can be spotted from space using an ultra precise instrument specifically designed for measuring this kinda thing

Build a metropolis on a lake. Article calls it an ancient lake. It’s ancient in that it’s an old lake but it certainly never dried up in ancient times. It’s at best an age of exploration lake and in reality a modern lake. Or you could say it’s an ancient lake that is temporarily a city and attempting to become a lake again no matter how much we try to stop it. Kind of like that Mitch Hedberg joke about how he used to do drugs.

It seems like populations are down everywhere. I wonder if this will solve homelessness? /s

So basically, Mexico City is a sunk cost.