Researcher ORCID Identifier

0009-0005-8804-7712

Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Open Access Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Environmental Analysis

Second Department

Political Studies

Reader 1

Melinda Herrold-Menzies

Reader 2

Lance Neckar

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2025 Diego A Tamayo

Abstract

Mapping the Tren Maya’s Mark on Mérida investigates whether the Tren Maya railway is ushering in new sustainable development which provides economic and social benefits for the residents of Mérida, Mexico. The Mexican government has spearheaded the megaproject’s construction in a mere four years with the goal of boosting economic growth in an environmentally and socially conscious manner. The following investigation highlights where this vision, articulated in technocratically-constructed public documents and amplified in reporting, has been fulfilled in Mérida. Through geospatial, physical, and journalistic investigations and analysis, it is revealed the Tren Maya has brought a host of impacts upon the Yucatecan capital through channeling public investments into the Centro Histórico and periphery lands surrounding the metropolitan area. Although these investments present numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits in line with the stated Tren Maya goals, there are also a series of emerging negative consequences. These findings are also conveyed beyond this document using narrative storytelling via a publicly accessible ArcGIS Story Map with maps, imagery, and figures compiled into an accessible information hub.

Comments

ArcGIS Story Map (English): https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9ab078c546b049afb1f706d75e91329b

ArcGIS Story Map (Español y Maya): https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1a1155f286b745d1aa281f09e8014d82/edit

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