Advancing urban metabolism studies through GIS data: resource flows, open space networks, and vulnerable communities in Mexico City

Otero Pena, Daniel [UCL] Perrotti, Daniela [UCL] Mohareb, Eugene [University of Reading]

Urban metabolism studies provide valuable insights that can improve resource efficiency at the city scale. However, only a limited number of such studies include spatially explicit data to inform planning practitioners. In this article, we argue that integrating spatially explicit urban metabolism data in urban planning can leverage resource-efficient development and management of open space networks. Based on this premise, our research investigates to what extent GIS data can improve the applicability of metabolic studies in urban planning and the management of open space networks in particular. A GIS-based urban metabolism assessment of Mexico City was performed at the city scale, including data on vulnerable communities and alternative governance systems. After mapping selected GIS layers, a detailed resource efficiency analysis was performed through the compilation of a Borough Pattern Scan, based on quantification of resource use, total areas of resource infrastructure and public open spaces. The results of our multi-scale spatially explicit analysis provide an improved understanding of borough metabolic profiles which can leverage a more resource-efficient development of open space networks in Mexico City.