UTOPICA VILLAHERMOSA by Ethel Rivera

Nam et ellabor eiu

UTÓPICA VILLAHERMOSA

The presented work is an excerpt from my Bachelor’s in Architecture Thesis.

Para nuestras familias, quienes desde el apellido nos han inculcado profundo amor por nuestras raíces.

For our families, who, even through our surname, have instilled in us a profound love for our roots

Y de una para la otra, por alentarnos tanto en el proyecto como en todos los demás aspectos de nuestras vidas.

And from one to the other, for encouraging us not only in this project but in all other aspects of our lives.

utopia

1. Feminine noun

An ideal plan, project, doctrine, or system that appears to be very difficult to achieve.

2. Feminine noun

An imaginative representation of a future society characterized by conditions that promote human well-being.

We were born in the south of Mexico:

A region rich in culture yet often overlooked in discussions regarding urban development. Villahermosa is primarily recognized as an oil city or a stopover en route to Cancún. Utopica Villahermosa explores the factors constraining Villahermosa’s growth, and the opportunities that could catalyze it into a thriving, walkable, biophilic, and equitable city.

This project arose from a deep-seated desire to address questions that have long preoccupied those of us from southeastern Mexico: Why do we experience stagnant growth? Why are our cities so deeply unequal? How can we contribute to the sustainable development of the region? Our proposal signifies a return to the Olmec principles of our ancestors: an economy centered around local products such as maize, plantain, chocolate, and even oil, and infrastructure that shows reverence for the rivers and mountains that preceded our existence and continue to challenge it.

Guided by the Urban Resilience Index, we conducted a systematic analysis of Villahermosa, examining its multifaceted challenges and opportunities. Through this framework, we identified eight core issues impeding the city’s progress and developed a series of strategic interventions that respond to those issues.

The idea behind this thesis is not to propose a rigid framework for an urban plan, but rather to offer an array of flexible and adaptable urban strategies that can be implemented throughout the city in an acupuncture-like manner. This approach aligns with Mexico’s current political model, where frequent changes in leadership often result in inconsistencies in implementing long-term plans. By offering flexible solutions, the framework allows each administration to select interventions that align with their budget and objectives, while the remaining elements can be integrated as needed.

In this model, legibility is paramount, as governments seek tangible results for citizens. Driven by a commitment to social justice and clarity, we prioritized collaborative approaches to secure consensual community interventions. This master plan does not present a rigid transformation timeline constrained by political terms. Instead, it offers a dynamic, adaptable set of solutions for incremental, non-linear implementation, aiming to create an urban environment that fosters resilience, equity, and well-being for all inhabitants.

ENVIRONMENT

1. Location

2. Topography

3. Open Spaces

4. Weather

5. Water

Villahermosa consists of two municipalities of Tabasco: Centro and Nacajuca. While the city has primarily developed within the municipality of Centro, the metropolitan delimitation exercise conducted by SEDATU in 2020 incorporated both entities based on the principles of “physical conurbation” and “100,000 or more inhabitants.”

metrópoli Villahermosa

municipios Tabasco

estados de México

However, it is important for us to provide the nuances of this distinction. While the southern part of Nacajuca is nearly fully conurbated with the city of Villahermosa through predominantly residential areas, the western part of Nacajuca possesses an economy, history, culture, and overall functionality that are entirely distinct from its southern counterpart. Throughout our work, we will maintain this distinction as a sign of respect to the individuality of the municipality (its culture and ancestry) while also acknowledging the urban expansion that has extended from the municipality of Centro into the peripheries of Nacajuca.

