Challenging the paradigm of garden suburbs in Argentina: The urban micro-densification as emergent revitalization process in the suburbs of Córdoba. Sara M. Boccolini Bauhaus Universität-Weimar / Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (SECyT) Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Phil. Habil. Max Welch Guerra / Dr. Phil. Beatriz Giobellina Expected thesis defence: May, 2017 sara_boccolini@gmail.com This research studies the micro-densification phenomenon as strategy to promote urban revitalization processes on suburban neighborhoods, and upgrade its potential as a sustainable and efficient response to urban growth. The micro-densification takes place in neighborhoods located around city core in Córdoba, Argentina, which have restrictions on land use regulation that perpetuates them as low-density, mono-functional, residential areas. There, the inhabitants carry out spontaneous/emergent microdensification processes, increasing the number of functional units per lot. They incorporate complementary uses that enrich the mono-functional structure and rebuild the community network, preventing the expulsion of the population to the periphery, while offering attractive products to new residents. This article focus on the spatial dimension of this phenomenon, and the transformations of the suburban fabric, noting their strengths and weaknesses that allow a revaluation of this phenomenon within the city´s structure. Introduction. This article presents a stage of a doctoral thesis on the emerging revitalization by micro-densification that is taking place in pericentral neighborhoods in the city of Cordoba, Argentina. The thesis as a whole explores the potential of micro-densification as an innovative strategy to revitalize these neighbourhoods; although focused on a particular case study, the research seeks to develop a reflection on the processes of revitalization of mono-functional low-density suburbs (MF/LD/S) that make numerous suburban areas of Argentine and Latin American cities, with conclusions applicable to a wide range of regional studies. After many other increasingly distant suburban expansions, nowadays the MF/LD/S neighbourhoods are consolidated as the connecting space between the current periphery and the hiper-densified city center. This privileged location within the urban structure and their urban and environmental quality are opposed to a process of functional obsolescence of their buildings, that no longer meet the current demands of the housing market, causing a gradual population drain and impoverishment of the built heritage. Any renewal intervention is hampered by land use regulations, perpetuating the model of low-density residential area. However, the tension between the scenario brought by land use regulations and the strategic potential of this neighbourhoods is solved through spontaneous (and informal) micro-densification processes carried out by the landowners, middle-class inhabitants of the neighbourhood: Recycling obsolete buildings or taking advantage of vacant buildable area of each plot, the number of functional units per plot is increased, maintaining the scale of existing fabric. Complementary uses are incorporated enriching the urban structure, increasing profitability through individual micro-investments. Ultimately, they rebuild the social fabric, preventing population drain and offering attractive products for new inhabitants. Access to housing is provided to socio-economic groups that have been left out of public housing policies and housing market: the middle-class young adults. While the thesis studied the phenomenon as part of the complex urban system, with multiple scales and analytical dimensions (social, economic, political, territorial), on this occasion, we analyze the spatial and functional changes that the micro-densification performed in the spatial fabric of these neighborhoods. First, we caracterize the structure and patterns of fabric generation of MF/ML/S. Subsequently, we analyze changes and mutations of urban fabric in MF/ML/S neighbourhoods. Specifically, the micro-densification processes are studied in Maipú, Crisol Sur, and Nueva Córdoba anexo neighborhoods. Finally, we reflect on the opportunities these changes means to overcome the paradigm of MF/ML/S neighborhoods, increasing its sustainability, efficiency and resilience within the urban structure through emergent processes of self- regulation. The city of Cordoba. Cordoba is located in the central region of Argentina. Founded in 1573 during the Spanish colonization, it is the second most populated city of Argentina after Buenos Aires and the fifth largest in the country 1 ; it is an important cultural, economic, educational, financial and entertainment center in the region. Like all Argentine urban centers of first and second order, Córdoba is characterized by forming a macro- cephalic system. This situation consolidates a structure in constant tension between an hiper- 1 Population of Cordoba: 1.329.604 inhabitants; metropolitan area population (Gran Córdoba): 1.466.823 inhabitants (INDEC, 2010) City area: 576km².