The young minds shaping Mexico's future

I think there's a wave of young architects and firms seeking fresh chances within the context of Mexico City. The city presents a range of opportunities despite recent political complexities. Its urban landscape, ripe for new projects in both architecture and urban design, offers ample room for growth, especially for budding architects. Around five years back, amidst COVID and governmental changes, younger practices found themselves pushed to seek out new opportunities independently. Many even ventured into development, utilising their own funds to bring new projects to life. Nevertheless, I believe there's a palpable movement underway, driven by innovative individuals. It's quite amusing, really. Over the past few years, many of the emerging architectural practices in Mexico have actually started off abroad through pursuits like master's degrees and PhDs. So, there's this influx of young architects arriving from places like the US or Europe, bringing with them fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to architecture. It's like they're injecting new life into the scene. Take urban design, for instance. Just eight years ago, it was mainly dominated by a few big-name practices, those star architects and such. But now, there's this shift. You're seeing lots of smaller outfits diving into urban design, resilience, and the like, collaborating with governments and even trying to woo the private sector into backing urban design projects. 

It's a notable change from eight years ago. There is an interesting shift in the mindset of young architects, especially in those with whom I collaborate in Mexico City. There's been a move away from the idea of working solo and trying to tackle entire projects single-handedly. In my own experience, it's become clear that you can't do it alone. You need a team, like with the master plan in developed Yucatan: a biologist, a water expert, a landscape specialist, and so on, in order to bring different perspectives and expertise to the table. It's a departure from the old approach of trying to do everything yourself based on what you learned in university lectures. Many young architects I've spoken to express a desire for smaller, more intimate practices. They're not aiming for massive teams and fame; instead, they prefer a leaner setup with around 5-10 employees, focusing on carefully curated and precisely defined projects, perhaps indefinitely.  There's been a significant shift from the old mentality of working round the clock, seven days a week. It used to be seen as a badge of honour to boast about working non-stop, but that mindset is changing. Society as a whole is moving away from that kind of relentless work ethic. Perhaps architects are finally realising that their profession is just that, a profession, and not a reason to sacrifice all personal time. I see two main reasons for this change. Firstly, many young practices, including mine, have faced crises that have highlighted the unsustainability of having a large number of employees. It's tough when you're starting out to have a big team and ensure you can cover everyone's wages every month. It's not just about the payroll; it's a significant concern. Then, there's the influence of studying abroad, exposing young architects to new ideas and approaches. Research in architecture is gaining importance by the day, not just in urbanism but in architecture itself. It seems that with many projects, losing control means losing quality.

Crafting cities, balancing life

I've got around six years of experience working independently. It all started at IBERO, but then I quickly realised that wasn't my passion. So, I dived into research about urbanism, craving a different design scale and more exploration. That led me to pursue my Masters in Housing and Urbanism at the AA, Architecture Association School. Later on, I joined a|911, where I had the opportunity to learn a great deal. It was one of the few practices in Mexico City focusing on urban design at the time. Working with figures like Saidee Springall and Jose Castillo was invaluable; they became my mentors and helped me realise my passion for research, conceptualisation, and envisioning cities. Teaching at the university opened up new avenues for projects as people approached me with opportunities. That's when I decided to take the leap and establish my own practice around 2017. It was a shift away from the old mindset of constant work to a more balanced approach. When I first started out, I was putting in a lot of hours, though not in the typical architectural office sense. I had my own schedule, but still, it was a lot of work. Then, my two sons came along, which was a real game-changer. Suddenly, I had to reorganise everything and find ways to collaborate more, to share the load and rely on others who shared my interests. It was challenging but also incredibly rewarding. Nowadays, I only work a few hours a day, and the rest of the time, I'm coordinating and juggling family responsibilities. It's a balancing act, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Empowering shifts in architectural roles

As a woman in the profession, there's often an extra hurdle to overcome when it comes to earning the trust of clients, whether they're from the government or the private sector. However, over time, I've seen some changes in this attitude. It's been an opportunity to meet some incredibly inspiring individuals, both men and women, who support and advocate for gender equality in the field. I've built strong friendships and collaborations with these like-minded individuals, which has been both enriching and empowering. I had an interesting experience working with the military, which turned out to be quite surprising. I initially had some preconceptions, but they were incredibly respectful and pleasant to work with. When I was studying at IBERO, I never imagined myself getting into urban design research or even design itself. I had this idea of doing more traditional roles like house or interior design, things that are often associated with women in the field. But after my master's and working in the mentioned office, I found myself gravitating towards what I truly love. I'm passionate about the scale of projects I work on. Sure, it comes with its challenges, especially when dealing with government or private sector clients with complex projects and investments. But I've come to embrace those challenges because they've led me to discover what I genuinely enjoy. It's been quite the journey, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Designing resilience in urban landscapes

