Public Space as a Tool for Community Healing: Scales of Intervention in Latin AmericaPresented by:Save this picture!Parque Pavuna / Embyá - Paisagismo Ecossistêmico . Image © Douglas LopesPublic spaces are more than just physical voids in the urban fabric—they are stages for social interaction, cultural expression, and collective memory. In times of social fragmentation and environmental stress, these spaces can serve as catalysts for healing, offering safe environments where communities can reconnect. Through thoughtful design and participatory processes, public space interventions can rebuild trust, promote mental well-being, and foster a renewed sense of belonging among community members. Save this picture!These public spaces can take various forms depending on the context. Some are large-scale interventions, such as parks, where landscape design and urban equipment create new spaces for the community. Others may be smaller urban design actions, like revitalizing streets and sidewalks through the use of color, sports programs, vegetation, and furniture. Still others may take the form of small-scale installations—a pavilion or structure that, when placed strategically, can foster a cohesive and safe social environment.In the following examples, we explore projects located in Latin America that illustrate these three approaches to public space design. From expansive parks that reshape neighborhood life to subtle yet impactful improvements in everyday streetscapes, and small-scale installations that activate forgotten corners of the city—each case highlights how design can respond to local needs and foster inclusive, engaging environments, making architecture a powerful tool for healing communities. Related Article Revitalizing Territories in Colombia: Comprehensive Acupunctures for Urban and Social Transformation Large-Scale: Urban Design InterventionsSucre Boulevard / Bastidas y Salinas + Emilia Monteverde.Save this picture!Playón Red Public Spaces and Community Infrastructures for Integration / Región AustralSave this picture!Conscious Street Intervention / Taller ARQUIURBANO + IAA StudioSave this picture!Medium-Scale: Parks and Green SpacesPavuna Park / Embyá - Paisagismo EcossistêmicoSave this picture!Parque Esmeralda: Community Garden Project / CAW ArquitectosSave this picture!Barrio Tikal Park / Laboratorio de Acupuntura UrbanaSave this picture!Small-Scale: Installations Inua Installation / Grupo Finca Save this picture!Volcadero Coral Park, Volcadero Project / University of Tennessee + Universidad Oriente + Arizona State UniversitySave this picture!The Floating Greenhouse / Natura Futura + Juan Carlos BambaSave this picture!This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Building Wellbeing: Designing Spaces for Healing, presented in collaboration with the Hushoffice. With its line of A-class pods Hushoffice helps create acoustically balanced workplaces that offer great environment for collaboration and focus, foster employee wellbeing, and accommodate the needs of neurodiverse staff, as well as employees with motor impairments.Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us. Image gallerySee allShow less About this authorPaula PintosAuthor••• Cite: Paula Pintos. "Public Space as a Tool for Community Healing: Scales of Intervention in Latin America" 11 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028942/public-space-as-a-tool-for-community-healing-scales-of-intervention-in-latin-america&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream