Adam Davidson explores Honduras's experimentation with economist Paul Romer's theories on the need for poor countries to build special economic development zones that essentially "start from scratch" with new legal and political systems.
Based on the belief in the economic power of well-run cities, and the crippling effects of "invidious systems (corruption, oppression of minorities, bureaucracy)" often found in poor countries, "Romer developed the idea of charter cities - economic zones
founded on the land of poor countries but governed with the legal and
political system of, often, rich ones."
Honduras imported the idea in late 2010, and has implemented the concept to varying effect since then.
"There are, of course, countless ways that this
charter city could go wrong, but Romer has a point," observes Davidson. "Huge numbers of
people are already moving to the world's cities, too many of which are
set up to create unstable poverty. Wealthy countries spend billions per
year on projects designed to reform governments, build modern utilities
or teach their workers new agricultural techniques. For all the cash,
there has been very little success. Sponsoring a charter city, Romer
said, may be a better (and cheaper) way to help."
Over at Next American City, Greg Lindsay has a more thorough exploration of the subject.
FULL STORY: Who Wants to Buy Honduras?
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.
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.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.