People Fixing the World Solving Mexico City's water crisis
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May 28, 2024 The podcast discusses Mexico City's water crisis due to a growing population and climate change. Scientists are using plants to clean sewage water, urban planners are redesigning the city's relationship with water, and an architect has created a park to absorb excess rainwater
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City Built On A Drained Lake
- Mexico City was built on drained Lake Texcoco, creating a basin that no longer absorbs rain naturally.
- Urban expansion and sealed surfaces force water into streets, causing floods while depleting groundwater.
Terraced Park Acts Like A Sponge
- Architect Loretta Castro-Rigura recreated Aztec-style terraces in a park to slow and absorb rainwater.
- The terraces use porous volcanic stone to hold water and filter it slowly into the aquifer.
Big Numbers, Uncertain Impact
- Loretta estimates her sponge projects return about 75 million litres yearly to the aquifer.
- Small, distributed green infrastructure can scale but individual projects' net impact is hard to measure.