The mayor of crime-ridden, smog-choked Mexico City is trying to do what some might consider impossible: transform his megalopolis into a place that's more healthy, livable and even fun.

And despite much skepticism, initiatives such as "urban beaches" and outdoor movies have become a wild success.

Mexico's capital of nearly 20 million people exemplifies chaos. Its potholed streets are snarled by more than 4 million drivers each day. The city is notorious for "express kidnappings," in which victims are forced to drain their bank accounts from automated tellers at gunpoint. Millions live in cement hovels with little running water.

At times, the city seems hostile to human life itself — one sinkhole recently swallowed a young man, along with a car and a building's facade.

Since taking office in December, Mayor Marcelo Ebrard has imposed tougher traffic (more...)