Park, Tenement, Slaughterhouse: Elite Imaginaries of Buenos Aires, 1852-1880

The book explores how the cholera and yellow fever epidemics in Buenos Aires in the 1860s and 1870s led to debates on urban space among elites and inspired the banning of industrial slaughterhouses,reform of tenement houses,and construction of a major park.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2022
Publisher: Campus Verlag

In the late 19th century,Buenos Aires experienced a series of devastating cholera and yellow fever epidemics that caused a significant loss of life and sparked intense debates among the city's elite about urban planning. The book takes readers on a journey through three intriguing spaces: the slaughterhouses, the tenements, and the park of Palermo. These spaces were at the center of the discussions about the causes of epidemic disease and the potential solutions to address them. The banning of industrial slaughterhouses from the city, the reform of tenement houses, and the construction of a large park were all proposed as measures to tackle the problem of disease while also creating new visions of the city. By analyzing the discussions surrounding these spaces, the book sheds light on critical spatial junctures at the crossroads of local and global forces and reconstructs the intricate interconnections between elite imaginaries and the production of space.

The slaughterhouses in Buenos Aires were a focal point of the debates on epidemic disease. These facilities were notorious for their poor sanitation and hygiene practices, which were believed to contribute to the spread of disease. The book highlights the discussions surrounding the banning of industrial slaughterhouses from the city, which was seen as a necessary step to improve public health. The reform of tenement houses was another important aspect of the debates. These buildings were often overcrowded, unsanitary, and prone to the spread of disease. The book explores the discussions surrounding the reform of tenement houses, which included measures such as improving ventilation, sanitation, and access to clean water. The construction of a large park was also proposed as a solution to the problem of disease. The park of Palermo was designed to provide a green space for the city's residents to enjoy and to improve their health. The book examines the discussions surrounding the construction of the park, which included concerns about the cost and the impact on the city's existing infrastructure.

Through its analysis of these three spaces, the book sheds light on the complex relationship between elite imaginaries, the production of space, and the management of epidemic disease. It demonstrates how the decisions made by city officials and elites shaped the physical and social landscape of Buenos Aires and how these decisions had far-reaching consequences for public health and urban development. Park,Tenement,Slaughterhouse is a valuable contribution to the field of urban history and planning, offering insights into the ways in which historical events and social dynamics can shape the urban environment.

Dimension: 216 x 140 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783593515021