SAN JUAN

PUERTO RICO

San Juan’s Resilience Journey

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, once enjoyed a thriving economy, buttressed by low-cost labor and government investment. But the withdrawal of tax incentives in the mid-1990s led to a significant decrease in foreign investment. The problem was compounded by the financial crisis in 2008, and the city has since struggled to maintain adequate funding for infrastructure and services.

In the area of public transportation, which does have reliable infrastructure, the city is taking steps to improve systems’ efficiency and effectiveness.

While San Juan has made progress developing plans to respond to natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis, strained economic resources must be marshaled to support both prevention and response strategies. Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz has also made social and community engagement a cornerstone of her strategy, helping to incorporate the voices of marginalized communities into San Juan’s planning.