Urban Mobility and Increase in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Mexican Cities

Abstract

In accordance with international agendas and commitments (Sustainable Development Goals), Mexico reiterated its responsibility to improve mobility in its urban areas, considering that, without public transport systems and safe mobility, Mexican cities will not be able to reach their maximum potential. Linking economic growth with quality of life and environmental sustainability in transport within cities requires leaving behind models that have proven ineffective and creating innovative alternatives that are applicable to a complex context such as the one that exists in the main Mexican cities. Historically, the growth of urban areas in Mexico has occurred in a scattered and expansive way, fragmenting the urban space and increasing distances and travel times. Likewise, the mobility model that has accompanied this process of urban growth is clearly unsustainable. During the last two decades in Mexico, there has been an alarming trend in the increase of automobile use. This trend implies an increase in all the negative impacts generated by this type of transport, especially the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Given this situation, this chapter aims to present the main trends and characteristics of urban growth in Mexico compared to the LAC region and the world.