Integral part of a set of five urban projects oriented towards dignifying the public spaces, the plaza is conceived as a large green sponge capable of capturing and filtering water runoff. Through a network of rain gardens and wetlands arranged by gravity, the contaminated water is chanelled and treated passively: a system concealed under the street level redefines the relationship between public space and environment.

The project responds to the need to transform the old town market, inadequate for the tropical climate and delimited by streets that privileged car traffic, interrupting the connection with key elements, like Fort San Felipe, from the 18th century – which protected the region from pirate raids –, or the Town Hall building.

The interventions were specific and strategic: redesign of pavements to guarantee safe pedestrian crossings, universal access, and continuous circulation; an extensive palapa-type roof that creates a central space for community gathering, built with local materials and techniques; and a wooden structure to the south that organizes the services and proposes a raised footbridge, from which to observe the tree tops and enjoy a different view of the urban landscape...[+]