Challenges and opportunities of public space management in Mexico

• Published in: Cities 2024-03, Vol.146, p.104743, Article 104743
• Main Authors: Alvarado Vazquez, Sergio, Madureira, Ana Mafalda, Ostermann, Frank O., Pfeffer, Karin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Governance actors; Mexico; Public space; Public space management; Urban planning
• ISSN: 0264-2751; 1873-6084
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2023.104743

This paper discusses the opportunities and challenges of public space management (PSM) in the Mexican context by analysing the perspectives of different governance actors. Issues in the PSM literature include ineffective political decisions, prevalence of the private sector, lack of coordination between government institutions, and a need for more effective social participation. While most PSM studies focus on European cities, empirical PSM knowledge in the Latin American context is scarce. To address this gap, this research elucidates the Mexican context by investigating and adapting a PSM framework in Mexico City and Puebla. The case study research is based on qualitative document research and interview analysis from four groups of governance actors: government officials, academics, NGOs, and architecture/urban planning firms. We found multiple PSM challenges: uncoordinated efforts in the maintenance of public space, lack of and polarisation of investment, and privatisation of public space. At the intra-governmental level, the research identified a lack of coordination between government institutions, increasing reliance on the private sector, and limited opportunities for residents to participate in PSM processes. The paper highlights missing links between existing governance actors involved in PSM and wider residents, in the pursuit of the ambitious role of achieving public space quality. •Public Space Management theory contrasts with the reality in the Mexican context.•Governments rely on the private sector for the development of public spaces.•Limited opportunities for local residents to participate in Public Space Management processes•Awareness is needed among governance actors on the management of public spaces.•Lack of transparency in publicly available data affects how public spaces are managed.