Result Analysis, General Interpretation and Conclusion

 

Result Analysis

The interviews conducted with local residents, environmental activists, NGO members, and urban planning experts from Cancún reveal several important similarities and differences regarding the possible transformation of Malecón Tajamar into a public green area. Overall, the responses suggest a shared concern about environmental protection and urban sustainability, although each group emphasized different priorities according to their experiences and professional backgrounds.

Similarities Between the Groups

One of the strongest similarities among all interviewees was the perception that the previous urban development project negatively affected the environment. Residents, activists, and experts all mentioned the destruction of mangroves, biodiversity loss, and damage to natural ecosystems. For example, local residents often referred to the disappearance of wildlife and the loss of natural scenery, while environmental activists and scientists explained these impacts in more technical terms, such as habitat fragmentation and reduced coastal resilience.

Another common point was the belief that Cancún needs more public green spaces. All groups agreed that a green area in Tajamar could improve quality of life by providing recreational opportunities, reducing urban heat, and supporting community wellbeing. Interviewees also repeatedly connected green spaces with mental health, education, and environmental awareness.

In addition, most participants highlighted the importance of citizen participation. Residents expressed frustration about feeling excluded from past decisions, while NGO members and urban planners emphasized participatory governance and transparency as necessary conditions for future projects. This demonstrates a broad consensus that sustainable urban development should involve local communities more actively.

Finally, every group identified political and economic pressures as important barriers to transformation. Real estate interests, lack of long-term planning, and insufficient political commitment were mentioned consistently across the interviews.

Differences Between the Groups

Although there were many similarities, the groups also showed important differences in perspective and focus.

Local Residents

The residents tended to speak from personal and emotional experience. Many associated Tajamar with family activities, memories, and local identity. Their responses focused mainly on social benefits, such as recreation, safety, and public access to nature. Compared with experts, residents generally used less technical language and emphasized everyday concerns like maintenance, accessibility, and trust in local authorities.

At the same time, younger residents were more likely to connect the issue with climate change and activism, while older residents often focused on urban growth and the visible transformation of Cancún over time.

Environmental Activists and NGO Members

Activists and NGO representatives expressed stronger criticism toward the original development project. Unlike some residents who accepted the idea of development in general, activists frequently described the project as environmentally irresponsible or unjust. Their discourse included concepts such as environmental justice, ecological restoration, and legal protection.

Another difference was that activists viewed Tajamar not only as a local issue but also as a symbolic environmental conflict with national significance. Members connected to organizations such as Greenpeace México, WWF México, and Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA) emphasized activism, public mobilization, and institutional accountability more strongly than the other groups.

Urban Planners and Environmental Experts

Urban planners and researchers provided the most technical and policy-oriented responses. Their answers focused on concepts such as climate resilience, integrated planning, ecological infrastructure, hydrological restoration, and governance mechanisms.

Unlike residents and activists, experts often attempted to balance environmental protection with economic and urban development needs. Instead of rejecting development entirely, they argued for more sustainable and interdisciplinary planning models. Experts also discussed institutional coordination, scientific monitoring, and adaptive management strategies in greater detail.

Furthermore, organizations such as ONU-Habitat México and El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) framed Tajamar within broader discussions about sustainable cities and climate adaptation, giving the issue a more global and academic perspective.

General Interpretation

The findings suggest that Malecón Tajamar represents more than an environmental conflict for the people interviewed. It has become a social and symbolic space where debates about sustainability, citizenship, urban identity, and political trust intersect.

Despite differences in language and priorities, all groups generally support the idea of transforming Tajamar into a sustainable public green area. However, the interviews also show that achieving this transformation would require balancing ecological restoration, community participation, urban planning, and political negotiation.

In conclusion, the interviews demonstrate that public green spaces in Cancún are not only valued for recreation but also understood as essential elements for environmental resilience and social wellbeing. The case of Tajamar reflects the growing demand for urban development models that are more inclusive, transparent, and environmentally sustainable.

Conclusion

Based on the qualitative analysis of the interviews conducted with local residents, environmental activists, NGO representatives, and urban planning experts in Cancún, the research premise can be generally validated. The findings strongly suggest that transforming Malecón Tajamar into a sustainable public green area would contribute positively to both environmental sustainability and community well-being.

The interviews revealed a broad consensus among stakeholders regarding the negative consequences of the previous urban development model implemented in Tajamar. Participants consistently identified environmental degradation, mangrove destruction, biodiversity loss, and reduced ecological resilience as the principal impacts of the project. At the same time, many interviewees emphasized the social consequences of the conflict, including reduced public trust in institutions and limited citizen participation in urban planning processes.

In relation to the research question, the study indicates that Tajamar could be successfully redesigned as a public green area through an integrated strategy combining ecological restoration, sustainable urban design, and participatory governance. The proposed interventions — such as mangrove restoration, protected conservation zones, pedestrian infrastructure, and environmental education spaces — were widely supported by all groups interviewed.

The results also support the theoretical framework of the study. Interviewees frequently associated public green spaces with ecosystem services, climate adaptation, recreation, mental health benefits, and stronger social interaction. These findings reinforce the idea that green infrastructure plays an essential role in sustainable urban development, particularly in coastal tourist cities like Cancún.

However, the analysis also demonstrates that the transformation of Tajamar would face important challenges. Political interests, real estate pressure, legal disputes, and long-term funding limitations were repeatedly identified as barriers by residents, activists, and experts alike. Therefore, although the premise is validated in principle, its successful implementation would depend on effective institutional coordination, transparent governance, and sustained public participation.

Overall, this research supports the argument that ecological restoration and public green space planning can provide a viable alternative to conventional urban expansion models. The case of Malecón Tajamar illustrates the growing importance of integrating environmental sustainability and community needs into urban planning decisions.

In conclusion, the evidence gathered suggests that Malecón Tajamar has the potential to become a model of sustainable urban regeneration in coastal cities. If planned responsibly and inclusively, the site could evolve from a symbol of environmental conflict into a public space that promotes biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and social well-being.