The gas station is located in the intersection between the Panamericana highway and Santa Helena Boulevard. We bought our food inside and then went outside for a pick nick. It wasn’t a good place to have lunch because of all the noise, the traffic and there was no shadow at all. Except for a little spot at the side of the gas station.
There weren’t many buildings surrounding us. There was the gas station, the highway, a bridge and a motel. The space is actually designed for vehicles and is only accessible by car. There’s no place left for pedestrians or bicycles. That’s why you don’t see many people walking around the area.
Salvadorians do not tend to interact in public spaces, especially not with others they don’t know. They are rather closed towards people outside their social core.
Physical barriers contribute to the marked separation between public and private space.
Like at the gas station, they’ve cut the trees so there’s no shadow, which doesn’t attract people to come sit there and enjoy their meal. On the other hand, buildings here are designed to attract cars. If there were huge trees in front of the building, cars wouldn’t see the gas station and pass by.
The green area of the gas station presents the flexibility of the area to become a relaxing public space.
We conclude that social life does not depend only on a space that is designed for it, but can take place anywhere. The space has an adequate potential to develop in an atmosphere of social harmony.
Fatima Galeas_ Andrea Duran_ Alirio Guerra_ Pedro Mejia_ Ordia Mataichi_Ricardo Funes
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