Architects: Manuel Perló, Taller Capital, UNAM
Year: 2019
Photographs: Aldo Díaz , Meghana Tummala , Loreta Castro Reguera , Guillermo Mendía
Project Leaders: Dr. Manuel Perló Cohen, Architect Loreta Castro Reguera Mancera
City: Mexico City
Country: Mexico

Parque Hídrico La Quebradora water management park designed by Taller Capital and UNAM in Iztapalapa, Mexico City, addresses chronic flooding and water scarcity through innovative infrastructure that integrates public space and ecological restoration. Using stormwater channels and permeable basins, the 3.8-hectare park mitigates flooding, recharges groundwater, and provides recreational and cultural facilities for the city’s most populous and underserved borough. Completed in 2019, it transforms neglected urban land into a vital community resource, receiving global recognition, including the Holcim Awards Gold Medal for Sustainable Construction.

Parque hídrico la quebradora: transforming water management and public space in mexico city

Parque Hídrico La Quebradora, designed by Taller Capital in collaboration with the Institute for Social Research at UNAM, led by Dr. Manuel Perló Cohen and architect Loreta Castro Reguera, stands as a pioneering example of sustainable urban infrastructure in Mexico City. Located in the Iztapalapa Municipality, the city’s most densely populated and socioeconomically challenged area, the project addresses interconnected urban issues of water scarcity, flooding, and a lack of public spaces while creating a transformative model for urban resilience.

Mexico City faces a unique water crisis: it endures both severe water stress and seasonal flooding, due to a combination of historical water mismanagement and over-urbanization in the Valley of Mexico Basin. Iztapalapa, in particular, suffers from chronic flooding caused by heavy rainfall from the nearby Sierra de Santa Catarina, while also struggling with inadequate water infiltration into the aquifer. The borough’s dense population, informal housing, and lack of urban planning compound these challenges, leaving residents vulnerable and underserved.

To address these issues, La Quebradora was conceived as the first application of “Hydrourban Acupuncture,” an approach that integrates water management systems with public and ecological benefits. Spanning 3.8 hectares, the park uses stormwater channels to divert rainwater from surrounding areas into the park, where it undergoes filtration through screens and permeable basins. This process not only reduces flooding along critical urban corridors, such as Ermita Iztapalapa Avenue but also enables water to seep into the subsoil, replenishing the aquifer and enhancing the area’s long-term water security.

The project’s design extends beyond water management, transforming neglected urban land into a vibrant public space for the community. Platforms, plazas, and walkways, constructed from locally sourced volcanic stone, weave through the park and are surrounded by endemic vegetation. The inclusion of facilities such as a library, a bookstore, workshops, sports spaces, and a community center underscores the park’s dual role as an environmental and social asset. The park also emphasizes sustainability in its landscaping, replacing high-maintenance lawns with drought-resistant hardscapes and endemic trees, which triple the area’s tree coverage.

A key strength of La Quebradora lies in its deep engagement with the local community. During the design phase, from 2013 to 2017, the project team conducted extensive workshops to align the park’s features with the needs of Iztapalapa’s residents. This community-driven approach fostered a sense of ownership and advocacy that proved crucial during the project’s more challenging phases. Construction, which began in 2017, was briefly halted in 2018 due to political transitions but resumed in 2019 thanks to sustained public support. By the time of its inauguration in 2021, the park; renamed Utopía Atzintli—had become a cornerstone of a larger initiative by the Iztapalapa municipal government to convert abandoned spaces into functional and inclusive public areas. Today, Utopía Atzintli welcomes an average of 7,000 visitors per week, serving as a hub for cultural, recreational, and social activities. Its design even includes a dedicated facility to assist women affected by violence, further reinforcing its commitment to social equity.

The global importance of La Quebradora has been recognized with prestigious accolades. In 2018, it won the Holcim Awards Global and Latin American Gold Medal for Sustainable Construction, highlighting its innovative integration of ecological restoration, water management, and community-centered urban design. This award played a significant role in ensuring the project’s completion, providing the credibility needed to secure political and financial support. Architect Loreta Castro Reguera reflected on this impact, stating, “Having the credibility that this prize gives to projects, we were able to make the government understand that they were making the correct decision.”

The park’s global recognition extended further with its inclusion in the Holcim Foundation’s “Words with Winners” film series, which documents exemplary sustainable design projects from around the world. Through this feature, La Quebradora has been positioned as a model of how architecture and urban infrastructure can address pressing environmental and social challenges while fostering community resilience.

Parque Hídrico La Quebradora stands as a landmark achievement in sustainable urban development, setting a global precedent for cities grappling with water management and urban inequities. Its ability to turn environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation demonstrates the transformative power of thoughtful, community-focused design.