Publications
Reseña del Libro: Casas, casitas y casonas de Morelia-Valladolid. Un estudio tipológico (2025)
A comprehensive typological study of Morelia's residential architecture, formerly known as Valladolid, reveals the city's historical evolution through its diverse housing spectrum. The research by Catherine Ettinger, documented in 'Casas, casitas y casonas de Morelia-Valladolid,' transcends mere classification by integrating distinct historical strata to illustrate how architectural invariants shape domestic spaces across social and temporal contexts. This approach underscores the significance of regional architecture in defining the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Morelia, offering a nuanced understanding of its urban fabric. The study employs a methodical analysis that bridges nostalgia with academic rigor, providing valuable insights into the city's built heritage.
Collaborative learning in the diagnosis of the soundscape of the Historic Center of Morelia, Mexico
A collaborative approach to diagnosing the soundscape of Morelia's Historic Center, Mexico, has revealed the potential for participatory methodologies—such as sound walks and mappings—to engage students and citizens in preserving urban acoustic heritage. This study, conducted by researchers from UAM and UMSNH with CONAHCYT funding, demonstrates how ISO 12913 standards can be applied locally despite a lack of Mexican regulations, offering a framework for safeguarding soundscapes in historic contexts. The research highlights the importance of citizen participation in spreading awareness and professionalizing soundscape research within architecture and urbanism fields.
De Centro urbano a Centro histórico, un cambio de estructura urbana. El caso de la ciudad de Morelia
Morelia's urban transformation reveals how heritage conservation can reshape city dynamics. By prioritizing historical centrality over other urban functions, the study finds that Morelia has developed a fragmented, policentric structure, isolating its historic core from the rest of the city. This shift affects not only cultural and tourist value but also the distribution of urban activities. The research uses Morelia as a case study to analyze how preservation policies influence urban organization in mid-sized Mexican cities.
Effect of the Seismic Source on the Probabilistic Hazard Assessment in a Heritage City in Mexico: A Case Study of Morelia
Intraplate and crustal earthquakes pose significant seismic risk to Morelia's historic buildings, including those in its UNESCO-listed center. This study reveals that such events, though less frequent than interplate quakes, can cause substantial damage due to their impact on ground motion amplification. Researchers used a probabilistic hazard assessment approach, integrating data from 11 seismic instruments and soil properties to evaluate spectral demands and propose seismic zoning for the city. The findings highlight the need for refined risk mitigation strategies in high-risk zones, particularly those with limited-height structures vulnerable to intraplate seismic activity.
Transformación y percepción del espacio público en el Centro Histórico de Morelia, México
Urban transformation strategies in historic centers, driven by tourism goals, significantly alter social dynamics and the relationship between public and private sectors. A longitudinal study of Morelia's Historic Centre reveals that while such interventions aim to boost commercial activity, they often lead to social exclusion by shifting the balance of power toward private entities. The research highlights how these changes not only reshape public space perception but also redefine its role in urban life, emphasizing the need for equitable development approaches.
Leveraging Geographical Information to Strengthen People’s Engagement in Local Placemaking Processes
Geographical information significantly enhances public engagement in placemaking processes, as demonstrated by three case studies. The research highlights that participatory mapping—using tools like map-based questionnaires, geo-design workshops, and web-based PPGIS—effectively captures local heritage perceptions, identifies meaningful urban spaces for regeneration, and addresses community concerns such as safety in children's school journeys. Key lessons include the importance of diverse representation, trust-building among participants, and clear purpose-setting to maximize engagement. The study underscores the potential of geographical information systems (GIS) to democratize placemaking by amplifying voices across different contexts, from cultural landscape planning to urban regeneration.
Bosque Cuauhtémoc: revelando valores e definindo diretrizes para a conservação de um jardim histórico em Morélia, México
A collaborative workshop on the historic Bosque Cuauhtémoc, a UNESCO-listed green space in Morelia's historic center, revealed its significant historical, botanical, and landscape values. The study, grounded in the Florence Charter (1981) and expert insights, analyzed the park’s evolution through iconographic, cartographic, and historical records. Six key categories—landscape structure, plant architecture, buildings, visuals, uses, and dissonances—guided a comprehensive assessment of its current challenges. The research culminated in conservation guidelines for this cultural asset, offering methodological contributions for studying similar historic gardens and fostering institutional exchange between Mexico and Brazil.
Centros histórico y el territorio en el siglo XXI. Morelia y Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México.
