Flow of Hope: Channeling Water Veins to Confront Mexico City's Crisis

Background

Mexico City faces challenges of flooding during rainy seasons and water shortages in dry seasons. The sinking surface worsens the situation. Álvaro Obregón, with its complex terrain and ravines, suffers from water infrastructure damage and relies on alternative sources.

Strategy

Our solution draws inspiration from natural gullies to address Mexico City's water crisis. We propose designing various water infrastructure, including elevated(roof rainwater pipes), surface-based (ridges and terraces), and ravine-based(thresholds and dams) systems. Our goal is to create a water vein network that spans residential areas, providing a reliable water source. The project aims to enhance the water environment using rainwater resources and increase the city's resilience.

Application

On plateaus, rainwater is directed to a flooding pond through grassed waterways and ditches. Surplus water flows downstream through the vein network.

On hillsides, terraces, ridges, and channels protect against runoff. These measures provide purified water, remove excess rainwater, and reduce erosion. The vein network drains excess runoff into valleys.

In Valleys, rivers absorb runoff from high veins. Silt dams and check dams retain rainwater in gullies.

The approach creates a vein network across plateaus, hillsides, and valleys.

Envision

Using leaf veins as a concept, our project establishes a system harnesses nature's power to collect and allocate urban water resources. We aim to explore sustainable solutions for water acquisition in response to climate change. Mexico City will embrace the ethos of "Think globally, act locally," nurturing a natural expansion like leaf veins.