Project redefined
Introduction
Bicentenario Park is a public green space in the city of Quito D.M., capital of Ecuador. It is located north of the city, on the same property that belonged to the city's old airport,[1] flanked by the avenues Amazonas "Avenida Amazonas (Quito)") to the west, Galo Plaza&action=edit&redlink=1 "Avenida Galo Plaza (Quito) (not yet written)") and Real Audiencia&action=edit&redlink=1 "Avenida Real Audiencia (Quito) (not yet written)") to the east, and del Maestro&action=edit&redlink=1 "Avenida del Maestro (Quito) (not yet written)") to the north.
Jurisdictionally, the park is located in the urban parishes of La Concepción "La Concepción (parish)"), Kennedy "Kennedy (parish)") and Cotocollao "Cotocollao (parish)"), although most of it is located within the former. With its 125 hectares, it constitutes the largest green area within the city, surpassing La Carolina Park, which had held that record until April 27, 2013, when the Bicentennial was opened to the public for the first time.[1].
Name
After several years in which the project was called Parque del Lago, it was officially redefined as Bicentennial by the Metropolitan Council through ordinance C408, of July 11, 2012.[2] This name responds to the commemoration of the 200 years of one of the most important chapters in the history of the city and the country: the First Cry of Independence.
The proposal aimed at the conservation of the historical memory of the Quito Revolution "Revolutionary Process of Quito (1809-1812)") and the national independence cause, considering the capital as manager of this process, connecting that memory with symbolic works. Thus, this name Bicentennial Park was proposed for the space occupied by the old airport, and to locate symbolic and representative spaces there that allude to the process of independence of Ecuador, with particular emphasis on the revolution that took place in the city of Quito.[3].
History
Background
On January 17, 2013, the Metropolitan Council issued ordinance 0352, which defined the use and occupation of the land of the future Bicentennial Park and its surroundings. The plan included complementary urban planning and landscaping standards (urban furniture, service equipment such as the Convention Center, vegetation) within the park, collective support systems (cross roads, parking lots, outdoor green areas, networks and public services), urban and land management strategies, restructuring of surrounding lots for high-rise constructions, among others.[2].