Hill-to-Sea Promenade
Tactical urbanism for the final design of safe school environments.
Place
Santiago, Chile
Year
2024
Objectives
Improve road safety for students and families in the Villa Las Condes sector, optimizing both pedestrian and vehicle movements.
Collect qualitative and quantitative indicators to inform the final design of the permanent "PCM Sidewalks" project.
Strengthen the social fabric and community collaboration, fostering new ties between the school community and neighborhood residents.
Highlight neighborhood life by activating underutilized public spaces.
Methodology
The project was designed as a piloting and field-validation action, executed across three pillars:
Community Participation: Direct collaboration with the educational communities of the Japón and Santiago Amengual schools to identify specific territorial needs.
Tactical Urbanism Intervention: Implementation of temporary works at the intersection of Sin Nombre, Abraham Lincoln, and Vicente Zegers streets, which included:
Road Safety: Road markings, signage, traffic delineators, and playful painting.
Urban Comfort: Installation of furniture and shade structures.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Gathering critical information on the performance of the works to adjust the final design of sidewalks and crossings.
Clients / Partners
Strategic Alliance: Ciudad Emergente and CREO Antofagasta.
Local Community: Educational establishments (Japón School and Santiago Amengual School) and the territorial community of Villa Las Condes.
Results & Impact
Public Space Activation: The street was successfully converted into a site for sociocultural and environmental expression, promoting public space as a "common good."
Inputs for Final Design: Findings were incorporated into the permanent infrastructure project, ensuring the final design is accurate and tailored to the territory's reality.
Community Empowerment: Organization skills within the school community were strengthened, providing them with methodological tools for managing their environment.
Immediate Safety: The physical intervention created a more orderly and protected transit environment starting from its inauguration in March 2023.
Conclusions
The Hill-to-Sea Promenade demonstrates that temporary interventions are fundamental for responsible urban planning. By piloting street functionality before building the final project, Ciudad Emergente and CREO Antofagasta reduce uncertainty and ensure that public investment responds to the lived needs of neighbors. Ultimately, the project confirms that when children and students are the design priority, the entire community benefits from a safer and more cohesive city.
