Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Urban Planning vs. People's Homes

While exploring the neighborhoods surrounding my apartment I have encountered some notable buildings, streets and corners of life. Being in Santiago Centro I'm within a 15 minute walk of Barrio Brasil and Yungay, Bella Vista, Bella Artes, Patronato and Providencia. Each with distinct environments and groups of people. 

One area I have found generally bland is south of Alameda around the Santa Lucia Metro station. It is largely high rise apartments that all look exactly the same with minimal nightlife and culture beyond the graffiti covered walls (which themselves are really impressive, but graffiti alone can't make up for an otherwise boring neighborhood). 

Walking down Carmen I did happen to stumble upon these few buildings that must have been half knocked down when the road was put in.

                                    

Not sure what year it was, but it has definitely been for a while. But the strange thing was that beyond being the canvas for some street artists they appear untouched since the day they were half destroyed. Half rooms still remain with doors to the neighboring rooms where I'm assuming people still live. 


It's unfortunate that this building was subject to forced expansion by the city. That, and those ugly high rise apartments in the background are rapidly taking over the skyline.

                                      




Cool street art