Historically, governments have recognised that actions in the public realm can help to shape development (Garvin 2007:75). In recent years in Mexico, public polices have been promoted which reconsider and recognise public space as fundamental for urban life; and as a key element in the physical and social revitalization of the urban fabric. At different levels, national and local governments have created, managed and implemented public programmes which seek to create safer, more vital and dynamic public urban spaces that contribute to a more sustainable urban life. However, actions for implementation face various common challenges in planning practice in Mexico, such as barriers to planning adequate and suitable projects, effective social participation and decision making, good follow-up and maintenance and modifying impacts to create more sustainable urban development. These barriers may take the form of abandonment and lack of maintenance, lack of inhabitant participation, and the rise of urban violence and insecurity. In spite of these challenges, these programmes are important, not least because of the significant amount of economic resources spent on their implementation, as well as their potential to socially and physically transform public spaces in Mexico. This paper reviews the Mexican government’s approaches to public space revitalization and improvement under the framework of national policies and programmes to analyse the way initiatives are understood, interpreted and implemented at the local level. All these issues are discussed with special reference to the case of Xalapa, capital of the State of Veracruz. Although occurring on a small scale and at a slow speed, positive changes are observed at the local level in approaches towards public space in the Mexican context. However, the research shows that in these programmes the democratic, cultural and inclusive functions of public spaces are only partially addressed.