Nature Reserve as a Catalyzer / Mónica Muñoz, Moisés Cortés y Hugo Gómez

NATURE RESERVE as a catalyzer

mm H

how WILL WE

LIVE

TOGETHER?

10

How will we live together?

La Biennale di Venezia Biennale ARCHITETTURA 2020: HOW WILL WE LIVE TOGETHER?

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

“We need a new spatial contract. In the context of widening political divides and growing economic inequalities, we call on architects to imagine spaces in which we can generously live together: together as human beings who, despite our increasing individuality, yearn to connect with one another and with other species across digital and real space; together as new households looking for more diverse and dignified spaces for inhabitation; together as emerging communities that demand equity, inclusion and spatial identity; together across political borders to imagine new geographies of association; and together as a planet facing crises that require global action for us to continue living at all. (...) The year 2020 has often been referred to as a milestone on the path to a better future. Many nations and cities have devised a ‘Vision 2020.’ The year is upon us. We look to the collective architectural imagination to meet this momentous occasion with creativity and courage.”

- Hashim Sarkis (curator)

11

How will we live together?

12

HOW /hou/ adverb 1. in what way or manner; by what means.

“how does it work?”

2. used to ask about the condition or quality of something.

“how was your vacation?”

Although human actions may seem to have a low impact, actually the set of actions of all individuals bring results on a larger scale, and might be reflected in a positive benefit or a negative result for the city.

human scale

actions

actions

actions

Can human scale actions have an urban scale impact?

urban scale

actions

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

13

live /live/ verb 1. spend one’s life in a particular way or under particular circumstances.

“people are living in fear in the wake of the shootings” 2. make one’s home in a particular place or with a particular person.

“I’ve lived in New England all my life”

Individuals should be concern about the natural equilibrium, not for having natural resources easy to reach, people can abuse and see them as their property. There must be and individual and colective concern.

conscious

ourselves

conscious

conscious

CAN WE RECOGNIZE OURSELVES AS PART OF THE NATURAL EQUILIBRIUM?

natural equilibrium

conscious

How will we live together?

14

together

/təˈɡeT͟Hər/ adverb 1. with or in proximity to another person or people.

“together they climbed the dark stairs” 2. in combination; collectively.

“taken together, these measures would significantly improve

people’s chances of surviving a tornado”

Each person has different interests, never the less people come together when they have to face a common issue, but this has to happen not only when a problem is presented, but there must be a colective interest.

interests

interests

individual

interests

interests

Can individual interests become a colective concern?

colective concern

interests

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

By defining these three words and posing such questions, we seeked to illustrate our personal interests and worries, in relation with topics we feel sould be considered as part of our responsibilities as architects.

With this in mind, we identified two subjects that could help us answer such interrogations; natural resources and education.

The 3 questions worked as premises for the development of our project but above all, as aspirations.

Hugo Fernando Gómez Saldaña Moises Abraham Cortés Vite Mónica Muñoz Rodríguez

15

How will we live together?

16

WATER “The expansion of the urban footprint has caused an occasional impact on the territory and natural resources, beyond the limits of its regeneration and sustainability. The most notorious case is presented in the water system. Queretaro faces increasing problems of water scarcity and flooding, largely due to a lack of natural areas and rain infrastructure.”

Q500

75m

300m

MA LER

WATER CONSUMP

PTION NSUM O C R RIVE

T I ON F RO M

LERMA RIVER CO NSUMP TION

AQU I FE

200 liters per person - 1day

R

ABSORPTION

ZONA MIC ROC UEN CA

ABSORPTION

RESERVA E L T ÁNG AN

JURICA PO NIEN TE

WATER IN QUERETARO O

PEÑA COL ORA DA

ABSOR P T I O N A B SORP TION

ABSORPTION

S

400 000m3/DAY 40% LERMA

60% AQUIFER 4 ABSORPTION ZONES 1 INSIDE THE CITY

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

17

75m

300m

The over exploitation of the aquiffers is at a point where water has to be extracted from 300m underground, instead of the 75 mt which is the normal level.

MA LER

WATER CONSUMP

PTION SUM CON IR VER

T I ON F RO M

LERMA RIVER CO NSUMP TION

AQU I FE

R

ABSORPTIO

JURICA PO NIEN TE

ABSORPTION

RESERVA E L

TÁN GAN

O

PEÑA COL ORA DA

ABSORPTION A BSOR PTIO N

ABSORPTION

S

N Water from aquifers is not recharging as it should; absorption ZONA MIC ROC U is 50% less thanENCextracted.

