Brigade against demolitions
Buenos Aires is going through a time of great changes. The real state boom has established the demolition of many old buildings in order to construct the highest, the newest and the most expensive towers. Even though this boom modernizes the city, Buenos Aires loses part of its characteristic features and charm, the reasons why people from all the world love our metropolis.
For a while time, a group of neighbours has been against the indiscriminate demolition and has reached some little goals. This movement began by chance with a readers’ letter in a neighbourhood newspaper “El Fantasma de Recoleta”. That letter was the seed that made neighbours call together. This group, known as “Stop demolishing”, presented its claim before a court. Its argument was simple: It is necessary to defend the architectural patrimony of the city.
Recently, a such group lodged an action to protect the Bemberg Palace, located at Montevideo 1200. An unappealable decision, which established precedent, ordered that it is not possible to demolish those buildings that are in process of classification of historical places. As a consequence, a large list of threatened building automatically became protected. Thus, such buildings can still be appreciated by porteño people and visitors. Perhaps, there appears a tour aimed at people fond of architecture very soon.
This implies a great victory for the neighbours. But the discussion keeps open and many question arise such as: what is considered as historical patrimony, how to decide which buildings must be protected or not, which part of the city’s identity depends on its dynamism.
What do you think about the porteño architectural patrimony? Which buildings would you protect?
Diciembre 18, 2007 a las 17:29 Editar
buenos aires has great buldings, but none cames close to the kavanagh (sp?), in retiro. it could be among NY hallmarks.