Mexico City's exponential urban growth in the last decades has brought with it problems in terms of mobility, disorganized urban development and pollution. This has affected the connectivity of its roads and axes both physically and in terms of image. However, it has also provided important opportunities for urban and architectural interventions.
This project, developed by FRENTE arquitectura and RVDG arquitectura + urbanismo, recently received an IAA International Architecture Award in the Urban Planning category. It is a proposal for the regeneration of public space in order to create community in one of the areas with the most potential in the city.
Read on to learn more about the Chapultepec Elevated Park.
From the architect. The space contained between the Juarez and Roma Norte neighborhoods (from Chapultepec subway to Insurgentes Subway) has a very high potential for development due to its location within the city, its great connectivity and the services that it currently possesses.
The recovery of this area is a great opportunity to activate the local economy to create employment and to integrate different ways of life. Having the capacity to boost new economic and social models.
Through conditioning and re-programming a section of Chapultepec Avenue (from Sonora Av. to Monterrey Av.), it is possible to promote the development of these two important districts in the city.
The Juarez district has been orientated towards commerce and offices, while the Roma Norte has remained primarily as a residential neighborhood. Therefore, it is necessary to create a meeting place with complementary programs that stimulates growth in both neighborhoods, to promote social interaction and create new and better links.
Diagnosis
Nowadays, Chapultepec Avenue is a space used primarily for vehicle transit, creating an uninhabitable frontier which is practically impassable.
It requires urgently a new spatial arrangement, which solves the problems of the different means of transport in the area, informal trade and pollution. A solution that expands green areas and regenerates the urban image.
It is necessary to generate a public environment that recognizes the social and cultural diversity of the place, and that promotes safer and healthier lifestyles.
Project Description
The proposal consists of interweaving 2 neighborhoods in Mexico City by means of build an Elevated Park with commerce of all kinds, cultural and welfare facilities, green areas and sustainable mobility.
An Urban Project: Dynamic (commercial and cultural activities); Compact (with high: density and connectivity) & Egalitarian (with commerce and housing: of diverse formats).
A Public Infrastructure that acts as a catalyst for the generation of community. Where public services and urban facilities not only compensate a need, but become spaces of social integration.
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The project creates a "New Destination" inside the city by generating an atmosphere: attractive, comfortable and safe. It works as trigger for urban contiguous developments by providing uses and services that have regional impact. It improves the quality of life, stimulating the economic, social and environmental development, while limiting the expansion of the city footprint.
Three fundamental strategies
1. To increase the green areas and put in order the vehicular transit
2. To create a cultural and valuable environment
3. To integrate the community while stimulating the economic development
Creating a susteinable neighbourhood
The project creates a new destination inside the city by generating an atmosphere: atractive, comfortable and safe. It works as a trigger for urban contiguous developments by providing uses and services that have regional impact. It improves the quality of life, stimulating the economic, social and environmental development.
Architects
Location
Avenida Chapultepec, Distrito Federal, MexicoDesign Team
Juan Pablo Maza y Ruysdael VivancoSustainability consultant
EcoStudioXV
Awards
2015 Winner - IAA International Architecture Awards (Category: Urban Planning)
2015 Finalist - The Plan Awards (Category: Urban Regeneration)
2015 Nominated - German Design Awards 2016 (Category: Public space and infrastructure)
2014 Second place - RTF Sustainability Awards (Category: Urban Design - Conceptual)
2014 First place - Iconic Awards (Category: Urban Planning - Conceptual)
2014 Mention - Rethinking the Future Awards (Category: Urban Design - Conceptual)
