First Territorial Planning Norm Will Renovate Public Spaces In Mexico

Printable version | March 2022

• Public space is fundamental in the sustainable development of a city and has an impact on people's well-being.
• NOM-001-SEDATU-2021 establishes and unifies the bases of territorial planning at the national level.
• The federal, state, and municipal governments are obliged to follow this NOM in the elaboration of the plans and programs in matters of territorial ordering and urban development.

On February 22, 2022, the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development published the "Official Mexican Standard NOM-001-SEDATU-2021. Public spaces in human settlements”.

What is public space?

Public space is the set of areas in cities intended for collective use, it is essential in the sustainable development of a city, and its proper management affects the well-being of people by linking areas and providing access to services, while at the same time reducing environmental impact and supports economic development.

Why is this standard important?

This norm, the first of its kind in Mexico, establishes and unifies the bases of territorial planning focused on the well-being of people and their right to enjoy decent public spaces.

Your goal is:

• Standardize the terminology, contents, and methodologies of public spaces in the elaboration of plans and programs of urban development and territorial ordering, including its classification and its components.
• Support local governments in creating more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable public spaces at the national level.
• Provides local governments with self-assessment tools so that they formulate and execute specific actions to promote and protect their public spaces.

• Distinguish 15 types of public spaces, classified under three criteria: by their function, by their administration, and by the scale of service provided.

Who does this rule impact?

From now on, the three orders of government are obliged to follow NOM-001-SEDATU-2021 in the elaboration of plans and programs in matters of territorial ordering and urban development.

The rule will enter into force 60 calendar days after the day following its publication in the DOF. To consult the original publication in the DOF, visit: NOM-001-SEDATU-2021

If you require additional information, please contact the responsible partner for your affairs or one of the lawyers mentioned below:

Mexico City Office

Lic. Vicente Grau A. (Partner), vgrau@s-s.mx

Lic. Claudia Rodríguez C. (Partner), crodriguez@s-s.mx

Tel: +52 55 5279-5400

Monterrey Office

Lic. Heriberto Garza C. (Partner) hgarza@s-s.mx

Tel: +52 81 8133-6000

Queretaro Office

Lic. José Ramón Ayala A. (Partner) jayala@s-s.mx

Tel: +52 442 290-0290