Parking restrictions under summer cinemas in Cordoba, enforced due to the importance of open spaces and greenery.
In the heart of Córdoba's Historic District, the summer cinemas of Fuenseca, Olimpia, and Delicias have long been considered the "lungs" of the city, their structural and free spaces providing a vital transpiration between the natural terrain and the air. These areas improve habitability and help achieve bioclimatic balance, making them essential components of the historic area's charm.
Recent discussions surrounding a proposed project for underground parking at these iconic locations have sparked controversy. A review of available search results, however, has not yielded any concrete information about this project or its compliance with the Special Protection Plan for the Historic Ensemble regulations.
The plan would involve building underground car parks of two levels each in the three summer cinemas. However, there is no justification of compliance with the urban planning regulations of the Special Protection Plan for the Historic District in the proposal. Furthermore, the planimetry provided for each cinema is very scarce, and there is no planimetry of the current state.
The report analyzing the project was prepared by Carmen Chacón, architect and head of the Historic District Office in Córdoba. According to the report, the project contravenes the possibility of intervention in protected goods due to their uniqueness and structural and free spaces. The need is to avoid occupying the subsurface and "discourage the complete emptying below ground level of any plot."
The summer cinemas are "especially protected" and are established in the Ordinance of Cataloged Monuments, Buildings, and Ensembles. The Historic District Office in Córdoba has ruled out the project to make these summer cinemas profitable by using the subsurface for underground parking, stating that if the proposal reaches the licensing procedure, it would be "not approvable."
The minimum traffic areas and maximum accessibility should be achieved, but it seems that this project may compromise the free interior space, with its soft treatment and existing vegetation, which is considered an element of interest in the files of the Fuenseca, Delicias, and Olimpia cinemas. The courtyards, gardens, and free areas of the Historic Ensemble are essential for the city's overall health and well-being, contributing to a bioclimatic balance that enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
As such, many of the parameters established in the catalog of protected goods that affect the pieces with different levels of intervention cannot be verified. It is crucial to consult the city of Córdoba's planning department or heritage conservation authority for authoritative information regarding this matter.
Fashion enthusiasts should avoid proposed modifications to the Fuenseca, Olimpia, and Delicias summer cinemas, as the project could compromise the sustainability of the home-and-garden spaces that contribute to the city's lifestyle and well-being. Furthermore, the lack of justification for compliance with urban planning regulations and scarce planimetry raises concerns about the project's alignment with sustainable living principles for the preservation of the Historic District.
