From Buenos Aires to World Urbanism Day 1950: Connecting Local Concerns with International Urban Development

In 1949, Argentine urbanist Carlos Maria Della Paolera put out a call to urban planners, architects, and city officials everywhere. November 8, 1950, would be the first Día Mundial del Urbanismo, or World Urbanism Day. Della Paolera saw this as an opportunity to celebrate the world’s cities and reflect on the past, present, and future of urban development. More than fifty cities worldwide participated in this day of observance, highlighting the extent to which Della Paolera’s call resonated with people everywhere.

Through his own personal experiences and international connections, Della Paolera recognized that modern cities had arrived at a crossroads in their development. In his hometown of Buenos Aires, the urbanist saw an intense struggle as asphalt, concrete, and steel consumed everything, leaving little vegetation or sky for residents to enjoy. Other cities around the world suffered from a similar imbalance, and in this post-World War II period – a moment of rebirth or new beginnings for many cities – people held a common desire to improve life in urban centers. World Urbanism Day came at an opportune moment as it called all citizens, professionals, and administrators to reflect on how to create more livable, humane spaces.

This presentation will explore how Della Paolera’s life and work influenced his ideas, and why those ideas, initially based on local experiences, gained an international audience and significant following. The presentation will also highlight the ways in which urban and environmental concerns intersected, once again showing how World Urbanism Day spoke to common anxieties of the period.