Illegal - Architecture (Week 8)

I understand Gentrification could be a boon for city development. But when I thought from the old women's shoes that lived above Franco's apartment in Madrid, it's a bane. She should have lived with her family for years in that apartment, her children should have grown in that neighborhood, her husband could have passed away in that house. The house may not be just a place to live for her. The neighborhood could recall her many memories. In this old age, she moved out into some new place to search for new places for her daily needs. She should search for new friends to spend time with. 

Why can't gentrification avoid the inflation in prices? I really liked Illegal Architecture by Santiago Cirugeda. He designed spaces to increase the public interaction required by the public themselves. This is quite similar to the development part of gentrification. But there is no displacement of residents due to any reasons. If the public is happy(again, a question who is actually happy, so we would consider for discussion sake that they are happy) with what why would government call it illegal. Legalizing the reclaimed swimming pool( El Campo de Cebada) designed by them is a very great example. 

This also made a very less impact on the environment as it is a brownfield development, there is very less material used to modify it. The LEED lens is a public space in a residential area that was actively used by the community. It would get great points under Neighbourhood development, Transportation and Materials, and resources category. 

The government should welcome this kind of public involvement if it is standardly designed and supports residents' experience. 

El Campo de Cebada

"They were clear about not wanting any night-time commotion or problematic uses. Neither did they envisage anything permanent that might delay the new facility or entail some alternative to the promised sports center."   

- David Bravo

I fear criminal or illegal activities in these kinds of spaces if they are completely under the community's control, so the government should have a check over it and decide the consequences. But from the above clarity they have given on the website of "El Campo de Cebada," I understood that the community has a clear vision of what they are doing.