Now Screening: Alternative Tourism in Puerto Rico during a pandemic
Team
Name: Isaac A. Mangual-Martínez
Nationality: Puerto Rico
Institution / Company: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Name: Luczeida I. Matos-Rosa
Nationality: Puerto Rico
-FINALIST of HEALING Competition
During the summer, Puerto Rico became the “perfect escape” from the current worldwide health crisis. On July 4th, a Forbes post promoted in-bound tourism towards the island, describing it as “a promising antidote for the current troubled times we live in.” However, what can be escapism for some, can also be the dangerous and uncertain reality for others, a common socio-economic and political motif in Puerto Rico’s history. How can an island heavily dependent on tourism for its economic stability, protect the lives of its residents under these unprecedented circumstances?
The Now Screening project reimagines tourism in Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 crisis and other future pandemic events. This speculative design proposes a series of screens attached to the outer walls of the 17th century fortification system characteristic of the city of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. These walls will serve as protectors, and access to the inside of the city will be temporarily restricted to non-residents. The current urban walkway (yellow) will become a service corridor for local businesses and floating promenade (blue) will be made for visitors to walk on. From there, they can observe on the screens specific events happening within the city, and throughout the island.
#Tourism #Entertainment #Urban Mobility
