Cities that breathe, the green revolution redefining urban futures in Mexico and the United States
- Editorial
- May 2
- 3 min read
In a global context marked by climate crises, uncontrolled urban sprawl, and growing socio-environmental inequalities, Mexico and the United States are beginning to realize that urban development can no longer come at the expense of the environment. Green infrastructure—urban parks, vertical gardens, green roofs, and sustainable drainage systems—is no longer ornamental; it is a core strategy to improve public health, reduce climate vulnerability, and revitalize local economies.
In 2024, both countries made significant progress. In Mexico, 39 cities implemented at least one green infrastructure project with federal or international funding, according to data from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Monterrey, for instance, inaugurated the Santa Catarina Ecological Park, spanning over 80 hectares with native species and rainwater harvesting systems, resulting in a 17% reduction in surface temperatures in the area. Meanwhile, Guadalajara expanded its network of vertical gardens along congested avenues, achieving a 22% reduction in PM10 particles in those zones.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that 71 cities incorporated nature-based solutions into their urban infrastructure plans. New York and Los Angeles stood out with investments exceeding $300 million in green corridors and vegetated rooftops, while cities like Tucson and San Antonio implemented bioretention systems and rain gardens to improve water infiltration and reduce urban runoff. Overall, more than 3,000 hectares of new green infrastructure were developed nationwide in 2024, representing a 26% increase compared to 2023.
Beyond environmental benefits, these projects are producing tangible economic impacts. In Mexico, the public policy think tank Ethos estimated that every peso invested in green infrastructure yields a social return of 1.75 pesos through reductions in respiratory illnesses, increased active mobility, and urban land value appreciation. In the U.S., a joint study by the University of Michigan and the U.S. Green Building Council found that areas with green infrastructure experienced a 9% average increase in real estate value and a 12% decrease in flood-related costs.
However, the transformative potential of these policies faces significant challenges in 2025. First, the lack of standardized regulatory frameworks across levels of government continues to hinder systematic implementation. In Mexico, only 14 states have legislation requiring green infrastructure in new urban developments. In the U.S., although institutionalization is more advanced, funding often depends on temporary federal grants or public-private partnerships, resulting in fragmented execution.
A second structural challenge is the need for technical professionalization. Despite progress, many municipalities lack trained personnel in environmental design and engineering. This has led to poorly executed or short-lived projects. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and Arizona State University are leading binational training initiatives for landscape architects and urban planners with an ecological focus, but coverage remains limited compared to demand.
Lastly, the political challenge of embedding environmental justice as a guiding principle must not be underestimated. Marginalized communities—both in the peripheral neighborhoods of Mexican cities and in African American and Latino neighborhoods in the U.S.—still have the least access to green spaces and ecological sanitation technologies. Without equity, green infrastructure risks becoming a luxury for the elite rather than a shared urban right.
The year 2025 presents a critical opportunity to consolidate a new paradigm of binational urban development. It will be necessary to strengthen legal frameworks, institutionalize financing mechanisms, build technical capacity, and, above all, ensure that every tree planted, every vertical garden, and every meter of sustainable drainage reaches those who need it most. Only then can the cities of Mexico and the United States transition to a model that not only builds—but regenerates.
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