fabriK·B, a young architectural office based in Mexico and Berlin shared with us their proposal for the Parque Bicentenario Estero 2010 (Bicentennial Park), located in San José del Cabo, Baja California, Mexico. They received a special mention for the Landscape Architecture Urban/Social/ecological structure at the d3 Award Natural Systems 2010. More images and architect’s description after the break.
“An ecosystem of great relevance for the region, from an hydrological as well as a biological perspective, as it supports a great number of unique flora species which constitute important corridors and refuges for wildlife. One of the main characteristics of the site is the San José oasis and estuary, as it constitutes one of the greatest epicontinental environments of the Baja California Peninsula. The characteristic vegetation is formed by typical oasis species such as palms and aquatic species. It plays an important role for migratory species, as it is the last resting stop for aquatic bird species migrating to areas in the south of Mexico, Central America or South America. The estuary is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and a total of 217 species of waterfowl have been registered in the site, of which 97 are migratory.”
Sistema Ripario de la Cuenca y Estero de San José del Cabo Date listed as RAMSAR site – 02/02/08
URBAN/SOCIAL/ECOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
Parque Bicentenario Estero 2010 / San José del Cabo
The city it’s supposed to be a common place for all inhabitants therefore public space is much more valuable with the virtue of free access and to be a “rendez vous” for all. Green areas have been working as an attractor. There for the value of the land rises as well as the Estero is one of the most important natural reserves in Baja California and is forgotten by authorities. Our aim is to study the history of the Estero to understand the lack of the first Indian settlements since this has been natural way that the water reach their way to the see from Sierra la Laguna.
This is one of the most important oasis and unique Ecosystem all over dry lands in Baja California. Now the site is abandoned and in risk to disappear. CAPALab by combining 2 main attractors (activities + green public areas) wanted to bring back the local population and visitors to use it and make it on their own.
Be part of their conservation with the identity of the site rises. This must be a park that brings together leisure, teaching, creativity to be in contact with nature and aware of nature. We believe that if the Estero has no public attractors will find new developers who fail to appreciate and respect community, environment and spirit of the land and will build a big luxurious Hotel on this land.
It’s for common interest to resurrect the wetlands systems in San Jose’s Estuary for logical and ecological reasons and specially if the local community it’s part of this transformation.
“Think Global Act Local…”
