Buenos Aires en el Bicentenario (1810-2010): consideraciones acerca de la ciudad y lo urbano

The celebration that took place in Buenos Aires to mark the Bicentenary of the May revolution (1810) has become undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to reflect on our cities, both in its past and present dimension. Throughout this article we explore this particular event comparing it with the Centennial celebration occurred in 1910. We consider both events (Centenary and Bicentenary) as epitomes of two different urban models: the modern city and the contemporary city. We remark how these events transcript and crystallize the precepts and values characteristic of both models. To this end, we refer first to the close links between the modern city or the "city of the centennial" and the progress and civilization ideology, the tangible heritage, and the national identity. Secondly, we refer to the consolidation of a new urban model based -as the Bicentennial event shows- in the use of culture as a resource, the glorification of cultural diversity and multiculturalism, and the weakening of the cult rendered to national heritage.