Housing and city in Latin America: the CINVA (Centro Interamericano de Vivienda y Planeamiento) and its action in "Ciudad Kennedy", Bogota

Abstract

This research project aims to study the debate about social housing in Latin America, from the Centro Interamericano de Vivienda y Planeamiento - CINVA, organism linked to the Organization of American States - OAS, that existed between 1951 and 1972, in Bogota, Colombia. We will study the repercussions of the researchs, proposals and programs of CINVA in the public policies of the participanting countries. For a deeper analysis we will investigate the design and building of the neighborhood Ciudad Kennedy, Bogotá, constructed between 1961 and 1963. This project had means of the Alliance for Progress Program, which consisted of US aid to Latin American countries through technical cooperation and financing of public policies. Then, this research can contribute with the interpretations about the action of US in the subcontinent in Cold War context. From a methodological point of view we intend to do the analysis between the own issues of the disciplinary field of architecture and urbanism and the processes of urbanization of Latin American cities in the cultural aspects in general way. For this purpose, the investigation will be structured on fundamental issues of housing and urban policy that guided the researchs, the professionals involved and their interrelationships within the CINVA, but also aims at verifying as the notions of architecture and planning city were related to the development of concepts derived from economic theory and other areas of culture. (AU)