Sustainable Development Could Still Be Puerto Rico's Salvation

Facing challenges of depleting resources and population growth, a call is made for Authorities in Puerto Rico to implement the sustainable development vision that is stated in its public policy.

1 minute read

March 20, 2003, 2:00 PM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


Facing the threat of loosing most of the agricultural lands to sprawl and uncontrolled development the author, José Molinelli Freytes, PhD. (well known college professor, director of the Environmental Sciences Program at the University of Puerto Rico), requests that the Governor of Puerto Rico, before it is too late, acts according to it's parties platform and protects farmlands by rebuilding cities. Previous administrations have yielded to the interests of developers, however the current Puerto Rico Planning Board has continued approving projects with the vision that environmental degradation is a necessary evil in order to promote economic development, instead of its written sustainable development practices and policies. However, the author states it may not be too late, there is still time to reverse the trend.Article published in Spanish.

Thanks to Rose Marie Bernier

Saturday, March 15, 2003 in El Nuevo Día

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square