This A situation has made deformations due to soil compaction for IN (ground waterWATER extraction QUERETAROThis means soil is subsidence). losing its normal levels, making deformations in topography. This modification of topography made the zero line to chance. The zero line (not to confuse with sea level) is the natural level of water flows in rivers.

The groundwater recharge occurs in high levels of topography, due to its soil characteristics (non clayey soil). In Queretaro the spaces for recharge are now urbanized, so they became non permeable, dragging water to low levels of topography, which are usually urbanized.

200 liters per person - 1day

400 000m3/DAY 40% LERMA

60% AQUIFER 4 ABSORPTION ZONES 1 INSIDE THE CITY

How will we live together?

18

EDUCATION 85 000

STU DEN

PRIVATE SCH OOL

TS has been mainly impulsed by CHOOL The economic dynamism LIC S of Queretaro PUB the industrial activity. Its expansion has been along with the industrial LITERA CY parks, nowadays Queretaro is an industrial city.

EDUCATION IN QUERETARO

95%

9.5 7 000 te acher s

YEARS IN SCHOOL

CAN READ AND WRITE

85 000

PRIVATE SCH OOL

CHOOL LIC S B U P

STU DEN TS

LITERA CY

EDUCATION IN QUERETARO

9.5 7 000 te acher s

Compared to the number of research zones in the city we can observe that they are almost the same as the industrial parks. We must comprehend the impact of this industrial growth in our economy, but most importantly on how it can evolve to become a driver of knowdelege. For this to happen it is crucial to understand the actors that play a role in the growth of this field, in order to generate benefits to their interests, but also with main line, which is knowdelege to the city.

YEARS IN SCHOOL

95%

CAN READ AN

WE o

DW E

xic mé

ut so

LL

MEX V

hk or ea

RL WI

MEXIC

WO R LWID

WO

MÉ

XIC

4.3 7%

O

E

WID

RLD

WO

MÉ

.4 13

XIC

O

E

LWID

S BOOK

INDIA

.7 HR

6.5 H

10

IDE

WORLDW

R

LITERACY

R

MÉXICO U.S.

86% 93% 99%

OICE

FEELING ABOUT SC

IENCE

LITTLE 49%

NV

CIT

INDIFFERENT

NOTHIN G

IZ E

80%

A LOT

DOES

THIN

K IT

64%

WANT TO KN

IS IT

IMP

W LO

ORT ANC

ES

DO ME

KNOWLE

DEGE AB

OW M

IS

%

78

44%

EO

DIU

86%

M

DOE YE

S

ORE A

ORT ANT

FS

WO

EX IS M ICO

IN EASE

DOES

INCR

86%

ULD

STU

BOUT

IMP

CIE

NCE

S

graphic divided into three axes shows data about science and education in Mexico, its contrast worlwide, and citizen concerns about this topic.

D

AN

WOR

CURIOUS

SCIENCE AND EDUCATION

ERL

ITZ

SW

9.1

120+ MILLION

TEC H

1.1 0.4 7% %

5.3 H

46%

00

CIE NCE &

8.4

RTY

11 0

ORLD SW

POOVE

EXICO M N

1443 334

PIB S

REaD

94%

PIB IN EDUC ATIO N

OL CHO FS SO AR YE

CAIT ON

ERTY 46% IN POOV

ATION IN

EDU

70%

S TO

% 70

POPUL

CES

Y

O AC

ION CAT DU FE

AVE N

ERT POOV

EO

E PO VER TY H

IN 46%

REM

19

O

FINLA ND

# OF SCIENTIST S

EXT

AG VER CO

E IN

370 3D

OPL

7 007

F PE

REALIT YI

%O

WORLWIDWE

M E X IC O

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

ING

CA

RE

DS

OW

IC S

CIEN

VIT

RE

LAT

ED

TO S

CIE

S

T EN

MS

I CLA

M NC VA AD

FIC

NTI

María Portillo, Professor, researcher Cátedra Conacyt, 2019.

BAS

VER YDA YA CTI

IFIC

CIE

NCE

NCE

“It is not that we all have the vocation to be a scientist, but we can support the system so that our country evolves in this area; instead of leading Mexico to intellectual suicide and brain drain, we must turn Mexico into a knowledge society, where we all participate in this activity, since it requires great support to be carried out efficiently, and to be seen the result reflected in a benefit for all Mexican society.”

