Urban imaginaries in the presence of mobility restriction policies in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis in Nuevo León, Mexico

Abstract

This research addresses the urban imaginaries derived from the visibility of public policy communications regarding urban mobility in the Nuevo León state, in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. By contrasting citizen participation, it exposes the detachment from reality on the part of the state government and the institutions responsible for the operation of public transportation services (schedule restrictions, reduced number of vehicles in circulation). The methodology applied is content analysis, with the objective to gather counterpoints in the dissemination of virtual flyers through Facebook, both in terms of receiver interactions and the narratives contained within, in order to ensure public health during daily commutes. Citizen participation includes two positions: one expressing discontent, lack of empathy, inequality, and frustration, which contrasts with the certainty of isolation and the celebration of reduced mobility, accepted as a control measure against the virus spread.