PRESENTER: Gilberto Buenaño

BIO: Architect Central University of Venezuela, Master in Architecture Kent State University, Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture (Design Theories and Methods Program) at UC Berkeley. He is currently assistant Professor at the Center for Environmental Studies, Central University of Venezuela. He works as a consultant and participated in the elaboration of the government program for the newly elected President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, of which the Orinoco-Apure Development Plan is an important component. He has also worked for the Venezuelan National Railroad Planning Office and for the Venezuelan Oil Industry.

TITLE: Regional Decentralization and Deconcentration: The Orinoco-Apure River Basin Development Plan

ABSTRACT: For the last 40 years the growth of Venezuela has been concentrated in the northern central region. More than 70% of the population and more than 75% of public and private investment have been placed in and around Caracas, the country's capital city. This overconcentration has created tremendous imbalances in the country, leaving disempowered the southern part of the nation, more than 75% of the territory where most natural resources are located. To overcome these imbalances a regional development project along the Orinoco and Apure river basin--300 thousand square kilometers--has been proposed. It is not only intended to attend economic imbalances, but also respond to political and social demands, while paying attention to environmental concerns by the means of political and territorial decentralization and deconcentration.