Hello! I am Jimena I am an urban planner
Hello! I’m Jimena...
and I am an urban planner with
I am interested in how we can
a background in political science
design and change space as a
and activism and an inclination
way to make people’s lives better,
for visual arts.
focusing especially on urban outcomes that are equitable and
I am a generalist who can draw
promote community resiliency.
on all her interests to make connections between different
This portfolio shows some of
disciplines and people.
the work that I’ve done so far, organized according to the skills
My work is focused on the interaction of people and place: how we build the spaces we live in and how we organize to do so, and also how space has an influence on the relationships between people.
most useful to my work.
and here’s a timeline of how I developed my interests and skills (software skills) :
With others
On my own
watercolors politics
collage public art
english In class / on the job
drawing engraving
democracy public opinion surveying policy analysis statistic analysis
analog photo
sketching
writing
researching
High school
trans
College
SPSS Stata
discussing my work
advocacy
organizing
tactical urbanism project management communication grant writing translation
community engagement
community development
gender
sportation
democracy
digital photo Lightroom oil painting publishing event planning After college
housing
informality real estate finance Photoshop
studio teaching syllabus building
graphic design InDesign urban design Sketchup mapping
ArcGIS
diagramming Illustrator Grad school
After grad school
Affluent empty nesters
Renters
Low income, retired seniors
Transit users Middle age, middle income white collars
Income below 25,000
Well-off middle aged professionals
Young, midscale singles
Asian population Young, working class singles
Analyzing This section highlights projects
In some cases, the analysis was
which relied on fieldwork, data
done for the sake of it, as a way to
mining, policy and historical
develop different analysis skills.
research, statistical analysis and
For other cases, it became the
GIS mapping to analyze different
basis of further work and policy
neighborhoods, cities, countries.
recommendations.
Food vendors in San Pablo April 2014
As part of the collective exhibition
The
final
product
for
the
Territorios MĂşltiples (Multiple
exhibition was a series of drawing
Territories) at ATEA, a gallery in
depicting the vendors and their
Mexico City.
stalls. Originally meant to be a photo essay, but changed because
This exercise involved mapping
of input from the vendors
the street vendors selling food
regarding the risks of being
in the San Pablo area of Mexico
identified.
City’s downtown. I interviewed street vendors selling all different types of food, inquired into their personal
stories,
commuting
patterns, and business practices. For this analysis, I classified vendors by the type of stall they used: fixed, mobile or if they were established businesses with presence on the street
Analyzing conditions for TOD in Mexican cities 2013 -2014 As part of my work at ITDP, I worked in developing a series of publications analyzing current urban
development,
housing
and transportation policies at the federal, city and neighborhood level. This served as a base for policy proposals regarding TOD that were widely shared with public officials. Publications available online.
Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte: Regenerar las ciudades mexicanas para mejorar la movilidad Co-authored with Salvador Medina A
diagnosis
development
of
Mexico’s
situation,
urban
especially
the causes of its cities’ uncontrolled expansion and lack of mass transit and elaborates on how national policies can change to foster TOD.
Hacia una estrategia de Desarrollo
Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte en
Orientado al Transporte para el
la colonia Doctores
Distrito Federal Co-authored with Salvador Medina An evaluation of Mexico City’s A diagnosis and strategy for Mexico
Doctores neighbourhood and its
City to implement TOD policies in
possibilities to foster higher densities
mass transit corridors, central zones
and mixed use around its extensive
and around transit hubs.
transit network.
1800s
Roxbury rapidly develops as an industrial town. Upper classes locate in the Highlands, whereas Irish workers locate in Lower Roxbury. Coaches, railroad and trolleys connect it to the city, and thus Roxbury becomes a streetcar suburb. Annexed to city for coordination of services.
The history of Roxbury Fall 2015
As part of a studio course focused on the neighborhood of Roxbury, Boston. This timeline was developed as a way to understand how the
evolution
of
the
built
environment (shown here by constructions built in each time period) is tied to the social conditions, especially race and segregation.
1900s
With the construction of Dudley Street station, Roxbury becomes a streetcar suburb.
1920s
African Americans begin to settle in Roxbury.
1940s
Roxbury becomes a center for the African American community in Boston after sustained migration from Southern states. After World War II, the white population abandons Roxbury to move to suburbia.
1960s
The community organizes against urban renewal projects and the I-95 expressway and protests due to the lack of services. Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project seeks to form separate city (Mandela) to ensure non discrimination in services.
1980s
Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project is voted and rejected. The original Orange Line is relocated to the Southwest Corridor. Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative attempts to battle sustained disinvestment with Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.
2000s
The City of Boston released the participatory Roxbury Master Plan that emphasizes community participation in reviewing future proposed developments in the area through the plan’s oversight committee.
