Location: Viña del Mar, Chile
Las Salinas breaks the boundaries of its site, turning a brownfield into a cutting-edge, 21st-century sustainable area, setting a new standard for development practices in Chile. The rejuvenation of the local ecology and the reconnection of the community to the waterfront through innovative public spaces will leave an enduring legacy for modern urbanization in Chile.
Las Salinas embodies a daring new approach to planning and design, where the transformation of brownfields serves as a catalyst for the urban and ecological revival of Viña del Mar.
New pathways through the site attract hillside communities that have long been disconnected from the coast. At the summit of the hill, a community center and a public elevator draw residents from San Inés. This center offers a range of programs focused on at-risk youth, including recreational activities, vocational training, a library, and flexible public spaces.
The Central Park, situated along the waterfront, is a civic gem for the city, with its cultural and public amenities fostering greater social integration.
The vision for compact urban blocks is one of a mixed-use, permeable, and sustainable community, featuring fully accessible and vibrant public spaces that reduce the city’s reliance on private transportation. A holistic community is supported by a blend of municipal, cultural, residential, retail, office, and educational uses. At the ground level, a variety of active uses create a rich and engaging urban and pedestrian experience.
Inspired by nature and a sustainable vision for the future, an in-depth study of the Chilean coastal landscape has informed the regenerative approach to the site’s landscape infrastructure and essential ecosystem services. This multi-layered strategy for form and function enhances the overall connectivity and resilience of the site systems, which in turn manage stormwater, nutrients, carbon, microclimates, pollination, and species dispersal.
Sasaki elevates the hillside landscape and leverages the built environment as a dynamic zone for ecological activity. Moving beyond the typically limited species selection in urban landscapes, Las Salinas will feature a native, diverse, and structurally complex planting palette, carefully tailored to the microclimates and habitats created by the proposed development.
A lush and functional network of public spaces weaves the community together. A linear park running parallel to Avenida Libertad combines play areas and seating terraces, inviting the community into the public realm while providing pedestrian links from the main residential areas to the community’s social heart.
An extraordinary journey of continuous engagement has breathed new life into the vibrant community of Viña. Through a series of dynamic “Urban Dialogues,” the design team, government officials, and local residents have come together to share ideas and collectively envision a brighter future. This collaborative effort is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life not only in Viña but also in the broader region.
Together, they are committed to creating a lasting legacy project that sets a visionary, resilient, and sustainable foundation for the development of the site and the entire city.
Image source: sasaki.com
