More than 45 buildings at risk of collapse in the Historic Center of Morelia.

In the heart of the Historic Center of Morelia, an alarming situation has been revealed following an exhaustive assessment conducted by the Historic Center Management. A total of 45 buildings are on the brink of collapse, posing a significant risk in the event of earthquakes or ground movements. This finding, which includes 180 deteriorated and abandoned properties, raises serious concerns about the safety of citizens and the preservation of the city’s cultural heritage. Gaspar Hernández Razo, head of the Historic Center Management, emphasized that the deterioration of these buildings has reached critical levels. The repercussions of a potential collapse could be devastating, and the responsibility will fall entirely on the owners of the affected buildings. This situation becomes even more urgent given that historically, the month of September has been prone to significant earthquakes, adding pressure to the need for prompt and effective intervention. Local authorities have not remained idle. Hernández Razo detailed that the municipal government made a significant effort by inspecting a total of 7,758 properties in the area. However, access to many of these buildings has been complicated, limiting the ability to conduct thorough evaluations. To carry out these inspections, the protocol requires written permission from the owners, which has slowed the process. The assessment conducted was a meticulous effort that took months, and the results are alarming. Compared to a similar exercise conducted in 2019, where between 15 and 20 buildings were identified as at risk of collapse, the current number suggests considerable deterioration in just five years. This raises questions about the attention and maintenance given to these historical properties, which are part of Morelia's cultural legacy. The municipal government has attempted to notify property owners about the condition of their buildings, urging them to invest in their rehabilitation. However, the city council's ability to intervene is limited, as they cannot use public resources on private properties. In this sense, the government's role seems to be more about advising and mediating than taking direct action. As the situation becomes more pressing, the city council has started placing warning banners on at-risk properties. This measure aims to alert the public about the potential dangers of walking near these buildings. The placement of the banners has begun with the most affected properties, although the process has been more complicated than expected, as established regulations by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) must be followed to protect the heritage. To date, approximately 50 percent of the banners have been placed on the buildings identified as being at the highest risk. However, Hernández Razo does not rule out that other properties, which appear to be in good condition, may also present hidden risks. This revelation underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to assess and maintain the historical heritage of the city. The situation is a call to action not only for property owners but also for authorities and the general public. The preservation of heritage should not be solely the concern of property owners; it is an issue that affects the entire community. A collapse would not only impact those involved but could also have repercussions on the infrastructure and safety of the area. It is essential to establish financing and technical support programs to assist property owners in restoring their buildings. The history of Morelia is intertwined with the architecture that defines it, and losing it would be an irreversible blow to the city’s cultural identity. On the other hand, raising awareness about the importance of structural safety must be a priority, especially in a region where natural phenomena are a constant reality. Education and community participation in the preservation of historical heritage are essential to prevent the history of Morelia from crumbling along with its ancient buildings. The current situation may be the turning point that drives the necessary change to protect this invaluable legacy.