History Central de Abasto

one of many hallways in market

from pre hispanic period, there have been various open air markets called “tianguis” handled of foodstuffs sold in mexico city. these developed number of larger fixed markets called mercados públicos. 1 of earliest mercados públicos established in city el volador, located supreme court now. purpose of large, fixed markets ease regulation. la merced market, established on lakeshore near docks farmers brought in produce sell in city in boats. la merced reached height @ beginning of 20th century, becoming known “stomach of city,” taking on wholesale sales. however, neither la merced nor various others famous in city such mercado de sonora , la lagunilla, never displaced local markets or tianguis.

because of growth , congestion of historic center of mexico city, la merced’s capacity exceeded , area around no longer permitted free flow of traffic in city center. situation existed many years, came crisis in 1970s, forcing authorities seek alternative. @ time, of borough of iztapalapa undeveloped , contained farmlands, although had been growing. city , federal officials decided move wholesale food sales new facility built on “chinampa” farmland, goal of providing better entrance , egress, more space vendors , better environment. la merced not shut down, rather became focused on retail sales, still in food products, not exclusively.

the relatively open land in izatapalapa meant not larger facility construction of wider , better roads shipping. however, land appropriated project in 1970s, last of pre hispanic chinampas in iztapalapa, artificial islands near lake shore created agriculture. establishment of cental de abastos eliminate tradition in part of city.

construction of new facility begun in 1981, designed abraham zabludovsky . project allowed large scale excavations held in area, important part of culhuacan dominion , important until aztec times site of cerro de la estrella , new fire ceremony. there not time excavate before construction, archeologist covered unexcavated structures protective material called “geotextile” preserve them future excavations. construction finished in 1982 , facility inaugurated in november of same year, president josé lópez portillo . considered important infrastructure project of decade.

since time, market has remained important, establishment has created number of problems. since 1970s, borough of iztapalapa has grown tremendously around market, , on 90% urbanized. has returned traffic related problems plagued la merced market. particularly true on north side opens onto eje 3 oriente, main access facility. problem amount of refuse facility generates. neighbors next federally owned property have complained of large mounds of trash accumulating on periphery. in areas, such on eje 6 roadway, garbage spills on public venue, along rocks , chemicals.

however, serious problem have plagued market , area around crime. borough of iztapalpa has become 1 of crime ridden in mexico city, market particular attraction types of crime. because of large number of truckers , others regularly enter , leave area, facility has become magnet prostitution. includes prostitution of minors. there significant problems underage workers, , small scale drug trafficking.

however, serious threat robbery , kidnapping. robbery of merchandise, shipments , money, including violent episodes, constant concern, , many merchants have private security. ngo’s related kidnapping problem in mexico such consejo para la ley y los derechos humanos state merchants facility targeted gangs associated crime. targets include merchants themselves, more family members. 1 recent case kidnapping , murder of antonio equihua peralta, minor son of 1 of abasto merchant. in last ten years, there have been 286 proven cases of people associated market have been held against will. police have conducted raids , other operations improve security on years. market official , police have claimed crime statistics of 2007 have improved, 90% highs on tenure of current administrator raymundo collins flores. however, market merchants have demanded more security including installation of 4,000 surveillance cameras , establishment of 4,000 member police squad market.

over twenty 5 years after federal government expropriated fifty chinampa properties build facility, former owners still demanding return loss of cropland. @ time, farmers received forty pesos per square meter. however, many claim since of land never built on, should sold original owners equivalent price. of claimants on fifty lost means of subsistence loss of lands.

coordinates: 19°22′26.07″n 99°5′18.38″w / 19.3739083°n 99.0884389°w / 19.3739083; -99.0884389