Innovation for impact

7 local communities and 7 international teams

Fab City Challenge Mexico 2024, hosted as part of the FAB24 conference, brought together local and global innovation communities to design impactful, technological, and frugal solutions addressing pressing issues of sustainability and equity. Over 10 days, participants collaborated on challenges that reimagined the intersection of technology, social justice, and regenerative practices in Mexico.

Areas of Intervention

Biodiverse Cities

Focusing on urban biodiversity, this area encourages solutions to harmonise city life with nature, enhancing sustainable urban ecosystems for diverse species.

Water Conservation

Promoting efficient and sustainable water use to preserve ecosystems and support resilient communities.

Regenerating Neighborhood Perspectives

Reimagining urban spaces by addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges, fostering vibrant, resilient communities.

Bio Practices of the Future

Exploring innovative biological technologies to tackle ecological and agricultural challenges for a regenerative future.

Empowering Social Entrepreneurship

Supporting entrepreneurship that drives inclusivity and addresses social challenges through innovative, community-centered solutions.

Future-Proof Skills

Community Innovation & Impact

Cultural Equity

Technology 5.0

Innovative Industries

Crafting in the Jungle: The Wooden-Hearted Women

Nestled in a remote region of Chiapas, far from urban centers and technological hubs, a collective of indigenous women comes together to create an enterprise. A workshop that transcends the traditional roles of mothers. Beyond the pragmatic functions of the workshop, these women gather to share knowledge, envision new possibilities, and enlarge their hearts. Together, they aspire to reshape the trajectory of the Tsetal woman, crafting dreams that stretch beyond convention and redefine their collective destiny.

Koji Yamada, Masato Takemura, Patrick Condevaux, Lorena Crepaldi de Carvalho, Ricardo Marques

BiodiverCities: Reinventing boundaries in coexistence

Monterrey is an industrial city in constant growth where inhabitants live surrounded by mountains and significant biodiversity. Unfortunately, people are not aware of this and its ecosystem continues to be damaged by negligent practices.

LABNL and Innovaction Gym, together with makers, designers, engineers and nature lovers from around the world seek to collaboratively develop a tool to monitor and care for the biodiversity that connects our city with its mountains. Let’s fabricate equity with, and for each other.

Leyla Kyjanek Yunis, Ondrej Kyjanek, Saad Chinoy, Selena Pere, Eliton Meireles de Moura

Ancestral Agriculture Solutions for Climate Change

In 2023, Puebla faced its most challenging agricultural year in the last five, marked by severe natural phenomena like droughts and hailstorms, impacting 12.000 producers and 15.000 hectares in regions like Mixteca Poblana, Sierra Norte, and Valles Altos. As a pivotal state for national agriculture, Puebla, home to Fab Lab Anáhuac, grapples with climate change effects. Situated in the culturally rich Cholula Puebla, we're surrounded by agricultural hubs like Atlixco, mirroring the struggle. Join us in crafting solutions for the future of agriculture amid these pressing challenges.

Nancy Wu, Jean-Luc Pierite, Cleverson Fuzeti, Gabriela Perez Alvarez, Leonardo Pantano Benassi, Andres Guarnizo

Collaborate and Create: Innovative entrepreneurship to empower neighborhoods

Let's face economic inequality, lack of education and opportunities. In Bosque La Olla, a recreation space located in the neighborhood of Las Joyas, in León Guanajuato, multifaceted challenges will be faced. From gender inequalities to limited access to resources for older people, unemployment and the need for sustainable development projects. We need to transform this space and address these challenges comprehensively, prioritizing equity and community through social entrepreneurship. The initiative not only improves quality of life and promotes inclusion, but also drives community resilience and global collaboration for local solutions.

Jan Peuckert, Rozeani Araujo, Sergio Rodríguez Ramos, Maixmino Matus Ruiz, Gabriel Gonçalves da Silva, José Marmo Miranda Neto, Alex Afonso dos Santos

Without the Barrio there is no Paradise

In Villa Otoch Paraíso, Faro tackles neighborhood stigmatization stemming from local insecurities, aiming to turn challenges into opportunities. The community faces the loss of public spaces due to insecurity and waste accumulation, impacting the city and neighborhood's perception. This affects residents' self-perception, well-being, and aspirations. Faro's challenge extends beyond technical problem-solving, emphasizing the revitalization of self-esteem and community unity. The goal is to ensure proposed solutions are both replicable and sustainable in the long term, addressing the multifaceted aspects of the issue.

Paola Zanchetta, Pradnya Kunal Jagtap, Siddharth Arya, Jean-Luc Pierite, Magdalena Mojsiejuk, Kavita Arora, Monica Adriana

Saving the Fire God’s Sanctuary: Preserving Axolotl habitat in Xochimilco

Embark on a transformative challenge addressing the endangered Axolotl species in Xochimilco, a unique urban/natural ecosystem harmonizing agriculture, tourism, and natural habitats. The Axolote holds profound cultural and biological significance in Mexico, embodying ancient legends and serving pharmaceutical purposes. Our mission transcends local concerns—it's a glocal imperative. The loss of any species globally reverberates across Earth's biodiversity. Dive into this challenge not only to preserve a mesmerizing creature but to safeguard our planet's intricate web of life. Join us in shaping a sustainable future for the Axolote and our shared biodiversity.

Gabe Tavas, Eliza Peterson, Rafael Calado, Giovanna Pillaca, Thaís Fabrizzi, Tatiane da Silva Luiz, Nathan Donisete de Sousa Alexandre

Greening Communities: Bee conservation for equitable futures

This urgent energy-focused challenge proposes to prototype multiple floating solar to hydrogen floating pods, designed in collaboration with local coastal communities mainly with local materials to benefit the local environment and economy.

Mahendra Subedi, Henk Buursen, Juan Manuel Grados Luyando, Bianca Weihs Borges, Miriam Gonçalves de Chaves, Humberto Besso Oberto Huerta

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