Uploaded on 2015-11-17 by LorenaCM2015

Although my current place of residence is Toronto, Canada; I lived all my life in Mexico City, one of the most populated cities of the world. Mexico doesn´t have a web site like the one presented in this chapter, but there are some researchers that have provided some data regarding the urban heat island temperatures; some areas of Mexico city can be 5 C degrees higher than some rural surrounding areas. Mexico city has 9 million inhabitants, the Mexico city metropolitan area has 20 million inhabitants. The North and center of the city are the most urbanized areas. In the south there are more green protected areas. The following city temperature map taken on November 17, 2015, shows how temperatures in the north are 6 C degrees higher than some temperatures in the south of the city, where the largest green areas are located. ![enter image description here][1] I wanted to present pictures from the web site: www.webcamsdemexico.com, all of them were taken the same day, November 5, 2015 in the morning. As you can see the pollutions is present in any location of the city. Pollution is one of the major environmental problems of the city. Some other problems are: Low Air quality, lack of water, transit congestions, long commuting time. ![Central Area, Mexico city][2] ![enter image description here][3] ![enter image description here][4] The following picture shows the Mexico city surroundings (highway towards Puebla city). ![enter image description here][5] **3. Which are the measures you would propose?** I would create a strong program to increase green areas in the north and center of the city. Promote green roofs in every private and public building. Stronger regulations for builders and developers regarding green areas. Create urban strategy to collect rain water for city green areas. **4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area?** Mexico City government has an environmental office and several programs and regulations. Probably one of the most successful programs among builders is the “green roof program” that gives them some tax benefits if they create a green surface on top of the new buildings. Another program is the “Environmental Value Areas” where the government is trying to protect the forest, canyons, rivers and lands that are not urbanized yet. Unfortunately sometimes they have failed. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14477303232890721.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14477296795575766.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1447729713268677.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14477297344738106.jpg [5]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14477319714806901.jpg