Urban Edge
Master of Urban Design
Winter Term - University of Michigan
Location : Xochimilco, Mexico City
Lines of control are essential between different territories in order to keep their identities and functions intact. Such lines are especially required to demarcate special territories preserved lands or heritage sites to keep them unharmed and ecology safeguarded. Xochimilco is one such site which needs lines of control to keep away increasing urbanization from the south of Mexico City. The city requires these regularized lines to protect itself from further distortion.
This project describes 3 lines of control in creating an Urban Green Belt. Urban and experimental agriculture would further help the residents of Xochimilco to depend on Chinampa agriculture and supported activities. Increasing and structuring water would create an edge as well as new vision on water front development with the purpose of aqua culture. Lastly, development of new urban cultural communities would turn out to be a platform for Xochimilco to preserve its historic culture. Thus, agriculture, flooding and cultural communities form a regularized edge for preserving Xochimilco as heritage site.
Xochimilco is one of the boroughs in Mexico City which is currently undergoing vast urbanization. This emplacement of people is majorly from other parts of country as well as neighboring states. Xochimilco is most susceptible for this vast urbanization only due to its location. Mountains are filled with the favellas which are small cities in themselves. Pollution, crime and safety are the most vigourous difficulties of this area.
Xochimilco is called the second lung of the Mexico City. It has been on the verge of depletion of its natural reserves. This place forms the biggest green area in the city. Due to urbanization, the preserved lands are been encroached and slowly the changes in the landscape has taken place. These changes are devastating the flora and fauna of Xochimilco. The major lakes and canals are drying up and there is hardly any system of
reconstruction of these waters.
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Xochimilco is the most serene place in Mexico City. It is the home of vast number of flora and fauna. Many migratory birds are seen in this area. The boats or Trajineras were the only form of transportation during the times of Aztecs. Today Trajineras are used more commonly as tourist attraction and entertainment. Overall, Xochimilco has become more of a tourist spot rather than a Culture which needs to be preserved.
Xochimilco acts as one of the major entry points for urbanization. Due to its location and topography it is the most vulnarable area in Mexico City for illegal migration. It comes under UNESCO heritage areas for preservation of Chinampas, landscape and culture. Due to the urbanization; UNESCO and the Delegation of Xochimilco are in argument of taking away the heritage demarcation of Xochimilco. According to UNESCO, urbanization needs to be taken out from the heritage demarcation, whereas at the same time, Delegation counter is in disagreement about the removal of current inhabitants who are staying in that area over 10 years.
On the other hand, preserved land of Xochimilco is separated very impressively from the east and the west side due to the demarcation of green spaces, gardens, eco parks and the surrounding development patterns. Thus, it creates a continuous formalized line which discontinue only
towards the southern part.
The Design intervens these already existing characters of urbanization, water (canals) and Chinampa
agriculture in creating an edge. This edge would help in formalizing the line for the demarcated preserved lands and also stop the illegal migration from entering the heritage zone. The formalized line will be created through expansion of canal system and creating aqua edge between the protected farming culture and newly developed communities for the locales.
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Experimental farming, existing Chinampas, expanding water canals and development of new communities form the 4 lines of control in creating the Urban Edge. New communities would help relocate the locales as well as bring the new crowd in highly dense development. These
communities would help in controlling the water edge, preserving chinampas and bringing back the heritage farming through the experimental farming.
New communities would primarily consist of highly dense housing system with urban farming as design embellishment. Floating houses and communities inspired from Aztec culture would give character to the communities. Schools, research centers, public open spaces, cultural institutions would be the binding co-relations between the communities. Hotels and high end residential units would help to bring the new real estate boost to the Urban Edge.
The Urban Edge would be developed into various inter-related communities. Some of the communities would be focused in local markets and handicraft production areas. Some would be focused in development and preservation of chinampas and experimental farming. Some would take care of aqua culture and authentic cultivation. All these communities would depend on each other for striving. Markets, research institutes, transit, schools, promenades and public areas would bind these new developments. These communities would help enhance the lifestyle of locales as well as bring the new talent to protect the very special Xochimilco.