Suburban cities, derelict dwellings: housing policy and its territorial and social impact in mexican cities

Abstract

Mexico's housing policy (2002) fully supported the private sector in the housing production area. In this matter, the Mexican Federal Government created the National Commission for Housing Fostering in 2001 (today National Commission for Housing CONAVI) that despite promoting housing production for all socioeconomic levels, focuses particularly in the social housing, a highly profitable real estate product, whose financing is insured by funds coming from government programs. Housing production was stimulated in the whole country, particularly in Ciudad Juarez, where real estate developer's pressure resulted in the expansion of city limits without taking into account the municipal development plans, and in a housing supply that exceeds real demand. This has produced a great number of abandoned houses and a segregated and disperse city.