The site of Mexico's canceled New Mexico City International Airport has been transformed into the Lake Texcoco Ecological Park, but recent rainfall has buried parts of the unfinished structure. Opened two years ago, the park spans 55 square miles and ranks among the world's largest urban green spaces. Despite its environmental promise, the area faces ongoing challenges from accessibility issues and land disputes.
The New Mexico City International Airport (NAICM), a controversial mega-project, was canceled when only half built. The site, previously earmarked for the enormous airport, has since been flooded and restored into wetlands, forming the basis of the Lake Texcoco Ecological Park. This park opened two years ago and covers 55 square miles, making it one of the largest urban parks in the world.
However, the park encounters several hurdles. It is difficult to reach without a car, limiting access for many residents. Squatters continue to build homes in its El Caracol section, complicating management efforts. Additionally, farmers from the nearby settlements of Texcoco, Atenco, and Chimalhuacán are demanding compensation for lands expropriated for the NAICM project.
Significant work on the airport was paid for but will never be completed, leaving remnants buried under recent heavy rainfall. The transformation into an ecological park highlights efforts to preserve biodiversity in the region, but these social and logistical challenges persist.