Supervía poniente: conflicto social y visión urbano-ambiental / West Superhighway: Social Conflict and Urban-Environmental Perspective

This paper analyzes the socio-spatial conflict caused by the project known as the “Superhighway,” in order to explore how it has transformed the profile of Mexico City in aspects such as mobility, public spaces and infrastructure and the link with the range of new social actors and human rights and civil society organizations. It explores the conception of urban space marked by inequality and conflict, where urbanization and construction coexist with social elements of production, exchange and reproduction. The text helps to explain the development of the conflict over the Superhighway project, the creation of movements for and against it, the identities acquired and the lack of urban planning, as well as Mexico City’s severe traffic problems. Special attention is paid to the environmental impact of the urban highway as well as the mediation and compensation mechanisms implemented during the negotiation of the conflict.