{"id":25186,"date":"2024-07-26T00:39:51","date_gmt":"2024-07-26T06:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.landuum.com\/interventions\/from-merida-to-lyon-a-journey-through-urban-vitality\/"},"modified":"2024-07-26T00:39:51","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T06:39:51","slug":"from-merida-to-lyon-a-journey-through-urban-vitality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.landuum.com\/en\/history-and-culture\/from-merida-to-lyon-a-journey-through-urban-vitality\/","title":{"rendered":"From M\u00e9rida to Lyon: A journey through urban vitality"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get to know the urban lessons of M\u00e9xico and France with Andrea Conde in <\/span>\u201cFrom M\u00e9rida to Lyon: A journey through Urban Vitality\u201d.<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In January 2023, I had the opportunity to spend a semester as an architecture student in Lyon, France.<\/span> I found it interesting to document, through observation, experience, and theory, the differences and similarities between a European city and my hometown M\u00e9rida, located in Mexico,<\/b> both being medium-sized cities. This was done with the aim of understanding and analyzing the functioning of both.<\/span><\/p>\n

For this analysis, I based my observations on the points for evaluating urban vitality found in the book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” written in 1961 by Jane Jacobs, <\/b>who was a great urban theorist and Canadian sociopolitical activist. She fought to show the world, especially the urban planners and developers in New York in the 1950s, that they were dehumanizing the city and not considering the needs of the citizens in new projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

The city of M\u00e9rida has around 900,000 inhabitants, while Lyon has 500,000. Both cities have a large percentage of university students and are located in the south of their respective countries. It is common for many young people to migrate to these cities in search of better educational and job opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Vista a\u00e9rea de la plaza grande en M\u00e9rida \/ Aerial view of the main square in M\u00e9rida
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

The first point to analyze is <\/span>concentration<\/b>, which refers to the<\/span> density of buildings, residences, and mainly population<\/b>. Jacobs argues that the<\/span> concentration of people is fundamental to creating safe, vibrant, and resilient cities<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The neighborhoods and housing in M\u00e9rida and Lyon are different due to cultural influences on how space is inhabited.<\/span> In M\u00e9rida, horizontal construction predominates<\/b>, with single-family homes of one or two floors. <\/span>This city tends to expand horizontally and relies heavily on the automobile.<\/b> As a result, <\/span>public spaces are dispersed<\/b>, making it difficult for people to frequent and enjoy them regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Lyon, vertical buildings predominate,<\/b> with apartment living being more common.<\/span> The city is very compact <\/b>and rarely presents urban voids. <\/span>Various public spaces are found near residential areas, fostering a strong pedestrian culture and consequently greater social interaction.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Barrio de San Juan (M\u00e9rida) \/ Monte\u00e9 de la Grande-C\u00f4te (Lyon)
San Juan\u00b4s Neighborhood (M\u00e9rida) \/ Monte\u00e9 de la Grande-C\u00f4te (Lyon)
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

The next point is the diversity of places that allow for multiple activities<\/b>, such as shopping, working, and walkin<\/span>g, so that there are different types of users<\/span> in the same area.<\/span> This ensures that the streets are occupied for most of the day with different purposes,<\/b> which increases the number of people present and contributes to natural surveillance, keeping the streets safe at all times.<\/b><\/p>\n

In M\u00e9rida, the diversity on the streets presents a great contrast, especially between the northern and southern areas. <\/b>While the neighborhoods in the center and north have greater accessibility to services, public spaces, and community interaction, this is not the reality for all inhabitants.<\/span> In recent years, the city has grown exponentially, and the new subdivisions or private communities are not always planned and designed correctly.<\/b> Additionally, <\/span>most of these developments are aimed at a specific type of person, which prevents the existence of true diversity of users.<\/b><\/p>\n

