Green Cities to the Rescue: The Revolution of Ecological Spaces in Mexico and the U.S.

In recent years, transforming cities into greener environments has ceased to be an option and has become an urgent necessity. The climate crisis, air pollution, and biodiversity loss have led the governments of Mexico and the United States to prioritize the creation and rehabilitation of urban green spaces and ecological corridors. These public policies aim to improve residents' quality of life, lower urban temperatures, and promote biodiversity in increasingly densely populated cities.

The period between 2020 and 2024 has been crucial for implementing government initiatives to expand green spaces, improve their connectivity, and ensure their maintenance. However, progress has been uneven between the two countries, and gaps between large metropolitan areas and mid-sized cities still exist.

Below, we analyze the growth of these policies in recent years, the challenges for 2025, and the impact of these initiatives on the economy and public well-being.

Progress in Mexico and the United States (2020-2024)

In Mexico, the expansion of green spaces has been primarily driven in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mérida, where urban regeneration programs have focused on reforestation and public space recovery. According to the Mexico City Environmental Secretariat, by 2024, the capital had increased its green areas by 12% compared to 2020, reaching an average of 15.1 square meters of green space per inhabitant. This growth has been boosted by landmark projects, such as the rehabilitation of Lake Texcoco, which in 2024 became a 14,000-hectare ecological park, considered one of the largest in the world.

Another relevant case is Zapopan, Jalisco, where the municipal administration has implemented an ambitious urban reforestation program, planting more than 300,000 trees since 2021. According to Juan José Frangie Saade, mayor of Zapopan, "green spaces not only improve air quality but also have a positive impact on mental health and social well-being."

In the United States, the scenario is similar. Cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Phoenix have promoted green infrastructure projects to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve the quality of life in urban areas. One successful example is New York’s High Line, a former elevated railway transformed into a linear park, which has inspired the creation of ecological corridors in different cities. Between 2020 and 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service reported an 8% increase in urban green space nationwide, highlighting redevelopment projects in cities like Austin and Miami.

At the Mexico-U.S. border, Nogales, Arizona, has implemented a strategy of ecological corridors to connect vegetation fragments and allow local wildlife to move freely. Jorge Maldonado, mayor of Nogales, emphasized that "integrating ecological corridors into our urban areas not only beautifies our cities but also promotes harmonious coexistence between the community and nature."

What Has Changed Between 2020 and 2024?

To understand the impact of these policies, it is crucial to examine the evolution of green spaces quantitatively:

In Mexico, the national average of square meters of green space per inhabitant increased from 5.4 m² in 2020 to 6.1 m² in 2024, representing a 12.96% growth. However, this figure is still below the minimum recommendation of 9 m² per inhabitant established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the U.S., green space per inhabitant grew 8%, increasing from an average of 8.5 m² in 2020 to 9.2 m² in 2024, reaching the WHO’s minimum recommendation in several cities for the first time.

These figures reflect significant progress, although disparities persist. While cities like New York and Mexico City have maintained steady growth, regions with lower budgets or lower population density have had limited green infrastructure development.

Impact on Quality of Life and Economy

The development of green spaces and ecological corridors not only benefits the environment but also positively impacts the economy and public health.

Reduction of Stress and Anxiety: Studies from the University of California and UNAM have shown that proximity to parks and green areas reduces stress and anxiety in urban populations. In Mexico, a study by the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana found that people living near parks have a 25% lower probability of suffering from depression.
Increase in Property Values: The creation of ecological corridors and urban parks has increased the value of nearby properties by an average of 10% in Mexico and up to 15% in U.S. cities, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Reduction of Pollution: In Mexico City, carbon dioxide levels have decreased by 5% in areas where new urban parks have been implemented, according to the Environmental Secretariat.
Job Creation: Investment in green infrastructure has created thousands of jobs in both countries. In the U.S. alone, the urban reforestation program has generated over 40,000 jobs since 2021, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Challenges for 2025

Despite these advances, there are several key challenges to address in 2025 to consolidate the benefits of these policies:

Funding and Maintenance: Ensuring sufficient resources for park and ecological corridor maintenance remains one of the biggest challenges. In Mexico, many green areas lack proper funding for conservation.
Equity in Access: The unequal distribution of green spaces is still a problem. Densely populated cities have less green space per inhabitant.
Climate Change: The resilience of urban ecosystems against extreme climate events is crucial to ensuring long-term sustainability.
Community Participation: Strengthening environmental education and citizen involvement in conservation efforts is essential.

Conclusion: A Greener and More Resilient Urban Future

As emphasized by Juan José Frangie Saade, mayor of Zapopan, and Jorge Maldonado, mayor of Nogales, Arizona, the integration of green spaces into cities not only transforms natural environments but also generates positive impacts on public health, social cohesion, and local economic development.

Frangie Saade has been a strong advocate for urban regeneration in Zapopan, highlighting that "a park is not just an area with trees and grass, but a community meeting point, a climate refuge, and a tool to reduce violence in neighborhoods." Under his administration, the city has launched reforestation projects and ecological corridors that have beautified the city, reduced stress levels, and strengthened residents’ connection to their environment.

Meanwhile, Jorge Maldonado, in Nogales, has stressed the importance of cross-border ecological corridors, which support biodiversity and help mitigate extreme temperatures affecting the region. "In desert areas like ours, every tree counts. We cannot see green spaces as a luxury, but as a necessity for public health and urban climate resilience," he recently stated.

The future of cities will depend on the ability of governments to continue innovating in the creation and maintenance of ecological spaces. With the climate crisis and uncontrolled urban growth, municipalities must work hand in hand with citizens, businesses, and environmental organizations to ensure that urban expansion does not mean environmental loss but rather a model for sustainable and equitable growth.

Written by: Editorial