After an overwhelming response, city officials just released their 14-point plan to Fix Mexico City, designed to tackle the city’s most urgent housing and gentrification crises. This initiative, unveiled in response to large-scale protests earlier this month, seeks to stabilize housing costs and improve living conditions for residents facing displacement.
Thousands of residents filled the streets on July 4, determined to speak out against skyrocketing inflation and gentrification. That big demonstration was responsible for this announcement. Although the protest was mostly peaceful, a few decided to go out and cause damage to stores in more affluent areas. At the time, protesters decried the increased cost of housing as a product of an influx of foreigners—mainly from the US and Europe. This raised brutal debates on the impact of immigration particularly on suburban and urban communities.
Claudia Sheinbaum, the mayor of Mexico City, criticized the xenophobic anti-immigrant rhetoric among the migrants’ opponents. Yessica Morales, a spokesperson with the organizing group Frente Anti Gentrificación Mx, helped set the record straight. She reiterated that the key question is not about the migration.
“We are not against migration because gentrification is not a problem of migration (which is) a human right. We are against violence as a government model.” – Yessica Morales, spokesperson for Frente Anti Gentrificación Mx
The draft law would introduce price controls on the rental market while protecting the legitimate interests of landlords. Mayor Clara Brugada said the law will allow them to protect tenants from displacement. It will finally rein in the out-of-control short-term rental properties, which have significantly increased rents all over the city, making Austin unaffordable.
“To the people who are promoting the marches and mobilizations, I say that with all the more reason we will open the necessary discussions with them on this issue.” – Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada
Scholars emphasize how gentrification in Mexico City is an ongoing issue. Housing costs have skyrocketed by 286% since 2005 and real wages have at the same time declined 33%. It’s no surprise then that Brugada identified gentrification as arguably the biggest threat to the city’s future.
“The issue of gentrification is one of the most important issues in the city today… living in Mexico City should not be a privilege for a few, but rather a guaranteed right for all its residents.” – Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada
Brugada’s administration is encouraging a frank discussion with demonstrators. They all underscore the importance of different sectors working together to address these complex social challenges. The city’s commitment to addressing housing insecurity and gentrification remained. This is a sign of increasing realization that prudent, sustainable urban development is needed to protect all Americans.
