Mexico City encompasses approximately 250 kilometers of railway lines throughout its metropolitan area. Four major national rail corridors converge in the city center, originating from Ciudad Juárez, Veracruz, Mérida, and Manzanillo. These railway systems have played a fundamental role in the country’s industrial development from the 19th century through the late 20th century. However, with the city's rapid expansion and the decline of agricultural and industrial zones in its core, many of these railway lines now fragment the urban fabric, creating neglected corridors within the city center. This unplanned urban growth also led to the encasement of many rivers that once flowed east to west through the city, aimed at maximizing land use. As a result, generations of citizens have grown up without direct contact with natural water systems—except in limited natural parks such as Xochimilco, Laguito Cuadrado, and Laguito Norte. This disconnection has contributed to the overuse of potable water and the need for substantial infrastructure investments to drain excess rainwater.

Building upon the opportunity presented by this existing network of rail and underground infrastructure, our proposal envisions the development of a metropolitan-scale system of linear parks. These parks would repurpose the physical space of the railway corridors and uncover sections of the encased rivers at key intersection points. The goal is to reestablish a relationship between the city and its hydrological systems by introducing public spaces that integrate rainwater collection and reuse at both territorial and urban scales. This new public space network would incorporate sustainable public transportation infrastructure, such as electric trams, eco-friendly buses, and bike lanes with public bicycle stations. It would also include new rainwater reservoir systems integrated into the metropolitan water network to help reduce flooding and lower water service costs, while contributing to the recovery of the region’s natural watershed.

The Cuernavaca Linear Park serves as the starting point for the broader México 86 development plan. By overlapping the hydrological and railway systems, the project aims to generate high-quality public space that enriches the immediate urban context. A new topography will offer a unique experience of hills and water-filled depressions. Nearby landmark buildings will be integrated into new programmatic uses proposed by the project. This initiative is part of a long-term strategy. Its scalable and adaptable approach can raise public awareness around the global water crisis, while attracting public and private entities to finance the various stages and segments of linear parks across the city.