Area characterisation:
The Nichupté Lagoon is a coastal lagoon system in Cancún, composed of seven interconnected water bodies separated from the Caribbean Sea by a narrow barrier. The area is highly urbanised and shaped by tourism development, particularly along Puerto Cancún and Malecón Tajamar. It is characterised by tropical climate conditions, high exposure to hurricanes, and limited water exchange, which contributes to pollution accumulation. Historically dominated by mangrove ecosystems, the lagoon now faces significant environmental pressure from urban expansion, habitat loss, and declining water quality.
Objective:
The objective of this project is to enhance coastal resilience in the Nichupté Lagoon by restoring mangrove ecosystems and implementing living shorelines along urban waterfronts. Its aim is to reduce flooding and erosion, improve water quality, support biodiversity recovery, and maintain accessible public space. At the same time, it seeks to demonstrate how nbs can be integrated into high-density tourism environments, balancing environmental protection with urban development pressures in Cancún.
Financing:
Initial investment can be supported through federal environmental and infrastructure programmes, while long-term funding is secured through coastal resilience fees for waterfront properties in Puerto Cancún and small eco-fees linked to tourism activities in Cancún. Additional support may come from partnerships with NGOs and international climate or biodiversity funds
Potential impacts/benefits:
Mangrove restoration and living shorelines in the Nichupté Lagoon can reduce flooding and erosion, improve water quality, and restore habitats for coastal species. The intervention also enhances public space and well-being along Malecón Tajamar, while supporting long-term economic resilience by protecting tourism infrastructure in Cancún.
Actions:
Transition from hard infrastructure to living shorelines along the Nichupté Lagoon, targeted planting of native mangroves species and protection of existing patches, installation of permeable surfaces along Malecón Tajamar, as well as the development of educational and community stewardship programmes to support long-term maintenance and monitoring.
Contacts:
alexa.zink-extieer@bharatividyapeeth.edu
This has been done as a academic project and any comments and suggestions are welcome