Aging in an “unlivable” place: social representations of a low-income urban neighborhood in Mexico City

This article presents a case study of the Tepito-Morelos neighborhood to analyze the aging in place process in low-income neighborhoods of Mexico City. These are neighborhoods with a strong historical tradition and socio-spatial identity, where intense economic activity has developed alongside the presence of organized crime. We consider that the theory of social representations helps to understand whether these types of neighborhoods offer living spaces that provide conditions for the dignified aging of their inhabitants. In the first part of the article, we focus on the relationship between the concept of aging in place and the theory of social representations. In the second part, we establish the research objectives and the methodology employed: in-depth interviews, field trips, a review of publications about the neighborhood, and an analysis of press coverage. The third part focuses on the presentation of results. The analysis of these materials allows us to observe that the social representations of the Tepito-Morelos territory articulate three types of social order that have governed the life of the community over several decades: urban morphology, and economic and cultural aspects. Over time, this tripartite order has had both benefits and negative effects on the aging-in-place process. It is important to take into account the socio-cultural complexity of the neighborhood to understand this process. This knowledge forms the basis for undertaking intervention strategies and designing policies to improve the conditions of aging in this type of neighborhood.