Indicators system for urban river restoration. The Magdalena river case, Mexico City

Abstract

In the last two decades, there has been a significant increase of projects for the restoration or rehabilitation of urban rivers. Few initiatives have mechanisms that let them monitor the results obtained. This article shows the methodological procedure used to develop the indicators system to follow the Magdalena river recovery in Mexico City. The work has the characteristics to favor multidisciplinary dialogue and the use of constructivist and relational precepts as core ideas to integrate the system. Using selection criteria, the initial indicators list was reduced until a system of 11 strategic indicators was obtained. It is important to remark the centrality of those related to the water quality, citizen participation and governmental coordination. The procedure can be useful to monitor the recovery of other urban rivers in the country.