Beware Of Excessive Buildings In Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta is famous for its typical Mexican town charm combined with spectacular beaches and pristine nature. But the excessive growth of vertical buildings and mega-developments can lead to the loss of its original appeal, as many tourists, both domestic and international, seek the authentic atmosphere of a traditional port, not a landscape saturated with modern towers.

The saturation of tourist services is causing the beach, restaurants, and roads to become overwhelmed. This reduces the quality of the experience, causing some travelers to choose other quieter and more organized destinations. This affects the destination's image: Excessive construction sometimes creates a perception of disorder, environmental destruction, and lack of planning, which diminishes the destination's value.

Puerto Vallarta's ecology is one of its most valuable treasures, and uncontrolled urbanization has serious consequences, such as deforestation if hills and jungle areas that are home to endemic species and important biological corridors are cleared. Another major problem is the alteration of rivers and streams. The filling and diversion of rivers like the Cuale or Los Horcones can cause flooding, loss of wildlife, and soil erosion.

Ocean and river pollution continues to grow, increasing water pollution and the discharge of waste into the ocean, impacting marine ecosystems and reducing water quality. Furthermore, the risk of natural disasters continues to increase: Built-up areas on unstable slopes or flood-prone areas increase the risk of landslides, mudslides, and flooding, which can be catastrophic during the rainy season or during hurricanes. Vertical development is not always inclusive:

● Gentrification: Land and housing prices rise, displacing local families to peripheral areas where basic services are lacking.

● Loss of identity: Traditional communities lose their customs and social fabric. Neighborhoods are transformed into impersonal spaces dominated by commercial interests.

● Rising inequality: There are more luxury developments, but informal settlements and urban poverty are also growing in less-advantaged areas.

Development may seem to bring prosperity, but there are also risks, such as the fragile economic model. Overreliance on construction and short-term tourism is risky if an economic, health (such as COVID-19), or environmental (hurricanes or global warming) crisis occurs.

There is also unfair competition and speculation. This involves developments being built without complying with the law, with bribery and corruption, which creates unequal competition and affects those who do follow the rules. With an excess of buildings in Puerto Vallarta, public services would collapse: The drinking water, sewage, and garbage collection networks would be overwhelmed, imposing high costs for the municipality and its citizens.

Urban growth can become a minefield for local politics:

● Lack of governance: Non-transparent construction permits can lead to corruption, influence peddling, and conflicts of interest.

● Social tensions: Local residents may lose trust in authorities and the system, feeling that their voices are not being heard in the face of the interests of large developers.

● Protests and social movements: Citizen movements emerge to fight to protect natural areas, the town's resources, and public institutions, which polarizes the political environment. THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING A BALANCE

Puerto Vallarta needs planned development that respects its identity, nature, and local community. The solution is not to reject growth, but to achieve sustainable urban planning that ensures decent housing for locals, respect for the environment, and investments that benefit the city in the long term, not just a select few.