Utopias open, but there are services and works pending
Five months after the Government of Mexico City opened the first Utopía outside Iztapalapa, out of seven open spaces, five still have ongoing construction work or lack some of the services promised. During visits by EL UNIVERSAL, it was observed that Utopías such as Mixiuhca in Iztacalco, La Heroica in Venustiano Carranza, Cen Tlalli in Magdalena Contreras, and Centli in Tlalpan continue to have workers performing construction, adjustments, and other tasks across different areas. Some of these spaces do not yet have all the services, including dining halls, Water Well modules, community workshops, or complete cultural and health activities. The recently inaugurated Utopía Elena Poniatowska Amor in Coyoacán also had its tortilla-making area closed. In the Utopía Mixiuhca, which was the first to be inaugurated last March, part of the area remains under construction, marked by fences and visible building materials. During the inauguration, the head of government, Clara Brugada, mentioned plans to expand the project with a second Utopía covering approximately 40,000 square meters. At Utopía La Heroica, construction continues for 'La Aldea,' a project intended for vocational training of
Five months after the Government of Mexico City opened its first Utopía outside Iztapalapa, seven open spaces have been launched, but five still show ongoing construction work or lack some of the services promised. During several visits conducted by El Universal, it was observed that the Utopías Mixiuhca in Iztacalco, La Heroica in Venustiano Carranza, Cen Tlalli in Magdalena Contreras, and Centli in Tlalpan continue with construction efforts, adjustments, and finishing touches in different areas. Some of these spaces still do not have all their services fully operational, such as dining halls, Water Well modules, community workshops, or complete cultural and health activities. This includes the recently inaugurated Utopía Elena Poniatowska Amor located in the Coyoacán borough, where the tortilla-making area was closed yesterday. The Utopía Mixiuhca, situated in Iztacalco, and the first one opened by the city government last March, has an area still under construction. The zone is marked off by a fence, and inside, sacks of cement, sand, and various tools were visible. During the inauguration, Mayor Clara Brugada explained that another Utopía would be built in this area, extending approximately 40,000 square meters as part of the project's expansion in the region. In the Utopía La Heroica, located in Venustiano Carranza, workers continue constructing La Aldea, a project intended for teaching young people vocational skills, according to site personnel. During the visit, workers were installing wooden fences around one of the courts while others transported materials to continue the works. Although the projects are ongoing, some users viewed the continued expansion positively, believing more activities will eventually become available for youth without affecting other areas. “Having them keep expanding is very good because later there will be a need for more activities for the youth; as long as it doesn’t affect the use of the other areas, I think it’s worth waiting,” commented a visitor to the Utopía. At the Utopía Cen Tlalli, located in Magdalena Contreras and inaugurated in June of this year, construction work was also observed within the premises. Workers were welding steps while sacks of cement and other building materials remained nearby. The presence of these works caused concern among some users, especially due to the proximity to areas used by children. “It’s nice, but it does feel strange having children running past while they’re welding just a meter away; it does cause a bit of worry,” said a user. In addition to the construction, Cen Tlalli still lacks a dining service and Water Well modules, and cultural activities are incomplete, missing dance and art programs. Users also mentioned that certain medical studies and specialized tests are not yet available. “I have lupus and wanted to come here because it’s the closest one to me, but they don’t have specialized exams or doctors who specialize in that kind of thing,” said a user. The Utopía also lacks a dining hall offering a menu for 11 pesos. In the Utopía Centli, located in San Miguel Topilejo, in the Tlalpan borough, and inaugurated last July, areas were found that remain unfinished. The borough of Venustiano Carranza leads in budget execution in Mexico City, reporting an advance exceeding 80 percent in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Quarterly Progress Report from the Capital City’s Secretariat of Administration and Finance. The borough led by Evelyn Parra Álvarez stated an advancement over 80 percent in its social and administrative programs, with full compliance in priority areas and no underspending. In a statement, the borough indicated that resources have been allocated to meet citizens' demands and ensure public services, infrastructure maintenance, and conservation. It added that investment programs have been implemented to improve equipment and expand infrastructure in Venustiano Carranza. The borough claimed to have consolidated itself as a reference point in budget execution, financial discipline, and efficient use of public resources in Mexico City.
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