Ciudad Finita
Metropolitan Expansion in MonterreyTeam
- Centro para el Futuro de las Ciudades
-
Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Fundación FEMSA
Unplanned growth has resulted in an unchecked urban sprawl, necessitating urgent reconsideration. The concept of the 'urban stain' refers to the relentless expansion of construction and development. Addressing the challenges of resource finitude and seemingly endless urban expansion requires a reflective approach and concerted actions to ensure a sustainable future for the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey.
Where do we expand? To the peripheries, distancing ourselves from each other. In 1990, young families primarily lived in central areas like Monterrey, Guadalupe, San Pedro, and San Nicolás. By 2020, these families and young individuals had moved to the periphery: Juárez, García, Apodaca, Santa Catarina, and General Zuazua. Meanwhile, older adults remained in central areas.
Why do we expand? Housing is more affordable in the peripheries. Monterrey's central area has become a commercial zone devoid of residents, with homes relocating while businesses stay. Decades of investment in transportation infrastructure have connected employment in the center with residential zones, making the area highly valuable commercially and unviable for affordable housing. Economic housing accessible to young families is thus constructed on the urban peripheries.
However, while housing costs may be lower in the peripheries, other costs, such as transportation and services, increase. Addressing these issues requires affordable housing solutions and policies promoting urban densification to maintain a diverse demographic in central areas and reduce the environmental and social impacts of urban sprawl.
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