On the coast of Puchuncaví, in the Valparaíso Region, one of Chile’s largest real estate projects, Maratué, is underway. With an estimated investment of US$2 billion and a 45-year timeframe to build 14,000 homes, this development promises to incorporate sustainability, social integration, and large-scale urban planning.
In an interview for La Tercera’s Money Talks section, Claudia Lería, the project’s executive director, explained the challenges and scope of this ambitious initiative, highlighting its transformative potential for the region.
From Sacrifice Zone to Opportunity Zone.
Puchuncaví has historically been known as a “sacrifice zone” due to its proximity to industrial facilities. However, for Lería, this stigma can be transformed into an opportunity. “We want to change the face of the town. We don’t want it to be known as a sacrifice zone,” she stated.
The project aims to address the region’s housing shortage, with 70% of the homes designated as primary residences for the middle class and 2,000 subsidized housing units. “We included 2,000 subsidized homes because there is a huge deficit in the area,” Lería commented.
Furthermore, social integration is prioritized by combining homes of different characteristics in a harmonious design. “We want the workers in the industrial park to live close to where they work,” Lería added, emphasizing the project’s commitment to the local community.
Sustainability and Cutting-Edge Design.
Maratué spans 1,000 hectares, with 50% of the land dedicated to green spaces. “We are refraining from building on 40% of the site. We want cities to be sustainable, with a high quality of life,” Lería affirmed.
Among the highlights, the nature sanctuary will be a key feature. “The sanctuary will be larger than O’Higgins Park and Retiro Park in Madrid, and will protect species such as boobies and belloto trees,” he explained.
The design is being handled by Foster + Partners, an international firm renowned for its focus on low-density and sustainable projects. “We partnered with Foster + Partners because they have a low-density vision and were enthusiastic about our vision. They had already researched the project before meeting us,” Lería noted.
The plan includes interconnected urban centers, where each area will have access to essential services in less than eight minutes. “We designed the city with interconnected urban centers, combining social housing with primary and secondary residences,” Lería elaborated.
Furthermore, Maratué will integrate urban wetlands into its design, demonstrating a commitment to ecosystem preservation. “We are preserving two urban wetlands that are part of the project, working in harmony with the environmental characteristics of the site,” Lería stated.
With a comprehensive approach that combines sustainability, social inclusion, and innovative urban design, Maratué is positioning itself as a model of urban development in Chile. “The goal is to create a city that integrates nature, housing, and commerce,” explained Lería, highlighting the project’s magnitude as a regional benchmark.
In a country facing growing housing and environmental challenges, Maratué represents a commitment that combines development and sustainability. With a broad vision and decisions based on environmental preservation, this project could set a precedent for how cities of the future are designed.