LXIII. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City, MexicoMexico City, Mexico —Yingqi Cui
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and is also North America’s most populous city. It is one of the most important cultural and financial centers in the world. It is also the densely populated, high-altitude capital of Mexico. Mexico City is the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of two founded by Indigenous people. The city was originally built on a group of islands in Lake Texcoco by the Mexica around 1325.
Population:
Urban: 23,146,802 people
Metro: 22,752,000 people
Area:
Urban: 1,485 km2
Metro: 7,866 km2
Population Density:
Urban Average: 15,587.07 people/km2
Metro Average: 2,892.44 people/km2
Politics:
Mexico City(CDMX), serves as both Mexico’s capital and a federal entity with unique political autonomy. It is governed by the Head of Government, elected for a six-year term, and the Mexico City Congress, a unicameral body that enacts local laws. The city is divided into 16 boroughs (alcaldías), each with its own elected mayor, which manage localized services. With a centralized structure due to its capital status, the government also oversees large-scale projects and federal operations. Known for its progressive politics, the city is a stronghold of the MORENA party and emphasizes social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and innovative urban policies.
Mexico City’s urban landscape is defined by its sprawling density and varied topography, shaped by both historical events and rapid urbanization. The city center, located in the relatively flat Cuauhtémoc borough, serves as the core of population and economic activity, featuring a mix of high-rise towers, mid-rise residential buildings, and low-rise commercial structures, creating a sense of high perceived density and crowding. Historically, Mexico City grew rapidly, with areas like Iztapalapa and Gustavo A. Madero evolving into densely packed neighborhoods as migrants from across the country settled in search of opportunities. In the city’s outskirts and higher elevation zones, informal settlements emerged, often characterized by densely packed, low-rise housing with limited open spaces or infrastructure.
At the same time, rapid urbanization in the late 20th century led to the construction of high-rise apartment towers in central and upscale districts like Polanco and Santa Fe. These areas, particularly near landmarks such as Chapultepec Park, reflect high plot ratios and are dominated by luxury residential and commercial developments. Coastal development isn’t a factor here, but major urban parks and water reservoirs like Xochimilco act as urban oases in the sprawling metropolis. This layered urban environment results in a mix of perceived density and real crowding, with disorderly construction in older areas often contrasting sharply with the planned high-rises of newer developments.
Mexico City, Mexico: High-Density Building Typologies
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Mexico City, Mexico: Urban Void Typologies
Sources:
[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boroughs_of_Mexico_City?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[3]https://www.statista.com/topics/9034/mexico-city/#statisticChapter
[4]https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenida_Francisco_I._Madero_(Ciudad_de_M%C3%A9xico)
[5] https://napavalleyregister.com/travel/mexico-city-must-dos-for-the-first-timer/article_9efbae93-6199-5db4-a77f-c353bf13771c.html
[6]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225001979_Urban_structure_analysis_of_mega_city_Mexico_City_using_multisensoral_remote_sensing_data
[7] https://geoenvironmental-disasters.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40677-021-00179-x
[8] https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/02/the-makeover-of-mexico-city/
[9] https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/alameda-central/
[10] https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/walking-neighborhoods/
[11] https://cadmapper.com/pro/extracts/39449184-2566-4141-80f5-26cabb173670
[12] https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/plaza-la-aguilita/
[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_R%C3%ADo_de_Janeiro