Mexico's economy has changed markedly in the last 20 year. Large industrial zones like that at Azcapotzalco must be revitalized and reused. How can change be managed in complex urban areas? The Blue Mobile Workshop, led by Jorge Gamboa de Buen and Alejandro Hernández Gálvez, took the participants to this industrial zone, which is one of the most important development areas in the north of the city.
Last updated: April 16, 2010
Zones like the Azcapotzalco industrial area are part of an economic and environmental renewal of former large industrial sites that await regeneration. Several projects have been brought forward, including the 93 ha industrial site of the old PEMEX refinery, where 55 ha will be converted into an ecological park. Another project in the zone of Vallejo will rehabilitate streets, urban services and restore safety in the area – which in turn shall promote new industries to settle and provide more jobs.
Nueva Granada Polanco Norte was formerly an industrial area where factories and warehouses lined the railways – and is now a real estate boom zone. The large land parcels and abandoned industries are giving way to large mixed-used developments well located and connected within the city, such as Polarea (an urban transformation of a 66,000 m2 industrial site to house 3,000 units and offices) and Plaza Carso (residential, office, and commercial uses are proposed along with new museums).
The Condesa-Escandón neighborhood is a place immediately recognized for its unique style thanks to its original buildings and parks that represent the high point of Art Deco in Latin America. After some years of decay following the 1985 earthquake, Condesa- Escandón has re-emerged as one of the most active and diverse parts of town. Its population diversity has given it a strong urban and cosmopolitan character. New real estate developments – restaurants, bars, art galleries and entertainment spaces – are concentrated in this area, turning this neighborhood into a creative cluster within the city.
Built in 1947, Casa Luis Barragán represents the masters synthesis of the modern and traditional – resulting in a timeless, independent style. The house was recognized by UNESCO’s World Heritage list. An important quality of Barragán’s space is the concept of sequential spaces, which add the feeling of a single momentary creation of the building as a whole.