Lately, I've been heavily involved in various projects. These typically involve extensive master plans, which I always approach collaboratively with other architects, urban designers, and specialists in infrastructure and street design. We also work closely with financial teams to ensure the projects are economically viable. One recent project I'm particularly proud of is the Reserva de Sian Ka’an in the Yucatan peninsula. We were hired to develop a guide to mitigate the impacts of urban development of the Tren Maya on the wetlands. It's been a challenging but rewarding endeavour. Those are the kinds of projects I've been involved in lately, spanning various scales and often involving master planning with both the public and private sectors. For instance, we recently completed a 300-hectare master plan near Mokul in Mérida, Yucatán. Our primary goal was to preserve the natural surroundings, which included reforestation efforts and water management strategies. 

Water management and environmental conservation are indeed areas of keen interest for me. I'm passionate about maintaining a harmonious relationship between development and nature, respecting the context in which we operate. These issues are crucial to me because they are not just about sustainability; they're about preserving our planet for future generations. In recent years, one of the topics that has really captured my interest is climate change. I'm deeply troubled by its implications, particularly on urban environments, and I believe that urban design can play a crucial role in mitigating its effects and helping cities adapt to changing circumstances. Within this broader issue, I'm particularly focused on water management. Water scarcity and flooding are significant challenges exacerbated by climate change, so I try to incorporate water-sensitive design principles into my projects. Additionally, I'm passionate about promoting social equity and inclusion through my work. This involves undertaking research projects and implementing urban design interventions aimed at improving access and opportunities for all members of society. Whether it's interventions on streets or public projects, my goal is to create more inclusive and equitable urban spaces. So, in essence, my two main areas of focus are water management within the context of climate change and promoting social equity through urban design initiatives.

Revolutionising cities with water sensitivity

One project that stands out is Circuito Ambiental Bogotá (CAB), In collaboration with ORU, Taller and Manuela Guzmán. It marked the beginning of our journey into resilience strategies, particularly in urban contexts. This initiative stemmed from our work on the resilience strategy for Mexico City, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation. Through extensive research, we identified water management as a key focal area, highlighting its importance in building resilience in urban environments. It's fascinating how the historical context of Mexico City, once a lake, now facing water scarcity and subsidence issues, led us to embark on this project. This initiative was proposed to the government of Bogotá as a city-wide strategy to address water-related challenges. The aim was to protect and enhance the city's wetlands, strategically incorporate public spaces and green areas, and ultimately foster a water-sensitive urban environment. It was a collaborative effort with a group of friends I frequently work with, known as Oru - Oficina Resiliencia Urbana. Working together on such initiatives is both rewarding and impactful.

Following Circuito Ambiental Bogotá, we embarked on the development of the Distrito Hidrico Tacubaya. It was a natural progression from our previous work, as we recognised the need to intervene at a mid-scale level in order to truly make a difference and alter development trends. Instead of tackling a large city or even a delegation, we focused on a specific district. This approach allowed us to hone in on key areas and enact targeted strategies for meaningful change. Distrito Hidrico Tacubaya focuses on a specific area within Mexico City, located to the south of Chapultepec, encompassing the Observatorio and Tacubaya metro stations. This initiative was particularly engaging as it involved extensive social participation. The project centred around water, exploring how public spaces, street design, and buildings could be utilised to transition towards a water-sensitive urban development. It aimed to integrate water into urban strategies effectively and replicate these approaches across different parts of the city. The pilot project in Tacubaya served as a tangible example of our vision in action. It allowed us to demonstrate how water-sensitive design principles could be applied at the district level, showcasing the potential for broader implementation throughout the city. Improving the water management system encompasses various aspects. In the context of our project, it means developing strategies to effectively manage water resources, reduce water pollution, and mitigate the impacts of flooding and water scarcity. Tacubaya wasn't an arbitrary decision. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of Mexico City as a whole. This involved studying historical maps and data to understand how the city has developed over time, from topography to water flow patterns and the evolution of water infrastructure. Through this analysis, we identified potential intervention areas and ultimately selected Tacubaya district as the focus of our pilot project. Tacubaya holds a fascinating historical significance in terms of water management in Mexico City. In the past, it served as the entry point for much of the water that flowed into the city. One of the pilot projects we identified after conducting our analysis is Parque Lira. This area holds historical significance as it used to be filled with large vacation homes, each with expansive gardens. These green spaces present a valuable opportunity for implementing water-sensitive design strategies. “What if Parque Lira could transform into a hub for water?”. Imagine that it could capture rainwater and host water treatment facilities, all while blossoming into a vibrant public space. Picture it bustling with families, with safe areas for children to play and beautifully landscaped grounds. But as it stands, Parque Lira feels neglected, almost abandoned.

