Celia Perez Godinez sits on a rotting wooden bench in a small park, watching her 7-year-old son struggle to free his scooter from a broken path. The contrast between this desolate scene and the manicured lawns and leafy trees of Cancun’s wealthy neighborhoods is stark. As a domestic worker for the city’s elite, Perez has seen firsthand the disparity that exists in this otherwise idyllic tourist destination.
Perez, 33, migrated to Cancun from San Marcos, Guatemala in 2013 with her son. Despite its reputation as a tropical paradise, she finds herself longing for green spaces and safe public areas where her child can play. The few parks available are often littered with trash and overgrown vegetation, a far cry from the pristine beaches and upscale resorts that draw millions of tourists each year.
Cancun’s explosive growth has been fueled by real estate development, which has led to the destruction of hundreds of hectares of jungle and the displacement of vulnerable communities. According to research by Christine McCoy, an academic at the University of the Caribbean, most residents lack access to basic green spaces, exacerbating social inequality in the city.
Between 2001 and 2021, Cancun’s surrounding region lost over 30,000 hectares of forest cover, with more projects on the horizon. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has received 40 requests for further land use changes since 2018, which could lead to the disappearance of another 650 hectares of jungle if approved.
A closer look at urban development projects reveals a disturbing trend: while tiny housing units and luxury hotels are being built with ease, there is no provision for public parks or green areas. This is not surprising given that Cancun’s population has exceeded its carrying capacity for over a decade.
As the city continues to sprawl, it is clear that its urban project is failing to provide for the needs of all its residents. Despite its reputation as a tropical paradise, Cancun’s concrete jungle hides a more sinister truth – one of inequality and neglect.
Source: Wired
