The Wal-Mart At Teotihuacan?

Wal-Mart begins construction on a new store north of Mexico City, next to the pyramids of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. For some, the symbolism is too great as Wal-Mart becomes Mexico's largest private employer.

1 minute read

October 18, 2004, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The Teotihuacan empire is thought to have begun as early as 200 B.C. It grew into a thriving city estimated at over 200,000 inhabitants at its peak. Its streets and sacred buildings are a marvel in urban planning, organized geometrically along the Avenue of the Dead and punctuated by the massive pyramids. The placement of each structure is believed to have a cosmological and social significance that researchers are only beginning to decipher.

...While little is known for certain about the rise and fall of Teotihuacan, much is known about the rise of the Wal-Mart empire.

...In Mexico, Wal-Mart's conquest of the supermarket sector began by buying up the nation's extensive chain, Aurrerá, beginning in 1992, and from there building new stores across the country. Today, with 657 stores, Mexico is home to more Wal-Marts and their affiliates than any other country outside the United States. Buoyed by $244.5 billion dollars in annual net sales, the chain can afford to make ever deeper incursions into the country's retail sector.

The chain has already become Mexico's largest private employer, with over 100,000 employees."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Sunday, October 17, 2004 in Counterpunch

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

An old brick apartment building in NYC.

Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify

A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.

October 3, 2026 - The City Reporter

Gavin Newsom gesturing with both hands out behind a podium.

Newsom vetoes high-speed rail supervision bill after agency receives condemnatory audit

The audit found the CHSRA approved almost $600,000 in unallowable travel expenses.

October 4 - Cal Matters

The Seaglider, a plane-shaped vehicle with four wings that curve sharply towards the sea after a few feet.

Nation sees first electric plane-boat hybrid take off in public demo

The Viceroy Seaglider can fly at speeds of 180mph for up to 180 miles.

October 4 - Smart Cities Dive

A data center. It is a low, white building, seen from above.

One of nation’s poorest counties to receive $6 billion data center

The developers estimate the project will create 200 permanent jobs and 1,000 temporary construction jobs.

October 4 - Mississippi Today

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design