The application of the previously described methodological procedure enabled the establishment of SEVI results under two perspectives of territorial analysis: (1) on a smaller scale by AGEB, and (2) on a larger scale by municipal delegation.
5.2. Analysis of SEVI by Municipal Delegations
This section will present the socio-environmental vulnerability patterns exhibited by each of the nine municipal delegations within the municipality of Tijuana (
Figure 8).
It can be observed that there are 19 AGEBs at a Very High level of socio-environmental vulnerability, totaling 19,478 inhabitants, which represents 1.01% of the total population of Tijuana (
Table 3). In terms of distribution by delegation, six AGEBs with 5994 inhabitants are located in Presa Este, three with 2866 inhabitants are in Sánchez Taboada, another three with 1274 inhabitants are in Otay-Centenario delegation, three more with 592 inhabitants are in Playas de Tijuana, one with 4743 inhabitants in San Antonio de los Buenos, another with 2933 inhabitants in Centro, another with 1018 inhabitants in Cerro Colorado, and one more with 58 inhabitants in La Presa. It can be observed that the largest population in this situation is found among the Presa Este, San Antonio de los Buenos, Centro, and Sánchez Taboada delegations, accounting for nearly 85.00% of the total in the Very High category, totaling 16,536 inhabitants. It should be noted that there is no population residing in the La Mesa delegation at this level of vulnerability.
In terms of High socio-environmental vulnerability level, there are 86 AGEBs in this situation, totaling 264,644 inhabitants, which represents 13.77% of the total population (
Table 4). It is noteworthy that AGEBs in all delegations exhibit this situation. In the La Presa delegation, there are 19 AGEBs with 53,101 inhabitants, 17 with 52,572 inhabitants in Sánchez Taboada, 13 with 53,759 inhabitants in Otay-Centenario, another 13 with 33,252 inhabitants in Presa Este, 10 with 17,590 inhabitants in San Antonio de los Buenos, seven with 25,608 inhabitants in Playas de Tijuana, three with 12,906 inhabitants in Centro, another three with 12,631 inhabitants in Cerro Colorado, and one with 3225 inhabitants in La Mesa. It can be observed that the largest population in this situation is found among the Otay-Centenario, La Presa, and Sánchez Taboada delegations, comprising over 60.00% of the total in the High category, totaling 159,432 inhabitants.
At the Middle-High socio-environmental vulnerability level, there are 217 AGEBs, totaling 655,161 inhabitants, which represents 34.08% of the total population (
Table 5). It is noteworthy that AGEBs in all delegations exhibit this situation. In the San Antonio de los Buenos delegation, there are 41 AGEBs with 113,989 inhabitants, 37 with 106,168 inhabitants in Otay-Centenario, 30 with 96,804 inhabitants in Sánchez Taboada, 29 with 100,938 inhabitants in La Presa, 21 with 54,616 inhabitants in Presa Este, 17 with 52,645 inhabitants in La Mesa, 14 with 46,753 inhabitants in Cerro Colorado, another 14 with 42,429 inhabitants in Centro, and another 14 with 40,819 inhabitants in Playas de Tijuana. It can be observed that the largest population in this situation is found among the San Antonio de los Buenos, Otay-Centenario, La Presa, and Sánchez Taboada delegations, comprising nearly 64.00% of the total in the Middle-High category, totaling 417,899 inhabitants.
The Middle-Low socio-environmental vulnerability level represents the largest population in Tijuana, with 727,665 inhabitants, accounting for 37.85% of the total, distributed across 258 AGEBs (
Table 6). It is noteworthy that AGEBs in all delegations exhibit this situation. In the Presa Este delegation, there are 77 AGEBs with 233,763 inhabitants, 34 with 80,243 inhabitants in San Antonio de los Buenos, 29 with 79,184 inhabitants in La Mesa, 27 with 93,263 inhabitants in La Presa, 21 with 54,922 inhabitants in Cerro Colorado, another 21 with 53,537 inhabitants in Sánchez Taboada, 19 with 49,239 inhabitants in Playas de Tijuana, 16 with 49,948 inhabitants in Otay-Centenario, and 14 with 33,566 inhabitants in Centro. It can be observed that the largest population in this situation is found among the Presa Este, La Presa, San Antonio de los Buenos, and La Mesa delegations, comprising nearly 67.00% of the total in the Middle-Low category, totaling 486,453 inhabitants.
