The fabulous urban area of Monterrey Mexico

[MisterNifty]

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1 dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=s&trf=0&lon=-100.315475&lat=25.697844&mag=8

I have posted here the coordinates for the fabulous urban area of Monterrey, Mexico. The city of Monterrey, as a result of its close proximity to the Texas border, is the most dynamic, fastest growing city in Mexico. It is also the most unique urban area in this part of the world because of the way its boundaries have grown from wall to wall between the mountain ranges of that area.

[MisterNifty]

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1 dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=s&trf=0&lon=-100.317122&lat=25.686247&mag=1

Shown here is one of the many stations of Monterreys big time rail system -- a monorail. The off ramp heading north is actually a subway system which allows the trains to go underneath without interference with traffic. Perhaps Dallas should send its experts to Monterrey to study how to best set up a like system. Upon visiting the city myself, I was surprised that the typical wait was no longer than 2 minutes for a bus.
Econmists have suggested that the DFW area, Houston area, San Antonio / Austin area and the Monterrey area, will together become one huge economic area for this region.

[MisterNifty]

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1 dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=s&trf=0&lon=-100.343553&lat=25.69623&mag=2

This picture shows how the monorail system turns, heads north and crosses over a very unique feature of a roundabout. Monterrey doesn't have a lot of freeways but has lots of beautiful boulevards and plazas instead.

[tamtagon]

I am certain that a strong economic and societal relationship between Texas cities and Monterrey will play a vital role in unraveling Border problems like organized crime, illegal immigration, poor education and poverty.

[MisterNifty]

I am certain that a strong economic and societal relationship between Texas cities and Monterrey will play a vital role in unraveling Border problems like organized crime, illegal immigration, poor education and poverty.

Mexico was the first to feel a need for a border between itself and the Commanches; so, one can argue that they were the first to draw a cultural line of confrontation. That line cuts deep, indeed. While Hispanic people tend to be more Catholic, religiously speaking, Anglos are more Protestant. While Hispanic people tend to be more family oriented politically, Anglos are more willing to sacrifice the sanctity of family for the good of the whole. Because of the influence of the Arab Moors, Hispanic people tend to be more Aristotilian in their philosophical thinking; while, the Anglo people tend to be more Platonic in their views. As Hispanic people are more individualistic, Anglos are more willing to abide by the rules and cooperate together. This last difference can be attributed to differing climates.

All one has to do is witness the rift between the Anglo and Hispanic culture within the transitional zone of Texas, is understand the relationship between the Mexican Americans and the Mexican Nationals while they mingle together in social settings. Especially when they get together at nightclubs to celebrate while under the influences of alcohol. As the intentions of both of these cultures are to enjoy themselves together, their differences can become so apparent at times that situations often times end up in deadly confrontations.

The influences that the Hispanic and Anglo cultures have on each other in the transitional zone of Texas and Northern Mexico become really apparent when Monterrey is compared to the rest of Mexico. The city benifits because it is isolated economically from the rest of Mexico and it is envied for this reason.

Ultimately it will be determined that the transitional zone made up of Texas and the northern part of Mexico is neither Anglo nor Hispanic, culturally speaking. Indeed, Spanglish will one day rule the region because both the Anglo and the Hispanic cultures thought of this region as a wasteland. It still exists today as a unique transitional zone despised equally by the Anglos from the north and the Hispanics to the south.

(Brought to you by the 'People For a Better Oak Cliff')

[Highway 6]

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1 dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=s&trf=0&lon=-100.317122&lat=25.686247&mag=1

Shown here is one of the many stations ... Perhaps Dallas should send its experts to Monterrey to study how to best set up a like system...

I agree, Monterrey's rail system is impressive. (Looks expensive, too. How did they pay for it?)

And you're right, our traffic engineers might learn a thing or two from a visit to Monterrey. One idea they employ that I think we could benefit from is the 'no left turns' policy they have on some of their thoroughfares. Instead, they have signs directing people to drive one block beyond the left turn destination, then make a series of right turns around the block. That way, traffic is not impeded by people making left turns. This would really come in handy on Mockingbird east of Matilda.

[MisterNifty]

I agree, Monterrey's rail system is impressive. (Looks expensive, too. How did they pay for it?)

And you're right, our traffic engineers might learn a thing or two from a visit to Monterrey. One idea they employ that I think we could benefit from is the 'no left turns' policy they have on some of their thoroughfares. Instead, they have signs directing people to drive one block beyond the left turn destination, then make a series of right turns around the block. That way, traffic is not impeded by people making left turns. This would really come in handy on Mockingbird east of Matilda.

If you were to include Monterrey into the same southwest region as Houston and Dallas, then Dallas would come in second when it comes to mass transit. Houston's system is miserable in comparison to the two. Monterrey's system is heavy rail in that it never interferes with traffic. Being as the city has the best economy in Mexico, they had no problem paying for their system. The buses in Monterrey are incredible as well, both public transit and private. They have a huge terminal for private bus companies. When riding on public mass transit buses the wait was never more than a few minutes. Just don't ever walk out in the street in front of a bus!

In regards to the incredible street design of boulevards that accentuate plazas in Monterrey, they were building these things back when the U.S. went wild building freeways. This is why Dallas and Houston has nothing similar built to compare with them.

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1 dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=s&trf=0&lon=-100.314531&lat=25.675297&mag=4

The map here shows just how dense and urban the city of Monterrey is. It has all the urban qualities of Manhattan Island minus the skyscrapers. The houses are made of concrete and their foundations are drilled into granite. There seems to be retail stores on every street.

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1 dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=s&trf=0&lon=-100.314006&lat=25.662949&mag=2

The map here shows just how developed is the river that passes through Monterrey. They have numerous soccer fields within the flood zone of the river and they have an extensive system of bridges developed all along it. Why doesn't the city of Dallas ever use the many successes of Monterrey when comparing itself with other cities?

BMSOB (Build More Short Office Buildings)

[jsoto3]

Thanks for starting this thread. I have always been quite interested in Monterrey. It appears that they have flanked both sides of the river corridor with limited access boulevard/"parkways" about the same size and function as the proposed Trinity tollway here. At least they provide pedestrian bridges frequently. Does the Rio Santa Catarina flood to the same extent/frequency as does the Trinity? Also, I can't quite tell on the Yahoo or Google maps, are there levees or is the flood plain at a lower elevation than the rest of the city?

[MisterNifty]

Thanks for starting this thread. I have always been quite interested in Monterrey. It appears that they have flanked both sides of the river corridor with limited access boulevard/"parkways" about the same size and function as the proposed Trinity tollway here. At least they provide pedestrian bridges frequently. Does the Rio Santa Catarina flood to the same extent/frequency as does the Trinity? Also, I can't quite tell on the Yahoo or Google maps, are there levees or is the flood plain at a lower elevation than the rest of the city?

It is hard to see, but much of the roads along the river are actually expressways. When they come up to a bridge intersection they curve down to run underneath. The only problem with this creative bit of engineering is that the expressway floods on occasion. This river did flood horribly after the hurricane went over the city (with little effect because of the 7000 foot mountains). They weren't spared the huge amounts of rain water that came rushing down the mountain tops.