Latin American Identity through landscape
Dive into Latin American Identity through landscape, from its pre-Columbian roots to the challenges of urban growth, with María Sansores.
The map of Latin America is marked by stories of transformation, resilience and diversity. When pre-Columbian civilizations developed their first settlements, they domesticated the
land and forged an identity in deep connection with their environment, bringing not only new species and customs, but introducing a cultural and natural exchange that would plant the seeds of what we know today as the Latin American identity.
When pre-Columbian civilizations developed their first settlements, they domesticated the land and forged an identity in deep connection with their environment.
Monte Fitz Roy, Patagonia Argentina / Mount Fitz Roy, Patagonia Argentina Fotografía / Photography: María Sansores
An identity that would define the interactions between its diverse landscapes and the cultures that inhabit this great territory. From the arid deserts of northern Mexico to the endless pampas of Argentina, Latin American landscapes have not only been scenarios, but key actors in the configuration of societies. But Latin America is only one fragment in this complex global tapestry.
As cultures have intertwined over the centuries, they have not only changed their
languages, traditions and ways of life, but have given rise to new economies, innovative ideas and unique artistic movements. With the passage of time, ancestral agricultural systems have coexisted with the dynamics of contemporary metropolises, the narrative of the Latin American landscape is extremely rich and constantly evolving as the very roots that sustain it.
The narrative of the Latin American landscape is extremely rich and constantly evolving as the very roots that sustain it.
Nowadays, the Latin American landscape faces complex challenges. The accelerated growth of cities has generated tensions between urban development and the preservation of natural environments. Cities such as São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Mexico City have expanded rapidly, integrating large rural and natural areas into their boundaries. These are symbols of progress, but also of the challenges that arise when the natural environment is forced to yield to unbridled urban growth.
Ipanema, Río de Janeiro
Fotografía / Photography: María Sansore
In recent years, however, there has been a significant shift in the way Latin Americans perceive their relationship with the landscape. Environmental problems, such as biodiversity loss and pollution, have spurred social and governmental movements to revalue natural spaces within urban environments. Sustainability has become a priority, and many cities are investing in initiatives that integrate the natural landscape into everyday life.
The development of parks and green areas within cities has been one of the main strategies to recover the link between the urban population and the natural environment. These spaces not only provide a necessary respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life, but also function as ecological lungs that participate in reducing environmental impacts. Projects such as the Chapultepec Environmental Culture Center in Mexico City, the Vitacura Green Infrastructure Plan in Chile, or the Burle Marx public space projects in Rio de Janeiro are examples of the effort to balance urban growth with landscape conservation.
In addition, there is a growing interest in so-called green fabrics, which seek to integrate vegetation into urban structures. Vertical gardens, ecological corridors and green roofs, such as those seen in Medellin, are some of the elements that are being incorporated into the contemporary architecture of Latin American cities.
The Latin American landscape, in all its diversity, will continue to be a central axis of our identity. As we face the challenges of urbanization and development, we also find in our land the opportunity to create a balance between the natural and the human. By caring for and preserving our landscapes, we are forging a future in which Latin America’s cultural and environmental richness can thrive in harmony.
