The proposed high speed railway station at Iquique is to be positioned within a 300,000 sqm masterplan in Alto Hospicio, a sector of the city 550m above the main city of Iquique, Chile.

The proposal, located between the 2 parts of Iquique and on the peripheral edge of Alto Hospicio, will trigger the positive development of the area. It will also provide an alternative means of transport to/from the 2 parts of the city via an aerial tramway, vastly improving connections, currently only via the dangerous A-16 and the ancient road. Alongside the high speed railway station, the larger masterplan will provide other community facilities necessary to Alto Hospicio, including green spaces, cultural, educational, sports and healthcare facilities. The development of the high speed rail is hence here used as an instrument to bridge a physical and social divide in the city.

The strategic positioning of the proposal within the fog zone of the city provides the opportunity for the harvesting of the Camanchaca Fog unique to areas of high altitudes along the northern coast of Chile. The collected fog water will be used to irrigate designated portions of the land in order to create new public green spaces.

This post was submitted by Mark Chan.

Tags: new ideas