Background and objectives:

The intensive urbanization process in Mexico has created many social and economic obstacles to sustainable and inclusive urban development. Mexico is predominantly an urban country and it is estimated that in 25 years 85 per cent of the country’s population will be living in cities. The metropolitan regions are clearly affected by social inequality. More than 10 per cent of the urban population does not have piped water; 25 per cent lack sewerage or adequate sanitation facilities, and more than 60 per cent does not have stormwater drains.

The project objectives have been to contribute to reducing urban poverty in order to improve sustainable urban development and also promote partnerships with state and local governments.

Activities:
The main activities included:

• Participation in the Technical Committee of Best Practices Award evaluation in Mexico, and transfer cases of best practices from four Mexican cities
• Training and technical assistance to SEDESOL in urban policy development
• Development of urban information systems, especially local urban observatories
• Promotion of gender inclusive strategies in programmes and projects of SEDESOL.

Results:
The results achieved were:

• More than 40 local urban observatories established, under the overall coordination of SEDESOL, conforming a national network
• Several technical workshops for training of staff from municipalities, state governments and their partners in the civil society for building local urban indicators and organizing monitoring systems
• Best Practices National Programme – elaborated methodology for selection of the best practices; dissemination of best practices on urban poverty reduction in Mexico to cities and local authorities.
• Initiated National Campaign for Social Participation on Urban Development with SEDESOL participation
• Advanced discussions for the incorporation of two state governments and several municipal governments into this national strategy.