golfo de México

localidades urbanas

localidades rurales

municipios Tabasco

estados de México fondos

golfo de México

Guatemala

localidades urbanas Villahermosa

urban localities (Villahermosa)

localidades urbanas Villahermosa

metrópoli Villahermosa

Villahermosa Metropolis

localidades rurales Villahermosa

rural localities (Villahermosa)

municipios Tabasco

Tabasco

Guatemala x México

municipios Tabasco

Tabasco municipalities

Gulf of Mexico

golfo de México

RURAL AND URBAN

According to the 2020 National Population Census defines rural entities as those with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. The entities with the highest rural populations are Chiapas, Oaxaca, Hidalgo, and, in fourth place, Tabasco, with 41.5% of its population residing in rural localities. In the figures below, we can observe the vast number of rural localities in Tabasco and their distribution. Most urban localities are concentrated in the central part of the state, near Villahermosa, while the peripheries are predominantly composed of rural localities, with some municipalities having relatively small urban centers

metrópoli Villahermosa

municipios Tabasco

estados de México

golfo de México

localidades urbanas

urban localities

localidades rurales

Guatemala

rural localities

municipios Tabasco

Tabasco municipalities

estados de México

Mexico states

fondos

golfo de México

Gulf of Mexico

golfo de México

Guatemala

loca

mun estad

fondos golf

Gua

Elaborated using data from SCINCE 2020

Lack oi services and infrastructure in rural municipalities

Efectos de inundaciones en localidades rurales

TOPOGRAPHY

The figure above illustrates the variations in elevation above sea level within the city of Villahermosa. The hills located in the eastern part of the city serve as a comparative reference, allowing us to appreciate the predominantly flat nature of the city. The city’s gradual decrease in elevation toward the center is what causes flooding when water flows down from the Chiapas mountain range. In this map, we can observe the urban areas of Villahermosa, its bodies of water, and its topography, helping us understand where the flood-prone areas are located.

topografía localidades urbanas

xxx

topografía localidades urbanas

cuerpos de agua Villahermosa

topographic lines urban localities bodies of water Villahermosa

cuerpos de agua Villahermosa

MANGROVES AND WETLANDS:

The figure to the right highlights the crucial role of mangrove, popal, and reed bed vegetation around Villahermosa’s water bodies, as well as their proximity to urbanized areas. Historically, the city benefited from these ecosystems, which acted as natural water purifiers and flood buffers. However, urban expansion has reduced their ability to perform these functions. We therefore advocate for the conservation of these areas and propose planning strategies that manage urban growth to promote density while minimizing environmental disruption.

trees

natural reserve and bodies of water

Parques

parks

Edificios

buildings

Vegetation in Villahermosa

Produced QGis using data from: OSM, QGIS 2022

Manglares, Popales y Tulares

Árboles

Reserva Natural y Cuerpos de Agu

mangroves, popals and reeds

HEAT ISLAND EFFECT

To study the urban heat island effect in Villahermosa, we created temperature maps using site data. The first map, based on maximum temperatures of 44°C recorded in July, shows limited areas of extreme heat. However, the second map, with a maximum of 37°C, reveals nearly the entire city experiences high temperatures. This comparison highlights the significant heat exposure residents face, which impacts labor productivity and health. A second study focused on building temperatures to identify “heat islands.” These areas, typically found in the city’s outskirts, contrast with cooler central spaces that benefit from trees and water bodies. Buildings in central areas experience less heat, while those in rural zones are more affected.

5.5°

Elaborated using data from CEM (Continuo de Elevaciones Mexicano), 2024

URBAN HEAT INDEX (degrees celsius)

Elaborated using data from CEM (Continuo de

Elevaciones Mexicano), 2024

zona Centro zona Nacajuca

As far back as the collective memory of the people of Tabasco reaches, water has been a force to be feared. However, this was not always the case. The city is surrounded by lagoons, wetlands, and streams, with its aquifer system linked to the basin of the Usumacinta and Grijalva rivers. Originating in the Guatemalan mountains, these rivers flow gradually toward the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to the region’s exposure to heavy rainfall, mountain runoff, and frequent river surges, leading to significant flooding.

The abundance of water was not always a problem. In the early days of the city, there are testimonies indicating that the seasonal floods actually benefited the fertility of the land, supporting agricultural industries.

