Ciudad Jardín Lomas del Palomar is an unusual, colorful, socially mixed and lively neighbourhood of about 6,650 families in an area of. Inspired by the Garden city movement, its layout is designed on a pedestrian scale with compact residential areas made up of tile roofed row style and free standing chalets in tree-lined streets and boulevards. There are three arcaded three-storey residential-commercial plazas with central greenery, children playgrounds, fountains and surrounded by shops, pubs and al fresco dining restaurants. The layout was developed to place cultural facilities, schools, churches, clubs and parks, mixed and within walking distance of housing areas. There are a number of public plazas and plazoletas that are generally surrounded by restaurants and other businesses. The gastronomy in Ciudad Jardin is first class, featuring authentic ethnic food including Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and German cuisine among others. In part of the city there is a large part of the Colegio Militar de la Nacion, including the National Historic Monument, El Palomar de Caseros and the Casa de Diego Casero that were the epicenter of the Battle of Caseros and of the preliminary negotiations of the Pact of San José de Flores.
History
Inaugurated in 1944, Ciudad Jardín was conceived by Erich Zeyen, a German emigrant who arrived in 1929 with the idea of creating a Garden City that offered a balance of urban life with green spaces, a city within a city. It has been recognized and mentioned in publications on urban planning on a worldwide level. Carlos María della Paolera, founder of "Día Mundial del Urbanismo", has praised Ciudad Jardín as the first Garden City in South America. Ciudad Jardín's citizens are debating whether a highway with direct links to an expressway should be built. There is a concern that the proposal would ruin the community's character and put it in jeopardy. It is argued that a better approach would be to improve the run-down commuter San Martínrail line that runs parallel to the proposed highway.
Ciudad Jardín has produced national and internationally known celebrities, and is a cradle of important musicians of jazz and rock music groups. Gustavo Santaolalla, Javier and Walter Malosetti, Ricardo Pellican, Los Piojos, MAM, Divididos, Feroz, Arco Iris,, Caballeros de la Quema and Sumo have all lived or participated in the community. Andres "Ciro" Martinez, frontman of Los Piojos and one of the most popular musicians in the country, currently lives in Ciudad Jardin. The city is also home to a vibrant music scene today, with a number of locations at which local bands can perform for their neighbors. The Plaza de los Aviadores, the central plaza, has featured musical and cultural acts.
