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Lack of land resources and continuous population growth in Puerto Rico exacerbate the housing problem, as the question arises that there is virtually nowhere to build housing and the necessary infrastructure. The first possible solution to the housing issue involves the rational use of land resources, which can only be achieved through integrated development of territories and projections of population. Keenan and Hauer (2020) suggest that long-term projected depopulation are inconsistently applied in the fiscal and infrastructure planning, shaping both recovery and resilience efforts (p. 1). Integrated development is one of the principles of planning and building in the territory at the local level. Its essence is to ensure the rational placement of different functional areas, and mutual coordination of state, public, and private interests. This approach can innovatively solve the acute problem of housing in Puerto Rico by developing territories with hidden investment potential.
From there, a concept of microdistrict should be introduced a kind of mini-city, where the developer is obliged not only to build up the area, but also to provide it with the necessary infrastructure. The land resources should be distributed not only between housing apartment but also offer space for recreational, trade-related, and socially-relevant buildings. Such strategy will ensure that the urbanized area is tailored to the peoples needs while reducing the problem of cramped and swampy neighborhoods.
Another solution would work for cities with developed infrastructure the introduction of built-up area development programs. This approach refers to the concept of sustainability, choosing to improve and adapt the existing environment to the needs of community. The main goal of such programs is to analyze most problematic parts of the city and address the revealed acute issues such as lack of social services or necessary renovations of hazardous houses. The introduction of integrated projects in cities with a population of over a million should solve the problems with the lack of land resources for housing construction and the provision of its necessary infrastructure. In the long run, it can lead to effective growth of the local economy and protect the areas of particular importance. Castro-Prieto et al. (2017) emphasize that residential development remains an important component of lands surrounding protected areas in Puerto Rico (p. 473). Such implementation of a complex project in cities contributes to the creation of new jobs and a significant marketing effect for the area.
Thus, the future lies in the construction of large microdistricts with developed social and environmental infrastructure. Only with such an approach to land development, the cities and citizens in Puerto Rico can get a predictable result in terms of quality and comfort characteristics. In addition, it will reduce the cost of building housing complexes, allowing to redirect resources towards renewing power lines or resolving any other issue. Both solutions presented above are sustainable and environmentally responsible, which is especially important in the wake of the globalized world.
Statehood, while indeed being the ultimate sign of political independence, would not provide a reliable ground for the solution of Puerto-Ricos urban problem. Oxford Analytica (2018) adds that domestic and foreign investor confidence in Puerto Rico is likely to fall further, complicating economic recovery and reform (p. 1). Currently, the country benefits significantly from remaining an unincorporated territory of the United States, retaining both a partial independency for itself and the American citizenship for its citizens. Puerto-Ricos status and, in fact, the official integration of the island into the American economic system led to the industrialization of the island in the 1950s. The island was undergoing a transformation of economic activity: from an agricultural, agrarian country, Puerto Rico turned into an industrial and well-developed one. If the country was to acquire statehood now, it would experience a shortage of resources and finances which, while being temporary, still would set Puerto-Rico back in its development. The issue of excessive and inefficient urbanization would not be addressed, as other, more pressing matters would be prioritized.
References
Castro-Prieto, J., Martinuzzi, S., Radeloff, V. C., Helmers, D. P., Quiñones, M., & Gould, W. A. (2017). Declining human population but increasing residential development around protected areas in Puerto Rico. Biological Conservation, 209, 473481.
Keenan, J. M., & Hauer, M. E. (2020). Resilience for whom? Demographic change and the redevelopment of the Built Environment in Puerto Rico. Environmental Research Letters, 15(7), 074028. Web.
Oxford Analytica. (2018). Puerto Rican budget and statehood wrangles will worsen. Emerald Expert Briefings.
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