The urban food system of Mexico City, Mexico

Abstract

Mexico City’s origins date back to the early 16th century. The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan became the Spanish capital of New Spain in 1521 with the con quest of the Aztec empire. During the subsequent 300-year colonial period, Mexico City was the centre of Spanish colonial socio-political and economic power and led a system of cities oriented towards mining and export to Spain. During the 1810-1821 War of Independence, large numbers joined the inde pendence forces, diminishing the workforce available for agriculture, the min ing industry and other activities in Mexico. Safety concerns during the conflict also generated migration flows from smaller urban centres to larger cities. In just one year, 1810-1811, the population of Mexico City increased from 150,000 to 170,000. Although the hegemony of Mexico City has always been a typical feature of the urban history of the country, it was not until the middle of the 19th century that the city assumed a fundamental role in national demographic and urban dynamics.