This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/cities/live/2015/nov/09/guardian-mexico-city-week-live

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Guardian Mexico City week – live Guardian Mexico City week – live
(35 minutes later)
2.20pm GMT14:20
Here are some highlights from the live Q&A with Mexico City’s chief resilience officer Arnoldo Matus Kramer …
Q: What are the biggest existing strengths of Mexico City and what do you feel are DF’s greatest resilience challenges at the moment?
Its greatest strength is that we have faced multiple risks and we learned from them. For example, in 1985 a very large earthquake put the city to a limit, and the authorities were overcome by the size of the disaster – and the response of civil society was very active, and that created a moment of change in terms of creating resilience at a societal level. This started a transition to more democracy and a more active civil society in Mexico. Since 1985, the government has built a national civil protection system so people know what they have to do in case there’s a disaster. You can see the difference with last hurricane in Mexico – Patricia – there were no fatalities even if it was the strongest one in the Pacific.
In terms of challenges, there are many long-term planning issues that are strong risks for the city and metropolitan area, for example water-related risks. We are facing a time in which there’s a constant degradation of local and regional aquifers, which in 20 to 30 years could affect the supply of water to the city. The other challenge is mobility – the average commuting rate for any citizen is 3 hours per day, and speed is decreasing because we have a higher population of cars. Last but not least, social inequalities also impact how we cope with disasters. (Arnoldo)
Q: Why is Mexico City is investing so much money in road infrastructure when that does not benefit the majority of the population or solve capacity issues, and are there any plans to expand the inadequate public transport – especially the metro?
In 2014, the law on mobility changed – now the priority in terms of mobility puts pedestrians at the top of the pyramid, then cyclists, public transport and then cars. This is a change of paradigm that just passed last year. From regulation to investment, we’re now in a transition. You can’t, for sure, say that investing in car infrastructure in Mexico City is resilient. But it’s a transition because we have an embedded systm for investment from decades ago and now we need to act on the change. We started Vision Zero to reduce fatalities – so that will create a change in the urban environment – identifying conflictive roads, for instance.
It’s a big challenge, a big financial one. The city is investing in the metrobus system (our BRT network has gone from 0 lines to 6 lines in 12 years) – and Mexico City will soon become the city with the largest BRT system in the world. And the metro is expanding as well. (Arnoldo)
NM
Updated at 2.23pm GMT
2.20pm GMT14:20
Now to quickly check in with Megan and Ben’s balloon trip over the city, about which I am not even remotely jealous.
The Calzada de los Muertos leading to the Teotihuacán pyramids. pic.twitter.com/1m9e34iD8L
At all.
A more recent cemetery near the Teotihuacán pyramids. #GuardianMexico pic.twitter.com/t75n3WL1Cb
The local church, bells ringing, and a competitor's balloon. pic.twitter.com/dY9BK28U5T
Martin, meanwhile, has been moved to lyricism by the Mercado de Jamaica ...
"I travelled for years from market to market, because Mexico is in its markets." Pablo Neruda #GuardianMexico pic.twitter.com/xQBbqrmoHA
CM
Updated at 2.21pm GMT
1.59pm GMT13:591.59pm GMT13:59
Live Q&A starting now …Live Q&A starting now …
Now it’s time to check in at the aforementioned Chief Resilience Officer summit for our live Q&A with Mexico City’s chief resilience officer, Arnoldo Matus Kramer. You can read the discussion live and add your own questions here. Whether you’re concerned about the city’s water issues or have a brilliant new idea for keeping DF’s older residents connected, Arnoldo’s the man to talk to ...Now it’s time to check in at the aforementioned Chief Resilience Officer summit for our live Q&A with Mexico City’s chief resilience officer, Arnoldo Matus Kramer. You can read the discussion live and add your own questions here. Whether you’re concerned about the city’s water issues or have a brilliant new idea for keeping DF’s older residents connected, Arnoldo’s the man to talk to ...
If you want to read more about the resilience summit, check out this article by 100 Resilient Cities president Michael Berkowitz. MHIf you want to read more about the resilience summit, check out this article by 100 Resilient Cities president Michael Berkowitz. MH
1.47pm GMT13:471.47pm GMT13:47
How is Mexico City changing?How is Mexico City changing?
