Recently the 16 mayors from the different regions in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GMA) concluded their first Congress, “Metropolitan Solutions”. The Congress was organized to discuss, develop, and design ways to solve the most pressing problems for the citizens of their respective cantons (provinces). In conclusion the mayors from Alajuela, Alajuelita, Belén, Curridabat, Desamparados, Escazú, Heredia, La Unión, Montes de Oca, Mora, Moravia, San José, Santa Ana, Tibás, Goicoechea and San Rafael de Heredia signed 9 agreements and letters of intent with state agencies, national, and international private companies.
A total of nine cooperation agreements were signed by these congressional mayors in order to advance solutions to the problems of their communities. The initiatives range from solutions for surveillance, education, health, access to technology, transportation, and security.
About 300 people from different non-governmental organizations, state institutions, and private companies participated in this first Congress. As well as citizens who are interested in proposing initiatives to work together with local governments. All are committed to designing an urban agenda that solves the priority issues necessary for the improvement of the quality of life of the inhabitants of the cantons involved.
The mayors of the municipalities who collaborated in this effort committed themselves by means of a manifesto to gradually implement the agenda created using the input put forward by the Congress. Their aim is to strengthen the governance of these communities in a democratic manner. The Manifesto states, “We are convinced that cooperation is strength, and that the alliance which will generate development is what we make between us. We have agreed to form what we call an urban agenda to give us a more robust political position in the institutional fabric of the country, and to determine a common course of action based on the principles of goodwill, cooperation, and collective work.”
The following are the nine cooperation agreements and letters of intent:
- Framework agreement for cooperation and financial support from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and the Directorate for Social Development and Family Allowances for the Project called “Curridabat – a Sweet City” – a project aimed at community improvement. Signed By: Municipality of Curridabat.
- Letter of Intentions: “Integration of indicators of accessibility to territorial, segregation, and environmental well-being for cities and cantons in Costa Rica”, and the creation of a Municipal Territorial Intelligence Observatory. Signed By: Municipalities of Alajuela, Alajuelita, Belen, Curridabat, Desamparados, Escazú, Heredia, La Unión, Montes de Oca, Mora, Moravia, San José, Santa Ana, Tibás, Goicoechea and San Rafael de Heredia.
- Letter of Intent: Draft document entitled “Paris Plan for Inclusive Growth in Cities”. Signed By: Municipalities of Alajuela, Alajuelita, Belen, Curridabat, Desamparados, Escazú, Heredia, La Unión, Montes de Oca, Mora, Moravia, San José, Santa Ana, Tibás, Goicoechea and San Rafael de Heredia.
- Letter of intent: Pilot plan for the installation and optimization of Radiográfica Costarricense S.A. (internet service provider) Signed By: Municipalities of Tibás and Curridabat.
- Letter of intent: Pilot plan for the installation of the Video Surveillance Service offered by Radiográfica Costarricense S.A. Signed By: Municipalities of Tibás and Curridabat.
- Letter of intent: Construction of a cable car by the company DOPPELMAYR MEXICO S.A. Signed By: Municipalities of Curridabat, Montes de Oca, Moravia, Desamparados, Union, Mora and Alajuela.
- Inter-municipal Cooperation Agreement. Signed By: Municipalities of Mora, Santa, Belén and Alajuela.
- Trademark Agreement. Signed By: Municipalities of Curridabat, Montes de Oca, Moravia, and San José.
- Letter of intent: Implementation of the Work Plan called “Participation Platforms for Coexistence and Citizen Stewardship” with the Ministry of Public Security. Signed By: Municipalities of Curridabat, Montes de Oca, Union of Three Rivers, Moravia, Santa Ana, Escazú, Mora and Bethlehem.
