Participatory budget in Monterrey, Mexico: obstacles, challenges and possibilities

Figures & data

Figure 1. Location of Monterrey and population density.

Source: Authors, 2023.

Table 1. Delegations and sections.

Delegations	Sectors
North Population: 479,312 Net Density: 93 inhabitants per hectare Young population (0–14 years old): 22.5% Elder Population (+65 years old): 4.1% Average School Years: 9.7 years Social Lag Index^6: 2.27 Registered Neighborhood Councils: 19 Dwellings Density: 23 dwellings per hectare Public Cultural and Sports Centers: 110 m^2 of green areas per inhabitant: 4.1 m^2 Traffic incidents in 2022: 5238	Distrito Norte y Niños Heroes Topo Chico-Penitenciaría Tierra y Libertad Unidad Modelo y Valle de Santa Lucía Villa Mitras San Bernabé CROC-Gloria Mendiola Solidaridad La Alianza
West Population: 231,894 Net Density: 51.6 inhabitants per hectare Young population (0–14 years old): 17.6% Elder Population (+65 years old): 12.37% Average School Years: 14 years Social Lag Index: 1.34 Registered Neighborhood Councils: 84 Dwellings Density: 14 dwellings per hectare Public Cultural and Sports Centers: 40 m^2 of green areas per inhabitant: 9.5 m^2 Traffic incidents in 2022: 5208	Puerta de Hierro Valle de Infonavit Cumbres Vista Hermosa Burócratas San Jerónimo – Santa María – El Carmen
City Centre Population: 154, 988 Net Density: 40 inhabitants per hectare Young population (0–14 years old): 15.2% Elder Population (+65 years old): 17% Average School Years: 11.2 years Social Lag Index: 2.8 Registered Neighborhood Councils: 19 Dwellings Density: 11 dwellings per hectare Public Cultural and Sports Centers: 102 m^2 of green areas per inhabitant: 10 m^2 Traffic incidents in 2022: 10680	Centro Purísima-Alameda Centrika Moderna Churubusco Edison Industrial Médico Gonzalitos – Obispado
South Population: 288,432 Net Density: 76 inhabitants per hectare Young population (0–14 years old): 16.4% Elder Population (+65 years old): 15% Average School Years: 11.8 years Social Lag Index: 2 Registered Neighborhood Councils: 67 Dwellings Density: 18.9 dwellings per hectare Public Cultural and Sports Centers: 70 m^2 of green areas per inhabitant: 6 m^2 Traffic incidents in 2022: 5146	Loma Larga – Independencia Chapultepec Distrito Tec – Roma Sur – Contry Sierra Ventana Campana Altamira Fundadores – Las Torres – Las Brisas San Ángel Satélite Mederos
Huajuco Population: 64611 Net Density: 12.2 inhabitants per hectare Young population (0–14 years old): 23% Elder Population (+65 years old): 5% Average School Years: 13 years Social Lag Index: 1.3 Registered Neighborhood Councils: 23 Dwellings Density: 2.43 dwellings per hectare Public Cultural and Sports Centers: 70 m^2 of green areas per inhabitant: 21 m^2 Traffic incidents in 2022: 324	El Uro – La Bola – El Barro Valle Alto La Estanzuela

Source: Authors, 2023.

Figure 2. Sectors, allotted budget and social lag.

Source: Elaborated by authors, 2023.

Figure 3. Stages and stakeholders of PB.

Source: Elaborated by authors.

Table 2. Budget comparative (2022 vs 2023).

Year	2022	2023	Increase 2022–2023
Budget	$ 66961,669	$75,961,002	13.4%

Source: Elaborated by authors, 2023, with Secretaria de Participación Ciudadana information.

Figure 4. Proposals comparative 2022–2023.

Source: Authors,2023.

Table 3. Project categories.

Development of Urban Infrastructure	Construction of roads, stormwater drainage systems, bike lanes, sidewalks, walkways, monuments, green areas, parks and squares. As well as the installation of potable water network, sanitary drainage system, electricity and public lighting.
Urban Infrastructure Improvements	Restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of roadways, stormwater drainage systems, sidewalks, walkways, monuments, green areas, parks, and squares. As well as upgrading essential utility networks for potable water, sanitary sewage, electricity, and public lighting. Implementation of alternative energy sources to replace electricity, installation of signage, signals and traffic lights, along with initiatives for urban regeneration.
Community development	Construction, maintenance, and enhancement of educational, cultural, sports, recreational and social assistance spaces that belong to the Municipality, State, Federal Government, as well as those managed by Participatory Bodies and Civil Society Organizations, intended to provide services to the local population.
Social and Human Development	Acquisition of goods and contracting of services to promote, disseminate, and support art, culture, education, sports, civic engagement, values, health, social assistance, and environmental conservation.
Municipal Development	Acquisition, construction, restoration, maintenance, and/or remodelling of movable and immovable assets of the Municipality not covered in other categories.

Source: Elaborated by authors, 2023.

Figure 5. Votes comparative 2022–2023.

Source: Elaborated by authors, 2023.

Figure 6. Winner projects location.

Source: Elaborated by authors, 2023.

Figure 7. Proposals, winner projects and neighborhood assemblies 2023.

Source: Elaborated by authors, 2023.

Table 4. Share of the proposal’s categories.

Proposals By Category	2022		2023
Urban Sustainable Development	124	46.6%	132	45.1%
Sustainable Mobility	54	20.3%	60	20.5%
Sports and Culture	47	17.7%	55	18.8%
Basic Services	32	12%	40	13.7%
Health	9	3.4%	6	2%
Total	266		293

Source: Elaborated by authors, 2023.