Measuring how an urban area changes over the years, for universities and governments
For universities, local governments and urban project sponsors in Mexico, Riskop uses household surveys and interviews to measure how the neighborhoods around a program change, with a design that can be repeated and compared over the years, and produces that evidence together with public universities in each region when the project calls for it.
Reviewed by: Khublai Villafuerte, Chief of Staff. Updated .
Riskop’s experience in public sector and urban development
For a university in northeastern Mexico we ran, in 2025, the third wave of a survey series on the neighborhoods around its campus, plus an extension into a priority community area. In other projects we collected and analyzed data together with state public universities. With governments, the work Riskop has published is strategic foresight: long-term scenarios built in sessions with state-level stakeholders.
We have fewer documented projects with governments and development agencies than in the other industries on this list. If you work for a public institution, on the first call we will tell you what we have done that comes close.
| Project | Region | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Third wave of a survey series on the neighborhoods around a university campus, across six groups, plus an extension into a community area | Northeast Mexico | 2025 |
| Fieldwork and analysis with state public universities to assess the socioeconomic impact of industrial plants | Several regions | 2023–2024 |
| Long-term scenarios for public policy on innovation and economic development, built in sessions with government, business and civil society | Date not published |
Problems we address
Each problem lists the Riskop service or platform that handles it.
Measuring how an area changes over the years with a comparable design
An urban program takes years to show results. Repeating the same survey, with the same sample and the same questions, makes it possible to compare victimization, perception and use of public space from one wave to the next.
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Producing independent evidence together with local academic institutions
When authorities and residents are going to read the results, it helps if they do not come only from whoever paid for them. We design the study with a public university in the region, which takes part in fieldwork and analysis.
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Hearing from residents before taking a program to another neighborhood
Before extending a program to another neighborhood, a survey aligned with the earlier series shows what residents know, what they ask for and what worries them, and sets the baseline for measuring later.
Identifying who carries weight in a neighborhood or a municipality
Neighborhood committees, civil society groups, council members, business chambers and local media carry different weight on each issue. The stakeholder map ranks who has influence and where they stand, so you can decide who to work with first.
Following public safety in the municipality between survey waves
The survey measures victimization in the neighborhoods each time it is fielded. Between one wave and the next, TRIS tracks the incidents reported by media and official sources in the municipality.
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Services for public sector and urban development
Frequently asked questions
Does Riskop work with municipal or state governments?
With governments, Riskop’s published experience is in strategic foresight: long-term scenarios built in sessions with state-level stakeholders. Most of our urban work has been for universities and companies; if you work for a public institution, we review the scope with you before making a proposal.
How often should an area be surveyed again?
It depends on the program. A series is repeated every few years with the same design, and an extension into another neighborhood is measured before it starts, to have a baseline to compare against.
Can the neighborhoods be compared with the rest of the city?
Yes. Alongside the survey of local residents, we can survey a comparison sample across the rest of the metro area, to separate what changed in the neighborhoods from what changed citywide.
Tell us which area or program you want to measure
You can also call us at +52 (81) 8363 0021.