Every day, gentrification affects Mexicans of all social strata. It is increasingly common to see foreigners walking the streets of many cities in our country, and there are even entire neighborhoods where English is heard more than Spanish.
The migration of foreigners to Mexico has been around for a while. It is something that has been happening since the 1930s. The first place to experience this phenomenon was San Miguel de Allende when a Mexican native of Jalisco, already an acclaimed Hollywood actor and opera tenor named José Mojica, settled there with his mother. Later, other important figures established a second residence in the town, among them, Ramón Novarro, the first “Latin Lover” of the American silent movies, the actress Dolores del Río, the tenor Pedro Vargas, and the actor and matador (bullfighter) José Ortiz Puga.
However, San Miguel’s fame exploded when the 1937 “Odisea Mexicana” was published. The book is about the trip of two friends, Stirling Dickinson and Heat Bowman, who, in 1934, in a 1929 Ford A that they named Daisy, traveled through Mexico for six months, from the border to Oaxaca. When passing through Celaya Guanajuato, they heard marvels of a dream town, very representative of the center of Mexico. From there, San Miguel’s fame only increased.
However, the real process of gentrification in Mexico began in the 1990s, when foreigners began to acquire properties in the downtown areas of cities such as Guadalajara and Monterrey. In the 2000s, the phenomenon spread to Querétaro, Saltillo, Mexico City, and Mérida, a few places whose historic centers suffered abandonment and deterioration. The new generations no longer lived in those areas or were interested in living there. Many empty properties had been converted into commercial spots during the day, and after 6:00 p.m., those areas became ghost towns. The owners of these properties offered them at almost ridiculous prices to get rid of these properties, which were a cost for them in maintenance and taxes.
The gentrification process.
As a result of the purchase and renovation process of these urban areas, which were generally popular and deteriorated, new brands replaced old ones, stores for higher purchasing power, and medium—and high-end restaurants and bars were opened. With this came a revaluation of the areas and properties so that the original inhabitants could no longer afford to live in such surroundings, and the phenomenon of displacement of their original population by others with greater purchasing power occurred.
However, the biggest problem is outside the revaluations of the areas. The main problem comes when those people with greater purchasing power, generally foreigners, begin to demand modifications in the local traditions and customs, to the point of demanding preferential treatment and to be spoken to in their language. Instead of adapting to the country they are in, they demand that the place adapt to them. There are many examples in Mexico today: Foreigners who demand in restaurants non-hot sauces, dishes that are unusual in Mexican gastronomy, musicians not to play the traditional music of the place, menus in English, schedules against noise in traditionally noisy areas such as bars, restaurants and once traditional cantinas with live music, whether it be band, mariachi, trios or musical ensembles.
These dramatic life changes, as residents knew them, are a response to gentrification. Although it has always existed in all cities, lately, it has taken on an extremely negative connotation in Mexico. It is currently used when we witness extremely condemnable interactions on the part of a foreigner.
Cases of gentrification turned into social phenomena.
Specifically, the historic center of the city of Merida and its surrounding areas, such as its old neighborhoods like Santiago, Santa Ana, and Santa Lucia, to name a few, the Condesa and Roma Norte in Mexico City, or Queretaro and Guadalajara in their historic centers. These places are emblematic examples of gentrified neighborhoods. What was once affordable residential areas have become an epicenter of foreigners pushing their own culture and their events away from what is typical of the place or gastronomy that is beyond the economic possibilities of 90% of the country’s population.
The conflicts.
The main problem of gentrification goes beyond simply seeing that your neighbors are no longer the people you used to know or the familiar stores where you used to shop no longer exist. The conflict begins when these foreigners, having economic power that the locals do not have, feel empowered to abuse those who serve them. Their requests turn into demands, their treatment into mistreatment, and their position into privilege.
Unfortunately, it is now common to see videos on social networks of how these foreigners want to “tropicalize” their environment according to their place of origin. Regrettable phrases such as: “OMG, nobody here speaks English! Or “You can’t be on my beach because it’s mine and I’m American,” as happened with a foreigner in Chelem Yucatan just a few weeks ago. Similarly, Mexicans were amazed when a lawsuit was placed against “restaurante Gaby’s” in Puerto Vallarta, a family business operating for almost 30 years because they play live music, and the foreign neighbors who recently moved in were overwhelmed by the noise. Another case that scandalized Mexican and foreign society was in Durango when an American woman prevented local people from accessing a public viewpoint to see the eclipse, arguing they had the right to do so because they were Americans and had US currency to pay.
At this point, it is essential to point out that this archetype of behavior is uncommon in all foreigners. The vast majority are highly respectful of local customs and traditions; there is an escalation among new migrants, who either do not seem to understand or do not care that they are taking the local inhabitants to the point of no return. People are no longer willing to put up with this “privilege” and the mistreatment. Unfortunately, because of the same peculiarity of the Mexicans, it is only a matter of time before it detonates into episodes of violence.
Is there a solution to this phenomenon?
The simple answer is no. The same life cycles inevitably lead us to this phenomenon. However, the impact can be reduced through redistributive economic policies where the resources generated by gentrification can be used to promote the regeneration of other less centrally located sites. This is done by encouraging small businesses through micro-credit, community services, and improving existing public spaces.
Another way is to find methods to retain new generations in the area and develop a new generational social fabric through housing improvement schemes and carefully structured social programs to form income-generating activities. This approach can reduce the speculative pressures of uncontrolled development, which eventually cause expulsion, paving the way for a total replacement of the traditional urban fabric.
The final solution is much simpler than imagined. If you decide to come to live in Mexico, you are welcome, but integrate while respecting the people and their customs, which are the backbone of this country.
For Times Media Mexico
José E. Urioste
May 06 2024
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José E. Urioste, a highly accomplished Yucatecan businessman, has established himself as a seasoned professional in Business Intelligence, amassing over 25 years of experience. His expertise is not only recognized but also sought after by numerous organizations, leading him to serve on several boards of directors. In addition to his business acumen, Mr. Urioste has made significant contributions to the media landscape, sharing his insights through articles on business-related topics and hosting radio shows that provide in-depth political analysis. His influence extends beyond the media, as he is also a published author.
