COMMERCIAL DECENTRALIZATION – VILLA FÁTIMA MARKET

Project idea

Located in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, the project "Commercial Decentralization – Villa Fátima Market" emerges as a comprehensive response to the challenges caused by commercial overconcentration in the area. The main issue is the current saturation of commercial activity around the Villa Fátima Market, which generates significant problems for the neighborhood and the city as a whole. These include the occupation of public space by informal vendors, vehicular congestion, lack of green areas, pollution, and general disorganization due to uncontrolled market growth. The primary objective of this project is to properly reorganize informal commerce by relocating the existing market to a new site that mitigates these negative impacts. It aims to improve service to the population through strategic location, enhanced functionality, and environmentally appropriate conditions. Additionally, the project seeks to connect two neighborhoods separated by a steep topographic slope, revitalizing the cultural value of Villa Fátima. The use of brick, a material of cultural relevance to local users, helps reinforce the identity of the place.

Project description

This project is structured as a public and cultural-commercial space that complements traditional market functions with additional features such as storage areas, administrative spaces, and sustainable design elements. It includes strategies for water treatment and reuse, solar energy conservation, and cultural/memorial routes that promote local identity. The project also emphasizes urban integration by addressing key environmental aspects such as topography and natural views to optimize lighting and ventilation. The longitudinal design enhances internal horizontal and vertical circulation through open voids and ensures permeability throughout the site. Cultural spaces are built with materials sensitive to the local context to reinforce their function and relationship with the community.

Technical information

TECHNICAL FILE PROJECT NAME: Commercial Decentralization – Villa Fátima Market SITE AREA: 10,645 m² YEAR: 2024 LOCATION: La Paz – Bolivia CATEGORY: Academic Work THEMATIC AREAS: Public Space; Urban Design; Commercial Design; Cultural Design AUTHOR: Omar Brandon Ugarte Cahuana ACADEMIC ADVISOR: Architect Jorge Edmundo Valenzuela UNIVERSITY: Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo”