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In 2007, the Grijalva River exceeded its maximum ordinary water level, causing the flooding of two-thirds of the city of Villahermosa. This led to the construction of a containment wall on the riverbanks, which initially was a functional solution but over time caused the relationship between the natural environment and the city's inhabitants to fracture. The separation implied by the wall distanced citizens from a space that became hostile, and brought with it security, urban integration, and ecological problems. The urban and architectural proposal of the Villahermosa Riverfront emerged to reconnect the river with its inhabitants without altering the watercourse or putting the population at risk. Its creation revalues both the natural environment and the surrounding urban environment.
The intervention also includes a rescue effort of over 125,000 m2 along the riverbank. This space was reforested with low-maintenance native vegetation and equipped with playgrounds, benches, tables, contemplative areas, pedestrian walkways, public lighting, and parks designed to coexist with the river, even when it rises. These areas were conceived as spaces that can flood during a season of the year and then resurface for residents to enjoy and explore again. Additionally, the vegetation helps regulate temperature and serves as an input of organic matter to the river. The intervention recognizes both the soil and natural flows and the topography of the area, and included the creation of a pedestrian walkway that allows panoramic views for residents to enjoy the river again.
The urban and architectural proposal for the Malecón de Villahermosa emerged to reconnect the river with the inhabitants without altering the watercourse or putting the population at risk. Its creation revalues both the natural environment and the surrounding urban area. With the malecón, the community can gather, meet, and live in nature, but also connect with the neighborhoods on either side, fostering unity. This project is a very good example of how large-scale architecture can be achieved without overpowering or imposing but rather articulating and linking, focusing on the flow of people.
This project was developed on top of the wall as a solution to the Grijalva River, which inundated the city of Villahermosa. While this structure managed to contain the river, it also created a division between the natural environment and the inhabitants, and the construction of the wall brought with it security issues, urban integration problems, and ecological safety concerns. In response to this problem, a large-scale multidisciplinary intervention was designed along the riverbank. What was once a dividing line has given way to reforestation with low-maintenance native vegetation, creating a space now equipped with playgrounds, benches, tables, contemplative areas, pedestrian walkways, public lighting, and parks designed to coexist with the river and its natural growth cycles.
The amenities include a river station, bike paths, a skatepark, playgrounds, restaurants, and connections with other pre-existing cultural programs, such as theater,a Library, and a regional anthropology museum. The realization of this project involved significant infrastructure challenges: public space lighting was redesigned, and the potable water network and storm and sanitary sewer systems were renewed. Additionally, a new drainage network was created to facilitate better water management. Similarly, the electrical wiring was placed underground to avoid risks from environmental factors and provide greater durability without interfering with the landscape.
The project aimed to highlight the site's historical significance. The population can make use of the new infrastructure and, from there, observe the flow of the river's water, how the vegetation grows between the river and the malecón, and how an organic city continues to be built and expanded.
The urban intervention of the Villahermosa Riverfront aimed to restore the population's connection with the nature of the Grijalva River, which was lost years ago with the construction of a containment wall due to a past flood. Spanning 6 linear kilometers on both sides of the river, the urban and architectural proposal included the creation of a pedestrian walkway over the river. Additionally, various recreational and sports areas, a cycle path, restaurant and cultural zones, the reforestation of native vegetation, and the urban rescue of over 125,000 m2 along the riverbanks were incorporated.
