Persisting narratives undermine potential water scarcity solutions for informal areas of Mexico City: the case of two settlements in Xochimilco

In informal settlements of Mexico City, particularly in Xochimilco, three dominant narratives—'formalizing informality,' 'enhancing informality,' and 'greening informality'—shape water scarcity solutions but may hinder effective progress. These narratives, rooted in socially constructed perspectives, influence decisions on grey infrastructure development, water truck delivery systems, and rainwater capture. The study highlights that while each approach offers trade-offs, their implementation is often constrained by persistent societal beliefs, undermining potential solutions to water scarcity in these vulnerable areas.

Hernández Aguilar, B., Lerner, A. M., Manuel-Navarrete, D., & Siqueiros-García, J. M. (2021). Persisting narratives undermine potential water scarcity solutions for informal areas of Mexico City: the case of two settlements in Xochimilco. Water International, 46(6), 919–937. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2021.1923179