For Sale: Zone 10

In 1990, the physiognomy of Zone 10 changed drastically, for numerous non-residential buildings substituted the "chalets" of the beginning of the century, the Victorian homes, and the Art Deco residences of the 30's, 40's, and 50's.

During the 60's, the newspaper was full of sale ads for commercial units, land, and residences in Zone 10. At that time, the square "vara" (2.8 ft.) of land was worth Q11, and the rent of a furnished chalet ascended to Q160. Ten years later, houses were rented for Q80 a month and commercial premises for Q200. The square "vara" rose to Q22.

Zone 10 lacks the necessary infrastructure for the relocation of the commercial zone and the services originally housed in Zone 1. There are no specific programs dealing with urban transportation services, ramps for the disabled, auxiliary lanes, informative maps, trash cans, nor parking. Some of the new buildings drilled their own water wells, and others have installed systems of pluvial water supply. Furthermore, many businesses have had to install and finance their own electrical sub-stations, in order to obtain the necessary power.

Because Guatemala City is located in a highly seismic terrain, building regulations must be complied with rigorously, to guarantee safety.

Municipal authorities, in coordination with sixteen institutions, are working on a development plan called "Metropolis 2000", which contemplates, as the city's objective, the development of a tourism operations center based on Guatemala's potential, as a historical-cultural city and as an ecological city, and which, in one way or another, will benefit Zone 10.

The Zone 10 Neighbors Committee is an example of what citizens, in joint cooperation with the authorities, can do in view of the fact that there are no expectations that the most urgent problems, like the lack of lighting and safety, will be taken care of until the city authorities can do it.

Zone 10 has experienced one of the highest vertical growth rates, yet has managed to preserve vital green areas. Undoubtedly, there is a sharp contrast between Zone 10 and the rest of the city. The physiognomic changes it has witnessed will continue to attract natives and outsiders, and to open its streets to the most varied expressions of urban growth.