By Juan S. Larrosa-Fuentes
In my work as a researcher, one of the issues that interests me the most is understanding how our social practices are structured. A central key to this is the analysis of values. Values are the ideas that guide our decisions about what is beautiful or ugly, good or bad, right or wrong. These values direct our actions and, through repetition, become practices. And when a set of practices is sustained over time, they become social systems.
From this perspective, an effective way to transform our social reality is to modify the values that sustain it. This means asking ourselves not only what we do, but why we do it.
In recent days, we have once again seen the debate over roadways in our city. For the umpteenth time, there is an attempt to “fix” the road to the airport, the same one that was intervened when leaders like Barack Obama visited, when the Pan American Games were held, or during international summits. The proposal to build a second level has also resurfaced, like the “Vía Express” that about fifteen years ago Emilio González promoted—an elevated private highway that was to run along Avenida Inglaterra.
Years later, we are once again facing the same discussions. Haven’t we learned anything? Why do we keep repeating failed proposals and projects?
From my point of view, the key lies in the values that guide our vision of the city. I will focus on two.
The first is the value of the public versus the private. Road infrastructure decisions, time and again, privilege the private car and those who have the most. If we truly wanted to benefit the majority, we should be investing in quality public transportation. But no: the most privileged sector continues to be protected, instead of building a progressive and equitable policy.
The second value has to do with the model of mobility we choose. We persist in thinking of the city through the lens of private, individual transportation, when what is required is a commitment to collective, safe, and accessible systems. The problem is not only the roadway infrastructure, but the sheer number of cars on the streets. And every project that “improves” avenues encourages more cars to come out.
If we do not change these values, in 10 or 20 years, we will be in the same place. But if we can shift our priorities—in other words, our values—we could build a different city, one that is fairer and more sustainable.
This text was originally read on the NTR Radio newscast broadcast on August 18, 2025, and hosted by journalist Sergio René de Dios Corona.