Paicaví Wetland
Good living means knowing how to exist and coexist, that there is no life except in relation to all forms of animate and inanimate life, since humanity itself is nature.
Almost completely surrounded by the city of Greater Concepción, the Paicaví, Tucapel Bajo and Chimalfe (formerly Vasco de Gama) wetlands survive as a relic of what was once continuous with the Rocuant-Andalién wetland , a large ecosystem formed by an extinct branch of the Biobío River that flowed into the Bay of Concepción, crossing the city.
Although urbanization has led to the loss of up to 40% of this natural space, the wetland system stands out as an ecosystem of high ecological value and for the ecosystem services it provides, including flood mitigation, high productivity and biological diversity, coastal protection from tsunamis, environmental education and recreation, among others.
Recognizing the importance of its conservation and restoration, since 2020, the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Group (GEF) has sought to improve the ecological status of this wetland system, promoting sustainable land management.
In this context, and based on the Cosmos Foundation’s experience in infrastructure design and management of wetland parks, we signed a collaboration agreement with the municipalities of Hualpén and Concepción to develop sections of the Chimalfe and Paicaví-Tucapel Bajo wetlands as natural parks open to the community to encourage environmental education, social cohesion, and ecosystem conservation.
Participatory design of a space for conservation and social cohesion
Following the Cosmos Foundation methodology for developing infrastructure projects in natural areas, a social and territorial diagnosis of the site was made, and then the perceptions, dreams, and challenges of the territory were collected from its own inhabitants through a participatory design process.
In a series of workshops led by the consulting firm URBANCOST, community organizations, authorities, and residents of the municipalities of Concepción and Hualpén identified the needs, aspirations, and dreams for their territories, resulting in the foundation for the development of the sustainable architecture project developed by the Cosmos Foundation.
Paicaví-Tucapel Bajo Wetland
The residents of the Paicaví wetland emphasized their interest in establishing links with academia and environmental organizations , using the lookout point as a meeting point and proposing infrastructure that would serve everything from family outings to artistic activities and wildlife observation.
Based on their proposals, the final design proposes an access portal to an environmental education area connected to the Inmaculada Concepción School, which includes a shaded area and a vegetable garden. Paths in areas of tall vegetation and elevated walkways through the grassland area are also part of the proposal, with environmentally friendly lighting and informative signage.
Biomimicry:
Biomimetic architecture is a contemporary philosophy that seeks sustainable solutions in nature, not merely by replicating its forms, but rather through understanding the rules that govern them.
The project also includes the installation of an open space for activities and a viewing platform named “Traiwe,” which means heron in Mapudungun. The three-stage flight process (preparation, launch, and flight) and the morphology of its wings served as a reference for the architectural design of this facility.
With the proposals already presented to the municipalities of Concepción and Hualpén , the next step is the development of the technical designs and finalize the prioritized application of the two projects to the Urban Improvement and Communal Equipment Program (PMU) to raise public financing that allows its execution.
