Judge voids Cancún urban plan over public input failure

Chetumal, Mexico — A federal judge has nullified the 2022 Urban Development Program (PDU) of Benito Juárez Municipality, citing the local government’s failure to incorporate citizen participation and ensure access to environmental information. Judge Angélica Orduño ruled that the municipal administration, led by Mayor Ana Patricia Peralta, must restart the entire planning process and comply with judicial observations requiring public involvement.

Court Orders Full Reassessment of Cancún’s Urban Plan

The ruling stems from a legal challenge filed by residents, who argued that the municipal government excluded community input during the PDU’s formulation. In her decision, Judge Orduño emphasized the necessity of transparency, mandating that the Benito Juárez City Council:

• Restart the PDU drafting process from its initial phase.
• Guarantee timely, clear, and accessible public access to all relevant documents.
• Ensure meaningful participation from Cancún residents, including marginalized groups.
• Incorporate local knowledge and address potential land-use changes or economic compensation mechanisms.

The organization Defensa de un Medio Ambiente Sano (DMAS), which advocated for the lawsuit, hailed the verdict as a victory for civic engagement. In a social media statement, DMAS noted that the judge’s decision mirrors her 2024 ruling protecting Playa Delfines, another case where public oversight was disregarded.

Detailed Requirements for Compliance

The court’s order specifies that the municipality must:

1. Provide comprehensive documentation to residents ahead of council deliberations.
2. Facilitate inclusive forums to gather feedback on proposed urban zones and economic policies.
3. Implement measures to engage vulnerable or historically underrepresented communities.

The PDU, which guides Cancún’s growth and zoning, had faced criticism for allegedly favoring opaque development interests over community concerns.

Visual Evidence

[Image: Court documents detailing the ruling]
[Image: DMAS’s social media post celebrating the decision]

The case underscores ongoing tensions between local governments and activists over urban planning transparency in Quintana Roo.

Related Developments

• Earlier this year, the same judicial district halted construction in ecologically sensitive areas of Cancún following similar public-interest lawsuits.
• Benito Juárez Municipality has not yet issued a formal response to the ruling.