By Melchor Alcántara
If we critically examine the urban development of our major cities, we arrive at the lamentable conclusion that we haven't had a decent development plan in terms of what we want to achieve as a country. Multiple factors affect this development. First and foremost is that our city councils haven't had, and still don't have (with few exceptions), staff who understand, even minimally, what urban planning is. Regarding urban development, they limit themselves to establishing boundaries, heights, and densities. That's all. If you want to put up a red building right next to the Plaza de la Bandera (Flag Square) or the National Palace, go ahead. That building is yours. You decide the color. It doesn't match, but whatever.
I am amazed by the urban planning of world-renowned cities, famous for their architectural beauty, where one can observe urban development principles that, in some cases, date back thousands of years. Urban planning is an activity that arose at the very dawn of civilization. Drainage systems, lighting systems, road layouts (many of which were planned hundreds of years ago and are still efficient today), the determination of styles, boundaries, levels, decoration, population density, green spaces, among other equally important factors, all combine to shape cities that delight thousands of tourists drawn by their unparalleled beauty.
I must assume that behind such beauty lie thousands of stories and events in which the personal interests of some builder or citizen had to be sacrificed to preserve the preconceived concept. It is impressive that, generation after generation, the men entrusted with the task of preserving urban development took care not to alter the initial concepts of these metropolises and, even better, dedicated themselves to improving them. This care and dedication to urban beautification is now their greatest source of income, given the large number of tourists they attract.
The common factor in these cities is order and harmony; these factors are determined by education. But was an Egyptian citizen born three thousand years before Christ more educated than an urban planner in one of our tourist cities in the 21st century? When I think about this, I'm reminded that by order we must also understand the due diligence of the authorities responsible for maintaining urban aesthetics.
On our small island, however, we see everything. For example, city councils allow developers to propose buildings on different streets and avenues with such freedom that nothing seems to match. On a single street, we see a multitude of property lines, heights, finishes, densities, and styles, turning the city into a chaotic jumble of buildings that, as a whole, contribute absolutely nothing to the aesthetic appeal required by the complex urban fabric. Continuing our analysis, we also see that a neighborhood forms in each sector. Squatters take advantage of the weak local governments and set up thousands of shacks occupied by hundreds of thousands of people. These areas, frequently visited during campaign season by political hopefuls, become real obstacles to the development of entire zones that, without these invasions, would enjoy a better quality of life.
In tourist areas, the situation is even more serious. With the exception of Punta Cana, all our tourist destinations are completely plagued by improvisation. As soon as an area shows signs of tourist interest, unscrupulous squatters set up everything from brothels to brightly painted betting shops, not to mention makeshift corner stores, nightclubs, and countless improvised stalls selling all sorts of things. These establishments are a prime example of the lack of urban planning and a lack of awareness of the effort required to develop a tourist brand, turning the potential of these areas into zones prone to crime. This, in turn, causes tourists to flee to destinations that actually take care of their cities.
I maintain that in tourist areas, the beautification of surrounding cities should be managed by a large national institution capable of establishing appropriate standards and criteria for each area's tourism development plan. Good urban planning standards deter crime, promote investment, attract tourists, and improve the living conditions of residents. Similarly, our major cities require greater oversight. The human and economic development of nations is expressed in the construction of buildings capable of inspiring the human intellect. With more control, we can have a better effect on the unstoppable real estate development that our beloved island is experiencing. We can do it. Why not?
The author is:
Lawyer, with a master's degree in high finance, general coordinator of the National Observatory of the Construction Industry (ONIC).
