THE MACRO-PLAZA

This project reconceptualizes the past and future of the Macroplaza through a series of three short films that narrate alternative and contrasting visions of the square and culminate in a strategic proposal for the future of this controversial territory.

Imposed by the State Government, Monterrey’s city square required the demolition of 40 hectares of the historic city cen- tre in order to meet an agenda of progress and modernity. Short after its construction, the square proved to be unsuccessful in attracting the redevelopment and private investment that justified its existence. In only four decades, evidence of abandon- ment and years of neglect can be found all throughout this concrete megastructure. Nonetheless, a closer examination of its history and present state reveal that the square plays a vital role in the construction of the identity of the city, undertaking functions that are closely tied to a longer past of the city centre predating the square.

By challenging the name of this square, each chapter of this series of short films presents the possibility of narrating this territory differently. Focusing on individual stories, memories, and hopes for the future through the “micro”; as well as social structures and discrete fragments of the square through the “Multi”, allow the story of the Macroplaza to account for spatial layers that are often overlooked when viewing the square from the “Macro” and the original topdown vision from which it was planned.

At first sight, it is hard to believe that this is in fact the historic city centre of Monterrey, a city founded in 1596. How did a concrete megastructure come to be? What stories lay below this colossal space? This square marks the beginning of a new chapter for Monterrey, one that only accounts for the last four decades of the city’s history. Furthermore, the existence of the Macroplaza presents a dilemma; Its creation required the demolition of 40 hectares of Monterrey’s historic city centre, but the square itself is now vital in the construction of the history and identity of Monterrey. Neither its current course of action nor the complete redevelopment of the square seems to address the issues surrounding this public square, which is why examining the Macroplaza under different lenses can prove insightful in the construction of an alternative proposal for the future of this controversial territory.

the value of this project is in presenting a way in which modern megastructures can be studied and reimagined, moving away from their totalizing vision which, as this project demonstrates, hardly represents the lived experience of the space. As an alternative, the story of the Macroplaza is presented simultaneously through the macro, micro and multi, and through its past, present and future. These focal shifts in the way this space can be understood allows for overlooked details to surface and even become protagonists of new narrations which challenge the seemingly obvious history of this big square.