Mexico City Aims for Full Utopia Network by 2026: Xochimilco and Cuajimalpa Projects to Start
Mexico City, January 11 – The Mexico City government plans to finalize its network of 16 ‘Utopia’ (Units of Transformation and Organization for Social Inclusion and Harmony) projects by 2026. Raúl Basulto, Secretary of Works and Services (Sobse), confirmed that construction on the last two remaining Utopia sites, located in the boroughs of Xochimilco and Cuajimalpa, will begin this year.
Basulto noted that 14 of the 16 planned Utopia projects were initiated or completed by the end of 2025. The Xochimilco project faced delays due to a public consultation where the majority voted against its proposed location, while the Cuajimalpa project has been held up by legal proceedings.
Overcoming Hurdles in Xochimilco and Cuajimalpa
“Both Utopias, Xochimilco and Cuajimalpa, are set to begin this year. We closed last year with 14, without these two, but they must start this year,” Basulto stated.
For Xochimilco, where 77% of residents voted against the project at the Deportivo Xochimilco site last September, Sobse is still evaluating three alternative locations, as reported by EL UNIVERSAL in October. Basulto indicated that two of these sites would require another public consultation, while the third would not.
“Not all neighborhoods in Xochimilco necessarily require consultations; a consultation was held there because we were talking about an indigenous community. But in neighborhoods that are not indigenous communities, a consultation is not necessarily applicable. However, we are still making progress, and we will inform soon,” he clarified.
The Cuajimalpa project, which was suspended by a judge’s injunction last October, remains in litigation by the Legal and Legal Services Council of Mexico City. Despite this, Basulto did not rule out the possibility of it being built in the town center.
“The first Cuajimalpa project will no longer be done there due to the injunction, but perhaps it can be done if the injunction does not continue and the City Government wins the ruling,” he pointed out.
First Utopias Set for Early 2026 Opening
EL UNIVERSAL previously reported that the first three of the 16 Utopia projects would open between January and February 2026. These are located in the boroughs of Iztacalco, Venustiano Carranza, and Gustavo A. Madero, according to the head of Sobse.
The Utopias at Deportivo Magdalena Mixiuhca in Iztacalco, Hermanos Galeana in Gustavo A. Madero, and Eduardo Molina in Venustiano Carranza are the most advanced among the 16 planned. Equipment installation is set to begin early this year, paving the way for their swift public opening.
What are Utopias?
The Utopia projects are integral to Mexico City’s urban development strategy, aiming to create inclusive public spaces that offer cultural, recreational, and social services to residents. These facilities often include sports complexes, cultural centers, swimming pools, and green areas, designed to foster community engagement and improve the quality of life in various neighborhoods.
The initiative reflects the city’s commitment to providing accessible public infrastructure and promoting social cohesion, particularly in areas that have historically lacked such amenities. The completion of all 16 Utopias is expected to significantly enhance community resources across Mexico City.
The ongoing efforts to resolve the issues in Xochimilco and Cuajimalpa underscore the administration’s determination to deliver on its promise of a comprehensive network of these transformative centers for all citizens.
