Central and South America

Brazil has announced an expansive and ambitious plan to update its crumbling infrastructure. But some critics say the proposal is not feasible.

Jaime Lerner's bold actions helped convince Curitiba's residents to adopt change and created a model for the world to follow -- even as the city faces new challenges to its much lauded transit and waste collection programs.

A program to redistribute farmland from wealthy landowners to the rural poor in Venezuela has shown success for the new farmers as well as violence on both sides of the struggle.

New plans to clean up the Mapocho River demonstrate Chile's desire to turn Santiago into attractive city and regional business hub.

When South America's largest city banned billboards, neon signs, and all other forms of outdoor advertising, an unexpected cityscape emerged and previously unnoticed problems were revealed.

The Venezuelan government has plans to operate three remote-controlled zeppelins equipped with video cameras to monitor the streets of Caracas, the country's capital, where crime is high. Many are wary of the government's "big brother" tactics.

Housing activists and protesters have continued to occupy buildings in Brazil as they wait for long-delayed government funding for housing.

Under new rules put in place by Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, public officials in Mexico City are required to ride their bikes to work at least once per month.

The Brazilian government plans to provide free satellite internet access to indigenous rainforest communities in an effort to improve communication between the groups and authorities with the goal of protecting the rainforests.

Last month's implementation of the billion dollar Transantiago plan has caused late arrivals, complaints from frazzled commuters, and lost productivity. Chile’s President responded by sacking the transportation chief and three ministers.

A wave of women has moved into urban Bolivia, and brought with them the ambition to make their home amid the slum conditions and crumbling infrastructure.

Amid concerns over his plans to create a modern socialist republic, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has denied that he has plans to phase out the concept of private property in the country.

A report from NPR looks at a plan to redistribute land in Bolivia. Land owners are wary of of the plan, despite the government's promise that it would primarily redistribute its own land holdings, and then that of prospectors and investors.

A construction boom is transforming Cartagena. Some are concerned that tourism and rapid development will degrade the city's charm.

A new trend appearing in the slums of Brazil is a high number of foreign tourists and expatriates who visit or even move into the impoverished areas. Meanwhile, Brazil's middle and upper classes keep their distance from the dangerous slums.

A former New York corporate lawyer turned developer is pouring his love for historic and human scaled urbanism into the city's neglected core.

In March, the Cricket World Cup will be held in nine Caribbean locations. Preparations are underway in Kingston, Jamaica, and though the pitches are almost ready for the world's best bowlers and batsmen, much of the city itself is in shambles.

Argentina's capital has placed a moratorium on new construction due to failing infrastructure and concerns over the pace of neighborhood change.

Ecuadorean President-Elect Rafael Correa has announced dedication to building a port on his country's Pacific Coast in a plan to create a cross-continental river corridor to Brazil, an effort to ease transport of Asian goods throughout South America.

As poverty increases in Brazil and small farmers are pushed off of their lands into the overcrowded city's and ghettos, some groups are doing whatever it takes to re-distribute farmland to the poor.