On the other hand, <\/span>most neighborhoods in Lyon or “arrondissements” as they are called in French, maintain a good number of different types of services to supply each zone, mixing local establishments with franchises and, in some cases, temporary markets.<\/b> This allows residents to easily walk to do their laundry, shop for groceries, use public transportation, take their children to the park, go for a drink with friends, or dine out, among other activities. <\/span>This leads to a more active and enriching life, resulting in recognition among people and creating an atmosphere of trust and a sense of belonging to the place.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Renovaci\u00f3n de la calle 47 (M\u00e9rida) \/ Vieux Lyon
Renovation of 47th Street (M\u00e9rida) \/ Vieux Lyon
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Andrea Conde \/ Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

Another important point to address is<\/span> the need for buildings with different characteristics.<\/b> By this, the author refers to <\/span>having both old and modern buildings coexist in the same neighborhood.<\/b> This is necessary for people with different purchasing power to live there.<\/span> As Jane Jacobs (1961) says, “if an urban area only has new buildings, only businesses capable of coping with the high costs of new construction can automatically thrive there\u201d.<\/b><\/p>\n

In certain areas of downtown M\u00e9rida or in neighborhoods like Alem\u00e1n, Campestre, or M\u00e9xico, we find a mix of large companies and franchises as well as small establishments or businesses in old houses such as laundromats, caf\u00e9s, and galleries, creating a healthy dialogue between buildings. <\/b>However, it is a fact that gentrification is one of the most current concerns in the city. This is the process by which low-income urban areas are transformed by the arrival of people with greater economic resources, displacing the original residents due to rising prices in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the neighborhoods of Lyon, we see both residential and commercial buildings, ranging from small grocery stores to caf\u00e9s, local bars, and “boulangeries,” which are the famous bakeries.<\/b> This again creates a diversity of people, and therefore, the cost of living remains balanced compared to if there were single-use buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Renovaci\u00f3n de la calle 60 (M\u00e9rida) \/ Distrito financiero (Lyon)
Renovation of 60th Street (M\u00e9rida) \/ Financial district (Lyon)
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Andrea Conde \/ Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

The next point focuses on the <\/span>opportunity for social contact, which means that the city should be designed on a human scale, with blocks not too large to facilitate the presence of numerous corners and the location of various establishments.<\/b><\/p>\n

A clear example of this in M\u00e9rida is Paseo de Montejo, the most important avenue in the city,<\/b> not only for its historical value but also because it accommodates different movement dynamics by serving as a meeting point for recreational gatherings, cultural activities, or protests. <\/span>Its design is unique in the city and promotes a pedestrian culture with the help of its wide sidewalks and abundant trees.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Paseo de Montejo (M\u00e9rida) \/ Rue de la R\u00e9publique (Lyon)
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Andrea Conde \/ Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

This experience is only present in some areas, as the territorial occupation of gated residential areas with high walls limits social interaction. Despite this, I believe that <\/span>initiatives which progressively improve the pedestrian experience in the city are being promoted, transforming road sections by including trees and widening the sidewalks of busy areas or bus stops,<\/b> gradually leading to greater social interaction and opportunities for contact.<\/span><\/p>\n

The arrangement of the city of Lyon leaves most corners free of construction, allowing these spaces to be used for public services such as benches, trash and recycling bins, but what stands out the most are the bicycle stations and how they operate. <\/b>Through a screen, you can pay for their use and return the bicycle to the nearest station to your destination.<\/span> This creates meeting points and connections between neighborhoods.<\/b> Additionally, various types of vegetation are integrated into these corners, from bushes that separate pedestrians from the street to trees that provide shade.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Esquina renovada en Calle 47 (M\u00e9rida) \/ Esquina en Rue Masaryk (Lyon)
Renovated Corner on 47th Street (M\u00e9rida) \/ Corner on Masaryk Street (Lyon)
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Andrea Conde \/ Google Maps<\/p><\/div>\n

