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The controversy surrounding the ‘predialazo’ (property tax hike) in Mexico City and the Metropolitan Area has ignited a broader discussion about updating cadastral values, access to housing, and the future of urban growth. Despite assurances from federal and local authorities that the Metropolitan Valley of Mexico Spatial Planning Program does not include a property tax increase, public concerns have brought to the forefront the challenges of territorial planning.
The Core of the Debate: Defining the City’s Future
Daniela Sánchez Carro, coordinator of the ‘María Luisa Marín’ Legal Clinic for the Right to Housing at the Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO), emphasizes that the discussion needs to transcend political differences and property owners’ ability to pay their contributions. The central issue, she argues, is defining the desired urban model and ensuring that territorial decisions address the needs of its inhabitants.
Sánchez Carro warned that Mexico City faces significant problems including mobility, pollution, water scarcity, and access to public services. These factors must be carefully considered in urban development planning. She stressed the importance of urban policies balancing housing construction, environmental protection, and infrastructure, without exacerbating inequalities or displacing communities.
Updating Property Tax Without Harming Low-Income Families
Revising cadastral values can be a legitimate tool for a more equitable distribution of tax obligations, provided that contributions align with the characteristics of each property, its location, and construction type. However, Sánchez Carro highlighted the risk of these changes disproportionately burdening low-income households. Therefore, transparent rules are essential to differentiate between properties and the economic conditions of their owners, with clear criteria for determining when a higher contribution is appropriate.
Another factor influencing public perception is the allocation of collected funds, as questions often arise about fiscal modifications when there are no visible improvements in public services.
Vacant Lots and Real Estate Developments: At the Heart of the Discussion
The existence of unused land also presents an opportunity to address housing demand. However, any intervention must have legal justification and accessible explanations of its objectives. If these spaces are intended for social interest projects, authorities must clearly communicate how they will be implemented and the benefits they will offer to the population.
Sánchez Carro underscored that territorial planning must prevent real estate speculation and the indiscriminate expansion of commercial establishments and plazas from overriding collective needs. She reminded that construction in ecological or water recharge zones can worsen environmental problems and water shortages faced by various communities.
Building More Housing Without Displacing Current Residents
Expanding housing supply is not merely about constructing new buildings; it also requires ensuring adequate water, transportation, infrastructure, and services for all residents. When developments extend to the periphery, they can occupy communal, ejido, or indigenous lands, in addition to affecting environmentally valuable areas.
The specialist pointed out that some projects can transform the identity of neighborhoods and increase the cost of living in them, making it difficult for long-term residents to remain. Given this scenario, she emphasized the importance of planning that includes understandable information and mechanisms for citizen participation.
Source: https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2026/10/17/la-presion-inmobiliaria-amenaza-con-encarecer-la-vivienda-y-desplazar-a-habitantes-de-sus-barrios-en-la-ciudad-de-mexico/
