Inequality in León's Public Spaces

This is compounded by the perception of insecurity, linked to poor lighting and neglect, which further reduces daily use. Although the municipality monitors indicators such as investment per capita, cultural activities, and progress in metropolitan parks, the report warns that these efforts have not managed to close territorial gaps. The result is a fragmented city: while some areas concentrate active and functional parks, others remain on the margins of public space. Rather than expanding infrastructure, the challenge for León lies in redistributing it. Because in the city, access to public space—and with it, to social interaction—still depends on where one lives. Under this criterion, neighborhoods like Barranca de Venaderos and Artículo 4° Constitucional are in a state of exclusion, that is, outside the functional reach of these spaces. Territorial inequality intensifies in the southeast of León, where urban growth has been marked by the proliferation of gated communities. These developments concentrate the offer of recreational spaces, while the open neighborhoods around them are left without accessible options for socializing and leisure. Access depends not only on proximity. More than 140 neighborhoods in León lack effective access to public spaces, revealing one of the main urban inequalities in the city. Factors such as narrow sidewalks, limited public transport, and a lack of inclusive infrastructure make it difficult for people to use existing spaces. Despite investment and the diversity of available infrastructure, coverage fails to be distributed equitably across the entire urban area. The problem is confirmed when applying the benefit radii established by NOM-001-SEDATU-2021, which determine the area of influence of parks and recreational areas.