A thirst for urban improvement

Global Holcim Awards winning project honored as “best architectural intervention of the year for Mexico City”

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    The public park will promote a civic culture of water appreciation.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    The project diverts rainwater to prevent flooding and at the same time improves the quality of water that infiltrates the subsoil and replenishes the water table.

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    Publicly-accessible water retention and treatment complex, Mexico City, Mexico

    Social center roof terrace view, southeastern access. Endemic plants adjust to climate conditions

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    A sustainable water management landmark that is located at an important crossroad of the neighborhood.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    The project reintroduces some “lost” elements, including open, visible pools and soft surfaces for reabsorption.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    Terraced platforms on the four-hectare parcel of land are ready to be turned into recreational space open to the public while operating as water management system for the entire neighborhood.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    Two pre-existing infiltration basins are integrated into the project – increasing their capacity by one third.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    La Quebradora facilitates non-motorized mobility, enabling movement from the Sierra up to Ermita.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    The rainwater mirror lies at the center of the park. This venue is intended to transform from “dry-scape” to “water-scape” within the year.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    The park’s basaltic stone pavements promote natural water infiltration while providing a long lasting venue built with on site materials.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    Through a set of hard, vegetated squares and gardens, the park provides spaces for all age groups and sections of the community.

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    Publicly-accessible water retention and treatment complex, Mexico City, Mexico

    Each public square is represented by an endemic tree species, providing it with identity.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    Social center roof terrace view, southeastern access.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    Storm and wastewater from the settlements on the hillside of the volcanic mountains will be collected and treated.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    Stepped terrain and a series of public buildings form a rich variety of courtyards.

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    Project update January 2019 – Hydropuncture in Mexico

    The program is developed together with the surrounding community through a participatory-design model.

The main stages of construction for Hyrdropuncture: La Quebradora Water Park in Iztapalapa, Mexico City have been completed. The Global Holcim Awards Gold 2018 winning project represents a change in the paradigm of water management, and is coordinated by Manuel Perló of the Institute of Social Research (IIS) at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) with architect Loreta Castro Reguera of Taller Capital. After winning the top Holcim Awards prize, the project also received the Premio Ciudad for the best architectural intervention of the year for Mexico City in November 2018.

Last updated: January 04, 2019 Mexico City, Mexico

The main stages of construction for Hyrdropuncture: La Quebradora Water Park in Iztapalapa, Mexico City have been completed. The Global Holcim Awards Gold 2018 winning project represents a change in the paradigm of water management, and is coordinated by Manuel Perló of the Institute of Social Research (IIS) at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) with architect Loreta Castro Reguera of Taller Capital. After winning the top Holcim Awards prize, the project also received the Premio Ciudad for the best architectural intervention of the year for Mexico City in November 2018.

The project diverts rainwater from the Sierra de Santa Catarina area to prevent urban flooding that would normally inundate Ermita Iztapalpa Avenue. Hydropuncture also improves the quality of water that infiltrates the subsoil and increases the volume of water that replenishes the water table by 35%. Captured rainwater runoff is treated through a combined system of biological anaerobic ponds and wetlands. The water management infrastructure also creates public, recreational, coexistence and landscape space that celebrates water – but at the same time it will help solve the water problems in the area, characterized paradoxically by both a lack of drinking water and the impact of urban flooding.

A18_181106_GlobalGold_Update_4747.jpgThe site doubles the public space available for the 28,000 residents to almost three square meters per person and triples the number of trees. The public park also promotes a civic culture of water appreciation, which is critical to improving Mexico City’s capacity to implement sustainable water use practices. Water pumps and public lighting are powered by solar panels on site.

Following the elections and resulting changes in the composition of the governmental bodies of Mexico City, the Mayor’s Office of Iztapalapa was instructed to suspend the finalization of La Quebradora Hydrological Park project in December 2018 due to the lack of relevant studies and documents that are believed to be missing due to omissions by the former local administration. The administrative issues are in the process of being resolved, so that the project praised by the Global Jury as "foregrounding the importance of water as a resource in urban contexts" can be brought to completion.