- In the city of Guadalajara, Mexico, more than 60 kilometers of streets are closed every Sunday for this event, drawing more than 220,000 people.
- The Via RecreActiva initiative exemplifies how a public space intervention can alter the social and political fabric of a city, sparking broader transformative change to public space use and inclusive governance.
- Though the initiative has not reversed systematic inequality, it marks an important move towards prioritizing people over cars in Guadalajara, a trend that cities around the world are embracing.
Since 2004, Guadalajara has closed streets across the city between 8am and 2pm on Sundays for a period when bicyclists, pedestrians, shoppers and dancers reclaim public space normally dominated by cars for public recreation.
The Via RecreActiva criss-crosses the city, connecting the traditionally poorer eastern neighbourhoods with the more advantaged western areas. Citizens are encouraged to express themselves through presentations, concerts, plays and dances. More than 52 free events are held annually.
Credit: Viarecreactiva
The Via RecreActiva has inspired a new collective image of what public space could look like and has sparked a rise in civil society and political activism for the equitable and safe use of space around the city. Though the ciclovía has not reversed systematic inequality, it marks an important move towards prioritizing people over cars in Guadalajara, a trend that cities around the world are embracing.
Credit: Guadalajara street activity – Viarecreactiva
This case study is highlighted in the World Resources Report, “Towards a More Equal City,” . The goal of “Towards a More Equal City” is to inform urban change agents – government officials, policymakers, civil society organizations, citizens and the private sector – about how transformative change happens, the various forms it takes and how they can support transformation towards more equal cities.
Author: GBA News Desk
