Endangered rural economies in the periurban area of Bosque La Primavera, Guadalajara, Mexico

• Published in: Revista interamericana de ambiente y turismo Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 49 - 58
• Main Authors: Rios-Llamas, Carlos, Hernández-Vázquez, Samuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Universidad de Talca. Facultad de Economía y Negocios 01.06.2023
• Subjects: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; MANAGEMENT; URBAN STUDIES; bosque periurbano; bosque urbano; Rural economies; urban sprawl; urban forest; periurban forest; Guadalajara; Economías rurales; expansión urbana
• ISSN: 0718-235X; 0718-235X
• DOI: 10.4067/S0718-235X2023000100049

Urban expansion often replaces forest and farmlands. In Mexico, cities like Guadalajara have become metropolitan areas, and the nearest forest reserves are constantly menaced by urban expansion, loss of farmland and the increase of touristic activities. The aim of this paper is to analyze the main causes and consequences of the transformation of rural economies around the periurban fringe of Bosque La Primavera (BLP), focusing on three key elements: (1) the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (MAG) replacing rural areas; (2) the dispossession of rural farmland on the urban fringe; and (3) the environmental deterioration of BLP caused by touristic activities. The methodological procedure is based on the logic framework and the Theory of Change (ToC). The dataset 2020-2021 was obtained from the records of the program implemented by the OPD-BLP. In addition, qualitative data was obtained from 12 key actors interviewed. Findings show three menaces to rural economies: urban pressure on the forest interface is a consequence of fragmented planning in the MAG; agricultural economies are substituted by industrial practices and soil/water deterioration; the increase of touristic amenities into the forest area demand new services, generate new menaces, and modify rural ordinary lives.