MND Local CDMX: Brugada’s big plans, a sinking city and methane mitigation

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada recently delivered her second "state of the city" address, highlighting her administration's accomplishments and outlining future priorities. Brugada, who belongs to the ruling Morena Party, emphasized the concept of "utopias" as the cornerstone of her administration's policies. She outlined several future priorities and projects, including criminal justice reform, the establishment of three new public universities outside Mexico City's core, and the construction of five new high schools for the city's Indigenous population.

During her address, Brugada also touted the administration's various accomplishments, such as a 48-billion-peso investment in the city's metro system, resulting in 100 kilometers of electric bus routes, 1 million square meters of reclaimed public space, 600 new public women's spaces, a 1-billion-peso investment in agriculture, and an 85% increase in social programs. The city's approval rating currently stands at 60%, according to recent polls.

However, Brugada's tenure has not been without controversy. Her administration has been criticized for failing to hold anyone accountable for the assassinations of two of her deputies in 2025. Additionally, Mexico City continues to face the ongoing issue of sinking - areas of the city are sinking as much as 8.5 inches per year, with a citywide average of 0.3 inches per year. This problem has led to construction projects aimed at ensuring housing complexes remain safe for residents.

In an effort to address a significant driver of global warming, Mexico City hosted the Mexico Climate Week forum, focusing on methane emissions reduction. The city aims to reduce methane emissions as a demonstrable way to slow climate change in the near future.