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Vertical Grounds for Play

Master of Urban Design

Fall Term - University of Michigan

Location : La Viga Canal, Mexico City

Team : Shreejit Modak, Yiwei Huang, Sihao

Mercado Hueso Periferico is adjacent to Canal National, one of the few moments in which water still renders visible in the City, and lies in close proximity to Mercado de Cuemanco, the largest flower market in Latin America. The area has also an important presence of institutions as UNAM and the Institute of Marine, and a robust residential fabric. Despite the diverse composition of the area, the market is on the verge of deterioration after decades of disinvestment, and the changing patterns of consumption of the residents. The design intervention defines a prototype of Vertical Garden that displays alternative models of Urban Agriculture, building on the green campaign raised by the residents of this area to satisfy the need of accessible fresh local produce. The design acts as a vertical container of public spaces and programs including the market area, cafes, a day-care center, and an artist gallery for the community to invite creative minds to engage the art in combination with the nature. Together, the whole proposal brings back the character of public spaces with linkage of series of green open spaces and  connection with the canal. 

Design allows the public to experience the continuous promenade in the upper levels of the structure. It makes the experience more free flowing and vivid. The different levels gives different experiences to visualise same public market theme in more flattering way. It allows every age group to participate in it to feel, educate and play in the same complex.

Design concentrates on involving the series of unused and abandoned open as well as green spaces in creating a linkage and a strong connection towards Canal National. It creates an awareness of the preservation of the most beautiful waters of the City as well as importance of the publicness and green culture of the City. The promenades, public spaces, green spaces, water fronts and public market all of these features would make one of the connections of the greater cannal La Viga redevelopment strategy. 

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