The University of Sheffield Interactive Urban Skins studio proposed to the students a field trip and a workshop in Switzerland, visiting Basel, Zürich and Luzern. During our field study in Luzern, I realised the great surface of land that the railways occupy in the city centre of Luzern, causing a dramatic urban grid interruption that literally divides one of the most thrilling areas of the city.

 

Urban Colonization Structures (UCS) is a work in progress project designed to consider and experiment the relationship between the city and residual areas, aiming to recover these spaces currently inaccessible for the public. This situation inspired me to consider how this invisible wall could be trespassed by the society and somehow take advantage of the available space, creating a manifesto:

 

CICATRIZATION MANIFESTO

When?

1. Dramatic urban grid interruption

2. Demand for urban services

What is the proposal?

1. Ephemeral, adaptive and standardised structures.

2. Rational organic development.

3. Proper transition spaces between the cityand the new structures.

4. Green areas and food-growing gardens.