CE

IN E

ER

NCE

SCIEN

TO K N

NT CIE

IN S

SCIE

ING

HIN

IEV

ST IN

SCIE ING IN

TRUST

BE

BEL

TERE

L FAL

DY A

OUT SCIE

NC

IES

E

CE

20

How will we live together?

nature RESERVES 7. The state law of ecological balance and protection of the environment, in its article 94 defines the concept of ecological preservation areas of population centers by establishing that they are those built by human beings inside these centers, aimed at achieving and maintaining green areas in proportion to urban development and its artistic, historical and aesthetic values, and mitigate the negative environmental effects that occur in population centers. (Jurica Poniente decree)

REMAINING AREA

25 491 Ha 30.2% NATURE RESERVE

REMAINING AREA The natural areas in Queretaro have been diminished due to the disobey of laws and decrees regarding this The real Nature reserves are disconnected from the city. Urbanizable areas within the city thattopic. have potential of provi30.2% ding an environmental services are being wasted. state development has benefit NATURE RESERVE from this situation, creating a chaotic large urban footprint.

The number of square meters of green areas and nature reserves has decreased over the last years.

There are 4 nature reserves in the city, facing a constant danger from being reduced due to the Nature reserve urban growht; Most of them Land use modificated on environmental spaces have.

Nature reserve Land use modificated on environmental spaces

25 491 Ha

Nature reserves are disconnected from the city. Urbanizable areas within the city that have potential of provi-

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

Corridor The corridor is located in the north west area of the city within the nature Reserve Jurica Poniente. It has Loma Bonita on the east side, and Jurica on the west. Although it begins as an urban corridor, it turns into a natural one when entering the nature reserve. We find marked differences between the two surrounding areas, both physical and social.

Disregarding the differences between those two zones, the disputes that affects both of them are natural resources and education. We found that the corridor is the place where those two concerns assemble.

21

WHAT IS THE

ROLE

OF A NATURE

RESERVE?

24

How will we live together?

SOCIOECONOMIC index This index is generated by the INEGI, some of the variables it considers are: number of people with post-secondary education, illiterate population, percentage of housing with a car, number of rooms per house, among others.

It is very clear that Jurica is the only neighboorhood with a very high index in the area. The group that predominates in Loma Bonita is low.

Very high High Medium Medium low Low Very low Self-made map with data from INEGI, 2010

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

25

literacy This map shows the average years of education that the population has; the darker the color, the higher number of years.

Although spaces with medium to high levels of education are scattered throughout Loma Bonita, it is a clear distinction that Jurica is the neighboorhood with the most steady data. In some areas, there are spaces which adjoin with others that double the years of education.

12.6 - 19 years 10 - 12.6 years 7.6 - 10 years 0 - 7.5 years 0 - 6 years Self-made map with data from INEGI, 2010

26

How will we live together?

POPULATION DENSITY This map shows the number of pupulation per area, ranging from very high to very low.

Jurica is the only neighboorhood with very low density, while Loma bonita ranges from very high to low. It is important to mention that Loma Bonita has a problem of overcroding combined with unoccupied dwellings,

Self-made map with data from INEGI, 2015

Very high High Medium Low Very low

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

27

irregular and closed settlements There are several irregular settlements as well as closed residential complexes on the western area of the corridor.

The fact that these types of settlements are only located around Loma Bonita is evidence that the quality of housing on Jurica is very different from that.

Irregular settlemet Closed residential complex Self-made map with data from Implan Queretaro and SEDESU, 2015

28

How will we live together?

URBAN MOBILITY This map shows the levels of accesibility to the public transport network, from very high to very low..

Jurica is the neighboorhood with th least accesibility to the network although there are several areas with low accesibility too in Loma Bonita. Improving connectivity on the East-West direction is a big opportunity area.

Very high High Medium Low Very low Self-made map with data from ONU-Habitat Queretaro, 2015

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

29

flood areas This map shows that practically all areas adjacent to the canal are vulnerable to flooding.

Disregarding all the differences previously seen in the rest of the maps, both areas surrounding the water body are equally affected by natural phenomenons such as floodings.

Areas with high flood vulnerability Self-made map with data from ONU-Habitat Queretaro and Plan Pluvial ZMQ, 2015

How will we live together?

30

LOMA BONITA

50 000 m2

Sidewalks and lots

Built area

A typical sqare in Loma bonita looks like this.

Athough some streets folow a reticular grid, there are some others that cross diagonally.

Some streets are cul-de-sacs, obstructing mobility.

Most lots measure around 100 m2 and a few range from 500 to 700 m2.

