Villas Ambulante, 2016
Conceptual proposal for re-imagining private parking spaces in Mexico City
For; Concurso Menos Cajones Más Lugar by ITDP
Collaborators: Juan Pablo Ochoa
Conceptual sketch of the parking lot in Colonia Roma, Mexico City. Illustration by Mariana Martinez
The evident mobility crisis in Mexico City urges a change that can both satisfy the demands of transport and of giving space to human scale mobility spaces. The basic idea of this project revolves around a modular growth system that encourages a move towards non-motorized transport systems and social cohesion, re-claiming space for citizens. As a Fab Lab or a City Lab, Villas el Milagro will provide a platform for ideas to grow by exchange with the neighbourhood. This is a placeholder to create the energy of a "Super Citizen", the one who is proactive, creative and challenging. These villas will give spaces to people, thinkers, creators, innovators with an imagination for a better city.
Conceptual map for re-thinking parking spaces: from the frustrated driver to the super citizen. Sketch by Mariana Martínez
Conceptual map for re-thinking parking spaces: modular spaces that allow for a city lab. Sketch by Mariana Martínez
Through citizen actions, a dialogue will develop from the vacant parking lot towards the surroundings, inviting the neighbourhood to a participatory laboratory, generating social interactions in spaces today conceived as transitory. Taking advantage of current infrastructure and using the existing car park grid, light and easy to build moduled boxes will form this mini-city.This modular system allows villas/spaces to be built depending on the user needs- entrepreneurs, designers or young artists, urban farmers or merchants. Within this grid public spaces, parks, transitory spaces, experimental spaces also apear connecting the modules.
Villas el Milagro are shaped by the dialogue and experimentation of its users, connected by interior cycle lanes. Illustration by Mariana Martinez and Juan Pablo Ochoa
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