This week we want to hear from you about how this fascinating city is changing. What things have got better – or worse? What would you like to see change? If you live in DF, check out our GuardianWitness callout and share your photographs, videos, thoughts and stories – we’ll feature a selection in a roundup on Friday. In the meantime, here’s a couple we’ve received so far …This week we want to hear from you about how this fascinating city is changing. What things have got better – or worse? What would you like to see change? If you live in DF, check out our GuardianWitness callout and share your photographs, videos, thoughts and stories – we’ll feature a selection in a roundup on Friday. In the meantime, here’s a couple we’ve received so far …
Our three tallest buildings. The last two built simultaneously and really fast.Our three tallest buildings. The last two built simultaneously and really fast.
The area on which these buildings stand, is changing not only the landscape, but all the surroundings, by making out of it something fancier. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, since there aren't many ways to make a city grow without side effects like raising prices, however, other people oppose: those buildings are just the most visible evidence of a city that instead of eradicating it's poverty, covers it with fancy covers.The area on which these buildings stand, is changing not only the landscape, but all the surroundings, by making out of it something fancier. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, since there aren't many ways to make a city grow without side effects like raising prices, however, other people oppose: those buildings are just the most visible evidence of a city that instead of eradicating it's poverty, covers it with fancy covers.
Sent via Guardian WitnessSent via Guardian Witness
By Kraven GarcíaBy Kraven García
3 November 2015, 20:363 November 2015, 20:36
MUSEO DE LA MEMORIA Y LA TOLERANCIAMUSEO DE LA MEMORIA Y LA TOLERANCIA
Aunque gran parte del Museo está dedicado al Holocausto -que muchos mexicanos desconocemos en su verdadera proporción y algunos lo desconocen completamente - y a la promoción de los Derechos Humanos y la cultura de paz. México se vuelve cada vez más incluyente, las visitas diarias de estudiantes es asombrosa y conmovedora. Confio en que más espacios de este tipo proliferen en todo el país.Aunque gran parte del Museo está dedicado al Holocausto -que muchos mexicanos desconocemos en su verdadera proporción y algunos lo desconocen completamente - y a la promoción de los Derechos Humanos y la cultura de paz. México se vuelve cada vez más incluyente, las visitas diarias de estudiantes es asombrosa y conmovedora. Confio en que más espacios de este tipo proliferen en todo el país.
Sent via Guardian WitnessSent via Guardian Witness
By ID5223993By ID5223993
5 November 2015, 16:005 November 2015, 16:00
Translation: the Museum of Memory and Tolerance – even though a big part of the museum is dedicated to the Holocaust (the true scale of which many Mexicans don’t know, and some don’t know it at all), it also promotes human rights and a peaceful culture. Mexico is becoming more inclusive, and seeing students visit this museum daily is amazing and moving. I hope spaces like this will proliferate in the whole country.Translation: the Museum of Memory and Tolerance – even though a big part of the museum is dedicated to the Holocaust (the true scale of which many Mexicans don’t know, and some don’t know it at all), it also promotes human rights and a peaceful culture. Mexico is becoming more inclusive, and seeing students visit this museum daily is amazing and moving. I hope spaces like this will proliferate in the whole country.
1.39pm GMT13:391.39pm GMT13:39
It’s just after 7.30am here in Mexico City, and we’re thinking about breakfast. Specifically, the amazing one we had at Restaurante Lardo in Condesa, one of chef Elena Reygadas’ two eateries in Mexico City (the other is Rosetta in colonia Roma). Elena describes her culinary style as “Mexican food with a different point of view”. We describe it as “utterly delicious”. Here is what we were treated to:It’s just after 7.30am here in Mexico City, and we’re thinking about breakfast. Specifically, the amazing one we had at Restaurante Lardo in Condesa, one of chef Elena Reygadas’ two eateries in Mexico City (the other is Rosetta in colonia Roma). Elena describes her culinary style as “Mexican food with a different point of view”. We describe it as “utterly delicious”. Here is what we were treated to:
• Uchepos – fresh corn tamales steamed with lard, salt and sugar:• Uchepos – fresh corn tamales steamed with lard, salt and sugar:
To make this very traditional dish from the state of Michoacan, the corn kernels are first separated from the corn, then processed with soft lard with a touch of salt and sugar. The mix is spooned into the corn husk, then folded, and finally placed in a steamer for an hour.To make this very traditional dish from the state of Michoacan, the corn kernels are first separated from the corn, then processed with soft lard with a touch of salt and sugar. The mix is spooned into the corn husk, then folded, and finally placed in a steamer for an hour.
• Eggs with hoja santa, chile morita sauce and fresh cheese – eggs are made a la plancha, or griddled.• Eggs with hoja santa, chile morita sauce and fresh cheese – eggs are made a la plancha, or griddled.
