Par Ashley Williams
What is the size of two parking spots, can seat a group of friends and has the power to prevent crime and violence?
"P.arklets» — knownlocallycommeCuscatlánitos after the San Salvador park Cuscatlán — are vibrant public spaces that provide communities a meeting point. Though they are simple, cessmall parks are poised to make a powerful impact on strengthening vulnerable communities au Salvador.
In their most basic form, they are slightly raised platforms with three low walls, but each one can be customized to meet the needs of the community. Some become classrooms, some are places for entrepreneurs to sell their goods and others become places to make art.
Cesnew public spaces are supported by the USAID-funded Projet de prévention du crime et de la violence, lequelimproves the ability of communities, municipalities and national institutions toprévenirviolent crime. El Salvador has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and has seen an uptick in reported robberies, assaults, rapes and missing persons cases in recent years.
The new parklets will live in the Tutunichapa, Atonal, La Asuncion and Santa Fe/La Paz communities, lequel surround Cuscatlán Park in the historic center of San Salvador. The parkletsare part of a larger effort to makecommunity members feel safe in and around their communities.
TOTEM, unNew York–based urban development and design firm, designed theparklets as a system of interconnected spaces between Cuscatlán Park and surrounding communities by creating hyper-local and modular public spaces to foster community cohesion through entrepreneurship and participatory"place making.»
TOTEMPrincipal J. Manuel Mansylla says that while some of these communities are stigmatized and alienated, ilsare entrepreneurial and can thrive with the right support and platform, such as these parklets.
“During the dry season, when the demand to spend time outdoors increases, parklets may temporarily replace a few parking spots with neighborhood gathering places perfect for eating, en lisant, fonctionnement, meeting a friend or taking a rest,» dit-il."In San Salvador we added a new twist by using them as platforms to promote community members’ creative talents and ideas.»
TOTEM inaugurated thenew public spaces with a pop-up market, called Festitlsurn, in the parking lot of the Cuscatlán Market. The design firm coordinated with localNGOs and government to develop this urban festival, which promoted the idea of building a city of “beautiful things” and showcased ways the city could be transformed through safe, dynamic public spaces.
Activities included workshops on urban gardening, dance and music shows by local artists, a participative mural, a community culinary market and more. For community members, these parks provide a renewed energy and a much-needed safe space to hang out.
"Thank you very much for taking us into account to be part of the Cuscatlánitos, said 19-year-old Nubia Velasco, from La Asunción, while enjoying her newCuscatlanito. "Nous think it is a very cool way to spend time outside our homes, doing activities like these, celebrating and having fun.«