Return of the Lake: Repairing Mexico City's Relationship to Water

Abstract

Mexico City originated as an island city founded in a vast lake system. Today, the lakes have been desiccated and the city is unable to alleviate the thirst of 21 million people. Water infrastructure is failing; the efficient movement of water has become the goal without thought to social forces, traditions or the specificities of place. Both the city and its citizens are disconnected from the natural water cycle. This thesis considers the reintroduction of a lake into the drained lake bed as a way to promote hydrological recovery and reconnect water, people and the city to its origins. The design argues that the strategic design of water infrastructure, public space, landscape and social programmatic elements can engage inhabitants with the lake. This new water infrastructure adds resiliency to the existing system while also harnessing the atmospheric qualities of water, giving visibility to water treatment and distribution.