“DO YOU THINK THAT THE LIFESTYLE OF THE

INHABITANTS OF YOUR TOWN OR CITY

REFLECTS BEHAVIOR THAT IS IN LINE WITH THE

CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT? IN

YOUR OPINION, WHAT SHOULD BE IMPROVED?”

By Claudio Schlegel García – MBA Applicant

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key

concepts:

the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which

overriding priority should be given; and

the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the

environment's ability to meet present and future needs.”

Bruntland Report’s from Our Common Future

Based on this definition it is for me possible to state that sustainable development

is a mid and long term investment that will provide a healthy environment for

present and future generations.

MY CITY: FEDERAL DISTRICT, MEXICO

According to the National Institute of

Statistics and Geography INEGI 2010:

• Total surface: 22,878 hectares

• Population: 8,851,080

• Homes: 2,388,534

• Average home inhabitants: 3.9

• Density: 5862 inhabitant/km²

• Elevation: 2,420 m

• GDP: $1.527 trillion MXN

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

ISSUES: FEDERAL DISTRICT,

MEXICO

WATER Availability is extremely low, similar to countries like Egypt or Israel.

The availability of natural water is 188 m3/inhabitant.

The city’s aquifer is over used by 35%.

Additional problems are the waste, the pollution and misuse water.

Due the large population, pumping water from surrounding states are expensive.

Inadequate extraction of subsoil water through wells is sinking the city.

Leakage of water due to lack of investment and misuse has reached almost

30%.

ENERGY USE

Transportation, housing commercial and public facilities 69% of the energy

consumption in Mexico according to the National Balance of Energy (2004)

90% of the resources used are nonrenewable.

Electricity is the 3rd most consumed type of energy and it is mainly consumed in

housing.

75% of the electrical power is generated from fossil fuel used in power plants.

This power plants utilize non-renewable resources like natural gas, fuel and oil.

Carbon dioxide emissions issued from housing energy consumption represent

9% according to the National Institute of Ecology (INE 2004).

AIR POLLUTION The incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons due the city’s altitude and the

mountains that surround the valley traps the pollution.

The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is another contributor to air pollution. The LPG that

comes mainly from the household heating and cooking can’t be properly burned due the

city’s altitude.

During 2009, 180 days exceeded Mexican national standard for the city’s ozone level

SOLID WASTE

Total daily waste equals 12,513 tones.

On average every person produces 1.43 kilos of solid waste.

Solid waste is generated 47% by homes; 29% by commerce; and 15% by

services.

There are no updated waste collection and separation programs by the local

government.

TRANSPORTATION 4.5 million vehicles exist.

23 million are taken in a single day and 80% is using public transportation

The average time from and to work is 2.5 hours a day

According to an IBM-sponsored survey during 2011, Mexico City has the highest driver pain index.

Ground transportation is the main cause of the atmospheric pollution

Average speed went from 21.7 km/h in 2004 to 12 Km/hr today.

DOES THE LIFESTYLE OF THE

INHABITANTS’ REFLECT THE CONCEPT

OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

THE LIFESTYLE OF THE INHABITANTS DOES NOT REFLECT A COMMITMENT

WITH THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Because:

Inhabitants use of 160 and 300 water liters per shower vs. other cities with similar

population like Bogota use on average per person 125 liters.

64% of the population believes the government is the only one that can fix the water

problem.

89% of the total solid waste is not recycled.

50% of the floods caused by trashed thrown to the streets.

Car use has grown by 182% in the past 20 years.

Illegal dumpers keep growing promoted by inhabitants.

Corruption has lead to unstructured growth of the city.

WHAT SHOULD BE IMPROVED

TRANSPORTATION Mandatory busing plan focused for private schools. (50% of private school aluminum get

there by car transporting 1.3 alums on average)

create awareness amongst the citizens to respect the road and the “No parking” signs

Better and more efficient public transportation

Government and non profit organizations forums to find viable solutions.

Government:

Develop a shared car benefit program during rush hours for workers and school kids.

Create more bicycle friendly paths.

Improve and expand the so far successful program public bicycle system ECOBICI bicycles.

Subsidies or benefits for the use of green cars and alternative energy.

WATER

Forums for schools and families about the water problems and the existing programs.

Immediate fixing of leaks and broken pipes.

Government phone lines for reporting leaks and broken pipes.

efficient use of water programs must be obeyed and followed.

Policies to fine business that contaminate or misuse the water.

SOLID WASTE Locate and create more collection centers that buy recyclables.

Encourage and support local entrepreneurs to start a recycling business in their area.

Analyze and improve the regulations for handling solid waste.

strict control and higher fines for business and homes that do not follow the regulations.

