Circuito Sur: A road to cutting greenhouse gases in Mérida, Mexico

Almost 70% of greenhouse gas emissions produced in Mérida, Mexico, can be traced back to the transport sector. Unplanned urban expansion is a major cause; neighborhoods in the south of the city were not efficiently connected to the city center. Residents commuting from the city's southern side were forced to take multiple buses or spend up to an hour in the car to reach to the city center. The city embraced sustainable mobility planning as a key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better connect the city's disparate neighborhoods. The cornerstone of the strategy is the Circuito Sur, a 13.4 km road that connects the city center to the southern periphery. Following the construction of Circuito Sur, it became possible to reach the city center in 20 minutes by car, or in 25 minutes by bicycle. The new road includes public transit stops, along with bicycle lanes and improved sidewalks to faciliate non-motorized transit. Besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Circuito Sur is a step in the direction of intra-city equity and will improve quality of life for all urban residents.