· July, 2011

Stories about Development from July, 2011

El Salvador: Human Chain in San Salvador to Demand Dignified Housing

  18 July 2011

On Saturday, July 16, “a human chain stretched more than 2 kilometers through San Salvador to emphasize the type of human solidarity needed to resolve the tragedy of marginalized housing conditions. Residents of marginalized communities are locking hands with university students, middle class activists, youths and others in a chain...

East Timor's Strategic Development Plan

  18 July 2011

The East Timor government has drafted its Strategic Development Plan which envisions a double digit annual GDP growth in the next two decades. La'o Hamutuk gives an initial analysis and some suggestions to improve the plan.

Bermuda: Out of Sync Development

  15 July 2011

Of the controversial Bazarian development, Vexed Bermoothes says: “We have some screwy priorities in this country. We refused to plan for housing that our international executives could buy…and then we give concessions in order to develop the same thing under the guise of tourism.”

Bahamas: Road Works

  15 July 2011

Weblog Bahamas‘ Jerome Pinder wonders if the New Providence Road Improvement Project is a “road to nowhere…”

China: High-speed rail

  15 July 2011

Many Chinese raised serious questions about the safety, comfort and efficiency of the new high-speed rail line, in particular after the three malfunctions[zh] in the space of four days (Between July 10-14). (Details from China Media Project)

Bahamas: Land Use Planning

  13 July 2011

As the government considers using the Exumas island chain “as a model for land use planning throughout the country”, Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith says that “the $64,000 question is how to make all these good intentions real to the average Bahamian as well as to developers.”

El Salvador: The Challenges of Urbanization

  12 July 2011

Voices from El Salvador says that urbanization is becoming “increasingly problematic, specifically in terms of poverty, violence and health. […] El Salvador does not have the necessary mechanisms in place to offer everyone in the cities the resources and services they need to pursue a better life.”

Panama: What Does ‘Middle Class’ Mean?

  11 July 2011

In Contrapunto [es], Hannah asks what it means to be part of the ‘middle class’ in Panama. Sociologists and economists place the mark at a minimum monthly salary of $500 USD, she explains. But Hannah wonders if a ‘middle class’ family can really cover all its needs with $500 a...

China: The danger of a quick visit

  11 July 2011

C. Custer from China Geeks reminds foreign businessmen and media that the impression one can get in a quick visit in China is usually impartial and misleading.

China: High speed rail malfunction

  11 July 2011

David Bandurski from China Media Project on Chinese netizens’ responses to the malfunction of the brand-new Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway on July 10, 2011.

Lithuania: Emigration Problems

With a Grain of Druska writes about Lithuania's worsening demographic situation: “[…] Population has decreased about 19 per cent (the same as if 62.3 million US citizens left the U.S.A.). And best case scenario, another 16.7 per cent of the population will disappear. You would think that supporting families, creating...

Bahamas: Saving the Forests

  6 July 2011

“Ever since the pine forests of the Bahamas were logged during the first 60 or so years of the last century, their ultimate survival has been in jeopardy due to conflicts with agricultural and commercial development”: Blogging at Bahama Pundit, Larry Smith says that “a new Forestry Act passed last...