Facilities

Promoting and Protecting Historic Mexico City
Pelco Plays Instrumental Role in Revitalization
by Brent Douglass, Crockett International, Latin America

With 20 million residents, Mexico City is one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world. To keep pace with this growth and, at the same time, maintain a strong profile as a major international player for business and tourism dollars, Mexico has undertaken significant measures to renovate and invigorate the city’s historic areas, making them safer, cleaner, and more aesthetically appealing.

At the heart of Mexico’s campaign, Pelco’s camera and control systems play an important role. The installation of Esprit and Spectra Positioning Systems on the streets and buildings of this historic city is widely viewed as a major contribution to its renaissance and revitalization. By protecting historic landmarks, providing a safe environment, and utilizing the latest technological innovations, Pelco equipment aids Mexico’s efforts to increase the local economy in and around the capitol.

For example, enterprising Mexico City merchants and preservationists have founded a Web site that takes potential visitors on a virtual camera tour through the famous historic district of downtown Mexico City. From the comfort of their home or office, six centuries of Mexican history and culture are readily on display. Thanks to a series of strategically placed Pelco cameras, the hustle and bustle of Mexico City’s vibrant life can be experienced throughout the world through live streaming video. Whether it’s the enormous Plaza de la Constitucion or "El Zocalo," one of largest public squares in the world, Pelco cameras are there to capture the beauty, flavor, and pulse of this grand city.

There are several hundred Pelco integrated dome and positioning systems installed throughout the Valley of Mexico. Whether atop poles at busy intersections, on corners of buildings near important tourist areas, or mounted high above tiled roofs, domed cupolas, stone facades of the historic district, or on the Latin America Tower, a 42-story landmark that dominates the downtown skyline – Pelco’s cameras keep a close watch.

Other Pelco camera systems stransport you, in real time, to the stately baroque National Palace or to the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral – the first Catholic cathedral in New Spain and the oldest in the Americas. Another camera system captures the busy car and pedestrian activity in front of the massive Fine Arts Museum, an art nouveau masterpiece located near the city square. Or you can choose to view who is coming and going at the famous Sanborn’s restaurant that currently occupies "The House of Tiles," a fabulous 18th century colonial gem that is covered from top to bottom in blue and white Talavera tiles.

Other Mexico City Tourist Sites Use Pelco Cameras
Pelco video surveillance equipment is an important part of the wider public safety campaign in other high profile visitor sites in the city, most notably the Basilica de Guadalupe. One of the holiest Catholic shrines in the world and home to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it is the focal point of a famous annual pilgrimage that attracts millions of the faithful to the area every December.

And in the southern part of the city, Pelco cameras help protect visitors who frequent the famous floating gardens of Xochimilco.

Pelco is proud to be a part of Mexico City’s urban restoration projects. There are ambitious plans to expand this network of video security in the capitol, and also to bring the concept to other cities in the Republic. City surveillance projects are currently underway in Monterrey, Puebla, Veracruz, Queretero, Zacatecas and other Mexican municipalities.