VIRTUAL Barcelona
Abstract
Liberia, Costa Rica, a modest city with around 67,000 residents, serves as an access point to well-liked tourist spots in the Guanacaste region. There has been noteworthy growth in the city over recent years, characterized by advances in development and infrastructure. The establishment of the current city of Liberia can be traced back to two key elements. First and foremost is the existence of cattle ranches in the 18th century, owned by landholders from Rivas, Nicaragua. Further fueling this were trading activities between Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Nicoya district, and routes towards northern Central America—particularly with Nicaragua—which led to El Guanacaste town being founded in 1769. The “Historic Center of Liberia” initiative is a community-driven endeavor led by the Association for Culture that continues to develop. These collaborative actions between the Association, the Municipality and the University highlight the complexities and obstacles inherent in participatory approaches while offering valuable insights into their intricacies. This initiative exemplifies how collective efforts can significantly influence shaping and conserving Liberia’s historic center’s cultural heritage.
This project envisages a re-envisioned urban center that prioritizes collaboration among different stakeholders such as residents, local businesses, academic institutions, and historical preservation organizations. It aims to surpass traditional heritage conservation models by including diverse perspectives not only in shaping physical spaces but also cultural narratives within an urban context. By doing so it brings attention to histories often overlooked in standard conservation initiatives—an emphasis that sets it apart from conventional heritage approaches—as it actively integrates communal input into molding both the physical environment and cultural identity within Liberia’s historic center.
Dominique Chang-Albizurez holds a degree in Architecture from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala and has pursued postgraduate studies in Mexico, Japan, and Spain. Her expertise lies in urban renewal, social processes, heritage preservation, strategic planning criteria development, and sustainable urban development. Since 2017, she has been an adjunct professor and researcher at the School of Architecture and Urbanism of the Costa Rica Institute of Technology. Her work showcases a dedication to preserving cultural heritage and advancing architectural and urban planning knowledge.
Rosa Elena Malavassi-Aguilar holds a Ph.D. in Architecture, with a focus on cultural heritage, from the University of Seville. She also has a Master’s degree in History and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Costa Rica. Since 2011, she has been serving as a professor and researcher at the School of Architecture and Urbanism at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology. In addition to her academic role, she is an active member of the International Center for the Conservation of Heritage (CICOP Costa Rica) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS Costa Rica).