Mauricio Trejo, Mayor of San Miguel de Allende, explained in an interview with Francisco Zea for the Second Edition of Imagen Informativa how the San Miguel Model works and the reasons behind the municipality’s urban planning policies.
In 2021, the municipality recorded a deficit of 3 million cubic meters of drinking water in the urban area due to the proliferation of unplanned real estate developments. The municipal administration implemented restrictions on urban growth and redirected infrastructure development toward rural areas.
This urban control policy made it possible to reverse the deficit and create a reserve of 5 million cubic meters of water within the municipality’s distribution network. The strategy prioritizes architectural preservation over the modernization of the historic infrastructure.
The Mayor of San Miguel de Allende stated:
“When we took office in 2021, we already had a deficit of 3 million cubic meters of water, something that had never been discussed in San Miguel de Allende—the shortage, the scheduled water service by neighborhood. Why? Because of excessive and unplanned growth in the urban area.
We came in to restore order. The business community understood it and supported all the strategies. Today, we have 5 million cubic meters of water in reserve within our distribution networks,” the mayor added.
Environmental Regulations
The municipal government unanimously approved an environmental regulation that prohibits any construction or real estate development consisting of three or more residential or commercial units from connecting to the public sewer system.
The regulation requires private developers to install state-of-the-art water treatment plants. The treated water must be reused for irrigating and maintaining the green areas within the development.
At the same time, the city council approved a commercial regulation requiring tourism and restaurant businesses to obtain operating licenses only if three documents match exactly:
- Land-use authorization
- Municipal operating license
- Federal Taxpayer Registry (RFC)
The mayor stated:
“We approved a regulation stating that if you come to build in San Miguel de Allende and your development consists of more than two units—that is, three or more—you can no longer connect to the sewer system. The word ‘sewer’ is beginning to disappear in San Miguel de Allende.”
Urban Growth Focused on Preservation
Urban expansion within the municipal center has been halted to prevent the loss of the city’s historic identity and to avoid the gentrification experienced by other tourist destinations in Mexico.
Instead, the municipal government has directed real estate investment toward rural areas.
“San Miguel de Allende must develop through conservation, not through modernization or the loss of its identity. San Miguel de Allende controls its own destiny,” emphasized Mauricio Trejo.
He also explained:
“We have a very interesting real estate development plan. New developments are no longer allowed in the urban area, but the government is promoting developments in rural areas. At the moment, there are more than 20 large-scale developments in rural zones adjacent to or very close to communities classified as living in extreme poverty.”
Architectural Standards for New Investments
The municipal government also requires luxury hotel chains and international department stores to fully adapt their architectural appearance and corporate image to the aesthetic standards of the historic center.
Commercial investments must modify their corporate color schemes and façade designs to preserve the city’s traditional appearance. Franchises that do not adapt their architecture to San Miguel de Allende’s identity are not granted construction permits or operating licenses.
Tourism Strategy
The municipality has diversified its tourism economy by attracting events throughout the week, rather than concentrating activity on weekends.
As a result, San Miguel de Allende now hosts more than 920 weddings each year, celebrated between Wednesday and Sunday, generating a continuous economic impact throughout the week.
The mayor concluded:
“Anyone who wants to invest in San Miguel de Allende should understand this: you will not be able to invest here if your project depends on changing the city’s appearance or distinguishing itself from the image of San Miguel de Allende. Here, investments must become part of the identity—they must blend in with it.”
Source: imagenradio
