Linked to Chilean businessman Oscar Lería, the Maratué housing project could well be defined as a connection that extends from a single family to thousands of others across the country. In the words of Claudia Lería, the project’s executive director, Maratué aims to allow families to remain in their communities, preventing them from being forced to migrate due to a lack of housing options or fragmented developments.
The housing plan comprises no fewer than 14,000 homes, 2,000 of which are subsidized. Furthermore, this model, designed in collaboration with Foster and Partners and BL Arquitectos based on principles of territorial sustainability, sustainable mobility, and ecosystem regeneration, seeks to set a precedent for the country, demonstrating that it is possible to build cities responsibly and with a long-term vision.
“Maratué is an urban housing project, primarily for first-time homeowners, defined by a family-oriented planning vision. It stems from the conviction that we have the opportunity to build urban and social cohesion under a comprehensive and sustainable model,” says Claudia Lería, adding that the initiative “seeks to do things right and teach, from the outset, development with a long-term perspective, in balance with the environment and with care for nature, allowing for a balanced and sustainable growth model.”
How is sustainability applied in Maratué?
In Maratué, sustainability is not understood as an additional attribute, but as the guiding principle of the entire project. From its inception, the British architecture firm in charge of the master plan, Foster and Partners, has worked on a comprehensive vision of the territory that seeks to balance human habitat, natural ecosystems, and collective well-being. The master plan proposes a territorial structure that, when applied, does not impose itself on the territory, but rather shapes it. The settlements are organized around ecological corridors, respecting the topography and prioritizing the conservation of natural ecosystems, wetlands, ravines and belloto forests. The entire project includes 50% green areas, in addition to a 125-hectare conservation area that aims to preserve the ecological values of the Peruvian booby, the belloto forest, and the cliffs.
What is the status of the environmental permitting process?
The Maratué project has a favorable Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA) received on October 28, 2024, from the Valparaíso Region Environmental Assessment Commission (COEVA). It is awaiting a vote by the Committee of Ministers regarding two appeals that have been filed. This process is already complete from a technical standpoint, as all relevant agencies have issued their reports. Once this stage is resolved, Maratué will begin construction, starting with the first large lot designated for social housing under the DS49 program, located near Puchuncaví.
What is the value of this project for the country?
Maratué is much more than a real estate project: it is a long-term territorial plan, conceived to To contribute concretely to public policy and sustainable land-use planning in the Valparaíso Region. In a context where well-located land with access to services is increasingly scarce, Maratué acts with understanding of the environment and its community, bringing existing communities closer together in an orderly fashion, near services, and preventing uncontrolled growth. With more than 14,000 housing solutions, 2,000 of which are subsidized, Maratué envisions growth focused on families striving to move forward together through visionary work, technical rigor, and public-private partnerships.
“Maratué is much more than a real estate project: it is a long-term territorial plan, designed to contribute concretely to public policy and sustainable land-use planning in the Valparaíso Region.”
Claudia Lería
Executive Director, Maratué