Peri-urbanization in Sacaba, Bolivia: challenges to the traditional urban planning approach

Abstract

In Bolivia, as in many cities of the Global South, rapid and unplanned urban growth expanded widely into peri-urban areas with high levels of poverty and vulnerability. However, the public administration do not acknowledge the peri-urban areas in policies and planning. Moreover, the peri-urban complex realities exceeded local planners capacity to cope with them. This paper examines the challenges that peri-urban areas pose to urban planning in Sacaba, Bolivia. The methodology includes questionnaire surveys, interviews and workshops with actors in peri-urban areas. Findings reveal that peri-urban areas appeal to be formally recognized in urban planning at the same time that traditional urban planning need to readjust its approach to fit the reality of the cities in the Global South.