Revitalising Iztapalapa

We also worked on a park in Iztapalapa, Cuitlahuac Park, in collaboration with Ana Paula García and Jessica Said. It's a really underserved part of the city and quite fascinating; Iztapalapa has places like Cerro de la Estrella. It used to resemble a pyramid, but from its summit, you get a panoramic view of the entire city. We collaborated with the government at the time on a project to rejuvenate the area, the park included awater treatement Plat It was a significant step towards improving water management. We designed it in such a way that it became educational for children to learn about how the water treatment plant operates and so on. It wasn't just research. We developed a master plan, and some parts of it have already been built. This aspect of the project has had a significant impact on the area because it used to be quite unsafe. The facility sits eight meters above street level because it was previously a landfill site. One of the key strategies involved collaborating with geologists to remediate the soil, making it suitable for planting trees since it was previously contaminated with garbage, among other things. Water management was also a major focus of the park. We weren't directly involved in the construction phase; our role was to develop the master plan, conduct research, devise strategies, and make proposals. 

From urban needs to action

I'm really intrigued by the social impact aspect of urban projects. It's such an immediate and crucial context. When I consider the scale of things, I can't help but see how water and social equality are interconnected within the same narrative. It's like through addressing social equality and community issues, you also naturally engage with environmental concerns. Regarding community involvement in projects like Tacubaya, Parke Cuitáhuac, and the recent project with Sian Ka’an Reservoir, most of the projects I work on emphasise the importance of community involvement, although not all clients fund this aspect fully. Personally, I find it invaluable to conduct workshops with the community to grasp their needs, aspirations, and even challenges like water scarcity. Whether it's about green spaces, recreational facilities, and so on, I always suggest these ideas. Luckily, most of the time, I'm able to incorporate them into the projects. It's a vital aspect of our process. 

In Iztapalapa, for instance, they face a major water crisis. It's ironic because the water passes through Iztapalapa to the rest of the city, but the locals there don't benefit much; instead, they have to invest heavily in pipes. It's rife with corruption and all sorts of issues. However, the community is acutely aware of the problem and actively seeks solutions. When we proposed the water treatment plant there, it was a significant milestone. Due to the garbage issue, infiltrating water wasn't feasible, so it became a crucial educational initiative for the surrounding communities. For example, in our resilience strategy, we organised numerous workshops involving the private and the public sector, academia, and civil society organisations. Our goal was to demonstrate to all these stakeholders that they could contribute to addressing water security issues. Water was a primary concern we aimed to tackle. What was particularly interesting was that most of these workshops were diverse, not just confined to one sector. This diversity allowed us to raise awareness among public sector officials about their pivotal role. They were the ones with the real power to effect change. I believe that as architects and urban designers, one of our primary roles is to act as translators or interpreters between various stakeholders, whether they're social, public, or private entities. It's crucial for us to bridge these different perspectives and bring people together because, without collaboration, we can't truly address or solve the issues at hand. Whether it's through books, images, renders, diagrams, or text, our job is to translate information in a way that's easy to understand. We have to distil complex concepts into digestible bits for everyone involved.

Educating and editorialising urbanism

As regards complementary activities, I've been teaching for about seven years at the Architectural Faculty, and I often work on editorial projects, shaping the content and vision. I used to teach at Universidad Anahuac, and now I'm teaching at IBERO. Teaching has been incredibly fulfilling for me. Regarding the editorial aspect, it complements my work in research and urbanism quite well. Teaching and theory also intersect with research and editorial projects, as they involve translating ideas into tangible forms like diagrams and books. In terms of editorial projects worth mentioning, one that stands out is "El Circuito Ambiental de Bogotá". It's a project I'm particularly proud of. We've worked on several books, maybe around seven, covering various topics. Each one has its own significance and has contributed to shaping my understanding and practice in urbanism and design. Another project that's particularly interesting when it comes to acting as a translator for the public is the risk map of Mexico City that we were commissioned to create by the Secretaria Protección Civil after the 2017 earthquake (developed in collaboration with ORU). At the time, there wasn't a comprehensive map available, so we had to compile various layers of data to produce it. It was a challenging but rewarding endeavour, and I'm proud of the outcome. In addition to that, there are is the book of the Tacubaya district that I'm proud of as well. After a forum, we quickly put together a book capturing the main ideas discussed, along with some interviews and insights. While I don't have a specific title in mind, these projects showcase our ability to distil complex information into accessible formats for wider audiences.