The final point is <\/span>accessibility, specifically to public transportation. <\/b>The integration of different types of transportation and the improvement of public spaces are essential for the development of smart cities.<\/span> I believe a significant step toward dignified mobility is designing the spaces where people wait for transportation. In M\u00e9rida, <\/b>users often spend long periods at stops that are not adapted to the high temperatures or the number of people using them daily. However, there have been significant improvements, as<\/span> there are now better types of buses that, in addition to being electric, have a design that is more accessible and comfortable for everyone. Also, some of the most used stops have been improved and equipped, and waiting times have been reduced thanks to bus monitoring through an app.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>The integration of different types of transportation and the improvement of public spaces are essential for the development of smart cities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Bus Va y Ven (M\u00e9rida) \/ Funicular (Lyon)
Va y Ven bus (M\u00e9rida) \/ Funicular (Lyon)
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Shutterstock \/ Pexels via atypeek<\/p><\/div>\n

Similar to Lyon, M\u00e9rida has also implemented some bike stations where, with the help of a mobile phone, it is possible to rent bikes and use them for the desired amount of time.<\/b> These improvements are highly important, but people are still adjusting to the new forms of mobility, and <\/span>it will be essential to make the necessary adaptations in the city to ensure that public transportation is efficient and practical<\/b>, encouraging more users to start using it.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Lyon, public transportation is used by all types of people,<\/b> the most common options are the metro and the tram, but there is also the funicular, bus, bicycle, and scooter. <\/span>The options are quite varied, and it is possible to use or combine several modes of transport to reach a destination.<\/b> The stops are quite pleasant and provide clear information about the operating days of the respective transportation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Parada de Va y Ven en Prolongaci\u00f3n Montejo (M\u00e9rida) \/ Parada de bus (Lyon)
Va y Ven bus stop in Prolongaci\u00f3n Montejo (M\u00e9rida) \/ Bus stop (Lyon)
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Andrea Conde \/ Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

In the same way, <\/span>in both cities, though more recently in M\u00e9rida, urban strategies that prioritize pedestrians are being implemented. <\/b>These include<\/span> reducing car lanes in areas with high pedestrian activity <\/b>using various urban elements such as metal railings, <\/span>as well as different types of speed-reducing pavements. <\/b>Additionally, in many areas, <\/span>lanes for motor vehicles are used only at specific times of the day,<\/b> when there is higher vehicle traffic, <\/span>and they are automatically closed at certain hours with retractable bollards.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Reducci\u00f3n de carriles y ampliaci\u00f3n de banquetas (M\u00e9rida) \/ Delimitaci\u00f3n de carriles y pavimentos peatonales (Lyon)
Reduction of lanes and widening of sidewalks (M\u00e9rida) \/ Lane delimitation and pedestrian pavements (Lyon)
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Andrea Conde \/ Google maps<\/p><\/div>\n

Definitely, and inevitably, <\/span>both cities have a level of development that goes hand in hand with the advancement of their countries. <\/b>In Lyon, we see an urban system with great structure, development, and organization, where there is a continuous interest in constantly improving the way people live in the city in various aspects. In M\u00e9rida, we also see a current interest in progressively improving the way the urban environment operates.<\/span><\/p>\n

I believe that we should always consider the difference between our landscape and cultural identity when compared to European countries.<\/span> It is necessary to design and plan with awareness of the needs of the inhabitants from each region and their daily experiences<\/b>, especially regarding weather issues (in the case of M\u00e9rida), as<\/span> our needs are linked to the context in which we find ourselves<\/b>. We can learn valuable urban planning lessons from more advanced countries, as long as we adapt to the region being intervened in; that\u2019s where the \u201csmart\u201d of a renovation project in a city is demonstrated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0We can learn valuable urban planning lessons from more advanced countries, as long as we adapt to the region being intervened in; that\u2019s where the \u201csmart\u201d of a renovation project in a city is demonstrated.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0From my point of view,<\/span> Jane Jacobs\u00b4concepts can serve as a guide for advancing towards smart cities,<\/b> as they focus on improving the resident\u00b4s quality of life primarily at the neighborhood level, and since cities are made up of many of these, it would be possible to start improving our surroundings by considering the way people live in our immediate context. This way, we can achieve cities with high levels of urban vitality and, consequently, get closer to the concept of a \u201csmart city\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Convivencia social en Rue de la Monnaie, Lyon \/ Social gathering in Rue de la Monnaie, Lyon
Fotograf\u00eda \/ Photography: Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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