Green Infrastructure promoted in Nuevo Leon

BECC General Manager Maria Elena Giner pointed out to officials that green infrastructure, among other things, “makes the best possible use of rain water, preventing flooding incidents and damage to residential properties and wastewater collection systems, while providing an opportunity to create green areas for community interaction,” without impacting construction costs.

During the morning session, local and state officials received training on techniques, strategies, and criteria for implementing this type of infrastructure. At both events, experts from the State of Arizona, including Joaquin Murrieta-Saldivar of the Watershed Management Group, and Irene Ogata, Urban Landscape Manager for the City of Tucson, shared their experiences using green infrastructure and the best implementation practices. Additionally, Guadalupe Peñúñurri, of Hermosillo´s Municipal Planning Institute, discussed the urban and economic benefits of the use of this type of infrastructure in Sonora.  Both events helped to lay the foundations and establish agreements to make Nuevo Leon a better place to live, considering the implementation of green infrastructure concepts proven by U.S. and Mexican experts.

The afternoon training session targeted representatives of local development associations, as well as distinguished real estate and construction industry entrepreneurs. The meeting was chaired by the state’s Secretary of Sustainable Development, Roberto Russildi, who underscored that “green infrastructure is a cost-effective strategy to improve water management and provide better quality public areas for the community.”     

The event was moderated by BECC’s Gonzalo Bravo and was attended by Irene Ogata and Guadalupe Peñúñurri, who participated in the morning training session. Participants also included Fernando Barrera of the North American Development Bank, who discussed the potential for funding these strategies in the region.

Antonio Elosua, urban developer and chairman of the state’s Commission on Sustainable Development, recognized the value of these green tools and said his state must move forward to develop appropriate regulations.

At the end of the meeting, Secretary Rusildi said this is a good time to make the changes required, with an organized community. In connection with this, a Stormwater Management Plan including green infrastructure components is scheduled to be presented to the Congress of Nuevo Leon, he said.