Just minutes across the bridge and up the river from Guayaquil lies the canton of Samborondón, one of Ecuador’s highest growth areas.
It is a place that has become synonymous with progress and modernity while embracing its own identity and agricultural vocation. And this was the place were Simon Bolivar made his plans before Ecuadorian independence, before the Battle of Pichincha.
Samborondón offers a quality of life hard to find in Latin America, with the added advantage of being situated just a few miles from one of the continent’s biggest economic success stories that is Guayaquil. Luxurious residential complexes and large shopping malls adorn its skyline, offering an American lifestyle; yet perhaps its best feature is the feeling of community and warmth.
José Yunes, Mayor of Samborondón, has crystal clear ideas about his canton’s physical growth. Indeed, organized expansion following social logic is one of his top priorities. The results have been quite clear, too: quality of life and added value for the real state sector.
Responsible and controlled growth has given investors a safe place to put their money and do business, as well as an opportunity for families to buy land that is not going to lose its value. In fact, the municipality works to keep the real estate sector growing but economically sustainable; families buy and build on their lots, while the dearth of speculators keeps prices reasonable, despite Samborondón being ‘the place’ the live.
Mr. Yunes says that one of the key advantages to controlled development lies in what it implies for the citizens: the provision of high quality public services. Moreover, not long ago he approved a large institutional project for the north of Samborondón to build a new university, a first-class hospital (to be built and operated by Johns Hopkins Hospital) and a “green” industrial zone that would afford the canton financial and infrastructural sovereignty from Guayaquil.
“Recently most of the people here considered themselves Guayaquileños, but now residents feel more Samborondeño. They are proud of their city,” says the mayor.
As for visitors to Samborondón, they can enjoy the excellent entertainment, gastronomy, fashion and culture that the canton offers and that have made it a must-visit place, just five minutes away from the José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport.
“I think we are an example for the country. A place to live and share,” concludes Mr. Yunes.
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