Institutional sustainability in local governments: Participatory strategies for environmental governance in Mexican urban contexts
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This article analyzes institutional sustainability in local governments from the perspectives of participatory environmental governance and climate resilience, based on participatory strategies aimed at strengthening urban environmental management. The research is based on a multiple and comparative case study of three Mexican municipalities with differentiated environmental policies (Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Querétaro). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with public officials, social leaders, and academics, as well as documentary analysis of municipal urban development plans, ecological programs, and climate action instruments. The results indicate that institutional sustainability depends not only on technical capacities but also on collaborative networks and political will to integrate environmental agendas with social inclusion and climate risk management. An adaptive governance framework is proposed that articulates citizen participation, intersectoral management, institutional transparency, and the construction of resilience as pillars for advancing toward more sustainable and democratic cities.
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