Cataño receives internat’l award for urban revitalization & territorial planning model

Cataño Planning and Territorial Management Director David Carrasquillo Medrano, left, with Dr. Jorge Escalante, president of the Foundation for the Development of Solidarity and Social Inclusion

By THE STAR STAFF

The Municipality of Cataño has been awarded the 2026 Latin American Award for Economic and Social Development in the category of Pioneering Municipality in Urban Asset Recovery, an international distinction that highlights its model for urban revitalization, territorial planning and the recovery of public spaces.

The award, granted by the Foundation for the Development of Solidarity and Social Inclusion (Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Solidaridad y la Inclusión Social, or IncluSociaL), was accepted on behalf of the municipality by Planning and Territorial Management Director David Carrasquillo Medrano, according to a statement.

Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo said the recognition affirms the administration’s integrated approach to development and the long‑term vision guiding municipal projects. He described the award as a validation of Cataño’s commitment to responsible planning, the rehabilitation of public spaces and the principle that every initiative must respond to the needs of residents. The mayor stressed that the municipality is not focused on isolated works but rather on a comprehensive strategy that strengthens the relationship between the community, its environment and opportunities for economic and social advancement.

The proposal submitted by Cataño emphasized its Comprehensive Urban Revitalization and Territorial Planning Program, a framework designed to recover public spaces, rehabilitate deteriorated properties, reorganize areas of economic activity and update the municipality’s territorial planning instruments. Among the projects highlighted were the transformation of the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, the reorganization of the La Pirámide Food Truck Park, the program to identify and recover public nuisances, and the revision of the Territorial Plan.

Alicea Vasallo noted that territorial planning has been essential to ensuring that public investment follows a coherent development strategy rather than being fragmented into isolated efforts. He pointed to ongoing initiatives such as the transformation of the waterfront, improvements to Las Nereidas Avenue, and the revitalization of recreational and community spaces as part of a unified vision aimed at improving quality of life, strengthening Cataño’s identity and expanding opportunities for future generations.

The mayor also emphasized that urban planning is not merely a technical exercise but a tool to improve daily life. He said the recovery of public spaces, the creation of recreational areas, the reorganization of commercial corridors, mobility improvements and the redevelopment of the waterfront are intended to stimulate economic activity, attract investment, strengthen local commerce, expand employment opportunities and create safer, more accessible and more attractive spaces for families.

IncluSociaL evaluated proposals from more than 200 municipalities, provinces, states and local governments across Latin America and the Caribbean. Only 21 were selected for recognition in the various categories, placing Cataño among the region’s distinguished local governments for urban development and transformation initiatives.