The retirement of Buenos Aires's beloved wooden train cars are emblematic of the city's struggle to preserve its physical heritage amid underinvestment, widespread demolition, and uninspired redevelopment, reports Emily Schmall.
According to Schmall, in Buenos Aires, "a local reaction against the retirement of the La Brugeoise trains, known here affectionately as Las Brujas, or the witches, has fueled a debate over which elements of Argentina’s rich cultural heritage are worth saving."
"Preservationists say illegal demolitions, chronic underinvestment and unimaginative architecture that is replacing the historic buildings threaten to erase the city’s heritage as a mecca for European immigrants, who arrived in boatloads to what was, at the beginning of the last century, one of the richest countries in the world."
“'Argentina promised to be a very, very important country,' said Teresa Anchorena, an artist and member of the National Commission of Museums, Monuments and Historic Places, which lobbies for the protection of hundreds of sites throughout the country. 'Argentina’s broken promise is reflected in its buildings.'”
FULL STORY: An Argentine Tradition Threatens to Crumble With City Architecture
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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