Smart Growth, Education Can Lead To Economic Development

Effects of bad planning practices in Puerto Rico are liable for the resulting sprawling environment, completely auto dependent. Big mega stores and fast food chains located in the periphery of the towns have been replacing local merchants and commerce. The profits of those leave the island with no ties or responsibility with the local economy. The author, Dr. José Molinelli a well know college professor, director of the Environmental Sciences Program of the University of Puerto Rico calls for implementation of what is already public policy (but not necessarily implemented), by Regulating Agencies on the Island. Redevelopment of the traditional urban cores with compact, mixed used principles, promoting the location of businesses and housing redevelopments around those traditional urban cores and teaching students that they can think in terms of how they can be their own bosses are all elements of a new approach that can be undertaken in order to promote economic development on the Island of Puerto Rico. [Article is in Spanish.]

Thanks to Rose Marie Bernier