Use, transformation and destruction of heritage buildings in the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood, Mexico City

Abstract

The objective of this work is to analyze the link between the action of real estate capital and the valuation or destruction of heritage buildings declared in abandoned condition in the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood, Mexico City. To this end, the content of urban development programs (protection level of each building, permitted construction levels, designated land use) is compared and updated with field work information (building interventions, built levels, land use current). The results may represent an indication that the value of these heritage buildings has been underestimated by real estate capital. This situation is contradictory since this heritage contributes to defining the particular character of the neighborhood for which the real estate companies later obtain surplus profits.