Iztapalapa and most of the east side of the Federal District was historically rural and poor up until the mid-20th century . Large-scale urbanization and industrialization began in the 1950s , along with high rates of migration into the borough in the 1970s . Today , it has high population density , limited infrastructure and high levels of socio economic marginalization . Social problems include homelessness , unregulated street vending , illegal building and crimes associated with the sex trade . Many live in rundown housing with deficient municipal services . The exception to this are the areas that border the boroughs of Benito Juárez , Coyoacán and Iztacalco . As of 2010 , about 30 % of the borough 's buildings still have damage from the 1985 earthquake . Most are located in the Peñon Viejo , Ermita Zaragoza , Santa Martha Acatitla , Santa Cruz Meyehualco , El Molino , San Lorenzo and La Hera areas , with about 150,000 damaged homes . Over 95 % of the homes in the borough have electricity , running water and sewerage , and the borough provides sufficient educational services and other services such as sports facilities ; however , the high population density means that the five or less percent equals a large number of people without sufficient services
1985 earthquake
1985 Mexico City earthquake
Iztapalapa