Cachinches GreCo
A sustainable regeneration of the Cachinches Creek in San Miguel
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
This Project's ultimate objective is to sustainably restore, strengthen, and protect the ecological value of the Cachinches Creek, located in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, while promoting its recreational use for the benefit of the entire municipality. In order to fulfill this overreaching goal, the proposal was guided by two central targets:
1. Water Resource Management in the Cachinches Creek, including:
• Recreating the original perennial water flow with the intention of restoring the riparian habitats and enhancing the overall environmental quality of this location;
• Refining the Creek’s performance as a natural storm water management system through the use of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles.
• Improving water quality through phytoremediation services in favor of downstream receptacles (and thus the eventual end users of this water).
2. The development of design principles for a Linear Park along the entire length of the creek guided by the philosophy of the One Living Planet Framework with the firm intention of:
• Providing a new quality and sustainable public space for the residents (and visitors) of San Miguel de Allende;
• Aiding in the eradication of segregation of the different social groups;
• Disseminating sustainable knowledge to the community.
These targets have the final purpose of demonstrating and raising awareness of the vast potential of sustainable development practices to regenerate a specific urban area while the current outcomes of this project are suggested to be regarded as initial steps towards the development of a Restoration Plan and a Design Masterplan for a linear park along the Cachinches Creek in San Miguel de Allende.
