{"id":29305,"date":"2026-10-28T17:41:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T23:41:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.landuum.com\/?p=29305"},"modified":"2026-10-28T17:53:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T23:53:34","slug":"architectural-interventions-in-a-restored-scree-slope-for-environmental-education-the-geopedregal-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.landuum.com\/en\/interventions\/architectural-interventions-in-a-restored-scree-slope-for-environmental-education-the-geopedregal-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Architectural interventions in a restored scree slope for environmental education: the Geopedregal project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mar\u00eda del Pilar Ortega Larrocea and colleagues present Architectural interventions in a restored scree slope for environmental education: the Geopedregal project<\/strong>, an ecological restoration initiative at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) that recovers the landscape of the lava flow from the Xitle volcano through landscape architecture interventions.<\/p>\n

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Figura 5. Espacios intervenidos con arquitectura de paisaje en el Geopedregal\/ Figure 5. Landscape architecture intervention areas in the Geopedregal
Fotograf\u00eda\/Photography: Archivo del Geopedregal<\/p><\/div>\n

When we talk about lava rocky fields, the first thing that comes to mind is a random scattering of rocks resulting from an eruption, without realising how important they are to our existence. The Geopedregal, at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), is an ecological restoration project that preserves the geo-ecosystem of the Xitle volcano\u2019s lava flow as a living classroom. But\u2026 How can landscape architecture contribute to this kind of project? Essentially, it seeks to strike a balance between natural and human environments, designing from existing natural features to ensure their conservation. The creation of spaces is essential for promoting physical and mental wellbeing, encouraging care for the environment, and fostering environmental awareness and education. The Geopedregal, the first geosite restored with a geosciences education programme, underwent three stages that shaped what it is today: a visitor site for learning about the geobiology of the San \u00c1ngel lava field ecosystem (Figure 1).<\/p>\n

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Figura 1. Etapas de restauraci\u00f3n del Geopedregal\/ Figure 1. Restoration stages of Geopedregal
Fotograf\u00eda\/Photography: Archivo del Geopedregal<\/p><\/div>\n

The first phase involved the removal of non-native species, rubble and rubbish, carried out mainly by hand with the help of numerous volunteers. Habitats were gradually uncovered, guided by the contours of the lava, and these were transformed through the reintroduction of native species whilst respecting existing ones, thereby restoring their biological memory (Figure 2) (Guilbaud et al., 2024). Subsequently, adjustments were made using machinery to remove the rubble used to construct the campus, and a palisade was built using volcanic rock stabilised with concrete, surrounding the hollows that had been cleared (Figure 3).<\/p>\n

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Figura 2. Descubrimiento de geoformas y reintroducci\u00f3n de especies nativas\/ Figure 2. Discovery of landforms and reintroduction of native species
Fotograf\u00eda\/Photography: Archivo del Geopedregal<\/p><\/div>\n

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Figura 3. Transformaciones y adecuaciones del entorno\/ Figure 3. Transformations and adaptations of the environment
Fotograf\u00eda\/Photography: Archivo del Geopedregal<\/p><\/div>\n

In the second phase, landscape architecture was applied to adapt the restored areas: there had always been a perimeter path around the site, which required constant maintenance to keep the exotic grass; this path needed to be made accessible and walkable. Pathways were planned to facilitate visitors\u2019 movement, plazas where they could rest and appreciate the site, and structures for storing materials. The sketches proposed a volcano-shaped storage shed, sunken areas to interact with the lava, and spaces for sitting and socialising (Figure 4). However, there are always constraints that alter projects, particularly budgetary ones: changes were made as work progressed, adapting the sites with simple finishes that blended into the surroundings (planters made of volcanic rock, concrete floors imitating lava flows, etc.); harmony, visibility and aesthetics of the landforms was always kept in (Figure 5).<\/p>\n

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Figura 4. Proyecto de intervenci\u00f3n de paisaje\/ Figure 4. Landscape intervention project
Fotograf\u00eda\/Photography: Arq. P. Erick Ram\u00f3n Hern\u00e1ndez<\/p><\/div>\n

To conclude the project, a final intervention is required; the proposal is to construct an amphitheatre that will meet the need for a space to welcome visitors and host outdoor lectures. As the Geopedregal is an ecological restoration project, it requires knowledge from many disciplines and benefits from the participation of students from various programmes who have carried out projects related to geo-education (B\u00e1ez-P\u00e9rez et al., 2025). The designs were executed by landscape architects undertaking professional placements; of particular note is their proposal to integrate the topography of a hollow, taking advantage of its acoustic insulation, and resolving a duct that will be integrated in the form of a volcano using existing construction materials (Figure 6).<\/p>\n

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Figura 6. Intervenci\u00f3n final para el proyecto Geopedregal\/ Figure 6. Final intervention for the Geopedregal project
Ilustraci\u00f3n\/ Illustration: Arq. Daniela Rosales Waybel y Arq. Montserrat Zarco<\/p><\/div>\n

In conclusion, the Geopedregal is an example of how landscape architecture can be applied to scree slopes by making the most of the environment\u2019s characteristics, whilst aiming to be as unobtrusive as possible. As a result, Geopedregal hosts numerous guided tours (https:\/\/geopedregal.geologia.unam.mx\/<\/a>): demonstration stops have been designed to highlight various aspects of the importance of these spaces for residents of southern Mexico City, serving as an open-air museum where they can learn about their history and significance.<\/p>\n

Acknowledgments: Arq. P. Erick Ram\u00f3n Hern\u00e1ndez. Conahcyt Redalyc Project 3015306. Dr. Patricia D\u00e1vila, Secretariat of Institutional Development, UNAM.<\/p>\n

About the authors:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mar\u00eda del Pilar Ortega Larrocea, researcher at the Institute of Geology, UNAM, who has devoted more than 25 years to the ecological restoration of lava rocky fields; creator and head of the Geopedregal Project.<\/p>\n

Rosales Waybel and Montserrat Zarco, Landscape Architecture students at the UNAM School of Architecture, who developed this project as part of their professional placements and social service.<\/p>\n

Silke Cram Heydrich, senior researcher at the Institute of Geography, UNAM, whose research focuses on soil.<\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/p>\n

B\u00e1ez P\u00e9rez, Leticia, Patricia Ortega Andeane, Mar\u00eda del Pilar Ortega Larrocea and Maricela Irepan Aguilar. \u201cEmociones sobre lava: Impacto emocional y diferencias entre participantes de una visita guiada por un pedregal restaurado de la UNAM\u201d. Revista Digital Internacional de Psicolog\u00eda y Ciencia Social<\/em> 11, no. 2 (2025). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.22402\/j.rdipycs.unam.e.11.2.2025.688.<\/p>\n

Guilbaud, Marie-No\u00eblle, Mar\u00eda del Pilar Ortega-Larrocea, Silke Cram and Benjamin van Wyk de Vries. \u201cXitle volcano geoheritage, Mexico City: raising awareness of natural hazards and environmental sustainability in active volcanic areas\u201d. Geoheritage <\/em>13, no. 1 (2021): 6. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12371-020-00525-9.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mar\u00eda del Pilar Ortega Larrocea and colleagues present Architectural interventions in a restored scree slope for environmental education: the Geopedregal project, an ecological restoration initiative at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) that recovers the landscape of the lava flow from the Xitle volcano through landscape architecture interventions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":502,"featured_media":29306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interventions"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t