Buenos Aires, Argentina

Urban development plan being formulated for Buenos Aires

Construction in Buenos Aires (Argentina) has been halted by city officials to ensure that basic municipal services are provided to all new construction.

A construction boom helped spur economic growth of more than eight percent and boosted employment as Argentina recovered from a recession that ended in 2002. The amount of built space rose 31 percent in the last year alone. Many residents have found that this growth has not been matched by adequate water, electricity, and waste services.

The city is working with electricity distributors, the water company and residents associations to develop an urban plan that accommodates this growth.

Buenos Aires is one of 25 local governments in Latin America and the Caribbean that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. To learn more about ICLEI and its activities in the Latin America and Caribbean Region, please visit www.iclei.org/lacs.

Source: ‘Building boom in Buenos Aires puts barrios in the shadows’, The Miami Herald, 5 January 2007.