From Principles to Practice DIGITAL

Revitalizing Lake Texcoco2020-present Mexico City, Mexico (Lake Texcoco Basin) Iñaki Echeverria Presented by the World Economic Forum The Lake Texcoco Ecological Park, known as Parque Ecológico Lago de Texcoco (PELT), is a transformative urban ecological restoration project in Mexico City. Inaugurated on August 30, 2024 by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the park spans approximately 14,300 hectares (35,300 acres), making it one of the largest urban parks in the world. Located in the historically significant Lake Texcoco basin, the park serves as both a critical ecological reserve and a vibrant public space. This initiative is founded on a shift away from the region’s long history of hydrophobic engineering, which has sought to control and suppress water since the fall of Tenochtitlán over 500 years ago. Today, a new vision is emerging that seeks to heal the ecological wounds of the valley, with PELT representing the first major project to put this restorative approach into action. The park was created following the cancellation of the contro- versial new Mexico City Airport project, which would have further disrupted the area’s delicate ecology. Instead, a visionary plan for adaptive re-use, led by architect Iñaki Echeverría and supported by local and federal government agencies, aims to restore native eco- systems and provide a sustainable space for recreation, education and environmental stewardship. The ecological park integrates advanced flood management, ecosystem restoration and the creation of green spaces, transform- ing a site once threatened by industrial development into a symbol of resilience and regeneration. The project seeks to balance envi- ronmental conservation, cultural preservation and urban resilience while providing areas for public recreation, education and commu - nity engagement. The park now supports over 300 species of flora and fauna, including more than 150,000 migratory aquatic birds, thriving in its diverse ecosystems. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DBQS GOVERNANCE ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY SENSE OF PLACE SIZE 35,300 acres (14,300 hectares) COST Estimated at $100 million (ongoing)