Presidente Masaryk Avenue is located in Polanco, a neighborhood in central Mexico City designed originaly in the 1930s which has become the most exclusive commercial area in the country. Everyday it attracts national and international buyers who also find in this area a place to relax, walk around, eat at nice restaurants and meet friends for social evenings. 

However, in recent years this important corridor started to face the competition of other commercial options developed at a fast pace in Mexico City. At the same time, this avenue and the stores located along Presidente Mazaryk faced the regular urban problems of any big city, such as safety issues, heavy traffic and informal commerce. 

For this reason, the associations of Business Owners of Presidente Masaryk Avenue, approached BGP Arquitectura - a Mexican firm founded by the architect Bernardo Gómez-Pimienta, with the idea of working on a regeneration project as to give a new face to this commercial and touristic corridor.

"This regeneration project initiative included 17 neighbors associations, 5 retail associations and 5 restaurant associations in order to better understand the requirements and expectations of all of those involved. We understood that Masaryk Avenue was the heart of the neighborhood and a key component to improve the area," detailed the firm in the architectural description of the project. 

The regeneration of Presidente Masaryk Avenue focused on the recuperation of public space and the widening of the sidewalks so cars could drop people without interfering with the traffic flow. 

The project also had the goal of enabling accesibility for everyone along its 3 kilometres length as well as increasing the safety in the area by getting all electrical and telecommunication infrastructure underground, placing security cameras along the corridor and providing more efficient lighting.

By using concrete pavements it was also  possible to reduce the pollution in the area at the same time that high resistance materials such as granite in light grey colour helped to reduce the heat-island effect on the sidewalks. Along the corridor, people can also find new urban furniture where they can seat, relax and enjoy the view. 

"This project is an example of public and private cooperation in urban regeneration, improving not only Presidente Masaryk Avenue but the whole neighborhood," said the architectural firm. 

All images © Jorge Navarro, courtesy of BGP Arquitectura

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