A Forgotten Industrial Zone Reborn - CIVAC Linear Park Transforms Jiutepec, Morelos

In Jiutepec, Morelos, a forgotten industrial zone didn’t just get cleaned up, it got reimagined into CIVAC Linear Park, where skate wheels roll past centuries-old trees.

The complicated part? The site was already packed with endemic trees, including specimens over 50 years old, and the design had to work around them instead of bulldozing the past. Rozana Montiel split the civic center into separate buildings tucked into natural clearings, then connected everything with terraces, gardens, and shaded walkways built from Texcal stone and sand-colored pigmented concrete.

Now the place is a community hub, with a circular forum that turns into a seasonal fountain and a skate park that keeps youth outside.

The park has a skate park

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When the civic center opened in 2022, residents realized the underused, unsafe land was finally doing something besides sitting there.</p>

Nature and architecture coexist throughout the project, guided by a principle of minimal environmental impact.

“We found a large number of endemic trees in the area that were over 50 years old. The challenge was to incorporate all the existing trees into the design,” the project description explains.

Montiel’s approach was to preserve and work around these trees. The civic center, which includes government offices and social service facilities, was divided into separate buildings nestled within natural clearings. Built with Texcal stone and sand-colored pigmented concrete, these structures are interlinked by terraces, gardens, and shaded walkways that harmonize with the surrounding landscape.

The civic center

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The tree-first plan paid off fast, because those over-50-year endemic trees became the backbone of terraces, gardens, and shaded paths.</p>

The park features platforms and galleries, a ceremonial hall, a multipurpose circular forum, sports courts, a playground, and a skate park, all designed to reclaim underutilized and unsafe areas for community use. The circular forum doubles as a seasonal fountain and public pool, a welcome feature during the region’s hottest days. Its popularity has boosted local commerce and helped breathe life into the surrounding neighborhood.

The civic center has become a true community hub. Inside, a spacious library lined with bookshelves and natural wood design offers a peaceful place for learning. Residents also benefit from a cafeteria, a first aid station, and workshops offering psychological and speech therapy support. Outside, children play while youth engage in BMX or skateboarding at the dedicated park.

And if family guilt is getting loud, read about the backlash after refusing to lend money to parents.

Architect Rozana Montiel prioritized keeping as many of the original trees on the site as possible

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And once the multipurpose circular forum started acting like a seasonal fountain and public pool, local commerce around the park got a noticeable boost.</p>

Urban Revitalization Insights

Even inside the library with its natural wood design, the vibe carried over, while kids played and youth hit BMX and skateboarding at the dedicated park.</p>

Since its inauguration in 2022, the CIVAC Linear Park has received national and international recognition. It won the ADUS LATAM 2023/2024 Award from France’s Saint-Gobain Foundation for sustainable design, the Obras Cemex 2023 International Edition Award in the Social Value category, and a nomination at the 2024 National Biennial of Mexican Architecture.

It is also in the running for the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize from the Illinois Institute of Technology, honoring excellence in architectural design across the Americas. Beyond accolades, the park’s true success lies in how it reintegrates government, community, and environment. It has become a symbol of what thoughtful urban renewal can achieve, a space that not only beautifies but heals and connects a city’s social fabric.

The transformation of the CIVAC Linear Park stands as a testament to the potential of urban revitalization in enhancing community life. This project not only reclaims a once-neglected area but also integrates sustainability and accessibility, making it a model for similar initiatives. The park's design reflects a commitment to community engagement, inviting residents to take part in the revitalization process and ensuring that their needs are met.

Ongoing assessments and community feedback will be crucial as the park evolves. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Jiutepec can maintain the vibrancy of the park and adapt its offerings to better serve the local population. This approach will not only solidify the success of the park but also inspire other communities seeking to transform their neglected spaces into thriving urban environments.

In Jiutepec, the park didn’t just revive a space, it revived everyone’s weekends.

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