Mexico City's Huerto Roma Verde - the Ultimate Gathering Place

Huerto Roma Verde is a combination square, market, and event space. It is built and managed by members of the community and is a perfect example of Placemaking.

Late last year, we held our first Global Placemaking Summit in Mexico City, marking the growth of Placemaking into an international movement with wide-reaching impacts. It was an inspiring event with Placemaking leaders from all around the world coming together to work on developing the 40 agendas that will define the movement going forward.

The main venue for the Summit was something unlike anything we’ve seen before. It is the ultimate square – a multi-layered hub and a spectacular example of Placemaking.

Huerto Roma Verde began as an urban garden after a natural disaster toppled buildings that once stood at its location. In ten years, it has been transformed into a thriving biosocial ecosystem and center of community life with a restaurant, outdoor market, meeting rooms, conference hall, pottery studio, fountain, music room, and so much more. It is a place where everyone in the community can find solace, entertainment, and connection.

These are the kinds of places the Placemaking movement aims to help communities create – public places that are inviting and accessible to all, that offer a variety of things to do and experience, that are interesting and joyful, and that create a setting for social life, relaxation, and fun. This is what Placemaking is all about.

A Tour Around Huerto Roma Verde

At the entrance of the Huerto, flowers and decorations draw people's attention to its doors. Its various programs and events are advertised to passersby who are invited to participate.

Around its periphery, refreshments, shops and cafés are set up, activating the border and livening up the sidewalk. Murals, flowers, and seating turn the external wall of the Huerto into a vibrant destination in itself.

The entrance "hall" creates a special arrival experience with its attractive design made from blue bottles and yellow flowers. Unique entrances like this create a sense of excitement for visitors. They dignify a place by celebrating the process of entering it and building anticipation about what it has to offer.

Square and Market - The Central Gathering Place

Inside, shortly past the entrance, you come upon the central gathering area – the main square, if you will. Here, ceremonies are hosted and people sing or dance when the moment calls for it, vendors set up their wares, and people gather to connect with each other in a variety of ways.

To the side of the square, there is a walkway where market stalls are set up and a variety of goods are sold by local artisans. This area is alive with colors, art and lights that decorate tables full of hand-crafted treasures and treats.

One one side of the square is a wonderful restaurant offering delectable local specialties with plentiful seating and a vibrant atmosphere. It's a great place to work, study, and connect. It is partially open-air but a sturdy roof makes it a perfect place to visit in any weather.

The Central Garden and Discussion Center for Community Meetings

At the center of the Huerto is a lush garden shaped like a circular labyrinth with a fountain at its center. It is a beautiful place to get lost in, exploring all the different plants and flowers, and the sound of rushing water makes the area feel serene.

Work Areas - Where the Meetings of the Placemaking Summit Were Held

Around the Huerto's central garden are semi-open "meeting rooms" covered on top to protect from the elements, but with walls made of cables and wide openings at the front. This design allows for some privacy while simultaneously allowing the groups that meet to be integrated with and connected to the broader space.

In these "rooms" is where we held many of our agenda development sessions. The setting was perfect for brainstorming, connecting, and collaborating.

The Dome - Presentation Hall

One of the landmarks of the Huerto is the Dome where presentations are held. A uniquely shaped structure made of natural materials, it provides the perfect venue for presentations, award ceremonies, and lectures.

**An artist created real time illustrations of people coming from different parts of the world**

Chickens and cats and everything else

It's not only people that enjoy Huerto Roma. Chickens and cats have their own corners of the Huerto, complete with housing and play areas. This sends the message that the Huerto is a place for everyone.

**Chickens are respected residents here**

**Even the cat was part of the discussions**

Art Spaces

The Huerto reflects the people who use it through various murals and art pieces made by community members. Having the power to shape and decorate their space gives the community a sense of ownership over it.

Artists

The artists of the Huerto are even given their own studios and outdoor creation areas where they can work on their art. There is a pottery area and a music studio. It is a space that fosters creativity, culture, and self-expression.

Outside, the sidewalk along the Huerto is lined with stalls

Outside of the garden there are various food vendors, cafés, shops and murals. This activates the Huerto's borders and draws people in to enter the garden.

Bench on the Corner

As part of our event, we put a bench on the corner to show how easy and transformative a single bench can be. As soon as we set it up, people started sitting there, from morning to evening, day after day. It's that easy to bring life to a space!

Global Placemaking Event

We had a wonderful experience connecting with our Global Placemaking network in Huerto Roma Verde, in large part because the way the venue is designed facilitated conversations and collaboration. Being able to interact freely in such a natural, creative, multi-layered setting was inspiring. It breaks barriers and erases borders, bringing us closer.

This special venue is the kind of place that we in the Placemaking Movement are striving to create more of all around the world. Being immersed in it for our Summit was a true joy and we hope to return soon.