Urban centers with deep historical roots, such as Morelia and Pátzcuaro in Mexico's Michoacán state, face growing challenges in preserving their cultural heritage while adapting to modern demands. This study highlights the ineffectiveness of traditional Western approaches that segregate material, immaterial, and natural heritage, advocating instead for an integrated, sustainable conservation strategy. Through a combination of bibliographic review and field observations, researchers identify key issues in heritage management—such as urban sprawl, inadequate policies, and the erosion of intangible cultural practices—and propose solutions to safeguard these sites' multifaceted values while enhancing community well-being.
La renovación de los centros históricos en latinoamérica: fases – conceptos – estrategias
A comprehensive framework for the renewal of Latin American historic centers, including Morelia's Historic Centre, is proposed. The study identifies key phases, concepts, and strategies that guide conservation efforts, addressing critical questions on purpose, beneficiaries, and methodologies. It highlights the importance of revitalization while critiquing existing approaches, offering a nuanced perspective on preserving cultural heritage in urban settings.
Transformación y usos emergentes del espacio público en México
Emerging uses of public spaces in Mexico's historic centers, such as informal commerce and political expressions, pose both challenges and opportunities for heritage conservation. A study on the Historic Centre of Morelia reveals how these new activities interact with efforts to preserve built heritage while supporting tourism. The research traces the evolution of space regulation, public works, and municipal policies through textual analysis and participatory observation, highlighting the dynamic tension between urban life and heritage preservation in Mexican cities.
Aproximaciones al concepto paisaje urbano histórico. Morelia México como caso de estudio.
A comprehensive analysis of the Historic Centre of Morelia, Mexico, reveals that the concept of historical urban landscape serves as a powerful tool for integrating material and immaterial elements essential to cultural heritage conservation. This study demonstrates how such an approach enables a holistic understanding of urban landscapes, blending theoretical frameworks, methodological antecedents, expert interviews, and analogous case studies. By applying this instrument to Morelia, researchers provide a nuanced reading that captures the dynamic interplay between physical structures and intangible heritage, offering valuable insights for global UNESCO World Heritage Site management.
Incidencia de la intervención urbana en el desarrollo turístico del Centro Histórico de Morelia, Michoacán
The Historic Centre of Morelia, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has undergone significant urban interventions that have boosted its cultural legacy and tourism development. These transformations, driven by neoliberal public policies, have led to the commercialization of public spaces while enhancing the site's value. The study, employing Troitiño Vinuesa’s (1992) methodological framework, analyzes how post-heritage designation interventions have shaped Morelia’s urban dynamics, revealing a complex interplay between heritage preservation and economic interests.
La permanencia de la población en centros históricos desde la percepción de los residentes: el centro histórico de Morelia como caso de estudio
Residents' perceptions reveal key factors contributing to the depopulation of Morelia's historic center, despite its UNESCO World Heritage status. The study found that local urban development programs have largely overlooked resident opinions, leading to a decline in population due to unaddressed urban challenges. By analyzing residents' views on their permanence in the area, researchers identified critical issues that hinder demographic recovery. This insight suggests that integrating community perspectives into urban planning strategies could mitigate depopulation and foster sustainable development in historic centers.
Damaged and Healthy Ignimbrites from the Surroundings of Morelia, Mexico; Uses for Restoration of the Colonial Inheritance
Research on the historic centre of Morelia, Mexico, reveals significant challenges and opportunities in restoring its UNESCO-listed colonial architecture. The study identifies discrepancies between damaged ignimbrites used in historical buildings and healthy quarry stones from surrounding areas, which often fail to match in terms of resistance, porosity, durability, or color. This mismatch poses a critical issue for restoration efforts, as historical archives lack precise records to guide the selection of suitable replacement materials. The research highlights the need for a systematic approach to identify and source compatible ignimbrites to preserve Morelia's architectural heritage effectively.
Laser cleaning of graffiti from building Stone using high power diode laser
Research demonstrates that high-power diode lasers can effectively remove graffiti from the historic stone of Morelia's UNESCO World Heritage Centre without causing damage. The study found that continuous wave laser treatment outperformed modulated wave regimes, with a two-pass process showing significant improvement over single-pass methods. This approach offers a non-damaging alternative to conventional graffiti removal techniques, preserving the aesthetic integrity of the Pink Morelia Quarry stone used in the city's architecture.
Patrimonio edificado de propiedad privada: relación compleja y contradictoria entre lo público y lo privado en el Centro Histórico de Morelia
A complex and contradictory relationship between public and private interests underpins the preservation of privately owned heritage properties, even as they function within the broader real estate market. This study highlights how such buildings, despite their private ownership, are also considered public goods due to their role in shaping identity and social cohesion. Public policies aimed at protecting these properties often face challenges, reflecting broader urban issues related to heritage conservation in Mexico's historic centers. The research examines the effects of these policies on privately owned heritage in Morelia's historic center, contributing new insights into the tensions between private property rights and public preservation efforts.
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