Mexico : Senate wants ports to pay for urban development

The legal definition of the port-city relationship, and the responsibility of each one of the main actors is one of the key issues in port city governance. In AIVP, we have seen an increasing discussion about this issue. Recently, there have been new initiatives and debates in Chile and Spain. The most recent development has taken place in Mexico, where last April, the senate unanimously approved the law reform, increasing the implication of port authorities in urban development. These organizations will contribute with 30% of the surplus annual income. Considering how important this debate is, AIVP invited senator Gabriela Benavides, main sponsor of the law, to write an article explaining this initiative and help us understand how it functions, and the possible consequences. Much has been talked about the importance of the port-city relationship, but sadly it is not even enshrined in the Ports Law (Law) or the Ports Law Regulations (Regulations). When I had the opportunity to serve as President of the City Council of Manzanillo, in the 2015-2018 administration, I was a director of the Integrated Port Board (API) of Manzanillo. Cities like Manzanillo, which have to coexist with port activity, are benefited by the jobs and economic activity created for the region but are severely affected in terms of: I) traffic and mobility logistics, II) deterioration in the urban infrastructure and public services, and III) the damage done to the region's natural and tourism resources (among other aspects). However, according to the Law and the Regulation, APIs are not allowed to carry out actions and/or works that may minimise or compensate harm caused to the cities where they are located (when these actions or works occur outside the port precincts). This is worrying, because in fact we see ports which compete internationally and are among the best in region – and indeed the world – but at the same time we see that the glory of the cities where they are located is ravaged. And furthermore, all the money generated by the ports…