The Case for Gender Approaches to Urban Resilience-Experience from Coyuca

May 7, 2019 | Hector Becerril, Anna de la Parra, Rocio López Velasco, and Maria Jose Pacha. Translated and edited in english by Mairi
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Coyuca de Benitez on Mexico’s Pacific coast has suffered repeated tropical storms and tidal surges in the past decade. The city, sited on the edge of a 16 km-long lagoon, is a mix of urban and rural land uses, combining city sprawl with traditional fishing and farming activities, and it is home to 30,000 people.

In 2013, Cyclones Ingrid and Manuel damaged 70% of the city of Coyuca, including 2,500 houses, and demolished a bridge and basic drinking water infrastructure.

The storms caused flooding that swept aside boats, cars, bars, sales kiosks and piles of household and business effects.

Intense rain created a tide of foul, floating waste – snagged from the ditches and roadsides where rubbish had previously been tipped. Fresh drinking water supplies were contaminated.

Two years later, a sea surge affected hundreds of people, and then in 2017, Hurricane Max damaged 207 homes and led to declaration of a state of emergency.

These extremes of weather are happening more often than in preceding decades. What is more, climate scientists expect Mexico will be exposed to more frequent tropical storms this century, as a result of climate change.