El Viejo San Juan: economic development, tourism and heritage exploitation

Abstract

Since the 1950s, with the emergence and development of several important economic projects, the government of Puerto Rico has viewed Viejo San Juan as a significant asset for economic development and tourism. This traditional model has led to raising urban issues that are amongst the most pressing problems facing the old city today–such as mass tourism, gentrification, displacement, and the rapid deterioration of its historic infrastructure. The island’s economic depression, massive public debt, austerity measures, and the significant financial losses after the devastation of Hurricane Maria continue to contribute to the exploitation and mismanagement of the cultural heritage of the historic city in the name of economic development. As with natural resources, cultural heritage is a finite resource—irreplaceable and necessary for the urban character and sensibility of societies. In examining Viejo San Juan as an example, this case study will take a critical look at how past and current approaches to tourism and using built heritage as a resource serving solely for economic development pose a risk to cultural heritage by threatening its social character, sense of place, and the integrity of urban space. By examining current issues and considering alternative solutions, this essay serves as an invitation to question and challenge the established discourses that have privileged economic development at the expense of silencing its social implications and adverse impacts on the urban heritage. This essay is a proposition to go against the prevalent notions and think of alternative ways to rebuild our communities, while at the same time preserving our heritage. Keywords: urban conservation, urban heritage, gentrification, displacement, tourism, exploitation, San Juan, Puerto Rico