Pedestrian infrastructure Built area is very dense, constructions occupy a very large portion of each property and there are some empty lots throughout the area.

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

31

JURICA

50 000 m2

Sidewalks and lots

Built area

A typical sqare in Jurica looks like this.

All the streets follow a reticular grid ans sqares are quite big.

Most lots measure around 2 000 m2 altough they range from 500 to 5 000 m2 Pedestrian infrastructure is very good, it occupies almost twice as much space as car infrastructure.

Built area is not dense at all, constructions occupy a very small portion of each property and there are also some empty lots throughout the area.

36

How will we live together?

jurica poniente: Jurica Poniente is the only nature reserve that has maintained its extension, but since it is also the only one that is surrounded entirely by urban footprint, it is a matter of time in where it becomes part of it.

Decreed as nature reserve on September 12th of 2006, it has a total area of 224.11 Ha. This nature reserve is located on a strategic point, it protects the housing settlements of the area from floodings.

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

37

How will we live together?

38

Pirul Schinus molle

Photo by Tasmin Carlis

A fast growing, evergreen tree with a wide, multibranched crown of weeping foliage; it generally grows 6 - 8 metres tall. (Kern, 2014) Uses: medicinal, edible, provides shade.

Environmental services: They regenerate the soil with their litter, infiltrate rainwater, control erosion.

Birds consume their fruits. (Martínez, 2017)

Mezquite Prosopis laevigata

Photo by Francisco Ortiz Navarro

It can grow up to 13 meters of height, yellow flowers grouped in spikes.

Uses: medicinal, edible, exploitable wood.

Environmental services: The surrounding soil is a niche of microbiological diversity, so fertility islands are generated around it, improving the quality of the soil and infiltrating rainwater. (Martínez, 2017)

Ahuehuete Montezuma cypress

Photo by José Belem Hernández Díaz

It can grow up to 35 m of height, deciduous during winter.

Uses: medicinal, ornamental.

Environmental services: It helps control erosion, stabilizes hydrographic accounts, infiltrates rainwater, improves soils with its leaf litter, fixes the swampy banks. (Martínez, 2017)

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

Huizache Acacia farnesiana

Photo by Zabdiel Peralta

An evergreen tree that can grow up to 10 m in height with yellow aromatic flowers.

Uses: medicinal, exploitable wood, Environmental services: Rapid reproduction at maturity, helps retain eroded and dry soil, water filtration, gives shade and shelter to wildlife and acts as a windbraker. (Martínez, 2017)

Biznaga de chilitos Mimmilaria Magnimamma

Photo by Zabdiel Peralta

Cactus with a globose body and an intense green color with a tendency to create large colonies that barely reach 30 cm in height. It produces bright red fruits that are edible.

It is endemic from Mexico and catalogued as vulnerable status and as a species in danger of extinction. (Martínez, 2017)

Xoconostle Opuntia imbricata

Photo by James N. Stuart

Succulent and prickly plant, up to 3 m high. Purple or red petals. The fruit is a globose berry very similar to a stem when immature, red when ripe. If it abounds, it means disturbance Uses: ornamental Environmental service: soil retention and water filtration (Martínez, 2017)

39

How will we live together?

40

Garambullo Myrtillocactus geometrizans Arborescent cactus that can grow up to 4 m of height, it is an endemic species from Mexico.

Uses: ornamental and edible Environmental services: It serves as a shelter for birds and small mammals, source of nectar and pollen for various insects. Retains soils and infiltrates water to the mantles. (Martínez, 2017) Photo by Natalie Raeber

Maguey Agave salmiana

Plant from 1.2 to 1.5 m height with 10 to 20 leaves of 1 m long, it flourishes from April to August.

Native species from Mexico.

Uses: From the stems, mead and pulque is obtained.

(Martínez, 2017) Photo by Juan Carlos López Dominguez

Tullidora Karwinskia humboldtiana

Photo by Bernardo Marino Maldonado

Gray shrubby plant with very small flowers. It is very abundant, specially witin disturbed areas Uses: Although the pulp of the fruit is edible, the seeds are extremely toxic and its leaves are poisonous for the cattle.

Environmental services: Eroded soil retention, water percolation (Martínez, 2017)

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

Uña de gato Mimosa biuncifera

Photo by Ulianov Albarran

Deciduous shrub from 0.5 to 3 meters tall with thorny branches.

Environmental services: Erosion control, infiltration of rainwater, improve the soil with its litter, fix nitrogen to the ground and work as a windbreak curtain. (Martínez, 2017) Disturbance indicator species.

Palo bobo Ipomoea murucoides

Photo by Carla Ruiz Sánchez

Deciduous tree from 2 to 8 m of height, trunk up to 40 cm wide. It is one of the most common species in Queretaro.

Uses: medicinal, exploitable wood.

Environmental services: Rainwater infiltration, gives shelter and food to wildlife (Martínez, 2017) Disturbance indicator species.

Ocotillo Dodonaea viscosa

Photo by Natalie Raeber

Vicious shrub growing from 1-3 meters tall that flourishes throughout the year. It grows mostly on creek edges, deteriorated grasslands and eroded land.

Uses: medicinal, exploitable wood.

Disturbance indicator species.

41

nature

reserve as a

catalizer

How will we live together?

44

the plan Before defining our strategies, we started by looking back at our initial premises that defined “How will we live together?”

Can human scale actions have an urban scale impact?

Can we recognize ourselves as part of the natural equilibrium?

Can individual interests become a colective concern?

These questions lead us to divide it in two: soft and hard strategies.

WATER RAINWATER HARVESTING

ABSORPTION

hard SOFT

WATER TREATMENT AQUIFER RECHARGE

EMERGENCY CONTENTION HOUSING ADAPTATION

RIVER MORPHOLOGY

INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS

These strategies are divided on four subjects: Water

Land use

Ecosystem

Mobility

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

45

water containment

water treatment

artiďŹ cial recharge tracked wildlife

water containment specialized education

water research

water treatment

government dependency citizen participation wellness activities

retail trade

cultural center kid´s park

tracked wildlife

urban gardens

mixed-use

wellness activities

mixed-use wellness activities

water tracking

housing typologies

mixed-use

Relations diagram

retail trade water treatment

46

How will we live together?

a citizen recognizes water as a common resource, not as his own

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

For working with water, first of all tools are needed that would allow the management. In this example, the water contention is showed, the strategy of containing the water is one of the most importants because with this water can be guide where it is needed depending of the specific purpose.

47

How will we live together?

48

a citizen lives in a diversified context LAND USE PUBLIC SPACE REGENERATION

COMMERCE AT GROUND LEVEL

hard SOFT

NEW HOUSING TYPOLOGIES INTERVENTIONS ON URBAN EMPTY SPACES

INFRASTRUCTURE

HOUSING ADAPTATION

MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS

LAND USE MODIFICATION

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

Diversifying the land and provide the city with services, retail, mixed uses and infrastructure. The diversity of land use must have spaces for transition, so that people have a smooth interaction with it, the use of land will provide and meet some needs of the city.

49

How will we live together?

50

a citizen takes an active role on MANTAINING the delicate balance he lives in ECOSYSTEM REFORESTATION

CITIZEN SCIENCE

hard SOFT ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY

TREE PLANTING

GREEN SPACE CONNECTIONS

Community management

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

Regenerating ecosystems in the nature reserve is the one of the main strategies. Having a natural reserve that actually it does not have anything, there are no trees, there is not an established wildlife, in this strategy, reforestation is the one showed.

51

How will we live together?

52

a citizen moves consciously within his city MOBILITY

PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE

hard

AWARENESS

CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE

SOFT ROAD REHABILITATION

INCENTIVES

IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPOT

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

For our strategies to work together, they need to be connected by the right mobility. The streets are rehabilitated in a way that emphasizes the active role of the pedestrian in the city. The city must be walkable. We arranged a series of bicycle roads which adapt to the existing ones, connecting all together so the usage of the car is not the primary one.

53

54

How will we live together?

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

55

56

How will we live together?

A corridor that works as a common place; where living together not only means to coexist with the immediate context, but with the envoronment and large scale concerns.

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

57

58

How will we live together?

nature can be an everyday experience

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

59

NATURE CAN BE AN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE

Ecosystem

60

How will we live together?

KNOWLEDGE CAN BE FOR EVERYONE

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

knowledge can be for everyone

Research

61

62

How will we live together?

SELF SUFFICIENCY CAN BE ENJOYABLE

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

63

SELF SUFFICIENCY CAN BE ENJOYABLE

Housing

64

How will we live together?

ARCHITECTURAL PROPOSAL Housing Plot of land: 875 m² Cos: 656 m² Cus: 2625 m² Ecosystem Plot of land: 10 000 m² Knowledge Plot of land: 10 000 m² Cus: 6 000 m²

Natural reserve as a catalyzer

65

the city can be a

swing

AN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE fOR EVERYONE ENJOYABLE