Central and South America
Central and South America
Retirees Flee to Find Stronger Dollar
Retirees are increasingly moving to Central and South America to retire and take advantage of economies where the dollar retains some strength.
A Town Built and Sustained By Cocaine
Classified by Nicaragua's government as a "Autonomous Area", the town of Bluefields, population 50,000, has an official unemployment rate of 85%. The primary industry is finding abandoned bags of cocaine that drift in from the sea.
A Look at BRT in Bogota
This video from Streetfilms shows and explains the workings of Bogota, Colombia's bus rapid transit system -- one of the world's most highly regarded systems.
Most Hated Transit System
The new public transit system in Santiago, Chile, is having implementation troubles, and it's leaving many commuters upset.
Universal Sanitation Far Off In Brazil
At the current rate of infrastructure spending for sewer construction and other sanitation measures, there won't be universal access to sanitation in Brazil fore more than 115 years.
Ciclovía: A Moving Experience in Bogotá, Colombia
Every Sunday from 7am to 2pm, up to 2 million residents of Bogotá, Colombia enjoy over 70 miles of car-free streets. The event is called Ciclovía. StreetFilms brings you along for the ride.
Venezuela Plans New Cities As Socialist Utopias
President Hugo Chávez is guiding government plans to create several brand new cities to serve as models of social and environmental harmony.
The World's Skinniest House
Take a tour inside what may be the skinniest house ever built -- the bite-sized answer to the McMansion.
What It Looks Like When Bikes Are Part of the Transit System
Bogotá, Colombia has made significant efforts to integrate bicycling facilities into its TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit system. The New York City Streets Renaissance team was there to learn more and take a look.
Saloon City
Belo Horizonte is by no means a well-known city from the South American country of Brazil. But with more than 12,000 bars, the city is gaining notoriety as one of the world's best places to drink.
Chile's New Bus System Plagued By Troubles
A new public transit system in Santiago, Chile, is struggling to operate as planned, stretching commutes and stranding many riders after unexpected route changes. The system's inefficiency has prompted an investigation and apology from the president.
Life Outside The Fences In Guantanamo City
This article from the BBC looks at what life is like on the other side of the fences in Guantanamo City, Cuba.
South American Economic Unification May Threaten Amazon
A new report warns that unless proper precautions are take, a plan to unite South American economies through transportation and infrastructure projects could result in widespread destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
Brazil's Carbon Credit Deal May Kickstart Market
Sao Paulo, Brazil, has recently brokered the first regulated stock sale of carbon credits, collecting more than $18 million in exchange for credits covering nearly 1 million tons of carbon emissions. This may lay the foundation for a carbon market.
Jamaican Government Considers Multi-Billion Dollar Port Plan
Plans are under consideration for a massive port redevelopment in Jamaica that could create one of the most active shipping ports in the Caribbean.
Castro's Brother Pushes Quality Of Life In Cuba
While the ailing Fidel Castro remains behind the scenes in Cuba's governing, his brother Raúl has earned popular praise for putting various quality-of-life projects on the fast track.
Former Capital Seeks To Regain Title
Residents in the Bolivian city of Sucre are mounting an effort to have their city regain its status as the country's capital -- a designation is lost in 1899. But the costs of transferring the political infrastructure from La Paz would be immense.
Sao Paulo's Ad Ban Becomes Engine For Historic Preservation
The second phase of Sao Paulo, Brazil's strict advertising and signage ban has begun, and is resulting in the renovation and preservation of the city's historic facades.
Dominican Republic Subway Project Sparks Debate
Fast-moving plans to build a subway system in the Dominican Republic have some locals angry over a waste of money and others commending the leadership for good foresight.
Plan To Divert Brazilian River Draws Protests
Brazil is considering a bold plan to get water to its arid northeast by diverting one of the country's largest and most famous rivers. But many are protesting the plan, saying the water will mainly benefit business, not the rural poor who need it.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
