US$4 billion needed to fix Asunción's chaos, says development council

The next municipal government of Asunción, Paraguay, will inherit a city in chaos, requiring an estimated US$4 billion for urban transformation, according to the Asunción Development Council (Codeasu).

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In the development of communities, order is costly, while chaos is free.

Víctor Raúl Benítez, technical advisor for Codeasu, stated that this massive investment is unsustainable without the national government's involvement. He presented a stark analysis during the City Forums, highlighting that "order is costly, while chaos is free." Without proactive investments, the capital's infrastructure and services will continue to deteriorate.

Benítez criticized the current state of Asunción, noting that "Asunción is chaos, it is natural order to such an extent that we see those who established the chaos win elections with the support of businessmen." He pointed to the city's poor quality of life, contrasting it with cities like Curitiba, Brazil, which attract investors through high living standards, not just low taxes and labor costs.

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Asunción is chaos, it is natural order to such an extent that we see those who established the chaos win elections with the support of businessmen.

The strategic plan outlines rigorous figures for the next administration. The most critical sectors are waste collection, sanitation, and potable water, requiring up to US$1.846 billion. Integral reform of metropolitan public transport needs another US$981 million, while territorial planning and social housing will absorb US$336 million. Interventions for Bañado Norte and Bañado Sur alone are estimated at US$400 million each.

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The attractiveness of a city is given by the quality of life of its people. That is the attractiveness of Curitiba and that is the attractiveness that we do not have in Asunción.