Studying the Social Impacts of the Maya Train Project in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México

Keywords: Maya Train Project, Puerto Morelos, social impacts, local community, transportation
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 38

Abstract

The Maya Train Project (MTP) is a megaproject in México that will provide improved transportation for tourism, industry, and agriculture along the perimeter of the Yucatán Peninsula. Due to the dependence on tourism in this region, the MTP will catalyze economic and populational growth which in turn will lead to an increase in social and environmental impacts for local communities, especially by accelerating uneven development. This study focused on Puerto Morelos, a beach town in Quintana Roo, México located approximately a one hour drive south of the heavily urbanized city of Cancún. To study the potential social impacts of the MTP on Puerto Morelos, I used mixed methods including qualitative interviews with local residents and key informants, surveys, and document analysis. I found that the MTP will likely result in numerous social impacts in Puerto Morelos. My findings suggest that to be sustainable, major infrastructure projects should consider the perspectives of local people and impacts on communities.