Transformation of Urban Areas in Mexico City, Towards More Efficient Mobility

Introduction
Mexico City is known for its vibrant culture and fast pace. However, this dynamism also brings with it significant challenges in terms of urban mobility. Road congestion, pollution and insufficient infrastructure are just some of the problems affecting the millions of inhabitants of this metropolis. The transformation of urban areas in CDMX is essential to achieve more efficient and sustainable mobility, thus improving the quality of life of its residents.

A Brief History of Mobility in CDMX
The urban growth of the last 50 years in Mexico City is directly related to mobility as we know it today. It is not unusual to see the city streets full of automobiles, but this was not always the case. Mobility in Mexica times was very different. Let's remember that in the current territory of Mexico City there was a group of lakes, so mobility was done with canoes or small boats. Another example is the viceregal era, where carriages or horses were used to transport both people and goods. It is from the appearance of the car that mobility in the city changes radically, and due to the need to have avenues where a large number of cars can circulate, the city begins to transform its structure. The emergence of the ring roads and the Peripheral Ring Road marked a before and after in the history of the city.

Urban Growth 
As already mentioned, urban growth has a direct relationship with mobility, not only in Mexico City, but also in other cities in the country. With the industrial development of the city, people from other parts of the country were attracted by the opportunities it offered. The massive arrival of people and the lack of planning or urban vision led to an uncontrolled growth of the urban sprawl, where most of the urban solutions were made on the fly and, for the most part, were focused on the automobile. However, we also have examples of collective transportation that were necessary for the urban mobility of thousands of people.
necessary for the urban mobility of thousands of people, such as the subway, the Metrobus or, very recently, the appearance of the Cablebus.

Current Mobility Challenges

-Traffic Congestion
Traffic is one of the most serious problems, affecting both drivers and public transport passengers. Rush hour has become a daily nightmare for many.

-Environmental Pollution
Air pollution is a critical problem, exacerbated by vehicle emissions and the lack of sufficient green areas.

-Inadequate Infrastructure
Despite efforts, public transportation infrastructure remains insufficient to meet the needs of the growing population.

Challenges and Future Opportunities
The mobility paradigm shift in the city has already taken its first steps. For some years now, Mexico City's mobility pyramid has prioritized pedestrians over any other type of transportation. Although this is only a beginning, it provides a solid foundation for future urban planning and solutions.

It is here that the city faces one of its greatest challenges, as it has been proven that the solutions previously used only led to the saturation of roads and transportation systems. Therefore, planning and design must seek alternative, creative and efficient solutions for mobility.