2017 — 2018

Mexico City, Mexico.
7,200 m2

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Laureles Linear Park started as an individual work project within the Universidad Iberoamericana. As part of a community service class, the assignment was purely academic. However, its impact enticed me to go further and reach out to the Neighborhood Association with a public works proposal.

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The street of Paseo de los Laureles was chosen because of its great potential and strategic location in the neighborhood. The space between the roadways allowed for more than just a planting strip; it was perfect to create a corridor. The corridor would provide green open space to be enjoyed by its users, but most importantly, it would act as a catalyst, connecting an already existing park, a commercial area, and some of the most important bus stops in the neighborhood to each other.

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All work was done pro-bono, and the project was budgeted in collaboration with ALEA Arquitectos after mounting interest in the community. Many revisions and adaptations followed before finally being approved by the Mayor and Neighborhood Association for the city’s participatory budgeting program.

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Maintaining an open dialogue was crucial for the project’s success, making sure all voices felt heard and included throughout the process.

 

Ultimately, the project was completed without any cost overruns and included not only the construction of a path but also landscaping, lighting, pedestrian refuge islands, benches, and paint for crosswalks, all within a limited budget of $180,000 USD.

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Cost-efficiency and durability were two of the most relevant guiding principles for selecting materials, landscaping, and overall design. Resilient plants that would adapt well to the local climate without a watering or irrigation system were utilized, many of which are fragrant and help minimize the foul odors of pollution. In terms of materials, a simple palette of stamped concrete and steel that requires minimum maintenance was used.

 

Nowadays, the park is used by countless citizens. There is nothing more rewarding; the corridor brings a new influx of people to a commercial area supporting local businesses, pedestrians cross the street safely, and traffic is directed in an orderly manner.

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Concept Design, Design Development, and Construction Documentation by Mauricio Cohen Kalb.

 

Administration by Mauricio Cohen Kalb in collaboration with ALEA Arquitectos.

Photography by Mauricio Cohen Kalb.