“The rivers were the open veins of a dynamic trade that made possible the splendor of steamships and cayucos coming and going nearby. The horse-drawn roads were rarely used, as during the rainy season they would be submerged up to four meters under water,” (The Hell Beneath the Water in Tabasco).

However, it has been some time now since the growing population settled in previously agricultural areas, and as a result, water has become an increasingly significant concern for the locals. There have been major floods in Tabasco, but it was in 2007 that the overflowing waters covered nearly 62% of the state. Since then, the threat of intensifying floods due to climate change has loomed over the people of Tabasco.

Visualization of the Grijalva River Basin (ORU- Oficina de Resiliencia Urbana)

Ecological disasters in Tabasco highlight the consequences of unplanned development and settlement expansion. The region has suffered significant environmental degradation, including soil and water contamination, and the confinement of rivers that once flowed freely. These changes stem from deforestation for livestock grazing, unregulated infrastructure projects, and uncontrolled urban growth. Infrastructure like drains, canals, and roads has restricted water flow, exacerbating flooding by concentrating water in specific areas. The 2007 flood was classified as one of the largest disasters in the country. Data indicates that the total number of homes estimated to have sustained various types of damage was 2,289 (representing 0.4% of the total in the state). However, considering that the floodwaters covered approximately 62% of the state at the time, this figure appears to be severely underreported. This is without mentioning the countless stories of friends and family members from Tabasco who experienced personal losses during the 2007 flood. In the figure below, we decided to simulate the flood-prone areas within Villahermosa (data supported by the flood risk zones map from the same atlas) and cross-referenced these data with the city’s buildings. The map reveals at least 53,744 buildings in flood-prone zones. While not all of these structures may have sustained severe damage, it is highly probable that most of them had water enter their homes during the catastrophe, inevitably causing damage to these properties.

Urban Sprawl in Villahermosa from 1984-2022

Google Earth Timelapse 2022

URBAN SPRAWL AND FLOODING

The city’s dependence on the Grijalva River for drinking water has been hindered by high turbidity levels, leading to frequent shutdowns at the water treatment plant. In response, a 4.1-kilometer underground aqueduct is being constructed to channel water from the Carrizal River to address water shortages exacerbated by urban growth. Both the Risk Atlas and the proposed aqueduct project take a preventive approach to water management. However, instead of focusing on preventing water influx during floods, the objective should be to work with the water, learning from its natural behaviors to create an integrated, sustainable solution that aligns with the environment and fosters community.

Buildings at flood risk in Villahermosa

Elaborated using data from Atlas de Riesgos del Municipio de Centro 2015 and SCINCE 2020

edificios en riesgo de inundación

xxx

edificios en riesgo de inundación

Buildings at flood risk bodies of water

cuerpos de agua

open spaces

cuerpos de agua parques y camellones

parques y camellones

zona urbanizada

zonas inundables

urban spaces floodable areas

zonas inundables

edificios en riesgo d xxx

cuerpos de agua parques y camellon

zona urbanizada

zonas inundables

plantas tratadoras de agua

ruta del acueducto proyectada

cárcamos xxx

pozo

tanques elevados de agua

plantas tratadoras de agua

ruta del acueducto proyectada

cárcamos xxx

pozo

zona de extracción proyectada

zona de extracción actual

parques xxx

cuerpos de agua xxx

planta de tratamiento actual

tanques elevados de agua

zona de extracción proyectada

zona de extracción actual parques xxx

vialidades (potenciales rutas de distribución)

existing water treatment plant

ruta actual

zona urbanizada water treatment plants projected aqueduct tanks wells elevated water tanks projected extraction zone actual extraction zone parks bodies of water roads (potential distribution routes)

cuerpos de agua xxx

existing route urban area

vialidades (potenciales rutas de

planta de tratamiento actual

ruta actual

zona urbanizada