Analysis of public space in the face of the pandemic in an informal settlement in Argentina

In informal urbanizations, public spaces are of the utmost importance for recreation, socialization and even for the economy of these communities. Faced with the threat of COVID-19, the operation, requirements, and characteristics of public space are put under scrutiny, and it is interesting to think about the new realities derived from the pandemic. The objective of the work is to recognize what characteristics public spaces present in informal urbanizations, and how they should be adapted, considering the requirements of their inhabitants, in the context of the pandemic COVID-19 and heading to the future. To this end, the case of the Puente de Fierro neighborhood is analyzed. The neighborhood is located on the southeastern periphery of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The methodological approach consists of the analysis of different categories of public spaces. The results of the research allow corroborating, based on the case study, that these spaces are essential for the daily activities of their inhabitants. Given the scarcity and deterioration, new challenges are posed for the future, considering the intervention and adaptation of spaces that take into account the requirements of the population in vulnerable situations.