Sustainable Spaces in Arid and Semiarid Zones of Mexico

Human beings rely on environment modification for the proper satisfaction of needs such as shelter building, food and tool production, water supply, sanitization, and recreation. Environmental changes brought about by human societies have reached a breakthrough point known as Anthropocene, one of the characteristics of which is urbanization. Given that from 2007 most world population is concentrated in urban settlements, decisions taken by authorities, organizations, and citizens in general concerning the urban spaces can constitute a driving force toward sustainability. Construction of sustainable spaces is more urgent in arid and semi-arid zones of the world, which cover around 41% of the world’s land surface, are inhabited by 38% of the global population, and are considered among the most vulnerable regions to climate change. This book aims to highlight opportunities and acquired experiences in applying urban planning strategies, eco-building practices, and low-impact and passive technologies, to the sustainable management of urban spaces in arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico.

This chapter addresses the urban form of three Mexican cities in areas with arid and semi-arid climates, considering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established in the 2030 Agenda. The aim is to analyze the urban form of cities and its relationship with the targets set in SDG 11, which refers to cities and communities to make them inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. For this, three Mexican cities with similar characteristics were compared: Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, and León, with 1.59, 1.27, and 1.9 million inhabitants, respectively. The elements considered for this analysis were natural conditions where they are located, the routes that give origin and shape to the city, and their containment polygons. With the above, it was possible to identify that the form of cities plays a vital role in a town being inclusive, resilient, and sustainable by determining the physical order that directly affects the accessibility and, therefore, the physical structure of the city, which in turn governs the practical use of resources.

An urban sustainability index was constructed using the principal components method and census data disaggregated by basic statistical geographic area (BSGA) for the municipalities of Pachuca and Mineral de la Reforma in Hidalgo State, Mexico, in 2020. The variables were selected using a multiple regression method. The index allows knowing the degree of urban sustainability according to population density, services, and housing characteristics. As a result, it was obtained that 34% of the 364 BSGA are in the range of low and very low urban sustainability, 27% have moderate sustainability, and 38% present high and very high degrees of sustainability. In conclusion, this urban sustainability index could be used to design public policy criteria to improve the population's living conditions and replicated in any city in Mexico. However, it is necessary to incorporate new variables for future research.

The Pachuca-Real del Monte Mining District originated in the sixteenth century with the discovery of argentiferous veins. For their mining, it was necessary to draw paths, which became roads and corridors that were traveled by various types of transport. The topographical conditions and climate of the region influenced the definition of the routes that would later be traveled by railways and trams in the late 19th and early twentieth centuries. This research was carried out to recognize the historical stages of the routes in the mining district and the traces of railway tracks to promote the development of projects for tourist corridors that allow the revaluation of the landscape and its qualities, with a focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 –Sustainable Cities and Communities–. The route starts in the historic center of Pachuca and goes through the peri-urban area, which comprises the founding neighborhoods of this city, until reaching Real del Monte by rural roads. The traces of the routes that have been recorded and their current conditions were analyzed based on their soil type and potential for eco-tourist service stations, viewpoints, and supporting activities such as hiking and mountain biking, along with the tram rehabilitation. The goal is to contribute to the revaluation of the cultural landscape of the mining district by locals and visitors, as well as to contribute to the economic development and sustainability of the communities that make it up.

Current urban development poses numerous challenges for the Global South, mainly for its arid and semi-arid regions. First, this chapter aims to present the emerging blue and green infrastructure (BGI) concept as the result of a historical process whose deep roots can be found in the Neolithic and Industrial revolutions, the ecological conservation theory, but also in the traditional knowledge of communities forming diverse socioecological systems in the Global South. Then, as a part of its conceptual framework, which relies heavily on the provision of ecosystem services, the similarities and differences between BGI and other concurrent concepts are presented. Second, we review the ecosystem services provided by BGI, as well as some examples of its implementation in the Global South, emphasizing its benefits in terms of water quantity and quality, and the contribution of BGI to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, although the BGI approach entered only recently into the national policy discourse, we present some governmental, academic, and social endeavors with positive effects on sustainable water management in Mexico. Our view is that the perspective of water conservation implicit in BGI is of urgent implementation in the arid and semi-arid growing cities of the Global South.

This book chapter presents an eco-construction process that aims to promote sustainable building practices in arid and semi-arid zones. The proposed construction technique utilizes adobe and rammed earth methods, which are both environmentally friendly. To establish the feasibility of the construction technique, the chapter identifies the geotechnical and mineralogical characteristics of the two materials. Subsequently, the manufacturing and construction processes and their thermal, acoustic, and mechanical properties are studied. The analysis shows that the proposed eco-construction practice is sustainable, with excellent durability and a positive environmental impact. Additionally, it was found that using adobe and rammed earth techniques for construction aligns with some of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (11 and 12). These techniques use natural resources that are readily available locally, reducing the construction process’s environmental impact. Furthermore, the chapter evaluates reusable and recyclable materials as a preservation strategy for local ecosystems. It is worth noting that climatic characteristics and geographical conditions play a crucial role in the effectiveness of these construction techniques. Proper maintenance is also essential to extend the durability of the structures. By adopting these eco-construction practices, the construction industry can contribute to the sustainable development of communities and ecosystems in arid and semi-arid zones.

Countries of the Global South such as Mexico need to modernize their transport infrastructure to be increasingly competitive internationally. A resilient infrastructure promotes sustainable industrialization and encourages innovation. Two key objectives were identified: To develop reliable, sustainable, resilient, and quality infrastructure, including regional and cross-border infrastructure, and to support economic development and human well-being. To modernize the infrastructure and reconvert the construction industry, the adoption of clean and environmentally friendly technologies and industrial processes is proposed. In arid and semi-arid zones, the intense and prolonged periods of drought and erratic rainfall, as well as strong temperature variations, alter the road durability and resistance, and their maintenance requirements. That is why the asphalt concrete used in these areas must consider durability, resistance to cracking, low road noise, and low environmental impact. An area of opportunity that stands out here is the recycling of materials as an option to reduce the consumption of virgin materials, which impacts costs and maintenance. In this work, the properties of asphalt concrete modified with recycled polymeric waste were reviewed. A compilation of information is included that contemplates asphalt and concrete evaluation strategies through conceptual frameworks of sustainability, environmental impact, and circular economy for new road networks. It is concluded that recycled polymeric materials are a sustainable alternative to asphalt.