Mexico City Is For (Pet And Planet) Lovers

From Green Roofs to Designated Pet-Friendly Spaces, Mexico's Capital is Taking Action to provide a more Sustainable and Enjoyable Environment for Visitors and Residents alike

MEXICO CITY, May 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- While many know that Mexico City as a world-renowned mecca for arts, architecture and gastronomy, some of the city's other attributes may come as a surprise. Among them is the environmentally-focused initiatives, and magnitude of green and pet-friendly spaces that are present throughout Mexico's sprawling capital, making this a great place for exploration among residents and visitors of all shapes and furs.

Over the past eight years, Mexico City has placed a priority on the environment, starting with the Plan Verde (Green Plan). This 15-year initiative began in 2007, and is backed by the United Nations and the World Bank. Plan Verde aims to set aside approximately 8% of the city's annual budget for implementing extensive and ambitious initiatives to make the city more environmentally friendly. These initiatives cover many topics of sustainability, but the main focus is on ensuring good air quality and reducing traffic.

While many Mexico City residents own cars, a number of measures have been taken to expand the public transportation system and options to get from place to place – including the ECOBICI bike sharing which accounts for over 26,000 journeys per day by visitors and residents alike – providing convenience while contributing to cleaner city air. The city has introduced cleaner buses and moved refineries to outlying areas. It even has the first of its kind smog eating building, a public hospital which transforms smog into healthier substances.

Also, to create a green urban infrastructure, azoteas verdes — or green roofs — are sprouting across this sprawling metropolis in an effort to freshen the air. Mexico City has reported over 240 green rooftops and the city is listed second in Latin America for cities with the largest number of urban crops by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Rooftops are actively "greening" across Mexico City's urban area featuring hydroponic gardens and succulent plants to help reduce the impact of air pollutants. So far, beds of succulents have been planted on more than 132,000 square feet of rooftops over schools, hospitals, the city's Natural History Museum, and other civic buildings. Some of Mexico City's largest corporate buildings also host green rooftops.

One of the most notable azoteas verdes is in the botanical gardens of the Bosque de Chapultepec (known as the Chapultepec forest, a must-visit for any travelers to Mexico City). Atop the circular single-story offices of the botanical gardens, it is planted with hardy stonecrop, which can withstand the Mexico City summer, but which also produces oxygen and serves as a filter to draw out the carbon dioxide and heavy metal particles in the air. The roof helps to regulate the temperature of the offices below and soaks up rainwater to keep the building dry.  

Mexico City's environmental initiatives and green spaces are also improving the livelihood of pet owners – both residents and visitors alike – and their four-legged friends, who are benefitting from improved air quality as well as dedicated public spaces where they can experience the outdoors.

Pet-friendly hotels such as Hotel Downtown, W Mexico City, St. Regis and Sheraton Maria Isabel allow for comfortable accommodations for visitors and their pets, while pet-friendly restaurants such as Eno, Pizza del Perro Negro, El Parnita and La Esquina de Los Milagros provide dining options for all parties. There are also a number of dog parks across the city to let your pup stretch their paws. The largest and most equipped is in the Mexico Park in the Condesa neighborhood, which covers an area of over 10,000 square feet.

For more information on travel to Mexico City, its pet-friendly and green spaces, visit http://mxcity.mx/en/.

Mexico City is the country's premier tourism destination, welcoming more than 12.5 million visitors a year.  The ancient capital offers a vibrant, contemporary culture that combines pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern influences that span nearly seven centuries. With more than 150 museums and more than 180 galleries, 30 distinct archaeological and historic sites, the city is a mecca of fine art and treasures that speak to its vast history. For more information and daily updates please visit/follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MexicoCityLive) and Twitter (@MexicoCityLive).

Media Contact: Lauren Lane, +1 (212) 445-8303, [email protected]

SOURCE Mexico City

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http://mxcity.mx/en