In collaboration with Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura, awa arquitectos unveil Parque El Jagüey, a public space project in Atlatlahucan, Morelos, Mexico, that revisits the historical water collection techniques of the region. The intervention aims to preserve and educate about the jagüey an artificial reservoir traditionally used for irrigation and human consumption The architects transform its last remaining example in the municipality into a contemplative and ecological landmark The jagüey—a term referring to land depressions or small reservoirs that store rainwater for livestock and domestic use—was once vital to rural communities but has become obsolete with the expansion of modern hydraulic infrastructure all images by Ana Paula Álvarez courtesy of awa arquitectos and Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura To counteract the disappearance of the jagüey, Mexico city-based awa arquitectos and Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura in this project which is part of Mexico’s Urban Improvement Program by the Secretariat of Agrarian seek to restore and integrate this element within a contemporary public space Designed as an educational and recreational hub the park features a restored water reservoir accessible via a gently sloping ramp that encircles the site Endemic vegetation islands foster biodiversity while an elevated observatory and wetland highlight the ecological significance of the area Parque El Jagüey fosters an appreciation for ancestral water management techniques while bringing a long-forgotten element of Mexican cultural heritage back to life Parque El Jagüey is a public space project in Atlatlahucan the intervention aims to preserve and educate about the jagüey revisiting the historical water collection techniques of the region | image by Miguel Cobos this artificial reservoir is traditionally used for irrigation and human consumption transforming its last remaining example in the municipality into an ecological landmark the jagüey was once vital to rural communities the term refers to land depressions or small reservoirs that store rainwater the jagüey is becoming obsolete with the expansion of modern hydraulic infrastructure the architects seek to restore and integrate this element within a contemporary public space name: Parque El Jagüey architect: awa arquitectos | @awa_arquitectos and Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura  location: Atlatlahucan photographers: Miguel Cobos, Ana Paula Álvarez | @anapaula__a designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Architecture practice AWA Arquitectos together with the Regional Architecture Laboratory have been in charge of reconditioning an old watering hole as Parque El Jagüey an open space for the enjoyment of the community as part of the Urban Improvement Program of the municipal seat of Atlatlahucan The project recovers the memory and part of the original infrastructural sense of the Jaguëys that were replaced over time with the arrival of new hydraulic infrastructures The project seeks to rescue this traditional typology that uses water as a watering hole providing them with a new program that allows them to be used by students and neighbors of nearby towns as a recreational area The project by AWA Arquitectos + Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura for Jagüey Park consists of a space that includes a water reservoir surrounded by endemic vegetation and species for study and conservation thus serving as a space rich in biodiversity that makes it a space for observing nature as well as a place of integration for the community With a circular geometry to be appreciated and function as a living space the park focuses attention on the water reservoir which is connected by a ramp that surrounds most of the land and connects the different levels of the park with each other El Jagüey Park by AWA Arquitectos + Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura Project description by AWA Arquitectos + Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura Jagüey is the generic term used to designate depressions in the terrain or small artificial dams that store rainwater and use it for livestock purposes The objective of these constructions is to use the water as a watering hole for at least four months of the year With the arrival of modern hydraulic infrastructure there is only one jagüey within the municipal capital of Atlatlahucan As part of the Urban Improvement Program (PMU) promoted by the Secretariat of Agrarian Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU) the project seeks to rescue this type of dam to prevent its disappearance As an integral part of the preservation project the creation of a surrounding park was proposed so that it can be appreciated and used as a public space by the people of the community and by students from nearby towns The intention is for it to be a living space in which although its main function is no longer to supply water it becomes a place of reflection and contemplation The architectural program includes the water tank - which is accessed by means of a ramp that surrounds most of the land - a park with endemic vegetation and species for study and conservation the community can enjoy an open and safe environment at any time of the day The park is home to a wide variety of plant species that create islands of biodiversity; which allows the Jagüey to be a space for observing nature and integrating the community with the environment AWA Arquitectos Lead architects.