Residents seek 'Zone of Artistic Monuments' status for Mexico City's Roma neighborhoods

A citizen group is campaigning to have the Roma Sur and Roma Norte neighborhoods in Mexico City designated as a Zone of Artistic Monuments. The "Salvemos la Ciudad" (Let's Save the City) front aims to safeguard the significant architectural heritage of these historic areas.

Mayela Delgadillo, a resident and spokesperson for the group, has appealed to Mexico City's head of government, Clara Brugada Molina. Delgadillo requested the establishment of an inter-institutional committee to protect the neighborhoods while the official declaration process is underway. She expressed concern that developers might exploit the interim period to push for various construction permits, leading to "massive destruction."

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What we are seeing is massive destruction and we know that, taking advantage of this inertia of the declaration, they will want to destroy and give all kinds of permits. We need a strategy and we are already waiting for the Head of Government to respond and declare herself in favor of the neighbors.

Delgadillo estimates the declaration process could take up to six months. She stressed the urgency of Brugada Molina's involvement to prevent real estate companies from capitalizing on this period for new construction projects. The group is already in dialogue with federal bodies, including the Secretariat of Culture, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), and the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL), to update historical monument catalogs that date back to 1973.

Recent records indicate that Roma Norte contains over 1,500 properties recognized as artistic heritage by INBAL, while Roma Sur has more than 500 such buildings. Proponents argue that the "Zone of Artistic Monuments" designation will not only protect these structures but also help combat gentrification. It would prevent the construction of buildings that alter the visual character of the neighborhoods, preserving their recognized historical value. Residents from other areas, like Colonia Juárez and Gustavo A. Madero, have also expressed interest in similar protective measures.

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We find ourselves here to serve this people.