It would be great to read a deep dive into the history of housing in Roma and Condesa. From what I’ve gathered (very sparingly, so please correct me if I’m wrong), these two neighborhoods were originally built for the wealthy. They then became more working class when the well-to-do people moved to other neighborhoods like Polanco after the earthquake in the 80s.
The reason I bring this up is not to dismiss the plight of affordable housing for middle and lower class Mexicans. It’s to raise the question of whether these neighborhoods are just in the part of a long-term housing cycle where the shift is back to the affluent.
Honestly, yours is better and I really appreciated the organization of it.
Gentrification of this type hasn't really happened where I live in Xalapa, Ver. -- most foreigners kind of keep to themselves, there's no "enclave"...but everything can change!
As you say, this is an issue in big, popular cities all over the world, but the idea that it HAS to be is just so unimaginative. Like, there is no way that it's impossible for everyone to get to live in nice, safe, functional communities, right?
Anyway, thanks for sharing this...I'm planning to link it in the comments under my article; it's such a good deep-er dive.
Thank you for your comments and analysis. Yes: extremes touch each other. Let's hope that moderate voices prevail.
I respectfully disagree regarding our President's position: while her response regarding this issue has been more moderate, she has polarized Mexican society since the beginning of her term (as her predecessor did as well). The mayor of Cuauhtemoc, where Condesa is, belongs to an opposition party, so there might be some forces trying to make her look bad.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, I understand the polarization of Morena in domestic politics. But frankly, she has been dealing with Trump better than pretty much any world leader. And as someone who lives between both the U.S. and Mexico, I find myself oddly supportive of her pushing back against my own president. That doesn’t mean I support her domestic politics.
It would be great to read a deep dive into the history of housing in Roma and Condesa. From what I’ve gathered (very sparingly, so please correct me if I’m wrong), these two neighborhoods were originally built for the wealthy. They then became more working class when the well-to-do people moved to other neighborhoods like Polanco after the earthquake in the 80s.
The reason I bring this up is not to dismiss the plight of affordable housing for middle and lower class Mexicans. It’s to raise the question of whether these neighborhoods are just in the part of a long-term housing cycle where the shift is back to the affluent.
This is correct, but with many caveats. Perhaps I'll do a deep-dive into this in a follow up.
Amazing. I understand there’s a lot of complexity and nuance to this, so I don’t want to come across as reductive. Looking forward to what you share!
This was excellent. I just wrote a piece on the protests that came out this morning on the same subject: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexico-living/the-awkward-truth-behind-mexico-city-protests-anti-gentrification/
Honestly, yours is better and I really appreciated the organization of it.
Gentrification of this type hasn't really happened where I live in Xalapa, Ver. -- most foreigners kind of keep to themselves, there's no "enclave"...but everything can change!
As you say, this is an issue in big, popular cities all over the world, but the idea that it HAS to be is just so unimaginative. Like, there is no way that it's impossible for everyone to get to live in nice, safe, functional communities, right?
Anyway, thanks for sharing this...I'm planning to link it in the comments under my article; it's such a good deep-er dive.
Thank you! I also used to freelance for MND. I appreciate the kind words
Thank you for your comments and analysis. Yes: extremes touch each other. Let's hope that moderate voices prevail.
I respectfully disagree regarding our President's position: while her response regarding this issue has been more moderate, she has polarized Mexican society since the beginning of her term (as her predecessor did as well). The mayor of Cuauhtemoc, where Condesa is, belongs to an opposition party, so there might be some forces trying to make her look bad.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, I understand the polarization of Morena in domestic politics. But frankly, she has been dealing with Trump better than pretty much any world leader. And as someone who lives between both the U.S. and Mexico, I find myself oddly supportive of her pushing back against my own president. That doesn’t mean I support her domestic politics.
Have you ever thought of writing about the theater you see in Mexico City? I'd be really interested to read about that. Great post :)
I had not. In general I’m torn between making this newsletter CDMX focused versus global. I prefer the latter