Case Studies 

Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

*Nominee 

El Huerto DistritoTec

Monterrey

Mexico

Contributed by 
Project for Public Spaces
 on 
May 1, 2024

What makes it Great?

Why it doesn't work?

In February 2016, a team of Sustainable Development Engineering students from Tecnologico de Monterrey University turned a vacant lot into a community garden in the Monterrey neighborhood of Colonia Tecnologico, one of 24 neighborhoods integrating DistritoTec, an urban regeneration polygon initiative by the University. Set to last one year, the garden also included social, learning, and working space. The project goal was to enable a space for community engagement and learning topics related to urban farming. And, as part of DistritoTec, a top priority of activating the space was to increase public safety within it by making it more usable. The space featured wooden benches, picnic tables, and wooden wire spools repurposed as tables for social and workspaces. Volunteers built the two semi-enclosed greenhouses using PVC pipes, wooden pallets, and concrete buckets. The project was a true community effort, utilizing volunteer power to build and maintain the space, technical knowledge from the University’s experts, and additional support from local social service groups. Through the year-long activation, the community was not just able to engage with the space’s multiple uses, but imagine it’s potential beyond the activation. By diligently documenting the experience, organizers hope to encourage its replication in other underutilized spaces around the city.

Access & Linkages

Comfort & Image

Uses & Activities

Sociability

How Light?

The space featured recycled and easily movable materials such as wooden benches and tables, PVC pipes, wooden pallets, and small concrete buckets.

How Quick?

The project took two and a half months to build and it lasted one year.

How Cheap?

The DistritoTec initiative’s social project fund provided the $4,500 USD project budget.

History & Background

Related Links & Sources

Images: DistritoTec

El Huerto DistritoTec
El Huerto DistritoTec
El Huerto DistritoTec
El Huerto DistritoTec
El Huerto DistritoTec
El Huerto DistritoTec
El Huerto DistritoTec
El Huerto DistritoTec

*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

NOMINATE A PLACE

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