As city officials introduce plans to overhaul waste disposal in the capital of Mexico, a deeply rooted constituency fights back.
One of the world's largest landfills closed its doors last month, writes Elisabeth Malkin, amidst ambitious and controversial plans to modernize waste disposal in Mexico City.
The landfill, Bordo Poniente, is at the center of a raging controversy over how Mexico deals with its garbage. Officials, including Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, intend to streamline collection and sorting, and outsource to landfills located beyond the city's walls. But there is a long-running tradition of independent trash pickers, or pepenadores, sifting through the garbage by hand to reclaim what little of it can be sold for recycling. According to Malkin, "In the old days, politicians counted on the trash pickers as a base of support. They would help swell campaign crowds, wave flags for visiting dignitaries or even provide pro-government shock troops to attack opposition protests."
While pepenadores don't hold the kind of political sway they used to, they were able to secure a promise from Ebrard last year not to completely shut down Bordo Poniente. Though the landfill has been closed, garbage is still brought to the site's separation plant, where the trash pickers may sort through it before it is loaded up again and hauled off to another dump.
Mexican sociologist Héctor Castillo Berthier estimates that roughly a quarter of a million people depend on the existing system, and any radical change to that system is bound to disrupt their livelihood.
FULL STORY: For Some in Mexico, Trash Is a Treasure Worth Defending

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

LA County Creating Action Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat
Los Angeles County is creating a Heat Action Plan to help communities stay safe during extreme heat, with steps like adding more shade, improving buildings, and supporting the neighborhoods most at risk.

Maryland Plans Quick-Build Complete Streets Projects
The state will use low-cost interventions to improve road safety in five Maryland counties.

Downtown Los Angeles Gears Up for Growth
A new report highlights Downtown L.A.’s ongoing revival through major housing projects, adaptive reuse, hospitality growth, and preparations for global events in the years ahead.
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.
City of Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)