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The construction of the environment as a new approach to urbanisation has opened up new opportunities for targeted public policy. Based on a study of the Monterrey urban area, this article explores the interface between stronger environmental protection and controlled urban expansion. Mexico demonstrates the way in which policy must change in order to accommodate international injunctions and recommendations on environment issues. Following the creation of a public environmental campaign, which was closely scrutinised by international organisations and initiated in an atmosphere of political tension between local authorities and federal ministries, this article analyses the opportunity for conflict, procedures for urban planning control, and the role of new personalities involved in the environment. In this way, it is possible to show that, even if environmental campaigns cannot take control of urban planning, the environmental issue itself can provide the basis for new local campaigns and open up new opportunities for voicing discontent in urban conflicts.