Protest Against Rising Housing Costs and Preservation of Neighborhood Identity
The second anti-gentrification march in Mexico City is scheduled for Sunday, July 20th at 3:00 PM, starting from the Fuentes Brotantes station on Metrobús Line 1 in the Tlalpan borough. The route is expected to follow Avenida Insurgentes Sur, passing through the following colonias and barrios:
- Unidad Habitacional Fuentes Brotantes.
- Colonia Fuentes Brotantes.
- Colonia Santa Úrsula Xitla.
- Barrio La Fama.
- Barrio Camisetas.
- Barrio Arenal.
Claudia Sheinbaum’s Call for Peaceful Protest
Claudia Sheinbaum, the head of government, emphasized that while she opposes gentrification, the protest should remain non-violent. She stated, “There is a right to demonstration, free expression in Mexico, even if some claim otherwise; it is false and they should protest peacefully.”
Addressing Gentrification with BANDO 1 Program
The first march was a response to the gentrification of Mexico City’s capital, prompting Clara Brugada, the head of government, to present a package of measures to combat rising housing prices, protect indigenous communities, and curb real estate speculation in neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma, and Doctores.
The BANDO 1 program consists of the following 14 points:
- Rental Stabilization. Rent increases cannot exceed the annual inflation rate reported by INEGI, and legal mechanisms will be implemented to enforce this restriction.
- Reasonable Rental Index and Housing Tension Zones. These will be created to define and regulate areas with high housing pressure, enabling more precise public policies.
- Regulation of Short-Term Rental and Platforms like Airbnb. Authorities will strengthen control over short-term rentals, primarily on digital tourism platforms.
- Tenant Rights Defense Office. They will advise and mediate in cases of abuse or unjust evictions, providing legal support to tenants.
- Just, Reasonable, and Affordable Rent Law. This legislative initiative aims to balance the rights of landlords and tenants, regulate prices, and ensure accessibility.
- Sustainable Public Housing in Central Areas. Construction of affordable housing will be prioritized in areas with high housing pressure, featuring simplified procedures and urban harmony.
- Expansion of Public Rent for Prioritary Sectors. The availability of social rentals for young people, single mothers, seniors, and other vulnerable groups will increase.
- Housing Improvement Program. A broad scheme to expand family spaces and develop affordable condominiums in popular neighborhoods.
- Collaboration with the Private Sector. Institutional collaboration with developers to promote affordable housing and limit speculative practices.
- Participatory Master Plan. A collaborative urban design with communities to establish equitable housing development models.
- Community Arraigo and Heritage Preservation Program. Protection of historical, cultural, and public spaces in traditional neighborhoods to strengthen collective identity and memory.
- Support for Local Commerce. Seed capital and soft loans for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, trades, and traditional enterprises.
- Democratic Neighborhood Participation. Mechanisms for citizen participation enabling residents to design and influence their urban environment.
- Creation of the Land and Housing Observatory. This entity will collect, analyze, and disseminate data on rental contracts, prices by zone, occupancy (including Airbnb), and evictions with a legal basis.
“No Violence”
The first march, initially expected to have limited attendance, drew participants from colonias like Condesa and Roma concerned about gentrification. However, some individuals caused minor incidents by damaging properties and businesses along the march route. In response, the city government clarified its stance:
“We do not endorse violence to address this issue. We reject violence as a method for resolving conflicts. This city is about rights and freedoms. We respect demonstrations and social expressions in response to any situation, but not aggression,” the government stated in a press release.
The local government urged young people to engage in dialogue, propose solutions, and act against gentrification while rejecting hate speech and xenophobic expressions towards migrants, regardless of their origin. The city has historically been a sanctuary, transit point, and welcoming place for those fleeing difficult situations in their home countries, as well as a destination for those choosing to settle there.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is gentrification? Gentrification refers to the transformation of lower-income neighborhoods into more affluent areas, often resulting in increased property values and displacement of original residents.
- Who is Claudia Sheinbaum? Claudia Sheinbaum is the head of government for Mexico City, elected in 2018. She has been vocal about addressing social issues like housing affordability and preserving neighborhood identities.
- What is BANDO 1? BANDO 1 is a program created by the Mexico City government to tackle rising housing costs, protect communities, and curb real estate speculation. It consists of 14 measures aimed at ensuring affordable housing and equitable urban development.
- Why did the government oppose violence during protests? The Mexico City government opposes violent protests because they believe in respecting rights and freedoms, including peaceful demonstrations and expressions. They reject violence as a means to resolve conflicts.
