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Loving and Healing a Hurt City: Planning a Green Monterrey Metropolitan Area

Author

Listed:
  • Rob Roggema

    (Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Architecture, Art and Design, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico)

  • Igor Ishi Rubio Cisneros

    (Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Architecture, Art and Design, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
    Centro de Estudios Parlamentarios, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64290, Mexico)

  • Rodrigo Junco López

    (Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Architecture, Art and Design, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico)

  • Paulina Ramirez Leal

    (Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Architecture, Art and Design, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico)

  • Marina Ramirez Suarez

    (Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Architecture, Art and Design, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico)

  • Miguel Ortiz Díaz

    (Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Architecture, Art and Design, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico)

Abstract

In many conurbations, the pressure on the quality of living increases and affects the most vulnerable human and non-human populations the most. This article describes a proposal for the mapping and design investigation of how a green metropolis can be developed. The approach distinguishes between the landscape producing pain, the ways of healing, and the opportunities to create environments that people can love. This approach reveals concrete and widespread pain in the metropolis, such as impacts on natural landscapes (rivers and mountains), air pollution, ecological degradation, and hydrological disconnections. The strategy to remediate this pain is to uncover hidden and altered creeks and rivers, creating an abundant zone of ecological space around them before human activities and urbanization change the land uses. In addition to this, specific design principles have been developed for hydro-ecological corridors, water retention, green islands, and greenways. Designs for these places can be replicated to support a healing strategy in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (MMA). Each place creates an environment that the urban residents will appreciate and preserve. The approach to analyzing landscape pain, designing healing strategies, and promoting local places of love can be applied to enhance the quality of life for many urban residents and non-human ecologies in metropolitan areas around the globe.

Suggested Citation

  • Rob Roggema & Igor Ishi Rubio Cisneros & Rodrigo Junco López & Paulina Ramirez Leal & Marina Ramirez Suarez & Miguel Ortiz Díaz, 2025. "Loving and Healing a Hurt City: Planning a Green Monterrey Metropolitan Area," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-26, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:1:p:164-:d:1566952
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rob Roggema, 2021. "From Nature-Based to Nature-Driven: Landscape First for the Design of Moeder Zernike in Groningen," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Rob Roggema & Nico Tillie & Greg Keeffe, 2021. "Nature-Based Urbanization: Scan Opportunities, Determine Directions and Create Inspiring Ecologies," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-30, June.
    3. Burné van Zyl & E. Juaneé Cilliers & Louis G. Lategan & Sarel S. Cilliers, 2021. "Closing the Gap Between Urban Planning and Urban Ecology: A South African Perspective," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 122-134.
    4. Araos, Malcolm & Berrang-Ford, Lea & Ford, James D. & Austin, Stephanie E. & Biesbroek, Robbert & Lesnikowski, Alexandra, 2016. "Climate change adaptation planning in large cities: A systematic global assessment," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 375-382.
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