Mexico City Congress Considers Mandating Green Spaces in Commercial Establishments
Mexico City, February 2 – The Mexico City Congress is currently debating a legislative initiative that proposes to reform various provisions of the capital’s Commercial Establishments Law. The aim is to mandate the integration of green areas within commercial establishments, a move designed to counteract the ongoing loss of urban green spaces in the metropolis.
Deputy Miriam Valeria Cruz Flores (MORENA) presented the initiative before the Plenary of the Permanent Commission on January 21. She emphasized the critical need for legislation to increase the current surface area of green spaces, asserting that commercial establishments should contribute to this effort.
Addressing a Silent Environmental Crisis
Cruz Flores highlighted that Mexico City is grappling with a “silent but increasingly evident problem” – the constant reduction of urban green areas. “These spaces not only beautify our city, but also protect our health, balance our ecosystem, and guarantee fundamental human rights such as the right to a healthy environment and a dignified life,” stated the deputy, who also chairs the Health Commission.
The proposed initiative seeks to transform the urban environment. “The initiative I present proposes that commercial establishments and those with zonal impact integrate green areas into their spaces. Not as a burden, but as an opportunity to transform the urban environment, restore ecological balance, and improve the quality of life for those who live, work, and commute through the city,” she explained from the tribune.
Below WHO Recommendations for Green Areas
Deputy Cruz Flores pointed out that Mexico City currently has only 7.54 square meters of green areas per inhabitant. This figure falls significantly below the minimum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), underscoring the urgency of the proposed reforms. She stressed that such a situation “cannot and should not be normalized,” as an urban area without sufficient green spaces is unsustainable.
“Given the urgent need to implement climate actions, this initiative seeks to address an issue that goes beyond figures, regulations, or statistics. I refer to the future of our city and the quality of life of its inhabitants, and the historical responsibility we have with future generations,” she insisted.
Tangible Benefits of Urban Green Spaces
Cruz Flores detailed the clear and tangible benefits that green areas provide: they enhance the urban landscape, capture rainwater, reduce heat, decrease energy consumption, and create more comfortable and healthier environments for everyone. “Above all, they generate well-being, foster inclusion, and help reduce environmental inequalities that disproportionately affect many areas of our capital today. In times of climate crisis, every decision counts. Every law we approve can make the difference between a city that resists or a city that collapses,” she concluded.
Support and Next Steps for the Initiative
The Directive Board announced that deputies Diana Sánchez Barrios, Miguel Ángel Macedo Escartín, and Yuriri Ayala Zúñiga have requested to adhere to the initiative. The proposal has been referred to the Local Public Administration Commission for its analysis and opinion.
