Pedestrian mobility in the Zacatecas and Guadalupe metropolitan area is facing increasing obstacles due to the encroachment of sidewalks and public spaces by private buildings, residents of both municipalities reported.
Tours of various neighborhoods reveal a growing problem, from exterior staircases projecting over sidewalks to access second floors, garages that completely cover sidewalks, to steps leading into homes that reduce pedestrian circulation.
“It’s impossible to walk safely along some streets,” said Mirna Ortiz, a resident of the Bellavista neighborhood in Guadalupe, who must navigate these obstacles daily.
“If it’s difficult for someone without mobility issues, imagine it would be for someone in a wheelchair or with a cane,” she said.
The problem is exacerbated in recently developed areas where municipal oversight has been less rigorous, allowing these encroachments to become more common over time.
People with disabilities are the most affected by this situation, forced to travel through vehicular traffic, which increases the risk of accidents.
Municipal building regulations establish penalties for those who invade public spaces, but the enforcement of these rules has been inconsistent, according to residents of several neighborhoods.
According to those affected, the problem poses a challenge for municipal authorities, who must find a balance between residents’ right to adapt their homes and the need to guarantee free movement in public spaces intended for common use.
Source: ntrzacatecas
