Zonas de Caracas

SG-20

This public square is a transcendental work of public space rehabilitation that emphasizes the existing urban pattern and supports the main avenue of Las Mercedes. Las Mercedes, a sector of 190 hectares that was formed by the old Caracas-El Hatillo road during the dictatorship of Marcos Pérez Jiménez, was first built in 1947 over an old sugar cane plantation. It was constituted by a chessboard urban pattern oriented by two diagonal axis and a main avenue that linked the old bridge of Las Mercedes with the terrains of the estate. The grand plaza at the heart of the neighborhood was built to be widened by extending its paving to the neighboring streets, building a network of pedestrian walkways and leveling its above ground height. This way, the 8,000 sq. meter plaza meant for large gatherings can be extended to 13,000 sq. meters. Extending the pavement allows Las Mercedes to be seen as a zone with its own character. The public square has different areas: a shaded area, with a small tropical forest, walkways and benches; and sun, with a paved area meant for large gatherings. The Mástiles (2008) by Magdalena Fernández is a work of art in the plaza that is worthy of being noted: two vertical intertwined elements of differ-ent heights with luminous spheres at their tops that create a new urban landmark. This construction regenerated the urban tissue, incorporated art, created a new public space for civil meetings, and changed the landscape, giving more strength to the image of the municipality and the city.