March 26, 2025
Revitalizing Mexico City’s Historic Buenavista Central Station
Located near the historic city center of Mexico City, the area around Buenavista Station has, since the late nineteenth century, served as a central terminal and point of connection for public transport, daily commutes, and commercial activity.
Read ITDP Mexico’s Spanish press release about the Buenavista project.
The current iteration of Buenavista Station debuted in the 1960s and continues to serve as a vital lifeline for thousands of people every day. It is an essential linkage point and mobility gateway for users of inter-city trains, the intra-city Metro, Metrobús bus lines, cyclists, taxis, and cars, convening thousands of people traveling between workplaces, schools, recreational spaces, and homes.
However, this crucial hub has faced considerable challenges in meeting the demand of modern transit users with aging infrastructure and outdated planning in and around the Station area. Navigating the public spaces surrounding the Station often results in conflicts among various transport users, while persistent insecurity and safety — both on the roads and for individuals — diminishes the overall user experience and can discourage engagement with the area. The prevalence of low-utility land uses, like many off-street parking lots, adds to the area’s unwelcoming atmosphere, inefficient design, and poor accessibility.
Buenavista is poised for transformation, with immense potential to become a modern transit hub that can meet demand while promoting sustainable, equitable mobility for residents. With passenger train lines planned for connections to surrounding regions like Querétaro, Guadalajara, and Pachuca, alongside the increased traffic expected with the opening of the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), a comprehensive new vision for this area is not just timely; it is essential for the future of the city.
See excerpts from the Estación Central Buenavista propsal.
In response to these pressing needs, ITDP Mexico, in partnership with CoRe Ciudades Vivibles y Amables AC, has proposed an inspiring redesign initiative outlined in the proposal book Estación Central Buenavista. This forward-thinking project focuses on three key pillars aimed at transforming the station and its surroundings:
- Integrated Mobility: The proposal advocates for a cohesive network that seamlessly connects various modes of transport. By creating efficient and sustainable links — particularly between mass transit systems and new rail lines —the plan seeks to enhance accessibility and make daily commutes smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.
- Quality Public Spaces: Understanding the need for a more inviting atmosphere, this redesign prioritizes creating public spaces that allow all individuals passing through Buenavista to enjoy, relax, socialize, and navigate the area comfortably and securely. This initiative goes beyond mere aesthetics; it aims to build a strong community spirit and elevate the overall user experience drawing on principles of transit-oriented development (TOD).
- Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Development: A core part of this initiative is a focus on developing affordable housing and mixed-use projects that create opportunities for residents while ensuring that the existing community remains intact. This equitable approach is designed to balance growth with inclusivity, making Buenavista an accessible and vibrant place for everyone to live and work.
To bring this ambitious vision to life, collaboration will be key. A concerted effort involving both public and private financing, alongside collaborative engagement from various transport and city stakeholders, will be essential. Furthermore, implementing more supportive, progressive land use and public transport policies will be vital in developing equitable and engaging uses for the area. The proposal’s transformative measures are poised to modernize Buenavista into a safe, efficient, and thriving transport gateway, offering moden benefits to both residents and visitors.
The revitalization of Buenavista into a dynamic and integrated urban hub, if properly realized, will be a shining example for other cities looking to reimagine their transport and built environments.