On Monday morning, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Municipality of San José (MSJ), presented a plan that identifies the main problems and proposes solutions for urban planning and sustainability in San José.
Miguel Jaramillo, IDB representative in Costa Rica, explained that the “Action Plan San José capital” proposes an improvement in urban mobility and quality of life for the residents.
The main challenges are related to traffic congestion, drinking water (…) the metropolitan area reports the biggest problems of mobility,”
said Jaramillo.
Gilberto Chona, IDB representative explained that the Bank has been supporting the municipality for several years, while a plan is being drafted.
The Action Plan, prepared by the IDB Sustainable Emerging Cities Program identifies projects that include the participation of citizens.
The improvements in the proposals aim to provide a better quality of life for the residents, a greater harmony with the environment to minimize the problems related to climate change, and a better use of public spaces.
Johnny Araya, Mayor of San José, said that Costa Rica is the Central American country with the highest rate of urbanization, so they hope to draft a course of action for the coming years.
The challenges at the country level are increasingly related to the challenges of the Greater Metropolitan Area (…) This study has a very solid scientific basis,”
said Araya.
The management of solid waste, environmental sanitation that includes the treatment of waste sewage, storm drains, and long term access to drinkable water, are part of the areas that need improvement, according to the plan.