In the context of Latin American urbanization, Mexico’s five largest metropolitan areas—Tijuana, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla-Tlaxcala, and León—exhibit sprawling growth patterns characterized by low-density expansion, peripheral development, and increasing fragmentation of the urban landscape. Although numerous studies have examined urban growth in Mexican cities, few systematically quantify the spatial dynamics of sprawl while linking them to socio-spatial inequality and sustainable urban planning frameworks at a comparative, intra-urban scale.
This research aims to evaluate the relationship between urban sprawl and socio-spatial inequality in Mexico’s major metropolitan zones. By identifying patterns of land-use change, demographic pressure, and spatial distribution of services and infrastructure, the study seeks to draw implications for urban landscape configuration and sustainability.
Uncontrolled urban expansion in Mexico has led to dispersed and inefficient land occupation, resulting in poorly connected urban peripheries with limited access to public services, transportation, and economic opportunities. These spatial trends undermine efforts toward more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities. By focusing on multiple metropolitan areas, this study contributes a broader perspective on how urban form affects equity, access, and ecological performance across Mexico’s most urbanized regions.
Using a combination of remote sensing data (Landsat, Sentinel) and official statistics from INEGI, the study applies spatial metrics to quantify urban sprawl (e.g., Urban Expansion Index, Landscape Fragmentation Index) between 2000 and 2020. These are cross-referenced with demographic indicators (e.g., marginalization index, population density, access to services) to assess socio-spatial disparities. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial correlation methods are used to map and analyze trends within and across metropolitan zones.
Preliminary findings reveal that urban sprawl is more intense in the outer zones of each city, correlating with higher levels of social deprivation and lack of infrastructure. Sprawl patterns differ by region but share common traits of fragmentation, disconnection, and inefficient land use.
The study highlights the urgent need for integrated urban planning strategies that prioritize compact development, spatial equity, and sustainable landscape design. It provides evidence-based insights for urban policy frameworks aiming to reshape urban growth toward resilience and sustainability in Mexico’s largest cities.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, R.H.-C.; methodology, R.H.-C.; software, R.H.-C.; validation, E.G. and J.-S.P.-J.; formal analysis, R.H.-C.; investigation, R.H.-C.; writing—original draft preparation, R.H.-C.; visualization, R.H.-C.; writing—review and editing, R.H.-C., E.G. and J.-S.P.-J.; supervision, E.G. and J.-S.P.-J. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement
Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement
The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.
Acknowledgments
Hinojosa-Contreras, R. acknowledges the support of the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Secihti), Mexico, for providing a doctoral scholarship.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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