The interplay of economic complexity and urban sprawl in shaping socio-spatial segregation in Mexico

Abstract

This study examines the interplay between economic complexity, urban sprawl, and socio-spatial segregation in Mexico's metropolitan areas. Drawing on the urban land nexus framework, we conceptualize how economic structures, and spatial dynamics jointly shape patterns of inequality. Using the Rank-Order Information Theory global index, we quantify income segregation across 74 metropolitan areas and assess its association with economic complexity, low-density urban expansion, and infrastructure-driven mobility patterns. Shifting the focus from national-level divides to metropolitan-level dynamics, we apply K-means clustering (KMC) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models to identify the principal correlates of segregation. Our results show that higher economic complexity is associated with increased segregation, as specialized industries concentrate geographically, reinforcing spatial inequalities. Similarly, urban sprawl—characterized by dispersed development and car-dependent infrastructure—exacerbates segregation by limiting accessibility for lower-income populations. These findings challenge the assumption that economic growth or diversification inherently leads to inclusive urban development, highlighting instead the structural role of economic specialization and spatial expansion in perpetuating urban inequality.