Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-124). / The colonia popular is one of the most typical types of settlement used in Mexico City, and with some variations in other Latin American cities. Fifty per cent of the urban land in Mexico City is occupied by this type of dwelling. The purpose of this study is to develop a method to detect and measure the physical changes over time of a group of dwelling units in a colonia popular. A group of 20 dwelling units has been selected randomly in three blocks of a colonia popular. Each dwelling unit has been recorded on maps showing two physical changes that have taken place over time. The changes that we recorded were those that took place at morpholgical and functional views. A comparison of these changes will help to suggest patterns of future growth. Since we feel that these physical changes are an expression of social economic, and political changes experienced by the house holders we consider this study to be a preliminary step in a project which would relate changes in dwellings to larger social forces. / by Jorge Andrade-Narvaez. / M.Arch.

Thesis. 1975. M.Arch.A.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / Also issued by Urban Settlement Design Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. / Bibliography: p.108-109. / M.Arch.A.S.

The word "vecindad" in Spanish means neighborhood, but the word is also used to describe a dwelling form. The vecindad is usually known as a row of one-room dwellings surrounding an open space or patio. This kind of dwelling form exists in most Latin American countries as well as in Spain, however the word "vecindad" is used exclusively in Mexico. This dwelling form existed in Spain under the name of "corrales" and it was brought to Mexico in the XVI century with the Conquest of 1521. Initially, vecindades were built as multi-family tenements to rent to low-income artisans or workers in Mexico. There are two kinds: the multi-storied ones which were built within the Traza, which was the first design of Mexico City by the Spaniards; and the one-storied buildings built in the Indian barrios located on the periphery of the Traza. / While each vecindad is different, they share the same elements such as the zahuan (entrance), the patio, the dwellings and the accesorias (commercial spaces). The number and dimensions of these elements vary depending on the characteristics of each vecindad. / From the XVI century until the early XX century, vecindades comprised the majority of the housing stock in Mexico City. In the 1940's, due to the ideas of Functionalism, vecindades ceased to be built and were relegated as an old and traditional dwelling form in the center of the city. / This thesis presents the origin, evolution and present condition of vecindades within the Traza of Mexico City. Their adaptability to fulfill social, cultural and political circumstances throughout the history of Mexico City reveals their importance as the city's main collective urban dwelling form.

No description available.