“After the age of globalization, we are now entering the urban age“, Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Management Board of Deutsche Bank is convinced: ”at the end of this century, two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in cities or city-like agglomerations. Some even prophesize that cities could become even more important than nation states.” Whether in New York, Shanghai or London: the consequences of urbanization are overwhelming. What many metropolises still lack is a strategic sense of forward-looking, socially compatible and sustainable planning. Together with the London School of Economics and over 100 experts from around the globe, Deutsche Bank’s Alfred Herrhausen Society’s objective is to shape the urban age. Mexico City was deliberately selected as the fourth conference location in the Urban Age series. With over 20 million inhabitants, it is the second biggest and one of the fastest growing metropolitan regions in the world. It combines “multiculturalism, internationality and an outstanding historical heritage”, as Mexican President Vicente Fox emphasizes with pride in his voice. At the same time, he stresses the many socio-economic challenges faced by the city and adds: “Mexico City can only benefit from the conference, in particular, from the experience of international experts.” The two-day conference dealt with the issue of how to shape the city from the points of view of politics, economics, the labour market, environment, infrastructure, society and culture.

“Mexico City gives me the impression of a sleeping beauty”, said Wolfgang Nowak, spokesman for the Management of the Alfred Herrhausen Society before going on to refer to the city’s outstanding economic and cultural potential. The aim of the conference is to make an important contribution to ensuring its future, in particular, through intelligent urban planning and local reform policies. What should Mexico City look like in future? What strategies are necessary to shape the city both physically and socially? How can international dialogue and expertise be applied to fulfil the hopes and expectations of the residents of Mexico City?

Enrique Norten, managing director of the Ten-Arquitectos firm of archictects, represents a new generation of urban planners who assess local problems self-critically while simultaneously indicating a way forward. He warns, in particular, of expansion plans for the mega-city which have not been thought out and which, all too often, have a negative impact on natural and public spaces. If, as predicted, the population of Mexico City grows by a further four million by 2020, “fundamental changes will have to be made.” Above all, he calls for: “the structure of the population density to be reorganized.” As a result, new space could be created, which could be used for accommodation, culture and recreation. Adrian Pandal, director of the Mexiko City – Centro Historico foundation, sees urgent need for action for the city’s historical centre. As a results of the devastating earthquake of 1985, which hit the city’s historical centre, both residents and companies fled to the peripheries. A socio-political vacuum remains: “it is mainly the poor that have remained and the crime rate is rising continuously, even today”, states Pandal. The central tenet of his arguments concerns the revitalization of the city centre: crucial in this context is the social integration of the residents, an improved infrastructure, as well as economic and political labour market initiatives.

“Mexico City is in danger of drowning in its own pollution”, warns Guy Battle, managing director of the London-based firm of consulting engineers and landscape architects, Battle McCarthy. In order to successfully tackle the problem, planners must understand the city as an “organism”. He is convinced that: “successful design must connect water, waste, energy and green spaces conceptually and operatively.” This is the only way to protect the environment, achieve sustainable economic success and make lasting improvements to social interaction. Geetam Tiwari, Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, sees a connection between the high level of pollution and ineffective traffic organization. “Too little money is invested in public transport”, she stresses. At the same time, millions of pesos are spent each year on constructing expressways in the metropolitan region. The urban environmental politician, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo points out initial infrastructural initiatives, such as the expansion of the city’s bus network. However, she regrets “that all too often, there is a lack of political will when it comes to political environmental issues.” Moreover, it is very difficult to convince people to use public transport. She is convinced that “fears for their own safety” play a significant role in this context.

One would not expect to find many cultural treasures in the favelas that surround Mexico City. However, Benjamin González, managing director of Fábrica des Artes y Oficios de Oriente, describes the success story of the EL FARO cultural project with pride: “young, talented people, as far away as you can get from high culture, are committed to art, culture and society.” With this project, a dynamic cultural centre has sprung up in one of the most poverty-stricken areas of Mexico City, enabling people to express their creativity and participate in public life. But it is still the only project of its kind. There could be more if only the pragmatism of politics would allow it, says González, thoughtfully. Marinela Servitje, director of the Chapultapec Parks foundation, also stresses the importance of public space for the city’s residents. Using city funds, this historical park has been undergoing renovation for 20 years. Servitje sees a connection between the use of the park and above all, increased security: “if we can motivate more people to leave their houses, the crime rate will fall.” Attacks on pedestrians, people travelling on public transport and drivers as well as abductions are part of daily life in Mexico City.

The meeting of the government heads Alejandro Encinas, Mayor of Mexico City and Enrique Peña Nieto, Governor of the State of Mexico was of historical significance. For first time ever, the heads of government at municipal and federal level met to discuss how to shape the future of the city. Both not only have the energy and commitment, but also the political will to stabilize Mexico City and bring it forward. “Metropolitan governance had not been discussed seriously before”, said Nieto. Nevertheless, problems are increasing daily and with them grows the urgent need for reform policy. “The financing of development projects has hampered coordination up to now”, explains Encinas. He continued: “in future, we have to think more pragmatically and define responsibilities more clearly.” But how can coordination be improved? Gerald Frug, a professor at Harvard University, focuses on the decentralization of power: “in order to make progress quickly, the recently re-enlisted Executive Commission for Metropolitan Coordination has to be strengthened”, he said in no uncertain terms. Under its auspices, the organization unites representatives of the national government, the Federal State of Mexico and Mexico City. This is the only way, added Frug, in which, “initiatives can be implemented effectively and become a part of an integrated strategic vision for Mexico City.  

Ricky Burdett, professor at the London School of Economics concluded by confirming what was announced as the objective at the beginning of the Urban Age Conference: the challenges facing mega-cities can only be solved through dialogue. He summed up by saying that there could be no doubt that Mexico City’s unique character “had left a deep impression”. Both international and Mexican participants benefited from the individual experiences and debated the course of action to be taken for the future of the world's metropolises.