1890
1900
1910
Green line From Boylston to Government Center
Orange line From Haymarket to Dudley Station
Green line From Boylston to Hynes Convention Center
Blue line From Aquarium to Government Center
Growth of Boston’s T Fall 2015
Blue line From Government Center to Bowdoin Red line From Harvard Square to Andrew
As part of a spatial analysis and
1940
representation course. This
timeline
shows
the
growth of Boston’s T since its inauguration, and highlights the coverage of the metropolitan area, as a way of understanding transit access.
Green line From Kenmore
1920
1930
Green line Green line From Government Center to Lechmere From Hynes Convention Center to Boston College (B) and Cleveland Blue line Circle (C) From Aquarium to Maverick Red line From Andrew to Ashmont
e to Heath (E)
1950
1970
Green line From Kenmore to Riverside (D)
Orange line From Haymarket to Oak Grove
Blue line From Maverick to Wonderland
Red line From JFK/UMass to Quincy Center
1980
2000
Orange line From Tufts Medical Center to Forest Hills
Silver line From South Station to Dudley Square, Airport Terminals and Design Center
Removal from Tufts Medical Center to Dudley Square Red line From Quincy Center to Braintree From Harvard to Alewife
47%
of Quincy residents lives in a transit station area
56%
of Quincy businesses are in a transit station area
Quincy station areas Spring 2016
As part of a studio course focused on transit-oriented development in Quincy, Massachusetts.
52%
of Quincy jobs are in a transit station area
31%
of station area residents are transit users
17%
of station area residents don’t own a car
Data from the Census, ESRI Business Analyst, and Nielsen’s PRIZM market segmentation come together to provide a clearer picture of who has access to public transit in the city of Quincy.
Affluent empty nesters
Renters
Low income, retired seniors
Transit users
Middle age, middle income white collars
Income below 25,000
Well-off middle aged professionals
Young, midscale singles Asian population
Young, working class singles
Washington Park, Chicago Fall 2016 / Spring 2017
As
part
of
months-long
This work was coupled with an
research on the neighborhood
in-depth case study researching
revitalization work of Sweet
the demographics of the area, the
Water Foundation.
state of real estate investment, as well as the implementation of an
The objective of this mapping was
urban agriculture campus called
to understand the forces affecting
Perry Avenue Farm by Sweet
the neighborhood of Washington
Water Foundation.
Park,
including
segregation,
vacancy, disinvestment, access to services and jobs, megaprojects, and
increased
investment.
real
estate
Former Robert Taylor homes housing project
University of Chicago expansion Proposed site for Olympic stadium
WASHINGTON PARK
Proposed site for Obama library
HYDE PARK
Washington Park
University of Chicago Perry Av Farm
Increased real estate investment
15,000 jobs
Access to transit
Site for Obama library
Proposing alternatives This section includes facets of my
The projects shown here include
work that seek to have an impact
policy proposals, work with
in how spaces are built, in order
city governments and design
to better quality of life for the
proposals.
community.
Manuals on mobility for Mexican cities 2013 -2015
As part of my work at ITDP, I worked in developing a series of publications proposing a variety of mobility solutions for Mexican cities. These take the form of manuals of how-to guides for public officials to engage in transportation
and
transit-
oriented development planning, choose among a variety of strategies and implement them. Publications available online.
GuĂa de estrategias para la reducciĂłn del uso del auto en ciudades mexicanas Co-authored with Salvador Medina This guide provides local governments with information on why reducing car use is necessary to foster quality of life in cities, and what policies and projects are available to them to successfully change their city’s mobility.
Planes
Integrales
de
Movilidad:
Lineamientos para una movilidad urbana sustentable
GuĂa de implementaciĂłn de polĂticas y proyectos de Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte
Co-authored with Salvador Medina, Alfonso Iracheta and Jimena Iracheta
A step-by-step guide for Mexican local governments to implement policies
This publication focuses on creating
and projects to further smart growth
guidelines
and transit oriented development. .
for
Mexican
local
governments that want to draft a mobility plan, and takes them stepby-step through the planning process from diagnosis to publication.
Hermosillo IMPLAN Mobility plan
Promoting mobility solutions in Mexico 2013 -2015
La Paz Como Vamos La Paz Financing strategy for mobility plan
As part of my work at ITDP, I worked with local government across
Mexico
by
building
relationships with city government and
community
advocating
for
organizations, sustainable
Guadalajara SEPAF, IMEPLAN, Guadalajara, Zapopan Public bike and TOD around new metro stations Mexico City SEMOVI, SEDUVI
transportation policies and giving
Drafting of mobility plan
them the tools to implement them.