At the socio-environmental vulnerability level of Low, there are 110 AGEBs, comprising a total of 226,413 inhabitants, representing 11.78% of the total population (
Table 7). It is worth noting that in all delegations, there are AGEBs exhibiting this condition, including one AGEB located outside the area known as the rest of the municipality, with a population of 3270 inhabitants. In the delegation of Presa Este, there are 29 AGEBs with 67,290 inhabitants; 21 with 30,580 inhabitants in San Antonio de los Buenos; 17 with 34,522 inhabitants in Sánchez Taboada; 10 with 15,803 inhabitants in La Mesa; nine with 20,078 inhabitants in Playas de Tijuana; seven with 14,952 inhabitants in Cerro Colorado; six with 22,702 inhabitants in La Presa; another six with 5591 inhabitants in Otay-Centenario; and four with 11,625 inhabitants in Centro. It can be observed that the largest portion of the population in this condition is concentrated among the delegations of Presa Este, Sánchez Taboada, San Antonio de los Buenos, and La Presa, accounting for nearly 69.00% of the total in the Low category and amounting to a total of 155,094 inhabitants.
Regarding the socio-environmental vulnerability level classified as Very Low, there are only two AGEBs located in the Presa Este delegation, with no recorded inhabitants (
Table 8). This suggests the absence of a population in these AGEBs, or that the territory does not exhibit high or medium levels of socio-environmental vulnerability.
In relation to the data presented in the tables with SEVI results by delegation, it is shown that three delegations have the largest populations within the levels of socio-environmental vulnerability classified as Very High and High, each exceeding 50,000 inhabitants. In descending order, they are Sánchez Taboada with 55,438 inhabitants, Otay-Centenario with 55,033 inhabitants, and La Presa with 53,159 inhabitants. It is noteworthy that these delegations together comprise a total of 163,630 inhabitants, representing 57.59% of the total population in these levels. However, when considering the population of all delegations at these levels, it amounts to 284,122 inhabitants, which represents 14.78% of the total population of the municipality of Tijuana.
On the other hand, there are seven delegations considered to have the largest populations within the middle levels of socio-environmental vulnerability, specifically in a situation classified as Middle-High and Middle-Low, each exceeding 100,000 inhabitants. In descending order, they are Presa Este with 288,379 inhabitants, San Antonio de los Buenos with 194,232 inhabitants, La Presa with 194,201 inhabitants, Otay-Centenario with 156,116 inhabitants, Sánchez Taboada with 150,341 inhabitants, La Mesa with 131,829 inhabitants, and Cerro Colorado with 101,675 inhabitants. It is noteworthy that these delegations together comprise a total of 1,216,773 inhabitants, representing 87.99% of the total population at these levels. However, when considering the population of all delegations at these levels, it amounts to 1,382,826 inhabitants, which represents 71.93% of the total population of Tijuana.
Similarly, there are five delegations categorized as having the largest populations within the levels of socio-environmental vulnerability classified as Low and Very Low, each exceeding 20,000 inhabitants. In descending order, they are Presa Este with 67,290 inhabitants, Sánchez Taboada with 34,522 inhabitants, San Antonio de los Buenos with 30,580 inhabitants, La Presa with 22,702 inhabitants, and Playas de Rosarito with 20,078 inhabitants. It is noteworthy that these delegations together comprise a total of 175,172 inhabitants, representing 77.36% of the total population at these levels. However, when considering the population of all delegations at these levels, it amounts to 226,413 inhabitants, which represents 11.78% of the total population of Tijuana.
