Modern Urban Development and Revolution in Mexico: Hydraulic Infrastructure in Chihuahua City During the Porfiriato (1892–1911)

Abstract

This paper examines the development of urban infrastructure in the Northern Mexican city of Chihuahua during a period known as the Porfiriato (1876–1911), especifically on the administrations of Colonel Miguel Ahumada and Enrique C. Creel. The main objective of this essay is to show how urban infrastructure in Chihuahua City not only benefited economic and political elites more than the population at large due to the cronyism present during its construction, but also generated significant debt prior to the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution. What began as projects for the modernization of the capital of the state of Chihuahua eventually became cursed. It was part of a difficult scenario that unfolded in this region years prior to the popular uprising, which included drought, economic crisis, and lack of funds from the state government to function according to its economic commitments to its citizens. This paper highlights the need to analyze other parts of Mexico, especially the ones that received the benefit of modern infrastructure, and more importantly to examine whether this was another ingredient of the Revolution in the county as a whole. The sources for this essay include correspondence between state and local governments and citizens, as well as government reports of the state of Chihuahua, anti-government periodicals, ordinances, and unique books and manuscripts from this period.