José Torcal
I am Jose Torcal, a civil engineer with over ten years working across six countries in regeneration, sustainability and public space through water.
My projects and interventions address climate change and improve our neighbourhoods, starting from the community. I have a strong commitment to collaborate across sectors and organizations to support the global movement towards sustainable communities.
I regularly share my thoughts in a newsletter called Nothing to declare.
01
Rainwater Harvesting
TEPOZTLAN, MEXICO
2021-Present
Rainwater harvesting in the community of San Juan Tlacotenco, in collaboration with the local municipality and Isla Urbana. Project outcomes include the restoration of a 10-million-liter reservoir and training on keyline water management and permaculture.
Role:
Technical, Community Engagement & Project Management Support
02
Turquoise Desert Research Bureau
THE NETHERLANDS & EGYPT
2019-2020
Multidisciplinary four-month research program in Amsterdam and Cairo to investigate convivial practices and gatherings involving water. The research focuses on the impacts of megaprojects, in particular the relocation of people and monuments due to the construction of the Nile’s High Aswan Dam in Egypt in the 60s.
Role:
Research, Public Space Activation & Community Engagement
03
The Bentway:
Community
Incubation Program
TORONTO, ON , CANADA
Fall 2019
Series of hands-on training and urban exploration walks to understand, reclaim and celebrate nature in the city of Toronto by learning about water.
Project selected by The Bentway in response to a call for proposals under the theme of Second Nature. The incubator brings together a team of artists, activists, scientists and innovators to create programming for this new linear park.
Role:
Public Space Activation & Community Engagement
Collaborators:
04
RAINscapeTO
TORONTO
2019-Present
Social enterprise that designs, builds and maintains beautiful Earth-friendly landscapes.
It delivers stormwater management solutions for residential properties such as raingardens and bio-swales while providing meaningful employment for indigenous youth.
Role:
Business Management. Human Resources, Financial, Commercial & Technical Overseeing
Collaborators:
05
Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program
TORONTO
2015-2019
Neighbourhood-based sustainability plans that foster climate action by tapping into community needs and motivators. They are co-created by community members (residents, associations, businesses) and municipal staff (planners, engineers, landscape architects, social workers), and facilitated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (a watershed-based environmental agency).
Role:
Program Management & Community Engagement
Collaborators:
06
Water Operating Partnership
THE NETHERLANDS & NICARAGUA
2013-2014
International partnership between Dutch and Nicaraguan water authorities to share knowledge and build capacity in integrated water management. Project outcomes include coaching a group of local technicians in surveying the urban drainage systems and modelling different climate scenarios. Findings inform capital and operational investments in the City of Matagalpa (Nicaragua).
Role:
Project Management, Technical Advice & International Liaison
Collaborators:
07
Infrastructure Renewal
SPAIN
2008-2011
Municipal infrastructure renewal in collaboration with engineers and planners. Projects range from technical support to small municipalities in addressing urban drainage and water supply challenges to design and build regional roads and urban streetscapes.
Role:
Design & Construction
Projects
I moved away from the idea of being an 'architect', meaning as somebody who carries a full picture of the final work, to 'gardener', somebody who plants seeds and watches them grow Brian Eno
Media
Musings
Let's Chat
Are you interested in working together or just want to get to know each other over a cortado? Let's chat! I am currently based in between Tepoztlán and Toronto and always open to global collaborations and partnerships