Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: As cities grow in size and population and focus on job creation, their leaders face the challenge of balancing economic development and providing citizens with services. The city of Reynosa, Mexico, located on the border across from McAllen, TX, has experienced rapid population growth, increased commercial and manufacturing sectors, thus positioning itself on the global scale. However, development officials in McAllen also facilitate this growth by assisting Reynosa in the recruitment of maquiladoras, or export-processing plants. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between economic development and planning practices in Reynosa. The study aims to discuss how Reynosa administrations have promoted economic development, but have failed in ensuring its burgeoning population has housing, services and infrastructure. The research uses quantitative data and interviews from officials in Reynosa and McAllen to show this relationship. Overall, this study indicates that in order for Reynosa to position itself as a city prime for economic development at the global scale, it must find a more balanced approach to planning for its population.
Author: Victoria Hirschberg
Language: English
Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Tinker Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W2124128704