El Salvador: the surprising emerging model of smart cities focused on green and human

The CUBOs (Urban Centers for Well-being and Opportunities) aim to renew people's ability to project themselves in their country and to build a Salvadoran dream

Until a few years ago, El Salvador did not usually make headlines. Unfortunately, when news did come out about the little thumb of Central America, this country so battered by history was painted more like a Dantesque scenario than an Eden. But the Salvadoran people and their land of volcanoes have always deserved more. And it may be that the redesign of this nation – which is happening live – is the redemption story that needs to be told.

Today, El Salvador is the safest country in America. For the first time in a long time, it is a country that can be enjoyed in peace. This is not only a result of security policies. There is a Side B that describes a whole series of projects that aim to renew the capacity of people to imagine and project themselves in their country and to build a Salvadoran dream: the CUBOs (Urban Centers for Wellbeing and Opportunities), new schools, hospitals, and new urban centers that revitalize the coastal area and the country's tourist and cultural heritage, among many others.

Urban Wellness and Opportunity Centers: spaces for learning through play where aptitude and talent are encouraged and nurtured.

Although El Salvador is not a rich country, it is emerging as a leader in the implementation of urban initiatives that seek to smartly prioritize human well-being, contact with nature, and the strengthening of the social fabric. Unlike traditional Smart Cities approaches prioritizing technology over human needs, El Salvador has opted for a more inclusive and holistic model. It is also collaborating with UN-Habitat to integrate this vision into new international guidelines to share with the world.

Dr. Santiago Caprio, representative of El Salvador in the UN-Habitat Expert Group for People-Centered Smart Cities (sixth from the right)

UN-Habitat International Guidelines on People-Centered Smart Cities, a framework that Dr. Santiago Caprio, first director of the Nation Design Agency of El Salvador, is helping to develop to promote an urban transformation focused on the needs of people. people.

In this emerging paradigm, the definition of a truly smart city is independent of its use of technology. But instead, by how an ecosystem of solutions is integrated to positively impact the lives of citizens and users of the changing city. It is about promoting healthy lifestyles through thoughtful projects; a renewed sense of belonging and connection, and; good use of resources and services. All to ensure that meeting the needs of today does not jeopardize our ability to meet the needs of tomorrow – which is what makes sustainability true.

New public spaces with areas designed to contribute to the health of citizens

By focusing first on its citizens' needs and environmental sustainability and how technologies can serve these ends, the country is building a smart city model that can even serve as a reference for other nations. With the support of experts such as Dr. Santiago Caprio and in collaboration with UN-Habitat, El Salvador is laying the foundations for a more humane, inclusive, and sustainable urban future.

Bitcoin mining center: by adopting policies to promote innovation, including the adoption of cryptocurrencies, the Salvadoran economy (dollarized since 2001) is seeing important inflows of investment and the emergence of new opportunities.

El Salvador, currently in the process of transformation, is demonstrating to the world that, even being a small country with limited resources, it can lead to a significant change in understanding development and well-being. The transformations that the country is going through are driven by the strategic vision of its leaders, who have guided the nation toward growth designed for balanced social well-being. This progress is possible thanks to the leadership and vocation for change of Nayib Bukele, along with the articulated collaboration between key institutions. The synergy between these institutions not only accelerates development but also generates a lasting impact on the quality of life of Salvadorans, demonstrating that the size or resources of a nation do not limit its ability to achieve profound and positive changes.