Mexico City's Centro Historico is undergoing a broad redevelopment, which has resulted in more investment, more events, and more use. However, some there are worried that increased commercialization will tarnish the public square.
The redevelopment effort is being led by billionaire Carlos Slim Helu, who has partnered with city and federal governments, and has gathered private investors to bring more than $500 million to the centro.
"Slim has brought massive scale redevelopment to the area, as well as a spirit of civic pride. His work, executed largely through a charity he funds, the Foundation of the Centro Histórico, has internalized contemporary planning trends into a methodical process of downtown redevelopment. But while it is easy to laud such a comprehensive overhaul of a historically significant, underused area, the breadth of the process and the consolidation of power that has enabled it raises alarms for some civil libertarians, who worry that a quest for profit will lead to the dispossession of multiple constituencies that do not fit into the image of the "new" Centro."
FULL STORY: The Slow Rebirth of Mexico City’s Centro Histórico

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie