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April 29, 2019Sky Blue Impact
Growing Cities: New City Development and Design
Location
Asuncion, Paraguay
Type
New City Development
Scope
Master Planning for New Cities
Commercial, Industrial
and Residential Mixed Use
Value
$500+ Million
Isla San Francisco
The project proposed is to develop 650 hectares of Isla San Francisco into a satellite city. The island is strategically located next to Asunción and sits on the Paraguay River, the country’s primary trade route. Paraguay has a young population and is one of Latin America’s least urbanized countries. As the country’s economy develops, Isla San Francisco is uniquely positioned to provide its growing workforce an upgraded urban environment to find work and grow a business.
Building a city is more complex than constructing buildings. The features of a city, the width of its streets, its zoning plan, building codes, all contribute to an environment that impacts how its residents interact. Building a thriving city, where businesses are productive and people are safe and happy, requires a master plan that intentionally optimizes for specific values, and also allows for market-driven growth. The master plan for Isla San Francisco was formed around three objectives:
- Economic Growth
- Quality of Life
- Environmental Sustainability
Economic grow this the engine that drives up the value of the land in cities, so economic planning is integrated in our master planning process. Economic growth will be fostered by (1) urban planning that facilitates efficient labor markets, (2) attracting anchor tenants that are suited to Paraguay’s growth trajectory, and (3) attracting knowledge workers to the city by soliciting universities and offices to move.
Making the city a nice place to live is crucial for attracting residents and creating community. Our master plan enhances quality of life by (1) creating zoning plans that keep housing affordable, (2) allocating ample space for parks and recreation, and(3) building a transportation system that allows residents of all income levels to quickly and cheaply move through the city.
Finally, our master plan supports environmental sustainability by (1) maintaining natural reserves, (2) reducing car emissions, and (3) reducing our environmental footprint through density.
Charter cities enable self-governing, pro-growth hubs in emerging markets. They attract investment and drive inclusive, sustainable development.
Our challenge is to balance economic development, ecological sustainability, and affordable housing. We are doing this by placing an emphasis on affordable housing, walkable streets, integrated ecology, and accessible public spaces. Isla San Francisco's green mixed-use development will feature a port, an agro-processing area, as well as universities.

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