• Poached eggs with epazote, verdolagas (purslane), and a tomato-and-cumin sauce. Elena highlights the epazote and verdolagas herbs as two of the most distinct flavours in Mexican cooking.• Poached eggs with epazote, verdolagas (purslane), and a tomato-and-cumin sauce. Elena highlights the epazote and verdolagas herbs as two of the most distinct flavours in Mexican cooking.
• Pulque bread (pulque is another alcoholic beverage fermented from the sap of the maguey plant, and used in place of yeast).• Pulque bread (pulque is another alcoholic beverage fermented from the sap of the maguey plant, and used in place of yeast).
• Black beans with fresh cheese• Black beans with fresh cheese
• Plus assorted fruit juices: if you’re ever in Mexico City, do try the celery, parsley and pineapple one ... MH• Plus assorted fruit juices: if you’re ever in Mexico City, do try the celery, parsley and pineapple one ... MH
Updated at 1.41pm GMTUpdated at 1.41pm GMT
1.15pm GMT13:151.15pm GMT13:15
Throughout the day, our intrepid reporters at large – Martin Hodgson, Megan Carpentier and Ben Hicks – are escapading in various capacities throughout Mexico City. Ten points if you spot them, 20 for a selfie, 30 for a lock of Ben’s hair. That hashtag again is #guardianmexicoThroughout the day, our intrepid reporters at large – Martin Hodgson, Megan Carpentier and Ben Hicks – are escapading in various capacities throughout Mexico City. Ten points if you spot them, 20 for a selfie, 30 for a lock of Ben’s hair. That hashtag again is #guardianmexico
Megan and Ben are getting things started with a balloon ride to see the sun rise over the pyramids, obviously.Megan and Ben are getting things started with a balloon ride to see the sun rise over the pyramids, obviously.
Sun rising over the pyramid at Teotihuacán #GuardianMexico pic.twitter.com/3an69ClK82Sun rising over the pyramid at Teotihuacán #GuardianMexico pic.twitter.com/3an69ClK82
Martin, meanwhile, is visiting as many markets as he can in a day, starting with the Mercado de Jamaica and with any luck ending up in the Central de Abastos, the largest market in the city (indeed, with 30,000 tonnes of food daily, perhaps the largest in all of Latin America). As Melanie Smith writes: “It’s a heady, chaotic place where it is difficult to comprehend the scale of consumption within the city. It feels like a 24-hour engine that never switches off, where large and small scale meet; a place of overflow in all senses.”Martin, meanwhile, is visiting as many markets as he can in a day, starting with the Mercado de Jamaica and with any luck ending up in the Central de Abastos, the largest market in the city (indeed, with 30,000 tonnes of food daily, perhaps the largest in all of Latin America). As Melanie Smith writes: “It’s a heady, chaotic place where it is difficult to comprehend the scale of consumption within the city. It feels like a 24-hour engine that never switches off, where large and small scale meet; a place of overflow in all senses.”
If you have any suggestions for where Martin should visit next, tweet us at #guardianmexicoIf you have any suggestions for where Martin should visit next, tweet us at #guardianmexico
CMCM
Updated at 1.40pm GMTUpdated at 1.40pm GMT
12.59pm GMT12:5912.59pm GMT12:59
Running and cycling around busy streets in Mexico City, I’ve often felt the pollution bite at back of my throat - but air quality has improved markedly since the 1980s when it was named the most polluted city in the world. Much of this was down to moving oil refineries outside the Federal District boundaries and introducing cleaner buses.Running and cycling around busy streets in Mexico City, I’ve often felt the pollution bite at back of my throat - but air quality has improved markedly since the 1980s when it was named the most polluted city in the world. Much of this was down to moving oil refineries outside the Federal District boundaries and introducing cleaner buses.
Between 1990 and 2012, ozone levels have fallen from 43 to 27 parts per billion; sulphur dioxide from 55 to five parts per billion, and carbon monoxide from 84 to 10 parts per billion – and Mexico City’s Air Quality Index is now often in same range as some US cities.Between 1990 and 2012, ozone levels have fallen from 43 to 27 parts per billion; sulphur dioxide from 55 to five parts per billion, and carbon monoxide from 84 to 10 parts per billion – and Mexico City’s Air Quality Index is now often in same range as some US cities.
Air quality has improved despite the growth of the city and an increase in the number of cars (to 5.5 million according to the latest estimates). City environment minister Tanya Müller has expanded the Hoy No Circula (Day without a car) initiative - where older cars are banned from being driven on certain days - much to the annoyance of some.Air quality has improved despite the growth of the city and an increase in the number of cars (to 5.5 million according to the latest estimates). City environment minister Tanya Müller has expanded the Hoy No Circula (Day without a car) initiative - where older cars are banned from being driven on certain days - much to the annoyance of some.
