This thesis addresses the spatial strategy for designing green and blue infrastructure in the metropolitan area of Monterrey (MAM), responding to the increasing environmental impacts of climate change. Droughts and heat waves in the MAM are already affecting residents, causing heat stress and water scarcity. These challenges can be mitigated through the implementation of green and blue infrastructure within the city.
The main research question is: “What spatial strategy can be used to implement green and blue infrastructure in order to tackle droughts and heat stress in the metropolitan area of Monterrey?” By doing so, the thesis aims to enhance both the ecological improvement and the quality of public space to improve residents' quality of life.
Initially, the study focuses on understanding the natural systems in and around the MAM. An integrated approach analyzes terrain, water structures, soil, vegetation, and ecosystems to create landscape and ecological design principles as the foundation for green and blue infrastructure.
Subsequently, new design principles are derived to mitigate heat stress and drought in the MAM, emphasizing the restoration of ecological balance through the creation of an ecological mosaic consisting of green patches and corridors connecting them.
Specific strategies, such as the 300-meter rule for green space accessibility, are tested and implemented to transform urban areas into a network of recreational green spaces and green corridors.
The case study focuses on San Bernabé, chosen for its significant socio-economic and environmental challenges. By leveraging the watershed beneath this district as a foundation, the strategy integrates upstream water storage and downstream water retention. Therefore, six green and blue infrastructure principles guide the spatial design for San Bernabé, emphasizing upstream water storage and collection in reservoirs and downstream cooling and retention with continuous flowing streams and vegetation.
The resulting metropolitan vision, spatial design, and detailed plans and a phasing program, envisions a transformed urban landscape with increased accessible green spaces and corridors supported by sustainable water resources. This comprehensive approach aims to mitigate the increasing environmental challenges Monterrey is facing.