Central and South America

Central and South America

Following Curitiba's Footsteps

Jaime Lerner's bold actions helped convince Curitiba's residents to adopt change and created a model for the world to follow -- even as the city faces new challenges to its much lauded transit and waste collection programs.

May 21, 2007 - The New York Times

Venezuelan Land Redistribution's Success And Violence

A program to redistribute farmland from wealthy landowners to the rural poor in Venezuela has shown success for the new farmers as well as violence on both sides of the struggle.

May 20, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Urban Livability On The Path To First World Status For Chile

New plans to clean up the Mapocho River demonstrate Chile's desire to turn Santiago into attractive city and regional business hub.

May 19, 2007 - Bloomberg

What Happens When A City Bans Advertising?

When South America's largest city banned billboards, neon signs, and all other forms of outdoor advertising, an unexpected cityscape emerged and previously unnoticed problems were revealed.

May 14, 2007 - On The Media

Eyes In The Sky

The Venezuelan government has plans to operate three remote-controlled zeppelins equipped with video cameras to monitor the streets of Caracas, the country's capital, where crime is high. Many are wary of the government's "big brother" tactics.

April 20, 2007 - BBC

As Funding Delays, Homeless Make Action

Housing activists and protesters have continued to occupy buildings in Brazil as they wait for long-delayed government funding for housing.

April 17, 2007 - BBC

Public Officials Required To Bike To Work

Under new rules put in place by Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, public officials in Mexico City are required to ride their bikes to work at least once per month.

April 3, 2007 - BBC

Free Internet In The Rainforest

The Brazilian government plans to provide free satellite internet access to indigenous rainforest communities in an effort to improve communication between the groups and authorities with the goal of protecting the rainforests.

April 1, 2007 - BBC

Chile's President In Transit Hotseat

Last month's implementation of the billion dollar Transantiago plan has caused late arrivals, complaints from frazzled commuters, and lost productivity. Chile’s President responded by sacking the transportation chief and three ministers.

March 31, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Rural Women Migrate To Revive Cities

A wave of women has moved into urban Bolivia, and brought with them the ambition to make their home amid the slum conditions and crumbling infrastructure.

March 7, 2007 - The Washington Post

Chávez Denies Elimination Of Private Property In Venezuela

Amid concerns over his plans to create a modern socialist republic, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has denied that he has plans to phase out the concept of private property in the country.

February 26, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Land Owners Worry About Redistribution In Bolivia

A report from NPR looks at a plan to redistribute land in Bolivia. Land owners are wary of of the plan, despite the government's promise that it would primarily redistribute its own land holdings, and then that of prospectors and investors.

February 23, 2007 - NPR

Building Boom In Colombia's 'Secret' City

A construction boom is transforming Cartagena. Some are concerned that tourism and rapid development will degrade the city's charm.

February 15, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Tourists Flock To Brazilian Slums While Locals Avoid

A new trend appearing in the slums of Brazil is a high number of foreign tourists and expatriates who visit or even move into the impoverished areas. Meanwhile, Brazil's middle and upper classes keep their distance from the dangerous slums.

February 7, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Developer Bringing Panama City's Old Quarter Back To Life

A former New York corporate lawyer turned developer is pouring his love for historic and human scaled urbanism into the city's neglected core.

January 24, 2007 - The Boston Globe

Kingston Struggles To Prepare Itself For Cricket World Cup

In March, the Cricket World Cup will be held in nine Caribbean locations. Preparations are underway in Kingston, Jamaica, and though the pitches are almost ready for the world's best bowlers and batsmen, much of the city itself is in shambles.

January 10, 2007 - Jamaica Gleaner

Buenos Aires Trying To Keep Up With Growth

Argentina's capital has placed a moratorium on new construction due to failing infrastructure and concerns over the pace of neighborhood change.

January 9, 2007 - The Miami Herald

Ecuador Plans Port For Cross-Continental Shipping Route

Ecuadorean President-Elect Rafael Correa has announced dedication to building a port on his country's Pacific Coast in a plan to create a cross-continental river corridor to Brazil, an effort to ease transport of Asian goods throughout South America.

December 25, 2006 - Business News Americas

Taking Back Farmland In Brazil

As poverty increases in Brazil and small farmers are pushed off of their lands into the overcrowded city's and ghettos, some groups are doing whatever it takes to re-distribute farmland to the poor.

December 12, 2006 - Adbusters

Large Portion Of Amazon Gains Protection In Brazil

More than 57,000 square miles of land in Brazil's Amazon rainforest were recently set aside to be protected from unsustainable logging and development. The area will be the largest protected rainforest area in the world.

December 5, 2006 - BBC

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.