Colonial-era buildings in the historic center of Cusco risk collapse

Historic Cusco is at serious risk. Dozens of colonial buildings face collapse and authorities aren’t doing a thing to prevent it.

April 5, 2010 | Commentary/Opinion, News

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Mejorando Mi Quinta

One of the most distinctive sights in Lima are its ageing 50s and 60s era buildings. The majority of these in districts such as Jesús María have long since been converted into multi-family residences, while others were built specifically for this purpose.

March 15, 2009 | Commentary/Opinion, Lima City Guide, News

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Destruction of Lima’s architectural heritage [Featured]

Lima grows ever higher. In districts like Miraflores, Chorrillos, Barranco and San Isidro are loosing more and more of of their traditional homes, the majority of which built in the early 1900s. They are forced to make way for grand towers and modern apartments that ignore the style of the surrounding area and simply don’t fit. Worse still many defy urban-planning rules implemented by local municipalities.

August 19, 2008 | Lima City Guide, Modern Peru

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Poor people, Historic buildings

I still haven’t gotten used to the fact that in Peru the poor are the ones who live in the oldest, most historic and most culturally valuable buildings in the country, and in some cases most of South America.

It’s still strange to me that some of the most run-down, rough and poorest neighbourhoods are also the oldest, and that they are falling apart and no-one seems to care.

What’s strange to Peruvians, especially those who live in these buildings that can be hundreds of years old, is that in most other countries these buildings would be snapped up by the richest of the rich and be worth millions if not tens of million of dollars.

September 19, 2007 | Commentary/Opinion, Lima City Guide, Modern Peru

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