“La
Lagunita” Resilience Corridor
Climate Change and Sustainable City Redevelopment
Escarleth Cucurachi Ortega
PDC 878 Redevelopment and the Climate Resilient City
Instructor: Wayne R. Beyea, J.D., AICP
MURP | MSU
Location
Mexico Veracruz
Xalapa
Metropolitan Area
General Background
Population: 488,531 inhabitants
Female Population: 53.60%
Male Population: 46.40%
Source: Data provided by 2020 Population and Housing Census - Basic Questionnaire.
Source: Data provided by Data Mexico, 2023.
Natural and Urban Features
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
Analysis: Climate Challenges
Torrential Rains
Floods and Landslides
Worsening Air Quality
GHG Increase
Loss of the Fog Forest with High Environmental Value
Increase in Traffic
Jam
Neighborhood
Homogeneous Zone 27
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
Background
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
Population: 16,948 inhabitants
Housing: 4,946 homes
Area: 368.75 acres
Residential Density: 81 homes/acres
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
Physical Hazards
High and very high flooding threat
High and very high landslide threat
Landslide
2.79% Very High Risk
20.42% High Risk
23.12% Medium Risk
53.67% Low Risk
Flooding 9.06% Very High Risk
21.03% High Risk
3.21% Medium Risk
4.05% Low Risk
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
Street Covering
68% Dirt Road
32% With Covering
Types of Street Covering
Cobblestone
Stream
Asphalt-Concrete
55% Does not have a bench
Housing
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
54.15 % Housing Typologies
1.53% Precarious
95.07% Popular
0.17% Social Interest
3.00% Medium
0.35% Residential
Other uses
Analysis: HZ 27 Challenges
Torrential Rains
Floods and Landslides
Poor quality streets
Low-Income Residents
Loss of Natural Resources (Lake and River)
Limited Vacant
Lots
La
Lagunita Resilience Corridor
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
Proposal
Green Spaces
Water Bodies
Mix Use
Concepts
Green Neighborhoods
New Urbanism
Recovery of Natural Resources
Source: Prepared by the author based on data supplied by the Municipal Program of Territorial Planning of Xalapa, Veracruz, 2021.
Overall Recommendations
Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Protection of the Cloud
Forest
Air Quality Improvement
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Permeable Road
Coverings
Biodiversity
Conservation
Summary
Key Issues Highlighted:
• Economic Disparities: Limited infrastructure in economically disadvantaged areas.
• Physical Hazards: Topographical features contribute to floods and landslides.
• Transportation Challenges: Poor-quality roads hamper accessibility and mobility.
Strategic Proposal: "La Lagunita" Resilient Corridor:
• Green Neighborhood Focus: Utilize natural resources, open spaces, and parks.
• Address Specific Challenges: Combat floods, and landslides, and enhance biodiversity.
• Implement New Urbanism: Mixed-use development for accessible services.
Overall Recommendations Reinforced:
• Climate Resilience: Invest in robust infrastructure against extreme weather.
• Environmental Conservation: Preserve cloud forests through strict regulations.
• Air Quality Enhancement: Improve urban air quality with green spaces.
• Sustainable Practices: Promote renewable energy and eco-friendly transportation.
• Innovative Infrastructure: Implement permeable road coverings for stormwater management.
• Biodiversity Protection: Conserve unique flora and fauna through green corridors.
References
Census of Population and Housing 2020 (INEGI, n.d.) Retrieved from https://en.www.inegi.org.mx/programas/ccpv/2020/
Data Mexico (Mexico Government, 2023) Retrieved from https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/en/profile/geo/xalapa#population-and-housing
Furr, J.E., Kibert, N.C., Mayer, J.T., & Sentman, S.D. (2009). Green Building and Sustainable Development: The Practical Legal Guide. ISBN: 978-1-60442-071-5
Nolon, J.R. & Salkin P.E. (2011). Climate Change and Sustainable Development Law in a Nut Shell. ISBN: 978-0-314-26420-6 Sustainable Xalapa Action Plan (Inter-American Development Bank, 2014) Retrieved from https://issuu.com/ciudadesemergentesysostenibles/docs/xalapa_sostenible Territorial Planning Program of the city of Xalapa (Government of the State of Veracruz, 2021, November 12) Retrieved from https://ayuntamiento.xalapa.gob.mx/web/desarrollo-urbano/programamunicipal-de-ordenamiento-territorial-dexalapa?fbclid=IwAR1paM3LBHL9tInNeOe6kIcitiSjFk9PIRlGBNfksNqY-lMlbv2a49p2zhI