Author(s)

A. Acosta & J. C. Parga

Abstract

In several Mexican cities a progressive environmental deterioration is evident. An understanding of sustainability is crucial to the preservation and management of historic town centres. The objectives of this paper are to examine how urban heritage is defined and to discuss the possibility of sustainability within the model of a Mexican City, Aguascalientes. The foundations of sustainable development and urban preservation planning are discussed in support of the objectives. We present, as a central hypothesis, that a balance of specific variables is needed in order to preserve urban heritage. Those variables are addressed as environmental, economical and societal. Statistics and data from a large economic system are referenced and linked in with local indicators. Furthermore we analyze water table problems, domestic and commercial waste, air pollution, Gross domestic product (GDP), income, poverty, gender equity, population growth, education and cultural identity. The paper shows what happens in Aguascalientes, in order to illustrate general principles in Mexico, for example: opening of streets and irreversible loss of urban heritage – at this rate we will end up with only facades, as the old western films and relevant buildings still standing. The recurrent crisis of urban planning requires new development alternatives. Quality of life is the product of improving urban services, health, income, environment and preservation of cultural elements. Efficiency, growth and stability, are basic issues of the economic dimension of sustainable development, but present no satisfactory rates, so the applicability of the concept will depend on improving these conditions in the future. Social backwardness

Keywords

sustainability, city, preservation, urban heritage, Mexico