Mexico City faces urban growth and waste management challenges

Mexico City faces significant challenges regarding rapid, unplanned urban expansion and environmental sustainability. An analysis by UNAM’s Institute of Economic Research estimates that the Mexico City metropolitan area could reach approximately 23.4 million inhabitants by 2040, an increase of about two million people.

Architect Sara Topelson has highlighted that the city's surface area has grown at a rate three times faster than its population. Addressing this growth requires an integrated approach to planning, housing, mobility, infrastructure, and public space to ensure long-term quality of life.

In addition to urban sprawl, the city struggles with waste management. Deputy Javier Ramos Franco has called for stronger measures to reduce waste generation and improve recycling processes. He emphasized that insufficient trash management risks polluting ecosystems, obstructing drainage systems, and threatening public health, necessitating a shift toward a culture of reducing, reusing, and recycling.