Clara Brugada, Mexico City’s Chief of Government, Speaks Against Gentrification
Clara Brugada Molina, the Chief of Government for Mexico City, has expressed her disapproval of gentrification occurring in the capital. This statement comes ahead of a protest against escalating service costs and housing unaffordability in neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma, Doctores, and Obrera, partly attributed to the presence of foreigners paying high rents in dollars.
Contextualizing Clara Brugada’s Role
Clara Brugada Molina is a prominent figure in Mexico City’s political landscape, serving as the Chief of Government. Her role involves overseeing the city’s administration and implementing policies that shape its development. Given her position, her stance on gentrification carries significant weight and influence.
Brugada Molina’s Stance on Gentrification
During an event showcasing completed projects, Brugada Molina emphasized her commitment to tackling the issue of gentrification more forcefully. She stated, “We do not agree with this social phenomenon of gentrification, but we need to do more to prevent it not just in Mexico City but also in other cities worldwide.”
Rejecting Xenophobia and Violence in Anti-Gentrification Protests
Brugada Molina condemned acts of violence and vandalism that occurred during a recent protest. She emphasized, “Mexico City is a city of rights, not exclusion.” The protesters, primarily from Nápoles, Coyoacán, Condesa, Roma, Doctores, and Obrera, marched under the slogan “Gentrification is not progress; it’s dispossession,” demanding that foreigners should be able to access housing without complications.
Sustainable Redensification of Mexico City: No Gentrification
Brugada Molina has proposed redensification as a sustainable solution to Mexico City’s housing challenges. She aims to increase available housing in established areas without displacing original residents.
This approach is crucial in a context where formal housing development in Mexico City has slowed down over recent years. Meanwhile, real estate developers claim that restrictive building regulations and bureaucratic hurdles hinder the sector’s growth.
Housing Construction in Mexico City
According to the Unique Housing Registry (RUV), only 643 new formal housing units were built between January and May 2025. This figure is significantly lower than the 1,140 units constructed in the same period in 2015, marking the lowest level since 2013.
Brugada Molina highlighted the importance of sustainable and community-focused urban development during a meeting with the Real Estate Developers Association (ADI). She stated, “Urban development must be built under important guidelines: sustainability and community. We want an integrated, inclusive city that breaks down the invisible walls dividing us, but we do not want gentrification.”
Understanding Gentrification
Gentrification refers to an urban renewal and rehabilitation process involving wealthier individuals moving into low-income neighborhoods, often resulting in the displacement of original residents due to rising living costs.
- Economic Impact: Gentrification leads to increased housing, rental, and service prices.
- Social Implications: It can cause the displacement of local populations, loss of neighborhood identity, and shifts in social dynamics.
- Cultural Consequences: Gentrification may alter the cultural fabric of a neighborhood as original residents are priced out.
