01C Writing
Speranza’s article analyzes “social interaction” as it relates to the redistribution of green spaces and pedestrianized areas as part of the “superilla” interventions. Working at various city scales, he details the complexity in measuring “social cohesion” at the “street level” while also considering how the development of urban spaces might be delineated through “mobility, urban complexity, [and] biodiversity”. To expand on these urban elements or “processes”, the “social interaction” tool emerged at the intersection of Rueda’s collaboration and work in “Guia Methodologica” such that the “framework” was defined by three layers – “uses”, “demographics”, and “infrastructure”. The sub-categories in the framework are noted as “secondary” and supplement primary “characteristics” that focus on socio-economic factors.
For the Barcelona Eixample Superille, the primary uses and secondary “urban qualities” which include “social space, social housing, social services and jobs” as well as “age, income, culture” followed by “transit and IT” are subdivided into “indicators” that evaluate spatial, environment, economic, and social aspects. For example, the “Housing” segment in the “Uses” category can be assessed through “Number of Bedrooms”, “Housing Type”, and other factors. The “Culture” segment within the “Demographics” category defines “Birthplace”, “Language”, and other population markers. Cultural practices might influence how diverse community groups interact with other “social interaction” categories and the ecological aspects of air and heat. In such case, foreign-born groups might live in housing” or inhabit “spaces” that increase their exposure to air pollution or higher temperatures during the summer months.
The Poblenou Superilla and the Gracia plazas vary in their capacity to provide quality spaces along the public to private gradient. In the case of the Poblenou Superilla, there appears to be a greater level of “Services” such as “Density of Services”. In both areas, however, “access” to jobs was limited or not available. Overall, the Poblenou Superille promotes a greater availability of “services”. “jobs”, and “housing” at levels that the Gracia plaza may be unable to sustain. They both align in that they respond to meet a majority of transit, basic needs , and IT indicators which might help to enhance other social or spatial characteristics.