### Urban Development Office Proposed for Ensenada
After fifteen years since the last update of the Centers of Population Urban Development Program (PDUCP), the private sector has expressed the need to revitalize the urban center to tackle social lagging. Marco Estudillo Bernal, head of the Business Coordinating Council of Ensenada (CCEE), has urged the incoming mayor, Claudia Agatón Muñiz, to consider the observations made by businessmen after a thorough analysis of the PDUCP.
One of the significant proposals from the Economic Consultative Council of Ensenada (CONSULTEN), led by architect Julio Salinas López, is to halt urban expansion into areas lacking basic services such as water, electricity, public transportation, and sewer systems. Additionally, there is a need to strengthen regulations for key infrastructure projects, including water supply, green infrastructure, and mobility, as well as to update the list of strategic projects aligned with the new economic growth conditions.
Another recommendation for the mayor’s office is to establish an Urban Development Office, a collegial body responsible for decision-making concerning the city’s growth. Architect Salinas López highlighted the issue of urban voids, such as vacant lots, and suggested the development of various city areas, for example, creating an urban-industrial corridor in Maneadero.
In the northeast, near the exit to Ojos Negros, the recommendation is to halt irregular human settlements and strengthen industrial zones. Meanwhile, in the north entry of El Sauzal, mixed-use projects tailored to tourism, industry, and housing are advised. The business sector emphasizes that the PDUCP should be updated at least every three years, which has not been the case thus far.
Current Mayor Armando Ayala Robles acknowledged the efforts by the Metropolitan Institute of Research and Planning of Ensenada and council members in laying the groundwork for the updated PDUCP. He stressed that the plan considers the inputs of various community sectors to ensure orderly growth.
### Environmental and Urban Challenges in Ensenada
The updated document highlights significant urban-environmental challenges. The city faces clandestine garbage dumps and sewage spills in streams, intensifying issues around the Emilio López Zamora Dam due to low water levels from scarce rain. Illegal dumping exacerbates contamination in areas like Cañón de Doña Petra, Laguna El Naranjo, and the Punta Banda estuary.
Irregular settlements on riverbeds and ravines have led to flash flood zones, as reported by neighborhood associations concerned about health impacts from lack of services. Urban sprawl has fragmented natural landscapes, influencing ecologically vital areas such as Cañón de Doña Petra and Arroyo Ensenada.
Urban expansion has affected road infrastructure, particularly Avenida Reforma. Primary roads, forming the backbone of the city’s connectivity, notably need maintenance. The Urban Council of Ensenada notes only a fraction of the required road maintenance is conducted annually.
### Heritage Preservation Efforts
The region’s growth has also impacted cultural heritage sites. The recent designation of Hacienda Abelardo L. Rodríguez as Cultural Heritage aims to protect the former Mexican President’s property from structural damage, primarily due to surrounding commercial developments.
Legal actions, including an amparo lawsuit, have temporarily halted potentially damaging activities by companies in the vicinity. This measure seeks to preserve the site for future generations, highlighting the importance of protecting cultural assets amid urban and industrial expansion.
—
### Related News: Road Infrastructure Improvements in Baja California
Authorities in Baja California have announced a new initiative to improve road infrastructure across the state. The plan includes the repaving of major highways, enhancing road safety features, and constructing new bypasses to alleviate urban traffic congestion. These efforts aim to complement Ensenada’s urban development strategies by improving connectivity and accessibility across the region, contributing to a more integrated and efficient transport network that supports economic growth.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for updates on urban development and regional infrastructure projects.