Inequidad socio-espacial en el acceso al agua potable en Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán

This article analyzes drinking water coverages in the six largest urban localities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, Mexico, and identifies the factors that have contributed to aggravating inequity on the ground. Drawing on field visits, interviews, and surveys, this article finds that: (1) the greatest insufficiencies are concentrated in the peripheral areas, where the most recent urban development has taken place; (2) Buenos Aires and Playa Azul stand out due to the high number of households that are not connected to the public water system as well as Las Guacamayas due to the presence of irregular human settlements and its high vulnerability to natural disasters; (3) the absence of urban planning, a systemic vision for water management, and metropolitan governance structures, are the main factors that have contributed to creating and perpetuating socio-spatial inequity; however, they may also represent opportunities for possible solutions.