Central and South America

Conor Myhrvold writes about the application of remote sensing technology to the search for ancient South American cities reclaimed by time and nature.

June 13, 2012 - Technology Review

Bank of America is one of a handful of major banks to pump money into green initiatives, where they see an opportunity for new capital and a chance to improve their images.

June 13, 2012 - The New York Times

The waning popularity of its transportation system and the lack of attention to its lower-income population has put Curitiba’s “reputation as an urban planning model” on the line.

June 9, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Michael Kimmelman ventures to Colombia's reborn second city to explore what new buildings and infrastructure have brought to the city's residents, what it has not, and what remains to be done.

May 20, 2012 - The New York Times

Adam Davidson explores Honduras's experimentation with economist Paul Romer's theories on the need for poor countries to build special economic development zones that essentially "start from scratch" with new legal and political systems.

May 14, 2012 - The New York Times

A bribery scandal recently uncovered by The New York Times is undoing years of hard work the retailer has engaged in to "polish its reputation and give elected officials, community groups and shoppers a reason to say yes to their stores."

May 1, 2012 - The New York Times

Stephen Smith takes a look at land use regulations in Brazil, where developers are still required to make room for cars that its growing cities can't support.

April 26, 2012 - International Business Times

Michael J. Coren reports on a new program in Mexico City that lets residents trade their recyclable trash for credits with nearby farms.

April 25, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

The cities of Bogotá and Medellín have made dramatic transformations over the last ten years, driven in large part by their influential mayors. But while one continues to soar, the other is in crisis, reports Justin McGuirk

April 17, 2012 - The Guardian

Lauren Gravitz explores the importance of demonstrating the economic viability of cultural tourism to safeguarding historic sites in Peru and Bolivia.

April 16, 2012 - Fast Coexist

William Booth reports on the improbable growth of bike culture in a city long known for its choking air and anarchic traffic.

April 12, 2012 - The Washington Post

Damien Cave reports on Mexico City's ambitious efforts to reduce pollution and beautify the city through the planting of vertical gardens, and other progressive pollution reducing measures.

April 11, 2012 - The New York Times

Vincent Bevins reports on recent efforts by Brazil's leaders to modernize the country's transportation network, and ease the gridlock entangling the country.

April 10, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

In spite of international recognition from planners and transit officials, Bogotá's bus rapid transit system faced riots this month over high fares and overcrowding, Eric Jaffe reports.

March 24, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Diana Lind previews the 2012 Earth Summit being held in 100 days in Rio, and argues why one of the year's most significant climate change conferences should receive more attention.

March 12, 2012 - Next American City

Pete Swabey tells the tale of the development of smart city technology by IBM and Cisco, which has now reached a point of maturation in which significant lessons, economic opportunities, and future applications can be discerned.

March 5, 2012 - Information Age

Recent liberalization of the country's property ownership rules by President Raul Castro have unleashed decades of pent-up demand for real estate and construction in Cuba, reports Victoria Burnett.

February 20, 2012 - The New York Times

Stunning archaeological discoveries made in Brazil in recent years have upended conventional wisdom about the forests of the western Amazon.

January 17, 2012 - The New York Times

On the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Sara Miller Llana assesses the rebuilding effort.

January 12, 2012 - The Christian Science Monitor

Farmers are enjoying high corn prices and may not even have noticed the end of the subsidy on Dec. 31 according to the agricultural economist interviewed on NPR.

January 4, 2012 - NPR: Morning Edition