Central and South America

Sam Dillon eulogizes architect Pedro Ramirez Vazquez, who helped transition Mexico "from a mostly peasant society into a modern industrial state," as much with his political skills as his technical skills.

April 18, 2013 - The New York Times

The retirement of Buenos Aires's beloved wooden train cars are emblematic of the city's struggle to preserve its physical heritage amid underinvestment, widespread demolition, and uninspired redevelopment, reports Emily Schmall.

April 17, 2013 - The New York Times

Lawrence Vale and Annemarie Gray compare the cases of communities displaced by the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where redevelopment for the 2016 Games is underway, and Atlanta, 20 years ago.

April 16, 2013 - Places Journal

The problem of increasing congestion is plaguing the development of the city of Buenos Aires, not to mention the deleterious effects on residents' quality of life.

April 7, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

A new building at a Mexico City hospital has been screened with an advanced, and quite attractive, tile that breaks down the harmful pollutants in smog into less toxic substances, reports Zak Stone.

March 28, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

With growth rates expected to continue to surpass the United States and Europe over the next decade, U.S.-based developers are making big bets on the demand for residential, office, and retail properties in Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia.

March 25, 2013 - The New York Times

The absence of redevelopment over the past 50 years has allowed Cuba to become "one of the world’s most significant but overlooked troves of Art Deco architecture." With many buildings in a state of disrepair, some are trying to raise awareness.

March 21, 2013 - The New York Times

"Yes it can", at least to some extent appears to be the answer according to the WSJ. While the Keystone XL pipeline can move 830,000 barrels of oil a day, rail shipments are set to double this year to 200,000 barrels. Not so, according to the NRDC.

March 13, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

For all his intentions to help the poorest in his country, Hugo Chávez's handling of the golden goose - Venezuela's massive oil wealth, was badly mishandled during his reign. Output decreased, debt increased, and he left behind a polarized society.

March 11, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Flavie Halais looks at both successful and unsuccessful cases of alleviating slum conditions on three continents. For the best results, practitioners must be more adept at problem solving and creativity than pure design.

March 10, 2013 - Architectural Record

From an initial list of 200 candidates, Medellín, Colombia has been selected as the winner of The Wall Street Journal and Citi's “City of the Year” competition.

March 2, 2013 - Urban Land

Sarah Goodyear introduces us to Peatónito, the masked Lucha Libre inspired defender of pedestrians.

March 2, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Rain water collection in Yemen, shaded bus shelters in Uganda and a pop-up modular park in Argentina are the legacy of Philips's Livable Cities Awards.

February 16, 2013 - The Pop-Up City

As Rio de Janiero prepares for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, the city is pursuing several "flagship urban renovation and transportation projects." Should this investment extend to the millions living in low-income bedroom communities?

February 12, 2013 - urb.im

Offering a list of policy innovations in several emerging mega-cities, URB.im managing editor Josephine d’Allant argues for empowerment over charity in the battle to improve conditions for the urban poor.

February 11, 2013 - Huffington Post

Following the surge of “pacifying” missions in many of Rio de Janeiro’s famed favelas, Forbes’ Ricardo Geromel discusses the arrival of private sector investments and how they may evolve in the future.

February 5, 2013 - Forbes

Chile's most influential newspaper makes urban issues accessible and interesting to millions by using 'human-scaled' and annotated panoramic photos in its local coverage.

February 3, 2013 - Urban Times

Jonathan Watts reports on the transformation of the Vidigal favela in Rio de Janeiro. With drug gangs kicked out, wealthy buyers have moved in, and rental prices have surged. But has the neighborhood changed for the better?

January 25, 2013 - The Guardian

Mexico City's emergence as a "commuter's paradise" due to a focus on people and places, rather than cars and driving, has earned the city this year's Sustainable Transport Award from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).

January 18, 2013 - National Geographic

Over the next few decades, half of global economic growth is predicted to come from the slums of developing world cities. Gaia Vince believes the key to the coming urban revolution is how these shantytowns evolve.

January 16, 2013 - BBC