Buy biodegradable materials

Reuse as much as possible materials purchased.

Avoid disposable products and plastic

Tax subsidy for businesses that prove to generate savings and decrease solid waste.

Modernize solid waste collection and separation programs

ENERGY USE

Construction companies must use energy saving technology in houses.

Reduce household when clean and energy saving technology employed.

Disconnecting electronics and turning off lights when not used.

Replace electronics and light bulbs with new, energy saving equivalents.

CONCLUSION It is necessary to continue, monitor and expand the sustainable development

programs generated by the government and non profit organizations.

Adopt stricter measures to penalize and control those who break the laws and

regulations established

Revise and change the necessary laws and regulations in order to encourage

inhabitants and companies to become sustainable.

Restructure and monitor campaigns to spread and promote a sustainable

development lifestyle.

BIBLIOGRAPHY INEGI: www2.ine.gob.mx/publicaciones/libros/133/situacion%20en%20mexico.html

El Problema del Agua:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:WcjWVp3RyzAJ:www.paot.org.mx/paot_docs/pdf/basura_df.pdf+&hl=en&gl=mx&pi

d=bl&srcid=ADGEEShPFiZhgjVTyd6lBuSsx97w-5bD51I7F0lE-

KRlcO6HlA1_2VLw8UTJDaniBb8AZfNOgP6vL1oj6UB6aUnWRnhejcrn5BsPCw0smX-buPMAFLlGg1-

tExvoWg5h969F4XSKyLxu&sig=AHIEtbT_RZe-pofd3kGoHcOj1HT-nyjDMw

INAP Gestión Agua:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:inbdxQRdAlIJ:www.inap.mx/portal/images/pdf/inapgestionagua.pdf+&hl=en&gl=mx

&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjNCg9qVZ3mNGUCGZqQB4_p6EpveSz9jMsoS-

RSEFWR3RJwC6J7xrivoVtcSdpFVqe5jcOP6492XIhIkUQLCfwY9e8NHAm3RAl778Z5MpiV7FgyhnkSo7cdkY-

eTwsvu3OClizv&sig=AHIEtbQ3eYYwG1C8wRh_C0oTruQTyG9gzA

IMAT El problema del agua: www.imta.gob.mx/index.php?Itemid=121&id=354&option=com_content&view=article

Explorando México: Los problemas del agua: http://www.explorandomexico.com.mx/about-mexico/8/297/

El Mundo de Hoy: DF El problema del agua: http://weltmx.blogspot.mx/2009/09/df-el-problema-del-agua-desde-hace-20.html

La Crónica: Serios problemas del agua: http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=424411

Secretaría del Medio Ambiente GDF, Guía de Recomendaciones para el Ahorro de Energía:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:6Y3826gDiysJ:www.sma.df.gob.mx/saa/images/descargas/documentos_consulta/

guia_ahorro_energia.pdf+&hl=en&gl=mx&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiut0uLQMXsAPPllRJgsMJritLAAmxCHOz9DAtg5gnTUhBrRHkIgOZf4E

Q4D-

Kr9zlM064yTdGIqKGluLQOB5c0szX3bKQQ_zvpbnsKf7BmcNDynOrn2aX8xdeMALnHp_JTAjrp&sig=AHIEtbTV9DPIs8YuxUZ94hERT9m

Eun2mng

BIBLIOGRAPHY II

Secretaría Medio Ambiente GDF: Residuos sólidos: http://www.sma.df.gob.mx/rsolidos/

Transparencia Medio Ambiente GDF:

http://www.transparenciamedioambiente.df.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&i

d=191%3Aconsejos-para-el-mejor-manejo-de-residuos&catid=55%3Aresiduos-solidos&Itemid=446

Secretaría Medio Ambiente GDF: Transporte eficiente:

http://www.sma.df.gob.mx/transportesustentable/

Excelsior, Piden al Gobierno del DF soluciones de fondo en el transporte público:

http://cencos.org/node/28324

El Universal – Metrópoli: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/ciudad/index.html

Secretaría Medio Ambiente GDF; PROTE Programa de Transporte Escolar:

http://www.sma.df.gob.mx/prote/

Procuraduría Ambiental y del Ordenamiento Territorial del DF:

http://www.paot.org.mx/noticias/enlosmedios/notas/Nota01_Al-30Ago_07.php

Plan Verde en 11 Parrafos: http://www.planverde.df.gob.mx/planverde/ecotips/73-miscelanea/297-

plan-verde-en11-parrafos.html

Población del DF: cambios importantes entre 2000 y 2010 | Ciudadanos en Red :: Metrópoli 2025:

http://ciudadanosenred.com.mx/articulos/poblacion-del-df-cambios-importantes-entre-2000-y-2010