Strategies for the revaluation of the collective memory of vulnerable sectors: Pedestrian and cycling routes in the historic Mexican centers. The case of Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

Re Genera Espacio is a group of academics and students of Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla that has been involved in the difficult task of revaluing some sectors of the Historical Center of the city of Puebla that have unfortunate backgrounds and negative imaginaries. The objective is to remove from anonymity the north west sector of the Historical Monuments Area through itineraries that promote the recognition of the ancient crafts that are still preserved, the heritage architecture of each of the neighborhoods, as well as its history.

Since 2013, these itineraries have changed annually and had been related by different themes, either through readings made through the old names of the streets, where we deteced characters from older times, heritage architecture that sometimes goes unnoticed, or that existed at some point, as well as the uses and customs of specific streets such as 24 poniente, also known as “La Bolsa del Diablo”. In some neighborhoods, the participation of older adults who contribute to the dissemination of heritage through the talks they make to visitors who arrive on foot or by bicycle, according to the call of the tours.