Strategic Planning in Latin America - Policy Brief

Many Latin American cities have successfully carried out Strategic Planning (SP) bringing tangible results to inhabitants and to efforts to better manage the urban environment. City governments face particular difficulties in planning and managing urban growth, and in achieving long-term solutions to urban environmental problems. SP offers an interesting, participatory strategy for addressing these challenges. SP is different from conventional urban planning because of its cooperative process, drawing in businesses, civil society and different government agencies. It promotes these groups’ continuing cooperation in envisioning the city’s future, diagnosing problems, planning, prioritising, mobilising resources, and implementing and monitoring initiatives. This brief describes the SP process followed in Latin America, and concludes with lessons learned that will be useful for other cities seeking an effective way to engage in urban planning.