Community Meeting (Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts, 2017)
Buena Vida Choice Neighborhood Plan
Urban Design, Architecture
The Buena Vida Choice Neighborhood Plan envisions the redevelopment of the former Buena Vida housing development with new housing options and diverse open spaces that can better serve and accommodate different community and residents' needs.
Located adjacent to downtown Brownsville and within walking from distance from the United States – Mexico border / International crossing to the City of Matamoros, the Buena Vida neighborhood is home to this 13-acre (150 units) public housing site owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville.
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Housing Authority and the City of Brownsville a planning grant to redevelop the existing public housing site into a mixed-income development and urban strategies for 360-acre neighborhood.
PROCESS
Connecting the dots
During this two-year planning process led by Camiros Ltd., we developed in collaboration with residents, community leaders and stakeholders a neighborhood plan guided by the following design and planning principles: leverage and celebrate cultural identity and heritage; create a clear and connected framework for redevelopment; strengthen connections with the neighborhood; promote walkable, active and safe open spaces; and support a healthy, resilient and equitable community.
ONE
Create a clear and connected framework for redevelopment
TWO
Strengthen neighborhood connections
THREE
Promote walkable, active and safe open spaces
FOUR
Promote walkable, active and safe open spaces
FIVE
Support a healthy, resilient and equitable community
Proposed Buena Vida Development
Proposed Buena Vida Development
Pedestrian connection
Restored urban grid
Distinct edges
Buena Vida Development (circa 1940)
Buena Vida housing (2016)
Site analysis
Buena Vida Development (circa 1940)
