Complicated transplants. New York in Mexico City's Urban Planning

Abstract

This article addresses the transplant of urban ideas from New York City to Mexico City. Following recent developments in urban history and critical geography, the article suggests an interpretation of the import of ideas (a process also known as policy mobilities), that stresses the lack of reflexivity on the part of those who import ideas from contexts that differ from their own. In this case, the point of departure is the global influence of New York City and the goal is to examine the variety of forms that such influence adopts in a particular place - Mexico City in this case. The article concludes by stressing the need to incorporate this approach to the research agenda of urban ideas and institutions in peripheral countries.