Corruption in the Built Environment

Abstract

This chapter provides context. It stresses the harm caused by corruption in the built environment, while also briefly taking the pulse of corruption in Latin America and highlighting the vulnerability of local bureaucracies to this kind of corruption. This chapter summarizes three case studies of alleged corruption in Mexico City’s construction sector, thus uncovering the dubious tactics used by some developers. As is argued here, cities like Mexico City need not wait for major institutional reforms in order begin to control corruption in construction. Anticorruption audits can prove useful, especially if they are applied to the most sensitive bureaucratic processes.