Mexico is a highly urbanized country with nearly 80 percent of its population living in urban areas. Between 1970 and 2000, the surface area of Mexico City grew 1.5 times faster than its population. With high rates of uninhabited housing and the segregated development of housing projects stemming from severe income disparities, Mexico City is faced with massive urban sprawl, as are many other cities in Mexico.
SOURCE: https://unhabitat.org/mexico
READ: From slum to success story: This is Ciudad Neza
COMPLETE the following questions:
Why do you think the slums were built on a dried up lake bed?
How many people call Neza home today?
What is meant by the term 'slum upgrading'?
How is 'slum upgrading' different to other alternatives used to improve places where slums or shanties exist?
Outline the conditions the original slum dwellers faced in migrating to Neza in the mid-20th century?
How do many of the residents living in the Neza slums get their water? What does this tell you about the infrastructure?
What are some of the challenges faced by the people living in the slums of Ciudad Neza, Mexico City?
WATCH: Families use slums to build dreams in Mexico
COMPLETE the following question:
What is a shanty?
What materials have been used in the construction of the family's home?
How are the aspirations of people living in the slums of Neza similar and different to your own?
Why does Mexico City continue to expand?
CLASS TASK
As you are aware, you do not have any summative assessment tasks throughout Term 3. However, you will be given a number of class tasks to complete during our scheduled lessons. These are to be submitted and completed to your best ability.
You will be given feedback and a mark out of 15.
COMPLETE the following class task:
Write a diary entry from the perspective of an individual living in the slums of Mexico City (approx. 200 - 400 words).
In your response include:
experiences of living in a slum
a description of the environment - Where do you live and what it is like?
perception of liveability - What is the standard of living?
the advantages and disadvantages of living in a slum - What are the positives and negatives of life in the slum?
strategies for improving life in the slums
You will be assessed on your ability to:
Integrate the information from your research
Write a logical, coherent and sustained response
Address a range of issues
Refer to advantages and disadvantages of living in slums