In-between Commitments and Regulations. Consolidation of the Urban-Architectonic Ideals in Porfirio’s Mexico (Merida, Yucatan, 1876 – 1911)

Abstract

The modernization and consolidation of thecapital of the State of Yucatan was achieved bymeans of building public use buildings, a comprehensivework on infrastructure, and buildinghousing of all socioeconomic levels. Collectively,it was thought that these proposals leanedtowards European buildings; however, each andevery one of them had to adhere to a strict legalcode. These compendiums of regulations presentedthe elements to be taken into accountwhen requesting a construction permit, and regulatedboth the relationship of the object to bebuilt with its environment and the formal aspects,as well as its structural quality. Accordingto the previous context, the purpose of this documentis to analyze the impact of the instructionspresented in the codes and regulations onthe materialization of Porfirio’s modern city, takinginto account this documentation has beendisregarded in the interpretive processes of thelocal urban-architectonic actions.