ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – The Paraguayan capital of Asunción is officially moving forward with a large-scale project aimed at reviving the city's historic and cultural value and building a sustainable future. The Asunción city government recently announced that it is accelerating the long-planned "Asunción Historic District (CHA) and Coastal Revitalization Project," strengthening its cooperation with the World Bank (Banco Mundial) and the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC). The project aims to bring about a transformative change to key areas of the city with a total investment of $105 million.
Newly inaugurated Mayor Luis Bello expressed his strong commitment to the project at his first major business meeting since taking office. Mayor Bello emphasized, "I am confident that this investment will breathe new life into the historic district, the new Chacarita area, and the vitality that is unique to Asunción." He added that the city government will swiftly handle all administrative procedures and actively support the project's execution, so that citizens can feel the tangible changes within two years.
The project includes four key components. The first is the revitalization of the Asunción Historic District (CHA), which focuses on restoring the historical identity of the downtown area and revitalizing tourism and commercial functions. The second is the eco-friendly development of the Bay of Asunción, with plans to redevelop the coastline into a recreational space for citizens and an ecotourism destination. The third is the restoration of Parque Caballero. This park, once the pride of Asunción but which has since fallen into disrepair, will be restored to its former glory and transformed into a hub for citizens' cultural and leisure activities. Lastly, the creation of the Chacarita Eco-District aims to improve the Chacarita area, a low-lying region prone to flood damage, into a sustainable and safe residential environment.
The project is currently in its initial phase. Work is underway to place high-voltage power lines underground along the northern coastal road, as well as dredging and land reclamation in the riverside areas. Preparations for specific interventions within the historic district are also being carried out in parallel. Mayor Bello articulated his strong commitment to implementation, stating, "We are here to work, to build, and to act. We will not stop until this project is successfully completed for the benefit of all Asunción citizens."
Darmi Martínez, a communications officer for the World Bank, stated that the purpose of their visit was to share the progress of the "Asunción Coastal Urban Resilience Project" and to strengthen the city's infrastructure. He emphasized that the World Bank would continue to accompany this urban transformation process, anticipating that "specific interventions such as the restoration of Parque Caballero, the improvement of plazas and streets in the historic district, and construction in the Chacarita area are expected to begin within the next 12 months."
This project is more than just an urban beautification effort. Its purpose is to modernize outdated urban infrastructure, increase the disaster resilience of areas vulnerable to climate change, and, most importantly, fundamentally improve the quality of life for citizens. With this large-scale investment, Asunción is at a critical turning point where it is maximizing its urban potential and being reborn as a future-oriented city while reclaiming its past glory. The close cooperation between Mayor Bello, relevant authorities, and the World Bank further raises the expectation that this great vision will become a reality. Asunción citizens have high hopes for the city's new appearance.
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