Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales (PTAR) Taboada
These pictures were taken during a visit to the PTAR Taboada in May 2013. Following the collapse of the Colector Costanero in San Miguel in 2008, this plant - situated on the coast of Callao - is supposed to provide the solution to Lima´s ongoing problems with treating its wastewater and the resulting high levels of contamination of the ocean. When fully operational the plant is meant to treat about 60% of the city´s wastewater, the rest being directed to the south where a second plant is under construction in La Chira. However, several problems could be observed. While the plant has been positioned as the solution to Lima's wastewater crisis, the sewage system is still not fully connected to the plant, leaving it working under its full capacity. The waste that the plant does receive is only pretreated - meaning that solid material exceeding 1mm is filtered - and the remaining organic, chemical and other wastes end up in the ocean.
Walk from the PTAR Taboada to San Miguel
The differences between districts are clearly visible as one follows the path of Lima's coastline. The gradual changes in infrastructure, quality of environment, and public space express variations of economic investment between the northern and southern districts.
In the North, as it appears in the picture, the environment around the treatment plant is mainly dominated by industrial buildings and containers along the coast, making any interaction with the sea impossible for the people living in the settlements further inland.
Further south, the districts of La Perla and San Miguel are in a transition phase. The ongoing construction, mainly to ameliorate road infrastructure, is creating problems for residents, and its completion will present future increases in traffic flow, pollution and prevent access to the coast, The southern part of San Miguel's coast is being developed as part of the Costa Verde project with the vision to create green public space for the people of Lima. This makes the area more attractive for private (foreign) investments and real estate companies, as can be seen on advertising pictures. While this promotes an expectation of positive development for the district, the outcomes may reflect a different story. Projected increases in land prices could marginalize local residents, and development projects (such as hotels and casinos) may prove to be more detrimental to San Miguel and its citizens than the promise of Costa Verde.
For a more spatial understanding of the differences between the areas some pictures can be found here on a googlemap.
In the North, as it appears in the picture, the environment around the treatment plant is mainly dominated by industrial buildings and containers along the coast, making any interaction with the sea impossible for the people living in the settlements further inland.
Further south, the districts of La Perla and San Miguel are in a transition phase. The ongoing construction, mainly to ameliorate road infrastructure, is creating problems for residents, and its completion will present future increases in traffic flow, pollution and prevent access to the coast, The southern part of San Miguel's coast is being developed as part of the Costa Verde project with the vision to create green public space for the people of Lima. This makes the area more attractive for private (foreign) investments and real estate companies, as can be seen on advertising pictures. While this promotes an expectation of positive development for the district, the outcomes may reflect a different story. Projected increases in land prices could marginalize local residents, and development projects (such as hotels and casinos) may prove to be more detrimental to San Miguel and its citizens than the promise of Costa Verde.
For a more spatial understanding of the differences between the areas some pictures can be found here on a googlemap.
Re-appropriation of Public Space - An Occupying Picnic in Barranco
Some messages from the people of Barranco/Lima:
'green public space [...] is under constant threat in Barranco' 'there are no plans and vision of the maintenance of the public space' 'this is the wild west in the invaders mind' |
'we are all losing' 'but here in Barranco we are a little revolutionary' 'they [the government] make all the possibilities for some people and for others not' |
'place is not simply a location — it is a culmination of everyday social processes along with the intersection of various global flows, not just of money or capital, but of visitors'