Construction of the habitat in the periphery of Mexico City. A case study in Zumpango

This paper contributes to the discussion of socio-spatial problems involved in the construction of the habitat in the periphery of Mexico City. From the perspective of the New Urban Expansion Model, habitability deficiencies are identified and documented on the findings of a study case. Zumpango is a periurban municipality that experiences habitat transformations from popular rururban environment to large housing estate development centers that fail to create living spaces, causing numerous cases of new housing abandonment. In order to evaluate habitat quality, a proposal based on four indicators is elaborated: (i) Elementary infrastructure such as drinking water, drainage, sewerage, electricity and public lighting; (ii) The basic urban equipment as schools and health centers; (iii) Local and metropolitan urban accessibility, and (iv) The existence of convivial public spaces, expressed in parks, public gardens and plazas.