El Palomar

A new place to meet in Chihuahua, Mexico by Sofia Lopez

Name	Park "El Palomar"
Place	Chihuahua
Country	Mexico
Topic	open space, parks
Author(s)	Sofia Lopez
Completion	Please enter the date of completion
Client	Urban Development of the City of Chihuahua
Project costs	Please enter the costs (if known)
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="28.639489" lon="-106.087117" type="satellite" zoom="15"> 28.632492, -106.080177, Chihuahua, CH </googlemap>

Rationale: Why is this case study interesting?

The area that is now occupied by this park was a very big area deserted that slowly became a slum dweller therefore was also a dangerous part of the city, but after this project it became a important part of the city a public space of recreation and also a place for culture; some years after the park was finish the city build a new library, and a museum. This park have a square that it´s used for a lot of different cultural events like concerts, presentations, festivals, and civil events. It has a good location; close to the center of the city, to the government offices. And it is a "green belt" in the riverside of the river "El Chuviscar" that is almost dry up, also in the city there are not much parks and green public areas.

Author's perspective

• What theoretical or professional perspective do you bring to the case study?

Landscape and/or urban context

• Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics

Park “El Palomar” is located close to the center of Chihuahua city, the capital city of Chihuahua province; the biggest province of Mexico in the border with USA.

The city of Chihuahua has a elevation of 1,480 mt. above sea level, located on a valley in the intersection of the rivers Chuviscar and Sacramento, the first one cross the city in southwest-northeast direction and the second one in north-south direction; it is shaped as a gigantic letter “L” due to the mountainous region located on both sides; to the west one finds the Sierra Majalca and to the east and northeast one finds the Sierra Nombre de Dios were are also located the Nombre de Dios Caverns natural underground formations made of minerals and salt, to the south the city is delimited by three main hills Cerro Grande (2,300), Cerro Coronel (1800) with a viewpoint from one can get a wonderful view of the city and Santa Rosa fully covered by the city. Due to all this natural barriers the city continues to spread in the valley in north direction.

Park “El Palomar” situated close to the center of the city (about 2 km) were the town hall and other government offices are located also some historical buildings, public squares, the market and probably the only pedestrian zone of the city. Crossed by the main avenue “Ocampo” and by the 10th Street and delimited by the main avenues “Independencia” and “Teofilo Borunda” this one follows the flow of the “Chuviscar” river and by the Ramirez Calderon street. Although the park is located very near to the river, this location doesn´t contributes in nothing to the park because actually in the riverside is the “Teofilo Borunda” avenue and it wasn´t planned as a recreational area it was channelized almost 60 years ago and in the other side is almost dry up it carries some water in the rain season.

Since the park is crossed and delimited by all this main avenues is very good connected to the rest of the city. In the adjacent areas are plenty of public facilities in south direction crossing the “Chuviscar” river is located the Museum of Science and Technology “Semilla” (Seed) a learning centre and interactive science museum for children that was completed a year later after the completion of the 1st part of the park. In Northeast direction in the “Ocampo” avenue is located a Public Hospital (IMSS) immediately after is a Sport facility with swimming pool, basquetball court, coffe shop. In southwest direction is located a Public high school. And in the 2nd Part of the Park is located a Public Library with the Historical Records of the City. The surrounding area is also occupied by the remaining portion of “El Palomar” neighborhood and by other residential areas, also with some small commerce located principally in the main avenues.

Cultural/social/political context

• Brief explanation of culture, political economy, legal framework

POLITICAL/ECONOMICAL CONTEXT

The most important economical activity of the city are the industrials zones, with six of them spread along the city, were foreign companies most of them from USA have their manufactures; due to this is one of the cities with more level of investment in the country. Another important economical activity that is receiving a lot of investment from the government is the touristic with the creation some years ago of the Touristic Trolley, a bus that makes a tour around the city center stopping in the main attractions, Park “El Palomar” included also with the improvement of the pedestrian zone in the city center and also the city attracts tourists from all over for its own location because is the starting point to explore the little towns located in the mountainous region of Chihuahua and the natural wonders of the Province like the Copper Canyon, Basaseachi Waterfall, Arareko Lake or to take the touristic train that runs from Chihuahua city to Los Mochis city in the west coast of Mexico.

SOCIAL/CULTURAL CONTEXT

The last census (2005) shows that the city has 748,500 inhabitants and 60% are younger of 30 years, in a city covering an area of about 21,000 ha and with just 1.5% of green areas, therefore Park “El Palomar” is an important recreational area, probably the most important, biggest and public green area in the city.

History

• How did the area/project/plan at the focus of the case study evolve?

The city of Chihuahua was founded on 1709 by Antonio Deza y Ulloa a spanish explorer, the location was chosen because it is located in a valley in the intersection of the rivers Chuviscar and Sacramento and also because it was midpoint between some then-important mines. The original name of the city was “Real de Minas de San Francisco de Cuellar” then in 1718 the name was change into “San Felipe el Real de Chihuahua” and lately in 1823 the name was shortened in Chihuahua. The city development was as a miner and supplier city for the closer towns located in the mountainous region in western Chihuahua state. The first settlements in the area of Park “El Palomar” were between 1890-1900 in the outskirts of in this time city, that was delimitate by "Chuviscar" river; with just some families that used the land in the riverside for agricultural purpose, some years later (1905 approximately) the establishment of a foundry company in this area called “Fundicion San Felipe” that built a railroad from the central railway station to transport their product; contribute to the settlement of more families; and the proper formation of the neighborhood “El Palomar”. The area presented an irregular shape and a dangerous location (riverside) due to floods, also it was isolate from the rest of the city and almost incomunicate, the river make it difficult, therefore the lack of good infrastructure; with the channeling of the “Chuviscar” river from 1956 to 1960 and the construction of bridges that cross the river, the quality of the infrastructure got a real improvement. In the 60´s the neighbors set up a committee and pressure the authorities to get a better infrastructure (roads, sewage) and also an urbanization program. With this program the quality of life improves a little but it continue to be a poor-rundown neighborhood. Then at the beginning of 1990 the Government became aware of the necessity of a public space that could be used for different proposals but mainly a recreational space for the city. The neighborhood “El Palomar” was chosen for this proposal due to the excellent location, good views and also for being a rundown neighborhood. Demolition of a larger portion of the neighborhood started at the end of 1993. The beginning of the 1st Phase of the park begins in 1994.

Spatial analysis of area/project/plan

• What are the main structural features?
• How has it been shaped? Were there any critical decisions?

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

How does the design of an open space contribute to a run down neighbourhood?

The design of an open space always have a social impact; it could be a possitive or a negative impact, but always have a result. Because, it changes the original configuration and the use of the area. In the case of Park "El Palomar" situated in a former rundown neighborhood it has improve not just the remaining portion of the neighborhood and the perspective that the people had of this neigborhood; it also improved the quality of life of the people of Chihuahua giving them a new public space for recreation and also for cultural and civic events.

How are open spaces linked to the adjacent areas?

(e.g. neighbourhoods, city centre, river)

Park "El Palomar" for its own location is very well linked to the adjacent areas. As the park is divided in three main parts, a bridge connect the first part of the park with the second one allowing the pedestrians to cross the main avenue Ocampo and get to the Public Hospital (IMSS). This main avenue that cross the park also connect it with the city centre. An underground passage connects the first part with the third one, crossing the 10th Street and linking the park with the neigborhood Mirador and also with the remaining section of neighborhood El Palomar. For connecting an open space is very important the location since the beginning; the space could be connected with the adjacent areas with bridges, pedestrian paths, underground passages, main avenues; it could be also connected visualy.

How are open spaces used?

(e.g. which groups meet there, which functions does an open space fulfil)

The way an open space is used depends on what does the place offers to the public. Park "El Palomar" as an open space was planed mainly like a recreational area; where the people could meet, relax and enjoy the views of the city, but also offers the possibility to be used for cultural and civic events.

Which elements make an open space successful and attractive?

An open space could be successful and attractive for three main reasons: -Location, easy access -Views -Activities that the people could do In Park "El Palomar" this three main reasons are present

How can the historical background of an open space be shown to the public?

Park “El Palomar” doesn´t have an important historical background; it was a rundown neighborhood, but the name by itself reminds us of the origin as a former rundown residential area and also with the sculpture “Las Palomas” (The Pigeons) that is located in the second part of the park.

Analysis of program/function

• What are the main functional characteristics?
• How have they been expressed or incorporated?

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

Analysis of design/planning process

• How was the area/project/plan formulated and implemented?
• Were there any important consultations/collaborations?

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

Analysis of use/users

• How is the area/project/plan used and by whom?
• Is the use changing? Are there any issues?

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

Future development directions

• How is the area/project/plan evolving?
• Are there any future goals?

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

The Urban Development Office with the Government of the city of Chihuahua is staring to implement the new Plan of Urban Development for the city until the year 2040. One of the goals is to create a greener city with more open spaces and promote the use of the bicycle as transport in a city were the proportion of cars is one car for every two inhabitants; with the creation of 16 km of bicycle paths in the first part of the project and in the next years a total of 88 km of bicycle paths. As Park “El Palomar” is one of the biggest and important parks of the city, the project for the construction of a fourth part of the park; is beginning in the next year, the new part of the park would cover an area of 14,000 m2. Also this year would start the construction of a bridge to celebrate the 300 year of foundation of the city, that would cross the “Chuviscar” river and would connect Park “El Palomar” with the Museum “Semilla”.

Peer reviews or critique

• Has the area/ project/plan been reviewed by academic or professional reviewers?
• What were their main evaluations?

Pleas add references, quotes...

Points of success and limitations

• What do you see as the main points of success and limitations of the area/project/plan?

Illustration: Summary table

What can be generalized from this case study?

• Are there any important theoretical insights?

Short statement plus background notes

Which research questions does it generate?

Short statement plus background notes

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References

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