces. Additionally, the integration of traditional materials with modern functionalities provides a replicable framework for regions aiming to preserve their cultural identity while upgrading infrastructure. The use of recycled and pollutant-degrading paving materials demonstrates a scalable approach to sustainable urban development, offering a solution that can be adapted to different environments. These adaptable components focused in methodology rather than actual phisical elements or specific desings, ensure that the project’s successes can be replicated across different geographic and cultural settings, without risking the site specific principal that this intervention promotes and protects.
This project directly addresses global challenges such as climate adaptation, urban sustainability, and social cohesion by implementing locally tailored solutions. By prioritising permeable and pollutant-reducing materials, the intervention contributes to urban climate resilience and air quality improvement. The promotion of pedestrian-friendly and inclusive spaces aligns with international objectives for equitable urban development. Additionally, the emphasis on community engagement strengthens social ties and fosters a sense of collective ownership over public spaces, mitigating issues of social isolation and urban fragmentation. This holistic approach demonstrates how small-scale urban projects can contribute to broader global sustainability goals while maintaining a strong connection to local culture and heritage.
The transformation of Clara Campoamor Square has had significant positive impacts, turning an underutilised area into a vibrant and multifunctional community hub. The project has improved pedestrian connectivity, increased urban greenery, and provided new opportunities for social interaction. Residents now benefit from a well-designed, inclusive, and environmentally conscious public space that enriches their daily lives. Additionally, the intervention has contributed to a stronger local identity and increased awareness of sustainable urban practices, setting a benchmark for future initiatives in the region. The tangible benefits of the project extend beyond aesthetics, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among the community while demonstrating the long-term viability of sustainable urban regeneration.
