“To establish a dialogue and respect for our Heritage in order to assure its continuous vitality”
Although the Municipality of San Pedro Garza García was founded in 1596—and established as a town in 1882—few citizens were aware of the historical and monumental value of its Historic Core. The project, led by the Municipal President and its residents, focused on the task of rehabilitating its urban heritage through a careful, multi-objective analysis that included four fundamental axes:
1. To conceive the pedestrian as the main actor in the urban realm. Specifically, the accessibility and pedestrian mobility of vulnerable communities: the older people; people with disabilities; school children and babies in strollers; widening sidewalks and safe crossings, ramps, and removing infrastructure obstacles.
2. To substantially improve the main public spaces by redesigning García Naranjo Park, with special playgrounds, youth exercise areas, and a gazebo-amphitheater for concerts and dances, neighborhood meetings, and cultural events. A shaded and landscaped haven for all ages, a place for meeting and relaxing.
3. To retain Plaza Juárez (main plaza) in its traditional civic character. Redesigned with landscaped flowerbeds, new trees, shaded seating areas, and the option of closing it off to vehicles for civic and popular celebrations using retractable bollards. The historical gazebo, along with the original lighting and benches, were restored. The plaza is energized through cultural activities, music, and a multimedia show.
4. To recover historical memory through interpretation panels with maps, texts, and old images. Archaeological restoration of the “Caja de Aguas”, a symbolic remnant of the municipality’s origins, and its irrigation “acequias”, which fed orchards and gardens. In addition to the restoration of the facades of historical houses, enhancing the architectural richness of the heritage site.
5. To introduce underground cabling, restoring views to mountains and monuments; planting of native trees and seating by widening sidewalks, pedestrian universal accessibility and mobility.
In short, the Old Town of San Pedro has been transformed from an insignificant historic center, unfriendly to pedestrians, lost in its hidden richness, into a beautiful, walkable, fresh, and green heritage site; worthy of being visited and experienced.
Rehabilitation of the Historic Center of San Pedro Garza García
Location: San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, México
Designer Credit:
GDU-Mario Schjetnan, General Director of project /
Área Común, Coordinator of project
Client: San Pedro Garza García Municipality
Collaborators/Other Consultants:
Mayor: Miguel Treviño de Hoyos
Responsible for architectural review and monitoring: IMPLANG (Javier Leal)
Infrastructure: NOLTE – Ing. Mario Villafán
Layout and leveling: ARSUAM – Ing. Armando Guerrero
Cost Engineering: ICARM – Ing José M Roldán
Structural Design: Grupo Clever – Ing. Enrique Clever
Lighting Design: 333 Luxes – Elías Cisneros
Images: Francisco Gómez Sosa / Amor Arquipolitécnico (Ariadna Hilario / Eduardo Simón) / San Pedro Garza García Municipality
Shortlisted in the 2025 WLA Awards – Cultural Landscape Award – Design Excellence category