Mexico City

Here's a few shots from Mexico City, one of the worlds busiest cities, who are going about trying to combat their problem of air pollution by banning cars for one day of the week in the central city. As you can see, it progress on beating the problem is slow...Mexico's increasing industrialisation and I suppose, modernisation have transformed Mexico City into a gigantic megalopolis that seems to be eating away at itself. One of the most visual problems associated with Mexico City is the atmospheric pollution that fallls as a blanket over the city, trapping in the heat and ever-more contaminants. This smog layer is exceptional in that it is enhanced by the City's altitude of 2200m,and also its position in a valley ringed by mountains and volcanoes (the Valle de Mexico). Mexico city is in itself a trap - they lack water and they lack drainage. Water is abstracted from underground at riduculous rates causing the city to subside quite drastically in places (10m in the last century). But this is still not enough, more than a third of Mexico city's water needs are pumped up into the city, while much of this again needs to be pumped back out. Where does it go? inot a series of over-abstracted, over-polluted rivers that drain into the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Rio Grande.

But shit what a place! What can't you do in Mexico...and the underground is only 2 pesos for anywhere and as many changes as you want. And they couldn't understand a word I said. Brilliant.

Mexico City through the haze from one of the tallest buildings. It goes over those hills toward Puebla etc... which is almost part of Mexico City itself.

By night, same view.

Where did all the VW's go? Mexico City's taxi service - and don't even think of driving in Mexico City without a statue of the Madonna on your dash or hanging off your rearview. You wont survive.

Mexico City's other haulage service