A neglected park turns into a green oasis. Over 200 residents are joining in to stop soil erosion, absorb rainwater, and turn their park into a place for encounter and environmental education.
Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world after water, making it an essential component of urban development. However, cheap housing comes at a price. Can we still afford to pay for it? Jorge Javier and Cecilia Tortajada provide clear responses.
Every day millions of people around the world breathe in polluted air. After experiencing the consequences of polluted air first-hand, Alberto Mexia Sánchez and his team developed their own technology to monitor air quality and educate the people in Mexicali.
The approach of the Fundación Hogares understands the relevance of strengthening social cohesion in neighbourhoods to respond to city-scale challenges. José Roberto shares some valuable insights into how community organisations are shaping their surroundings in infrastructure as well as in inclusiveness.
A progressive legal framework and a human rights-based approach to human mobility – exclusive insights from the Mexican capital. By Nancy Pérez García of the Mexico City Human Rights Commission.
The informal economy contributes significantly to the wealth of many cities worldwide, but local legislators rarely recognise the rights of informal workers to use public space. Tania Espinosa Sánchez from WIEGO shares critical insights from Ciudad de México.
Сan additive manufacturing technologies help to build sustainable cities of the future and to provide more affordable housing options for everyone? Amadu Sou shows how 3D printing can be applied in cutting-edge urban development.
Mexican cities feature an array of innovative market formats, redefining producer-consumer relationships while creating interactive, public spaces at the same time. Jorge Javier and Dr Cecilia Tortajada on the reinvention of old institutions.
All over the world, cities are grappling with the pandemic's social and economic impacts. Carmen Vogt, Philip Koch, and Lukas Prinz present some inspiring examples from Latin America that showcase how cities can build back better.
Noise is one of the top environmental hazards. Facing ever-growing cities, one wonders: is there anything we can do? Yes, there is. Jimena de Gortari Ludlow, expert in urban acoustics, examines the unique soundscape of the world’s fifth largest city and offers practical solutions.
Forests provide tremendous benefits to urban areas such as clean air and water, climate resilience and biodiversity, human health and well-being. They also provide jobs, recreation, and a suite of nature-based solutions for city infrastructure, argues the international alliance Cities4Forests.
If urbanisation drives climate change, then mitigating the dangerous effects of global warming must address how we plan, build, and live in cities. Implementing bold national plans requires active cross-sector coordination and collaboration between the local, regional, and national governments.
A commitment to applying a ‘gender perspective’ to climate-smart planning in Coyuca, Mexico, brought to light some uncomfortable truths about bias against women. As a result, local government, researchers, and community members are more aware of how women’s and girls’ wellbeing must be addressed through climate resilience programmes.
In neglected parts of Mexico City, the work of the NGO ENSAMBLE shows how investing into community and togetherness can change poor urban areas for the better, including all residents in a highly participative process.
Water is a central issue for urban development in Mexico. Groundwater is overexploited, and there is a lack of wastewater treatment facilities. Jorge Silva reviews government programmes that aim to solve the problem.
