Central and South America
'Oldest Urban Site' Unearthed
What may be the oldest urban site in the world has been unearthed in Peru.
The Los Angeles Times
Retirees Flee to Find Stronger Dollar
Retirees are increasingly moving to Central and South America to retire and take advantage of economies where the dollar retains some strength.
The Wall Street Journal
A Town Built and Sustained By Cocaine
Classified by Nicaragua's government as a "Autonomous Area", the town of Bluefields, population 50,000, has an official unemployment rate of 85%. The primary industry is finding abandoned bags of cocaine that drift in from the sea.
The New Zealand Herald
A Look at BRT in Bogota
This video from Streetfilms shows and explains the workings of Bogota, Colombia's bus rapid transit system -- one of the world's most highly regarded systems.
Streetsblog
Most Hated Transit System
The new public transit system in Santiago, Chile, is having implementation troubles, and it's leaving many commuters upset.
Time
Universal Sanitation Far Off In Brazil
At the current rate of infrastructure spending for sewer construction and other sanitation measures, there won't be universal access to sanitation in Brazil fore more than 115 years.
Inter Press Service
Ciclovía: A Moving Experience in Bogotá, Colombia
Every Sunday from 7am to 2pm, up to 2 million residents of Bogotá, Colombia enjoy over 70 miles of car-free streets. The event is called Ciclovía. StreetFilms brings you along for the ride.
Streetsblog
Venezuela Plans New Cities As Socialist Utopias
President Hugo Chávez is guiding government plans to create several brand new cities to serve as models of social and environmental harmony.
The Washington Post
The World's Skinniest House
Take a tour inside what may be the skinniest house ever built -- the bite-sized answer to the McMansion.
Ah Boon
What It Looks Like When Bikes Are Part of the Transit System
Bogotá, Colombia has made significant efforts to integrate bicycling facilities into its TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit system. The New York City Streets Renaissance team was there to learn more and take a look.
Streetsblog
Saloon City
Belo Horizonte is by no means a well-known city from the South American country of Brazil. But with more than 12,000 bars, the city is gaining notoriety as one of the world's best places to drink.
The New York Times
Chile's New Bus System Plagued By Troubles
A new public transit system in Santiago, Chile, is struggling to operate as planned, stretching commutes and stranding many riders after unexpected route changes. The system's inefficiency has prompted an investigation and apology from the president.
NPR
Life Outside The Fences In Guantanamo City
This article from the BBC looks at what life is like on the other side of the fences in Guantanamo City, Cuba.
BBC
South American Economic Unification May Threaten Amazon
A new report warns that unless proper precautions are take, a plan to unite South American economies through transportation and infrastructure projects could result in widespread destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
Environmental News Network
Brazil's Carbon Credit Deal May Kickstart Market
Sao Paulo, Brazil, has recently brokered the first regulated stock sale of carbon credits, collecting more than $18 million in exchange for credits covering nearly 1 million tons of carbon emissions. This may lay the foundation for a carbon market.
The Houston Chronicle
Jamaican Government Considers Multi-Billion Dollar Port Plan
Plans are under consideration for a massive port redevelopment in Jamaica that could create one of the most active shipping ports in the Caribbean.
Jamaica Gleaner
Castro's Brother Pushes Quality Of Life In Cuba
While the ailing Fidel Castro remains behind the scenes in Cuba's governing, his brother Raúl has earned popular praise for putting various quality-of-life projects on the fast track.
CNN
Former Capital Seeks To Regain Title
Residents in the Bolivian city of Sucre are mounting an effort to have their city regain its status as the country's capital -- a designation is lost in 1899. But the costs of transferring the political infrastructure from La Paz would be immense.
International Herald Tribune
Sao Paulo's Ad Ban Becomes Engine For Historic Preservation
The second phase of Sao Paulo, Brazil's strict advertising and signage ban has begun, and is resulting in the renovation and preservation of the city's historic facades.
The Christian Science Monitor
Dominican Republic Subway Project Sparks Debate
Fast-moving plans to build a subway system in the Dominican Republic have some locals angry over a waste of money and others commending the leadership for good foresight.
International Herald Tribune



















