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Characteristics
- In 1962, the creation of the Banco Nacional de la Vivienda and other savings and lending associations brought about mortgage loans, which consequently led to a more dynamic real estate market.
- Between 1961 and 1965, private structures were built on the west side of the city, near main arteries and infrastructure.
- Since the revolution of 1965, year in which experts place the beginning of the Dominican contemporary architecture, Santo Domingo’s commercial center, then the Colonial District, moved towards the geographic center of the city, between the avenues of San Martín, Leopoldo Navarro, 27 de Febrero and Abraham Lincoln.
- The new political, social and economic climate, after 1965, had an impact on the architectural development. From that time emerged a transformation of the urban landscape of the main cities, mainly Santo Domingo.
- Between 1966 and 1978, Joaquin Balaguer’s administration considered investing in public buildings a matter of high-priority in his economic policy. An unprecedented expansion program was executed and subsidized housing, government offices, cultural and sports centers, and health care centers were built under this policy.
- During the 12 years of the Balaguer administration there was also an indisputable impetus in the private real estate sector, as private homes, banks, hotels and shopping malls were built.
- Starting in the mid-70´s, new apartment buildings, such as the ones built in the surroundings of the Hotel El Embajador in 1976, are built.
- Béton brut, or exposed raw concrete, became the preferred form of architectural expression of most Dominican architects.
- Between 1978 and 1986, construction activity decreased as the new ruling party, the Dominican Revolutionary Party, focused on the enhancement of farming and agricultural activity.
- In 1979, hurricane David and the Federico storm destroyed a number of significant urban structures, such as the Malecón, a levee and popular board walk, found on the Caribbean seashore, in Santo Domingo.
- During the 70`s, rise the first multipurpose buildings, or commercial plazas such as Galerias Comerciales (1976) and Plaza Naco (1973).
- Throughout the 80’s the growth of Santo Domingo was mainly horizontal, which complicated the delivery of services, maintenance and road infrastructure.
- In 1986, Balaguer returned to the presidential office and, once again, construction became a priority, with emphasis in Santo Domingo due to the then imminent commemoration of the Fifth Centennial of the Discovery of America, celebrated in 1992.
- From 1986 to 1991, the city of Santo Domingo grew 20 square kilometers (7.72 square miles), producing a conurbation of communities that in the 1981 census were still considered rural.
- The constructions of a new racetrack and the Ciudad Satelite brought Santo Domingo much closer to San Pedro de Macorís.
- In the mid 80`s new architectural styles began to emerge. They displayed facades in aluminum and glass, and tendencies towards the modern international style perceived in the developed world.
- In 1990 the Government was compelled to cut back the development program by 50% due to an economic crisis caused by the Gulf War and the resulting increase in petroleum prices. The private sector was at a halt.
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