Introduction
An 80-year-old resident of Mexico City shares his concerns about the city’s deteriorating infrastructure, comparing it unfavorably to other well-maintained cities he has visited. He attributes the growing street vending and disorder to the rise of Morena, a political party.
The State of Mexico City’s Infrastructure
The resident notes that the city’s streets, sidewalks, fountains, parks, plazas, public buildings, drainage systems, and water supply are all in a state of disrepair and collapse. He has visited other cities like Guadalajara, León, Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende, and Mérida, which he finds cleaner and more orderly, causing envy.
Temporary Fixes vs. Long-term Solutions
He acknowledges that the city’s infrastructure is old and that repairs are often temporary, such as filling potholes instead of repaving. However, he criticizes the current situation where even the temporary fixes are no longer being addressed.
The Impact of López Obrador’s Administration
The resident argues that under President López Obrador’s administration, resources for urban services have been drastically reduced to fund his pet projects and social programs. Consequently, the city’s infrastructure has suffered significantly.
A Personal Experience in Querétaro
He recounts a recent trip to Querétaro, where the road conditions were so poor that they had to take a detour. He suggests that if Mayor Sheinbaum were to visit, she would think a bombing had occurred in that area.
Potential Solutions
The resident identifies three potential sources to increase the city’s revenue, which could help address its infrastructure issues:
- Phasing out transportation and water subsidies: These were justified when the minimum wage was frozen, but with its recent annual increases, there is room to reduce these subsidies.
- Revising the predial tax: Although unpopular, a thorough review would reveal properties that pay little or no predial tax. In similar Latin American cities, this tax represents 1.5% of the GDP, while in Mexico City, it’s only 0.4%.
- Re-negotiating participation funds from the Hacienda Secretariat: This was necessary for national development, but now that Mexico City is lagging behind, it’s time to reconsider this arrangement.
Conclusion
The resident emphasizes that without these measures, Mexico City will continue to deteriorate, losing its status as a city with the best infrastructure and quality of life in the country.