TOD strategies
Monterrey and San Pedro Garza IMPLAN Mobility planning
Saltillo IMPLAN Mobility planning
San Luis Potosí State Congress Mobility planning
Aguascalientes SEDUOT TOD strategies
Toluca Comitán
IMPLAN
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
Mobility planning
Mayor’s office
Tuxtla Gutiérrez
IMPLAN
Mobility planning
IMPLAN
Mobility planning
Mobility planning
Dudley Square
Main Streets for local economic development
Greater Grove Hall
Fall 2015
As part of a studio project focusing on Roxbury, Boston. This project looked at main streets in Roxbury, and specifically at Dudley
Square,
to
encourage
economic development through the support of existing local businesses and the creation of new ones by strengthening the city’s Main Streets program.
Training
Neighborhoods Jobs Trust
Loans
Winter Relief Loan Assistance
Grants
ReStore Boston
Bussiness assistance
On-site business assistance
Boston Invests in Growth
Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative
Boston Main Streets
Other resources Pooled resources
Center for Financial Empowerment
Boston Buying Power
Proposed main streets program includes:
Neighborhoods Jobs Trust
(grants for workforce training)
job training + entrepreneurship training
Boston Invests in Growth
(low-interest guaranteed loans)
Main Streets program
10% neighborhood based projects
$5.9m
$1.9m $1.5m large commercial developments over 20,000 sq.ft.
• Entrepreneurship training • Low-interest loans for affordable commercial space and business incubators • Grants for storefront improvements • Assistance to local businesses
Making Wollaston accesible Spring 2016 As part of a studio project focusing on Quincy, Massachusetts. This project looked the Wollaston T station and proposed an urban design
intervention
with
the
following objectives: t Utilize public land to ensure diversity in the area, using it to create affordable housing, community and open space t Ensures that density is not out of scale with the neighborhood t Concentrate parking t Introduce
new
housing
typologies for attracting different demographics to the area t Ensure safe connections to the center and the transit station
retail complete streets
open space
housing
streetscaping
retail parking community center
park
housing parking
plaza
housing complete streets
Park Community center
Wollaston T plaza
Complete streets
Phase I The public realm
Cost: 19.2 million Financing: TIF district, CDBG, Massworks
Market and affordable housing
MBTA parking
Streetscaping and open space
Phase II Development in public land Cost: 96.5 million Financing: Private equity, LIHTC, Affordable Housing Fund, Section 108 guaranteed loan
Market housing
Retail
Phase III Promoting development in private land Cost: 52.2 million Financing: Private equity, Section 108 guaranteed loan
All photos by Colectivo, Camina Haz Ciudad
Sketches de clase de Gamble?
Building alternatives As part of a collective of amazing
Our interventions were targeted
activists called Camina, Haz
to pressure the Mexico City
Ciudad (Walk, Build your City), I
government to invest in better
was engaged in tactical urbanism
public space, pedestrian and
interventions from 2011 to 2013:
cycling infrastructure, and to
painting a crosswalk, building a 5
develop a road safety policy.
kilometer bike lane (and raising the money, organizing the people and figuring out the logistics to do so), and organizing parking day parklets.
Telling stories A big part of what I do is finding
From writing articles, to making
ways to express my ideas (and
videos, and making art pieces,
those of the teams I work in) in
the works in this section show
a way that other people will find
a wide range of mediums I have
interesting and engaging.
found to share stories.
t Does the world’s most congested city want more cars? t Is the Supervia highway a wrong turn for Mexico City? t Wikilane - how citizens built their own bicycle network
Published articles
I have been a collaborator for different online mediums focused on city news. My articles have
t Cultura de la movilidad urbana
mostly focused on transportation,
t Carne, concreto y detenciones arbitrarias
community
t Acupuntura urbana
engagement
and
tactical urbanism. Here are the media outlets I I have written in and the most interesting articles at each one. Articles available online.
t ¿Qué opinamos los chilangos de nuestro transporte público?
El Coche Nos Cuesta 2012
As part of a my work at ITDP, I helped create a communication campaign for our research on car use in Mexico and its externalities. We created the hashtag #ElCocheNosCuesta (#CarsCostUs)
to
show
the
externalities of car use, and also wrote a script for a video produced by Emigre Films, and that so far has had 94,000 views on Youtube.
Reimagining Mexico City Fall 2015
The premise of this collage is: What would Mexico City look like today if the lake on top of which it sits hadn’t been filled? This collage imagines that many of the city’s iconic buildings would sit side by side with preserved Aztec buildings, trajineras would be a common mode of transport, and that the lake would probably impose a similar or even higher degree of segregation in the city than that which we have today.
Mapping and remaking memories of place Fall 2016
As part of a course on post-studio art and exhibition. This
pieces
seek
to
map
how we remember and give meaning to places, according to our experiences and how our
relationships
unfold
in
them. It takes as an example one romantic relationship and maps it across space, eventually commemorating some of its moments on site.
Change at the edge Spring 2017
As part of a course on creating visual narratives of place. This collages are part of a series dealing with a future vision for the city of Boston, thinking about the adaptation of downtown public spaces to cope with climate change. The following collages were produced as a set of storyboards to show dowtown streets, City Hall Plaza, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway 2070.
in