Mocochá, Mexico
Painting safe passages through the patterns of Yucatán
The Project
The “Heading to School” project in Mocochá aimed to improve school-area safety by promoting active mobility and expanding access for pedestrians and cyclists. The Asphalt Art project specifically focused on safe pedestrian crossings, sidewalk extensions, and street murals, and resulted in improved traffic management and safety, road safety education, and a stronger shared identity in school zones.
The project encouraged community involvement and inter-institutional collaboration, ultimately creating a safer and more respectful environment for everyone. Artists were selected through participatory workshops where community members contributed ideas inspired by local Yucatán vegetation and animals such as lizards, birds, and colibríes. The community actively engaged in the design and installation phases, organizing into teams to support work shifts—even at night to avoid the daytime heat. Installation prioritized road safety markings at school intersections before adding the vibrant artistic elements that enhanced identity and promoted safety awareness.
With paint, the road infrastructure was improved to generate greater visibility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists within school zones, preventing accidents and protecting the children and adolescents of Mocochá.
Pablo Alejandro Cutz, Mayor, City of Mocochá
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
“Safe School Environments,” An Exemplary Pedestrian And Road Safety Project In Mocochá (Yucas Al Día, March 15, 2025)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
