This street is one of the main linkages connecting visitors and residents to the Zócalo, the historic central square that dates back to the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. As part of the holistic revitalization process of the district, the city looked to test the viability of pedestrianization on Calle Madero. The experiment began with a temporary closure to vehicles once per week. Although there was initial skepticism stemming from business owners as to the fate of their revenues, even the most vocal critics soon saw the positive effect that prioritizing pedestrians had on their businesses. Within three months the street was entirely pedestrianized.

The city undertook additional measures to ensure full integration of the street into pedestrian life, such as eliminating the curb between the sidewalk and street to create one level area dedicated to people. The changes have also sparked newfound interest and investment in the area. For example, during the 1985 earthquake that destroyed much of Mexico City, a building collapsed and was subsequently turned into a parking lot, but today that parking lot has been converted into a children’s playground.

Photo by Protoplasmakid.

Read More:

• "Hopeful Footsteps in Mexico City’s Centro Histórico," CityLab
• "How Mexico City Fought and Cajoled to Reclaim Streets for Pedestrians," StreetsBlog