Warm up In the vocabulary section of your binder write down the following definitions: rural decline – worsening economic conditions in the country-side, including rising unemployment and growing poverty spatial inequality - an unequal distribution of wealth or resources over a geographic area

Spatial Inequality in Mexico City From Cardboard to Castles

Definitions rural decline – worsening economic conditions in the country-side, including rising unemployment and growing poverty spatial inequality - an unequal distribution of wealth or resources over a geographic area

The Geographic Setting Mexico City – one of world’s most populated cities, 7000ft above sea level 1325 Aztecs Tenochtitlán “A City of Wonders” 1521 Spain conquered the Aztecs

Your Guides to Mexico City

Challenges in the Countryside Only 15% of land is good for farming. Best land owned by a few wealthy owners. Small farmers can’t buy seeds, fertilizer, and machinery to compete with large farms. Many end up selling their land.

Challenges in the Countryside Only 15% of Mexico’s land is good for farming. Most of the best land is held by a few wealthy owners. Small farmers can’t buy seeds, fertilizer, and machinery to compete with large farms. Many end up selling their land.

Migration to Cities They hope to get jobs, to enjoy a higher standard of living, and to get their children into better schools.

Migration to Cities Farmers migrate to the city to try to find a better life. They hope to get jobs that pay a decent wage, to enjoy a higher standard of living, and to get their children into better schools.

Neighborhood Visit 1

Listen carefully to the interview Listen carefully to the interview. Then complete as much of the survey as you can.

Mexico City’s Growth Spreading up the Valley of Mexico and filling in the valley’s lakes

Mexico City’s Growth Mexico City is spreading up the sides of the Valley of Mexico and filling in areas that were once covered by the valley’s lakes.

Problems Not enough land, housing, or clean water Traffic Air pollution Not enough jobs Poverty and crime increased

Problems There is not enough land, housing, or clean water for the city’s population. Roads are clogged with traffic. Buses and subways are packed. One of the city’s worst problems is air pollution. There are not enough jobs for everyone. Poverty and crime have increased.

Neighborhood Visit 2

Interview 2

Mexico City’s Recent Migrants Live in slums in one-room shacks Houses lack electricity and water Dirt streets trashed Little or no work.

Mexico City’s Recent Migrants They often live in slums on the edge of the city in one-room shacks made of cardboard and junk. Many of these houses lack electricity and water. The dirt streets are often littered with trash. Many of these people have little or no work.

Mexico City’s Working Poor Closer to the center of the city than the slums Cinder-block homes with metal or tar-covered roofs Rundown apartment buildings. Have electricity but not always running water. The streets are usually paved

Mexico City’s Working Poor They live in neighborhoods that are usually closer to the center of the city than the slums are. Some live in cinder-block homes with metal or tar-covered roofs. Others live in rundown apartment buildings. They usually have electricity but not always running water. The streets are usually paved.

Neighborhood Visit 3

Interview 3

Mexico City’s Middle Class Work in business, education, or government. Live near the center of the city or in modern suburbs farther away. They can usually afford some luxuries, such as a telephone.

Mexico City’s Middle Class Many of the middle class work in business, education, or government. They live in houses or apartment buildings near the center of the city or in modern suburbs farther away. They can usually afford some luxuries, such as a telephone.

Mexico City’s Upper Class Very wealthy Large landowners or business or government leaders Luxurious lifestyle. Large estates with high walls and security systems. They often hire the working poor as maids, gardeners, and drivers.

Mexico City’s Upper Class Very wealthy people who are large landowners or business or government leaders belong to the upper class. They have a luxurious lifestyle. They live on large estates with high walls and security systems. They often hire the working poor as maids, gardeners, and drivers.

Neighborhood Visit 4

Interview 4

Answer the following questions: What is are some major causes of rural decline in Mexico? What are some important “pull factors” that draws farm families to Mexico City?

Neighborhood Visit 1 Itzapalapa, Magdalena Contreras

Neighborhood Visit 2 Azcapotzalco, Coyoacán

Neighborhood Visit 3 Iztacalco

Neighborhood Visit 4 Benito Juárez