Xochimilco Ecological Park in Mexico City, Mexico Wins Landmark Award from ASLA

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has announced that Xochimilco Ecological Park in Mexico City, Mexico, designed by the landscape architecture firm Grupo de Diseño Urbano S.C., has won the ASLA 2024 Landmark Award.

The Landmark Award is bestowed upon a distinguished landscape architecture project completed between 15 and 50 years ago that retains its original design integrity and contributes many benefits to the surrounding community.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, the 3000 hectare cultural landscape of the Chinampas region is home to a sustainable agriculture system that is prehispanic in origin. The original park project in 1993 and the 2021 rehabilitation was completed in partnership with the city government of Mexico City.

The 277 hectare park is crossed by Anillo Periférico Sur road, bifurcating it into two sections: The northern section with the Plant and Flower Market and the Cuemanco Sports Park, and the southern section where the Xochimilco Ecological Park including the Huetzalin and Acitlalin lakes are connected to the broader Xochimilco chinampa area. The park is home to more than 200 species of native and migratory birds and hosts 2.5 million visitors annually.

Since 2004, the wetlands of Xochimilco have been part of the RAMSAR sites list, a designation established by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

"In the midst of the prehispanic "Chinampa" agricultural district, Xochimilco Ecological Park resurges and revitalizes the marvelous biodiversity of the ancestral lacustrian landscape," said Mario Schjetnan, Founder, Grupo de Diseño Urbano S.C.

"In landscape architecture we talk a lot about honoring the history and cultural significance of the land-and this project is an exceptional example of that principle in action," said ASLA President SuLin Kotowicz, FASLA, PLA. "Congratulations to Mario and Grupo de Diseño Urbano S.C. and thank you for your dedication and commitment to this iconic landscape."

The Landmark Award was announced as part of the ASLA 2024 Professional Awards. This year, thirty-nine winners in multiple categories showcase innovation and represent the highest level of achievement in the landscape architecture profession. Read more about all of the award winners here.

Award recipients and their clients will be honored in person at the Awards Ceremony at the ASLA 2024 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C., October 6-9. Media are invited to attend; please email [email protected] for credentials.

Members of the media please contact [email protected] to request hi-res images

The 2024 Professional Awards Jury includes:

Jury 1: General Design, Residential Design, Urban Design & Landmark Award

Chair Jury 1: Jennifer Nitzky, FASLA, Studio HIP

Members:

• Michelle Delk, FASLA, Snohetta
• Kyle Fiddelke, FASLA, OJB
• John Gendall, Chapter Agency
• Devon Henry, Hon ASLA, Team Henry Enterprises, LLC
• Marc Miller, ASLA, Penn State
• Chelina Odbert, Hon. ASLA, Kounkuey Design Initiative
• Michele Shelor, ASLA, Colwell Shelor LA
• Lance Thies, ASLA, City of Lockport

• Jury 2: Analysis & Planning ASLA / IFLA Global Impact Award, Research, Communications & Landmark Award

  Chair Jury 2: Glenn LaRue Smith, FASLA, PUSH Studio LLC

  Members:

• Luis Gonzalez, ASLA, EYA, LLC
• Anyeley Hallova, Adre
• Rebecca Leonard, ASLA, Lionheart Studio
• Frank Edgerton Martin, Frank Edgerton Martin
• Mary Pat McGuire, ASLA, University of Illinois
• Ramon Murray, FASLA, Murray Design Group
• Marion Pressley, FASLA, Pressley Associates
• Darneka Waters, ASLA, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

• IFLA Representative: Monica Pallares, IFLA America Region

  CELA Representative: Dongying Li, Texas A&M University

  LAF Representative: Austin Allen, ASLA, University of Texas at Arlington

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