Publications
From Ejido to Ciudad Universitaria: Expropriation and Citizenship in Postrevolutionary Mexico
A significant displacement of ejidatarios and their struggle for legal compensation during the expropriation of four ejidos for the construction of Ciudad Universitaria, UNAM's campus, revealed that the process not only resulted in physical relocation but also stripped these communities of their recently expanded citizenship rights within Mexico's corporatist system. The study, which analyzed written appeals from displaced individuals alongside archival documents, demonstrates how these ejidatarios persisted in asserting their postrevolutionary citizenship and agrarian ideals despite the state's shift toward urbanization and modernization in mid-20th century Mexico.
Tlacuaches y basura cero en Ciudad Universitaria
A significant challenge to wildlife conservation at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) has been identified: tlacuaches, or common opossums (Didelphis virginiana), are being trapped and dying inside deep, smooth-walled waste containers while scavenging for food in Ciudad Universitaria. Despite efforts to promote zero-waste practices since 2013, this issue remains largely unknown to the university community. The study proposes practical solutions to rescue trapped tlacuaches, aiming to mitigate their mortality and contribute to the conservation of this understudied species. By addressing this overlooked problem, the research highlights the unintended consequences of urban waste management on local fauna in UNESCO-listed sites.
La conservación patrimonial de un espacio verde: la explanada de Las Islas en el campus central de la Ciudad Universitaria de la UNAM
The central expanse known as 'Las Islas' within the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) campus, despite its prominence and UNESCO World Heritage status, lacks clear identity. This study reveals that vegetation was intentionally integrated into the design from its inception, serving an aesthetic purpose rather than purely functional one. It also highlights challenges in interpreting this space correctly. Recommendations for conservation are provided to preserve its unique attributes as part of the broader university heritage.
Configuración espacial, vitalidad urbana y riesgo de robo: el caso de la Ciudad Universitaria de la UNAM
Research on the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Campus reveals that while certain spatial network characteristics contribute to theft risk, the primary factors influencing security are morpho-spatial elements tied to functions, activities, and human presence. The study analyzed four areas of the campus using spatial syntax methodology, comparing its unique urban design—rooted in modernist ideologies—to conventional city layouts. Findings suggest that vibrant, well-used spaces with diverse activities significantly reduce theft incidents, highlighting the importance of functional design in urban security.
La construcción de la Ciudad Universitaria de Nuevo León (1950-1969) y su relación con los precedentes del Tecnológico de Monterrey y de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
The construction of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León's (UANL) university city campus (1950–1969) mirrored the architectural and institutional model of Mexico City’s UNAM but faced significant challenges due to limited federal support. Unlike UNAM, which received robust backing from the central government, UANL relied on local patronage, including partial corporate sponsorship, and navigated political hurdles such as a 1952 federal decree that imposed restrictive conditions on land use. The study highlights the pivotal role of rector and governor Raúl Rangel Frías in driving the project forward despite these obstacles. By analyzing archival records and comparing UANL’s development with its predecessors—ITESM (Tecnológico de Monterrey, founded 1945) and UNAM—the research contextualizes UANL’s emergence as Mexico’s second major university campus, emphasizing its delayed but resilient progress.
Deadly Intraslab Mexico Earthquake of 19 September 2017 (Mw 7.1): Ground Motion and Damage Pattern in Mexico City
A 2017 intraslab earthquake (Mw 7.1) near Mexico City exhibited anomalously strong ground motion at critical frequencies (0.4–1 Hz), unlike previous interplate earthquakes, leading to distinct damage patterns. Unlike the 1985 quake (Mw 8.0), this event occurred closer to the city and at greater depth, with higher stress drop, resulting in high-frequency wave enrichment that intensified shaking in vulnerable structures. The study analyzed seismic recordings over 54 years to quantify ground motion differences, highlighting the unique hazards posed by intraslab earthquakes.
Procesos físicos del suelo en la reserva ecológica del Pedregal de San Ángel de Ciudad Universitaria: atributos para su conservación.
Research on the Reserva Ecológica del Pedregal de San Ángel (REPSA-CU) reveals significant topographic influence on soil properties, with matter organic content emerging as a critical factor in classification and ecological dynamics. The study found that conserved and disturbed open areas follow distinct edaphogenic trajectories, with disturbed sites resembling Urbanosoles. The soil's fragility, characterized by low aggregation stability and sandy texture, poses latent erosion risks while supporting water filtration, seed banking, and insect habitats. Three probable soil orders were identified: Entisol háplico, Litosol volcánico, and Andosol vítrico, reflecting its incipient development from volcanic parent material. Restoration strategies are recommended to mitigate fragmentation and urban encroachment.
Arquitectura s de lo sensible: inscripciones urbanas en la ciudad universitaria
A key insight from this study is that architectural surfaces within the Central University City Campus of UNAM serve as strategic artifacts shaping urban inscriptions and territoriality. The research demonstrates how humans produce meaningful spaces through tactile interactions with these surfaces, highlighting their role in social spatial organization. To explore this phenomenon, the authors employed a method known as 'deriva,' a walking-based approach that allowed them to observe and analyze the campus's architectural features and its surrounding environment. This study contributes to the understanding of how urban landscapes are not merely passive backdrops but active participants in human territorial behavior.
Diversidad ortopterológica de la Reserva Territorial Sureste de la Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM)
A new species of orthopteran, Conocephalus (Xiphidion) ictus, has been identified in the Reserva Territorial Sureste de la Ciudad Universitaria (RTSE) of UNAM, marking a significant taxonomic contribution. The study found that while the abundance and diversity of orthopterans did not significantly differ between RTSE and the core zone of the nearby Reserva Ecológica del Pedregal de San Ángel (REPSA-CU), the RTSE plays a crucial role as an environmental buffer zone, supporting at least five species of orthopterans. These insects, key components in the food web, contribute to ecosystem functioning. The research involved biological inventorying and comparative analysis of orthopteran communities across zones, highlighting the importance of urban ecological reserves for wildlife conservation.
La energía en los espacios públicos. Caso de estudio: Ciudad Universitaria de la UNAM
A four-year study on the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) campus revealed key insights into energy consumption patterns in public spaces, paving the way for sustainable urban design models. The research, part of a broader macroproject aimed at transforming UNAM's campus into an intelligent energy model, focused on analyzing and understanding energy use to develop replicable strategies for national implementation. By integrating infrastructure, technology, and cultural elements, the study not only addressed immediate energy efficiency challenges but also opened new avenues for research in renewable energy and sustainable design. These findings offer a blueprint for creating future public spaces that balance functionality with environmental sustainability.
Tolomeo y Copérnico en el Nuevo Mundo. Juan O’Gorman y el muro sur de la Biblioteca Central de Ciudad Universitaria
A significant mural by Juan O’Gorman on the southern wall of the Biblioteca Central at UNAM’s Ciudad Universitaria campus reinterprets the astronomical debate between Ptolemaic and Copernican models, blending Mexican modernist art with colonial-era cultural encounters. Unlike Antonio Ruiz’s conventional cosmographic approach, O’Gorman’s mural integrates pre-Hispanic codices with modern library functions, creating a tension that reflects Mexico’s complex historical narrative. The study analyzes this mural as part of a broader programmatic design, highlighting its role in reshaping Mexican identity through art and architecture.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)