After analyzing the results across different levels of socio-environmental vulnerability, it was found that the delegations with populations in critical to unfavorable conditions, i.e., those with Very High, High, and Middle-High levels of vulnerability, each exceeding 60,000 inhabitants, in descending order, were Otay-Centenario with 161,201 inhabitants, La Presa with 154,097 inhabitants, Sánchez Taboada with 152,242 inhabitants, San Antonio de los Buenos with 136,322 inhabitants, Presa Este with 93,862 inhabitants, Playas de Tijuana with 67,019 inhabitants, and Cerro Colorado with 60,402 inhabitants. It is noteworthy that these delegations together comprise a total of 825,145 inhabitants, representing 87.84% of the total population at these levels. However, when considering the total population of all delegations that exhibit these levels of vulnerability, it amounts to 939,283 inhabitants, which represents 48.85% of the total population of Tijuana.
The somewhat homogeneous dispersion of the situation at the Middle High and Middle Low levels, which reaches up to 71.00%, in addition to the identification of areas with high socio-environmental vulnerability, indicates that it is necessary to generate special attention in the city and in an integrated manner regarding the management of USW, the sources of atmospheric pollutants, and the neglect in the provision of infrastructure and basic services.
After analyzing the results for the delegations that exhibited the most disadvantaged levels of socio-environmental vulnerability in relation to the variables that determine urban marginalization, it is found that, in order of priority, attention should be given to the delegations of Presa Este, Otay-Centenario, Sánchez Taboada, San Antonio de los Buenos, La Presa, Playas de Tijuana, Cerro Colorado, Centro, and La Mesa. The first five delegations are by far the most disadvantaged, as they have double or more than double the population in critical situations compared to the following ones. This indicates that it is necessary for public and private entities responsible for promoting better housing conditions, health services, education, and employment to implement actions or public policies in favor of these areas.
From the perspective of waste management schemes, it is necessary to strengthen the capacity of the city’s garbage collection service, with particular attention to the recognized high-generation zones such as the delegations of La Presa, Presa Este, San Antonio de los Buenos, and Otay-Centenario. Regarding clandestine dumping sites, vacant lots or abandoned properties have been found to exist and are distributed throughout the urban area. Typically, these areas are prone to the disposal of construction debris, heavy domestic waste, heavy weed clearing, and tires, among other materials.
Another issue perceived is related to garbage being washed away by runoff during rain events, which ends up affecting the efficiency of the stormwater infrastructure, obstructing its functioning, and causing floods in many areas of the urban area.
In terms of air quality conditions, contributions from emissions generated by industry were considered, with special attention to the manufacturing sector, detecting high concentrations in the delegations of Otay-Centenario, Centro, La Mesa, Presa Este, and Cerro Colorado.
Regarding the lack of basic infrastructure, such as unpaved roads, pedestrian sidewalks or footpaths, green areas or trees, and the presence of irregular settlements, it is necessary to prioritize and address the following delegations in the following order: La Presa, Presa Este, San Antonio de los Buenos, Sánchez Taboada, and Otay-Centenario. Therefore, it is essential to promote the improvement of road surface conditions across the entire road network of the municipality, as well as the paving of a significant number of dirt roads, focusing primarily on the outskirts of the urban area. Similarly, it is crucial to complement this effort with the establishment and construction of sidewalks to promote pedestrian mobility, recognizing an even greater need in the city’s peripheries.
In terms of afforestation and green areas, the municipality of Tijuana exhibits a varied distribution of tree presence throughout the urban area. It is notable that delegations Otay-Centenario and Cerro Colorado have the least amount of trees. Similarly, there is a significant need to increase the provision of green areas per inhabitant, as the loss of vegetation contributes to pollution and health issues and increases water runoff, soil saturation, and potential flooding.
On another note, regarding flood risks, it has also been identified that while there are multiple scattered points throughout the city, the delegations with the highest concentration of cases are Sánchez Taboada, Playas de Tijuana, San Antonio de Buenos, Otay-Centenario, and Cerro Colorado. It is necessary to implement a plan to restore the natural function of the Tijuana River Watershed, which should include reorganization of stormwater infrastructure, a cleaning program, and environmental preservation efforts.