Urban-scale upcycling – The process of repurposing and creatively transforming abandoned materials, structures, or urban spaces, giving them new functions and aesthetic value without degrading the quality of the original material. This approach promotes sustainability and resource recovery in urban design, reducing environmental impact and enhancing the existing context. 

In recent years, architects and urban planners have embraced urban upcycling strategies to create innovative and sustainable public spaces. A prime example is the Parque de los Deseos in Medellín, designed by El Equipo de Mazzanti, which transformed a neglected area into a dynamic public space using recycled materials and lightweight structures to foster social inclusion. 

Another success story is New York’s High Line, conceived by James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which repurposed an abandoned elevated railway into a linear urban park, preserving industrial elements and integrating native vegetation. This project illustrates how upcycling can not only revitalize disused spaces but also generate new urban focal points.