Residents of Playas de Tijuana gathered Saturday along Paseo Playas to demand a halt to construction at Cañada Azteca, a natural canyon where developers plan to build a large residential housing complex. The protest marks the latest clash in a nearly eight-year fight between the community and the companies behind the project.
Members of the collective “Defendamos Playas de Tijuana” (Defend Playas de Tijuana) carried signs opposing the development and demanding better public services. The group rejects the planned multi-family buildings, arguing that the project would worsen traffic, increase noise, and overwhelm already strained infrastructure in the beachside neighborhood.
Eight Years of Opposition to Canyon Development
Eduardo Pérez, a member of the collective, told reporters that residents have opposed new vertical developments for roughly eight years. He said road access to Playas de Tijuana is already beyond capacity. The development, known as Civantia, is backed by Grupo Ruba and Grupo Musa, two major Mexican real estate firms.
Residents also raised concerns about water and sewer infrastructure. One protester told El Sol de Tijuana that pipe ruptures are a constant problem because the existing network is saturated. “The infrastructure in Playas can’t handle more,” the resident said.
Last Green Space at Stake
Community members describe Cañada Azteca as the last significant natural space in the area. The canyon sits within an already densely built neighborhood, and opponents say paving it over for apartment blocks would permanently change the character of the community. Protesters also noted the lack of recreational spaces in Tijuana, calling for the canyon to be preserved for families and outdoor activities.
The access problems in Playas de Tijuana are well documented. A new elevated viaduct under construction in Tijuana was originally designed to reach Playas but was later redesigned to end at Cañón del Matadero, about 1.5 kilometers short of the beach area. That decision left local streets to absorb traffic that the viaduct was supposed to carry over them.
Saturday’s protest drew attention from multiple local outlets. The development has no publicly announced timeline for completion, and it remains unclear whether the companies have responded to community demands. Reporting on the protest was first published by Zeta Tijuana, with coverage also from El Sol de Tijuana and El Imparcial.