New York Mayor Mamdani praises Mexico City’s care system — Mexico News Daily
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, during the Urban 20 mayors’ summit in New York, United States, praised Mexico City’s public care system and its network of Utopías centers. As Mexico News Daily reports, Mamdani called the Mexican capital a city that many look to, particularly in seeking an answer to the care crisis in economies.
Mamdani spoke alongside Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada. According to him, New York City’s administration is discussing “care blocks” as an example of how a city can respond to residents’ needs. He also said that the Utopías approach should ensure dignity for workers so that they can live fulfilling lives.
Utopías centers in Mexico City
Mexico City’s public care system includes free childcare, as well as services for older people and people with disabilities. One of its components is the Utopías centers — an abbreviated name for units of transformation and organization for inclusion and social harmony.
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These centers offer low-cost meals, activities, and cultural, educational and social programs. The first Utopías opened in the Iztapalapa district when Brugada led the district in 2018–2023. The city authorities are now expanding the network to other parts of the capital. Brugada plans to open 100 new centers during her term as mayor in 2024–2030.
Affordable housing and support for couriers
At the U20 forum dedicated to affordable housing, Brugada said that Mexico City would join an international coalition of cities for affordable housing proposed by Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni. She said that without affordable housing, “there is no peace,” and identified the construction of social housing, real estate market regulation and co-governance with residents as key policy areas.
According to Brugada, the city aims to build or improve 200,000 affordable homes by 2030. She also announced plans to adopt New York practices for supporting couriers: providing them with places to rest, charge bicycles and access restrooms.
