National Autonomous University of Mexico

The National Autonomous University of Mexico

University City

"Ciudad Universitaria" (literally: University City), UNAM's main campus, is located in Coyoacán borough in the south part of Mexico City. Designed by architects Mario Pani y Enrique del Moral, it encloses the Olympic Stadium, about 40 faculties and institutes, the Cultural Center, an ecological reserve, the Central Library, and a few museums. Built during the 1950s on an ancient solidified lava bed to replace the scattered buildings in downtown Mexico City where classes were given, it was finished in 1954.

Related Topics:
Coyoacán - Mario Pani - Enrique del Moral - Mexico City

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Although the University has other buildings in Mexico City (mostly for undergraduate studies and cultural purposes) and in other states, Ciudad Universitaria, known simply as "C.U.", is the prime symbol of the University.

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On July 18, 2005, University City was declared an artistic monument by the Mexican government.

Related Topics:
July 18 - 2005

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Following are some highlights of Ciudad Universitaria.

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Atmosphere

Ciudad Universitaria was meant to be an open place. Previously a volcanic rock bed in some places, with heavy vegetations in others, there are very few straight roads or paths. Roads tend to be concentric circuits, with buildings located inside them. Some can only be reached by a short, 5-10 minute walk. Volcanic rock was removed to make room for the buildings, and it was used to make pathways and outer walls. Buildings themselves are made with common materials, concrete and brick being most common, and usually have big windows and gardens, both inside and outside. Most buildings have two to three floors.

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Although different in style, gardens and volcanic rock are a common theme across all buildings with some notable exceptions: the Rectorate Tower and the Central Library. These tall, square-shaped buildings, standing a bit isolated from the rest, are adorned by murals made by famous Mexican muralists David Alfaro Siqueiros (Rectorate Tower) and Juan O'Gorman (Central Library).

Related Topics:
David Alfaro Siqueiros - Juan O'Gorman

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This last mural, covering all sides of the Library, based on Aztec and Spanish motifs and UNAM's coat of arms, makes the Central Library Ciudad Universitaria's most iconic building.

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Sculptoric Space

Inside the ecological reserve stands the Sculptoric Space. It is a big round natural solidified lava bed surrounded by many white triangular prisms that seem to radiate from its center, a bit like a sunflower. There are many big and colorful metallic sculptures made by contemporary artists surrounding this area, hence its name.

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Museums

• UNIVERSUM, the Science Museum. It houses interactive exhibits about science, geared to the general public.
• University Museum for the Sciences and Arts (MUCA, Museo Universitario de Ciencias y Artes), holds contemporary art exhibits from Mexican artists and works of art property of the University,
• Museo Universitario del Chopo. An Art Deco building following the London Crystal Palace architecture and two towers designed by Gustave Eiffel, close to Mexico City downtown, mostly devoted to visual arts.
• Museo de San Ildefonso. In the heart of downtown Mexico City, holds temporary and permanent exhibits of art an culture.
• Palacio de Minería. A classical building in downtown Mexico City near the Palacio de Bellas Artes, holds permanent and temporary exhibits as well as "Feria Universitaria del Libro" (University Book Fair) two weeks every year.

Sport facilities

Mexico 68 Olympic Stadium. Built in 1952, as its name says, it was used in the 1968 Olympic Games, held in Mexico City. It was also used for the 1986 Soccer World Cup. It also holds football matches for Mexico's City university league. It also has a race track, used for international invitation-only athletic competition in recent times due to the success of Mexican athlete Ana Guevara.

Related Topics:
1968 Olympic Games - Ana Guevara

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There are also football and soccer fields for training of student and children teams. Gyms for martial arts and boxing training are near the stadium, intended mostly for students.

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Culture

• Sala Netzahualcoyotl. Orchestral performances can be found here. Eventually dance.
• Teatro Juan Ruiz de Alarcon. Major Theater. Both classical and contemporary works.
• Centro Universitario de Teatro (CUT). A smaller theater (about 100 seats) attached to the theather school.
• Several movie theatres are also in the Cultural Zone, screening mostly International (European, Asian...) films, as well as classics, all at affordable prices (about MXN $10 or $15). Also film clubs exist in almost all schools, providing screenings of independent and art films to all public.
• Colegio de San Ildefonso. A beautiful baroque building (founded 1588) in the heart of downtown Mexico City, now devoted to culture and arts.
• Radio UNAM. XEUN 96.1 MHz & 860 KHz in Mexico City, XEYU, short wave 9600 KHz in the 31-meter international band. Musical, cultural, informative and recreational programming.

Transport

There are several bus routes in the main UNAM campus. Most have their base is on the west side of the University, near the metro exit (Metro Universidad, terminal). They are free and work from Monday to Friday, from 06:20 until 22:30 hrs. Cars are allowed inside the campus, and there are also taxis taking passengers in groups, following the official bus routes. Some of these routes have long and short versions, a few first and last stops are the same but the long version takes a different route to less visited zones. There's a temporary route to take new students to the registration center, and a new route which has its base in the Olympic Stadium.

Related Topics:
Metro - Metro Universidad

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There are three main points of entry to University City, two from the metro (Metro Universidad and Metro Copilco stations) and Avenida Insurgentes, running north to south, splitting University City in half. This important avenue is useful to reach other parts of the city, and is near the Olympic Stadium and Cultural Zone.

Related Topics:
Metro Universidad - Metro Copilco - Avenida Insurgentes

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There is also a small bicycle pathway that connects most of the main faculties (schools).

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Shops

There are university owned cafeterias around the campus, but they are "franchised" to cooperatives. These cafeterias are permanent, one floor buildings and very similar to each other. There are also small, permanent shops on the side of some non-schooling buildings, where a full-size cafeteria would be impractical. Some of these shops don't sell food but photocopies and office supplies.

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Lastly, some semi-permanent shops, selling mostly candies and packaged food, are around the campus. These are built and dismantled every day but are very stable, lasting years in the same place. A few sell University memorabilia, mostly related to the soccer team. Around the campus, but mostly between the Central Library and the Faculty of Philosophy and Literature, one can find people selling crafts as well as music, films and books, some used, some new, most of them pirate.

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Around the metro stations close to the University there are many food shops, but also bookstores, photocopying, photographic studios and the like. Near the northern station, Copilco, just outside University City, there are many printing shops running for some blocks, where students get their theses bound.

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Near Metro Universidad station, on the fringe of University City, there is the "Tienda UNAM" or UNAM Store. It is big supermarket that offers furniture, clothing, food and beverages, vegetables, electronic and computing equipment, toys and many other things at competitive prices. It is run by the University itself. Meant for university employees and their families, it is open to the general public.

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Security

Given its size, the lack of entry controls and compared to the rest of the Mexico City, University City is quite a safe place. There is an internal surveillance group, "Auxilio UNAM" (UNAM Help). They patrol the city on car all day, especially on vacation days and weekends, but have no firearms. For historical and legal reasons (i.e., university autonomy), law enforcement officers do not enter University City unless specifically requested by the University authorities. Crimes do happen, but are sporadic and usually occur late at night, when most people (both students and employees) have already left.

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There is also an emergency medical station and a fire station inside campus.

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