There are 42 air quality monitoring stations around city, with the data shown live on screens in Müller’s office overlooking the Zócalo main square. They are also publicly available via a website and an app.There are 42 air quality monitoring stations around city, with the data shown live on screens in Müller’s office overlooking the Zócalo main square. They are also publicly available via a website and an app.
Mexico City environment minister Tanya Muller explains the live pollution monitoring screens in @SEDEMA_CDMX office pic.twitter.com/sV9yMl2Ju5Mexico City environment minister Tanya Muller explains the live pollution monitoring screens in @SEDEMA_CDMX office pic.twitter.com/sV9yMl2Ju5
But even though Mexico City has cleaned up its act, it still faces the problem of pollution washing into the Federal District from the State of Mexico to the north, which is then trapped in the city by a range of mountains. “Most days air currents move north to south, bringing pollutants from the State of Mexico into Mexico City itself,” says Müller. “Our main challenge now is that pollution travels.”But even though Mexico City has cleaned up its act, it still faces the problem of pollution washing into the Federal District from the State of Mexico to the north, which is then trapped in the city by a range of mountains. “Most days air currents move north to south, bringing pollutants from the State of Mexico into Mexico City itself,” says Müller. “Our main challenge now is that pollution travels.”
NMNM
Updated at 1.10pm GMTUpdated at 1.10pm GMT
12.50pm GMT12:5012.50pm GMT12:50
We can’t come to Mexico City without a mention of Lucha Libre – but the subject of one of our stories has used Mexico’s wrestling heritage as the inspiration for a very different line of work. Meet Peatónito, the pedestrian superhero fighting a one-man campaign to make his city more pedestrian friendly:We can’t come to Mexico City without a mention of Lucha Libre – but the subject of one of our stories has used Mexico’s wrestling heritage as the inspiration for a very different line of work. Meet Peatónito, the pedestrian superhero fighting a one-man campaign to make his city more pedestrian friendly:
“Lucha Libre is deep-rooted in Mexican life, but the idea [for Peatónito] came to me the day I took a few foreign friends along to see a fight. If we’ve had Superbarrio, why can’t we imagine the street as a wrestling ring?”“Lucha Libre is deep-rooted in Mexican life, but the idea [for Peatónito] came to me the day I took a few foreign friends along to see a fight. If we’ve had Superbarrio, why can’t we imagine the street as a wrestling ring?”
Meanwhile our Guardian colleagues Ben Hicks and Martin Hodgson went to a Lucha Libra bout yesterday – here’s Ben’s breathless report:Meanwhile our Guardian colleagues Ben Hicks and Martin Hodgson went to a Lucha Libra bout yesterday – here’s Ben’s breathless report:
Lucha Libre at the Arena Mexico #GuardianMexico pic.twitter.com/PADhEx5okYLucha Libre at the Arena Mexico #GuardianMexico pic.twitter.com/PADhEx5okY
“Sunday is family day at Lucha Libra. Six-year-old girls with their 80-year-old grandmothers roaring on their favourite wrestlers. Mexican wrestling has a reputation as the most entertaining in the world and it doesn’t disappoint. The wrestlers themselves represent extreme versions of every modern archetype: the classic masked man who body slams his opponents; the shadow, in black, growling and gurning at the baying crowd; the gay stereotype who kisses his opponents mid brawl. Tag teams and anarchy, titillation and tantrums. All the performers are highly skilled gymnasts and actors; this is Mexican culture at its most grotesque, yet strangely beautiful and life affirming.”“Sunday is family day at Lucha Libra. Six-year-old girls with their 80-year-old grandmothers roaring on their favourite wrestlers. Mexican wrestling has a reputation as the most entertaining in the world and it doesn’t disappoint. The wrestlers themselves represent extreme versions of every modern archetype: the classic masked man who body slams his opponents; the shadow, in black, growling and gurning at the baying crowd; the gay stereotype who kisses his opponents mid brawl. Tag teams and anarchy, titillation and tantrums. All the performers are highly skilled gymnasts and actors; this is Mexican culture at its most grotesque, yet strangely beautiful and life affirming.”
MHMH
Updated at 1.22pm GMTUpdated at 1.22pm GMT
12.24pm GMT12:2412.24pm GMT12:24
The Guardian Cities team is staying in Condesa this week, in a street that featured in the canine classic Amores Perros (more of that later), and has recently been gripped by a worrying spate of dog-related crimes. We’ll be watching that story closely this week.The Guardian Cities team is staying in Condesa this week, in a street that featured in the canine classic Amores Perros (more of that later), and has recently been gripped by a worrying spate of dog-related crimes. We’ll be watching that story closely this week.
