Thousands of years ago, a chain of volcanoes and hills formed a valley that became home to five lakes. According to indigenous mythology, this area served as a key reference point for the founding of the ancient Tenochtitlan, marked by the signal of an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake. At the height of its splendor, the city was organized within an intricate system of causeways, many of which still serve as main thoroughfares, along with canals connecting the five water bodies. Over time, events such as colonization, independence, revolution, and modernization transformed its structure and name, leading to what is known today as Mexico City.
Life in this settlement has been documented on multiple occasions, from Indigenous pictorial records known as codices to narratives by the Spanish military officer Bernal Díaz del Castillo and the memoirs of Scottish aristocrat Frances Erskine Inglis, who chronicled her experiences in Mexico during the 19th century. A common theme in these narratives is the city's constant transformation, which has shaped its evolution into a vibrant metropolis with over 9 million inhabitants—double that of cities like Los Angeles and Berlin.
Understanding the region requires an integral perspective encompassing its geography, Indigenous and Spanish heritage, the significant earthquakes it has endured, and the relentless drive for modernization. In this context, Mexico City is an architectural laboratory, where tradition and modernity intertwine within a unique urban landscape. Among its most emblematic structures is the Anahuacalli Museum, which honors the pre-Hispanic heritage and harmonizes with its surroundings. Similarly, Casa O'Gorman (best known as the studio of Diego Rivera-Frida Kahlo) is notable for its cultural significance and design, exemplifying the fusion of art and architecture as a historical reference for Latin American functionalism.
Other works, such as Casa-Estudio Luis Barragán, the master plan of Ciudad Universitaria, and the anthropology museum, encapsulate the essence of Mexican modernism. These buildings feature an interplay of light and textures, reflecting a rich cultural tradition. Their influence is evident in many metropolitan structures that embrace vibrant colors and local materials. More recently, Museo Jumex, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect David Chipperfield, has become a landmark that reflects the city's global stature. At the same time, innovative social projects like Pilares highlight a continuous renewal of local communities.
However, despite its architectural richness, the city grapples with challenges typical of large urban centers, including social inequality, traffic congestion, and urban sprawl. Nevertheless, it has demonstrated remarkable urban resilience, adapting and reinventing itself. The lessons learned from invasions, floods, and earthquakes have shaped not only its infrastructure but also the identity of its inhabitants. Mexico City is atypical, not due to its strangeness, but because it is in constant motion; the city known five years ago is no longer the same today.
Looking ahead, Mexico City will undoubtedly continue to evolve, challenging our conceptions of urbanity and culture. The ever-changing architectural landscape of this metropolis raises an intriguing question: how will we describe it 100 years from now? Its history is a dynamic chronicle, and the legacy it leaves behind will inspire future generations to explore both its rich heritage and innovative present. Its narrative invites us to contemplate its transformation and capacity to endure amid the lakes of its origin, confronting contemporary challenges.