- Alejandro Aparicio + Alin Wallach Total area: 6,161.80 sqm.Roofed area: 66 sqm Ana Paula Álvarez AWA Arquitectos is an architecture and design studio based in Mexico City founded in 2011 by Alejandro Aparicio and Alin Wallach that focuses on architectural design Among their most significant works are Casa Manzanillo Colinas a residence with a bioclimatic project in Colima; Casa Santa Fe a sustainable project in Mexico City; and Parque El Jagüey a public space in Morelos that rescues an old water tank The studio has received recognition in different media for its commitment to quality and sustainability Archive Art Work on a long-opposed highway in Morelos is set to be completed in August President López Obrador said in his regular morning news conference on Wednesday The 34.2-kilometer modernization of the La Pera-Cuautla highway is set to ease congestion for residents of seven of the state’s municipalities which runs roughly 20 kilometers north of the state capital Cuernavaca to 45 kilometers east of the city is being widened from two lanes to four and is expected to benefit the municipalities of Cuernavaca as well as drivers from Puebla and Mexico City The project was planned by former president Felipe Calderón’s government and initiated in the administration of Enrique Peña Nieto It suffered several judicial setbacks due to opposition from activists and residents who accused engineers of passing through woodland and areas considered sacred President López Obrador supervised progress on the highway on Friday and we are going to deliver it … in August … It had not advanced for years,” he said on Monday The president insisted that the expansion was necessary “In one way or another a highway interrupts and interferes with a life of meditation and tranquility … It was necessary work because there is a lot of traffic taking care not to be destructive,” he said the work was more justifiable than a previous proposal The Transport Ministry reported in October that the work was 82.3% complete It said at the time that the investment was 4.4 billion pesos (US $215 million) It also detailed that the journey along the modernized stretch would take 30 minutes The project’s progress is more positive news for the president after the inauguration of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) on March 21 which is to connect the country’s southeastern states of Tabasco faces legal challenges and opposition from environmental activists With reports from Reforma and Proceso  ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC Constant extortion of public transportation operators has now triggered the formation of self-defense forces in at least nine Morelos municipalities Residents of Totolapan, Tlalnepantla, Tlayacapan and Atlatlahucan formed self-defense forces last month to combat rising levels of extortion and other crimes allegedly committed by a gang known as La Maña Milenio said today that civilian security groups are now operating as well in the municipalities of Tetela del Volcán Zacualpan and Yautepec and that residents of Temoac Jonacatepec and Axochiapan have attended meetings at which they expressed their willingness to participate in community-based security operations In Tlayacapan and Tlalnepantla — both located in the north of the state — armed and masked civilians have set up checkpoints where they decide who can and can’t enter their municipalities Community guards in other municipalities have employed similar strategies although some are armed only with radios rather than weapons and work with authorities rather than outside the law who intervene in the case of someone suspicious [being detected],” said Jair Villanueva told Milenio that local authorities have decided to financially assist self-defense members who collaborate with official security forces so that their rudimentary blockades made out of sandbags can be replaced with formal security checkpoints equipped with cameras She said she was aware of the reports of extortion against local transportation operators but added that authorities couldn’t act because no official criminal complaints have been filed a municipality in the northeast of the state that borders both México state and Puebla local residents swung into action after twice being forced to collect 300,000 pesos (US $16,100) to pay off criminals threatening public transportation drivers and licensees residents also held a mass protest on the highway to Cuautla and for a while detained two municipal officials They also declared they would no longer make extortion payments to criminals a driver from Hueyapan was attacked by gangsters who warned him that the extortion payments would be permanent but residents continue to be defiant in their refusal to succumb to threats a Hueyapan resident and wife of the Tetela del Volcán municipal assistant said if they continue to make the payments extortion would become more widespread affecting not just transportation operators but also shopkeepers and farmers located to the south of Cuautla where residents claim organized crime has a stronghold a self-defense group has also sprung up to combat rising levels of extortion We’ve already put the first barricade in place in the neighborhood of Benito Juárez,” a masked self-defense leader known as El Comandante said in a video posted online “We’re going to continue neighborhood by neighborhood Autodefensas will go to every street [if that’s what’s needed] to bring confidence and security [to the people] We’re going to install loudspeakers and alarms so that if an asshole comes along and wants to charge extortion payments the alarms will go off and we’re already organized,” he continued If it’s a question of going to war with the government Source: Milenio (sp)