Landscape laboratory Hurlingham-Morón : experimental landscape design for a polluted watercourse in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires

Abstract: The subject of this master thesis is Arroyo Morón, a watercourse situated in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the limited site for this project is located in the municipalities of Hurlingham and Morón. Present at the site today is the intertwined challenges of flood, pollution and social vulnerability but also the threat of further fragmentation of existing socio-ecological systems. The aim has been to put forward a landscape design able to mitigate climate change related events as well as pollution, but also increase social and recreational values on site. The concept of Landscape Laboratories as test fields for future urban elements such as water and woods, lays as the foundation for the proposed design. Methods used for building knowledge and develop approaches has been literature studies, course collaboration and on-site field studies. The investigation of three concepts has helped us to put the project into a wider context: Site Theory, Environmental Justice and Nature-based Solutions. The study is complemented by three reference projects acting as inspiration and examples of open-ended, transdisciplinary design processes, with assessable outcomes. To secure open urban green spaces in an era of growing urbanities and climate change effects is crucial to the adaptation and resilience of today’s cities. The evolutionary structure of a Landscape Laboratory enables mitigation measures to be initiated and studied over time. Social and recreational qualities are enhanced in this arena by its explorative character. A possibility of recreation in people’s everyday life is achieved by pedestrian accessibility along with the creation of ‘places’ and ‘non-places’ based on emerging values.