Mexico City Proposes Sustainability Mandates for Construction

A Mexico City lawmaker has introduced a proposal to require basic sustainability measures in new construction and major renovations,  aiming to guide urban growth toward environmental and social benefits. Francisco Soria Islas (Morena) submitted an initiative to reform the city’s Urban Development Law by adding Article 53 Bis. The proposed amendment would obligate new buildings and large-scale remodels to incorporate at least one basic sustainability measure.

Under the proposal, such measures could include photovoltaic solar panels to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, as well as green roofs or vegetated rooftops. Soria Islas noted that green roofs help capture rainwater, lower ambient temperatures, and improve air quality. “A building with a green roof can reduce interior temperatures by several degrees,” he said.

Soria Islas emphasized that urban development impacts daily life and must integrate sustainable practices. “Urban development is felt in everyday life: in the water that reaches homes—or does not—in the heat felt in the streets, and in the cost of electricity,” he said.

The legislator highlighted Tlalpan, one of Mexico City’s southern boroughs, where more than 80% of the territory is classified as conservation land. Despite this, he said the area faces rising temperatures, reduced water availability, and growing environmental stress. According to Soria Islas, these conditions reflect broader trends across the capital. “If the city is going to keep growing, it must do so responsibly,” he said, noting that many construction decisions are made without considering their long-term impact on residents.

He warned that environmental imbalances ultimately translate into higher costs for residents, including extreme heat, water shortages, and declining quality of life. “With this reform, we are taking a concrete and measurable step so that Mexico City grows—but grows better,” Soria Islas said. “A sustainable city is not improvised; it is planned, built, and legislated.”

In an interview with MBN, Marie-Pierre Mercier of Autodesk México stressed that the need for green infrastructure solutions has never been  greater. She defines green infrastructure as “systems that use natural processes to manage stormwater, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity.” Mercier cited green roofs, urban forests, and permeable pavements as examples that improve water management, air purification, and temperature regulation. “These solutions not only help cities adapt to climate change but also offer economic benefits by reducing energy costs, improving public health, and increasing property values,” she said.