Choluteca River Metamorphosis: A Landscape Masterplan Scheme for River Regeneration

Abstract

Rivers have performed a crucial role in the foundation and development of cities. More importantly, they influence and confine the morphology, size, and functionality of a city. Tegucigalpa, as a city originated and developed along a riverside, is transected by the flow of the Choluteca River. However, since the city origins, the river seems physically separating and disintegrating its socio-cultural structure. As a result, the river biophysical environment was neglected and finally destroyed. The importance of this natural feature in the urban system is precisely why its regeneration is a catalytic factor for the transition to the sustainability of Tegucigalpa.

This research aims to approach river regeneration as a performing place of authentic local nature and as the only life - support system, which is an integral part of both city and landscape. It defines the Choluteca River as an interacting process between environment, humans, and land-use, and provides the opportunity to conceive the first steps of a regenerative design proposal that pivots on the landscape systems and locational patterns.

Therefore, on one hand, using a combined method of Landscape systems and map overlay, this research focuses on watersheds strategies with the aim to encourage regeneration through effective land and resource planning across the total catchment area. On the other hand, this research focuses on the establishment of a landscape masterplan to layout a comprehensive framework that provides performative functions that encourage guidelines for future implementation of regeneration, management or conservation methods. Moreover, takes into account that Tegucigalpa is a self- constructed city that most likely will continue to grow through the process of informal settlement.