When the Spanish invaded Mexico and conquered their people, they not only took over their riches, but they directed how they should live. Their land became as valuable a commodity as gold or other assets. Mexico’s architectural style is a result of the management of that land.
Hernan Cortez and his interpreter La Malinche, tried to negotiate for the release of assets valuable for the King of Spain, but were not always so successful. Many times bloody battles were fought in order for Cortes to carry out his duties and to oppress the tribes into submission. Many towns were destroyed in the ensuing battles.
It was investigating architecture in the conquest period that brought me to the urban design plan that influenced that architecture. I was also interested because it tied in with my piece on the Aztec Calendar, which was found in the Zocalo or town square of Mexico City.
As more and more land was taken over, many other Spanish settlers moved into the territory. During the colonization, there was much fighting between the settlers and the structures that were being built were so scattered about that Philip II, King of Spain, passed “The Law of the Indies”. This law set forth rules about how towns should be organized and built. One rule was that all towns must have a central plaza or town square that was surrounded by all of the important buildings of the town. The streets were to be set up in a grid pattern leading away from the central plaza. Smaller, secondary plazas were interspersed in the grid and narrow streets, providing shade, branched out from those.
I think that the town square and the grid, which surrounds it, is the perfect set up for a friendly city and people. Latin Americans are well known for their sense of family and community. What better way to be a part of a community than with a huge town square for all to meet. The important buildings, among them being churches, are a natural way to bring people together. Their architecture was influenced by the location and size of the zocalo as well as other topographical considerations.
Although the grid is not considered a piece of art, I thought it was important to mention how the architecture of Latin American cities was influenced and what affect it had on its people. This influence carried through the Americas and is also evident in the United States.
Questions I have are how did the caste system work in regards to the grid? Did the wealthier people live around the zocalo or did they live further away? Could poor people even afford to live in the city? How big were the grids allowed to get before they created another city with another zocalo?