Another four-legged mystery we’re keen to investigate is the large black pig that supposedly gets taken for a walk on a lead every day in nearby Roma. Please tell us this is more than just a shaggy pig story – if anyone can provide us with visual evidence, email us at mexicocity.week@theguardian.com or tweet us using the hashtag #GuardianMexico.Another four-legged mystery we’re keen to investigate is the large black pig that supposedly gets taken for a walk on a lead every day in nearby Roma. Please tell us this is more than just a shaggy pig story – if anyone can provide us with visual evidence, email us at mexicocity.week@theguardian.com or tweet us using the hashtag #GuardianMexico.
Meanwhile, across mighty Chapultepec Park in Polanco, today marks the start of the Rockefeller Foundation’s second annual Chief Resilience Officer Summit, at which urban experts from across the world meet to share ideas and experiences that could make all their cities stronger.Meanwhile, across mighty Chapultepec Park in Polanco, today marks the start of the Rockefeller Foundation’s second annual Chief Resilience Officer Summit, at which urban experts from across the world meet to share ideas and experiences that could make all their cities stronger.
The man charged with making Mexico City more resilient is Arnoldo Matus Kramer, and we’ll be putting questions about the city to him in just over an hour’s time, live on the Guardian Cities site. There’s still time to send us your question. MHThe man charged with making Mexico City more resilient is Arnoldo Matus Kramer, and we’ll be putting questions about the city to him in just over an hour’s time, live on the Guardian Cities site. There’s still time to send us your question. MH
12.00pm GMT12:0012.00pm GMT12:00
Buenos días, Ciudad de México!Buenos días, Ciudad de México!
Welcome to the third of Guardian Cities’ special live weeks – after Mumbai and Moscow, this time we’ve relocated to the beautiful, much misunderstood capital of Mexico.Welcome to the third of Guardian Cities’ special live weeks – after Mumbai and Moscow, this time we’ve relocated to the beautiful, much misunderstood capital of Mexico.
What are we doing here? Simply, we want to get beyond the cliches and the stereotypes, and learn the realities of life in DF from the people who know best – its residents, wherever they live in this sprawling metropolis.What are we doing here? Simply, we want to get beyond the cliches and the stereotypes, and learn the realities of life in DF from the people who know best – its residents, wherever they live in this sprawling metropolis.
There will, along the way, be some difficult truths, but there will also be uplifting stories that reveal surprising new sides to the city – even, we hope, for those who have spent their lives here.There will, along the way, be some difficult truths, but there will also be uplifting stories that reveal surprising new sides to the city – even, we hope, for those who have spent their lives here.
Chilangos everywhere, we’d love to hear from you – here’s how to get involved, and even come along to two special live events (here and here) later in the week.Chilangos everywhere, we’d love to hear from you – here’s how to get involved, and even come along to two special live events (here and here) later in the week.
And if you haven’t already, what better way to kick off the week than by watching the rather brilliant video above, made by our new friendSantiago Arau – a photographer and film-maker who will stop at nothing to get the perfect picture. For another example, check out his photographs for Valeria Luiselli’s gorgeous piece about Mexico City’s rooftops.And if you haven’t already, what better way to kick off the week than by watching the rather brilliant video above, made by our new friendSantiago Arau – a photographer and film-maker who will stop at nothing to get the perfect picture. For another example, check out his photographs for Valeria Luiselli’s gorgeous piece about Mexico City’s rooftops.
Nuestra semana en vivo en la Ciudad de México es bilingüe, y muchos de nuestros artículos serán también publicados en español. Sin embargo, este blog en vivo será sólo en inglés – así que, si te gustaría comentar nuestra semana en español, por favor envíanos un email a mexicocity.week@theguardian.com, tuitea usando el hashtag #GuardianMexico o contáctanos por WhatsApp añadiendo el número +447881337758 como contacto y mandándoleel mensaje “subscribe” por WhatsApp.Nuestra semana en vivo en la Ciudad de México es bilingüe, y muchos de nuestros artículos serán también publicados en español. Sin embargo, este blog en vivo será sólo en inglés – así que, si te gustaría comentar nuestra semana en español, por favor envíanos un email a mexicocity.week@theguardian.com, tuitea usando el hashtag #GuardianMexico o contáctanos por WhatsApp añadiendo el número +447881337758 como contacto y mandándoleel mensaje “subscribe” por WhatsApp.
MHMH