Our studio has presented Cartagena City Council with a comprehensive proposal to transform the Plaza Puertas de Madrid into a pedestrian, accessible and connected space, while at the same time recovering a key element of urban heritage: the old Puerta de Madrid.
This project has a twofold objective. On the one hand, to improve the pedestrian connection between the historic centre and the Alameda de San Antón, eliminating the current barrier that interrupts the natural flow between these two areas. On the other hand, to enhance the value of the remains of the historic gate, currently hidden under a roundabout built in the nineties.
The intervention proposes the pedestrianisation of the final section of Calle del Carmen, reorganising road traffic in such a way as to maintain access to garages and services, but giving priority to pedestrians. The taxi ranks will be relocated to free up the square and the central roundabout will be removed, allowing the ruins of the Puerta de Madrid to be visibly recovered.
Cartagena has an important tourist flow, especially from the port, which today finds a dead end when it reaches this square. Our proposal seeks to resolve this disconnection, facilitating access to emblematic areas such as the Regional Assembly, the Zapata House or the Red Cross building.
Our team understands that the future of cities lies in recovering their public spaces and making them more human, sustainable and coherent with their history. This project is an opportunity for Cartagena to move in that direction.