The Puerto Rico Planning Board () created in the May 12, 1942 during Rexford G. Tugwell's governorship as the Puerto Rico Planning, Urbanization, and Zoning Board, is the only government agency in charge of centralized planning under the American flag. Its creation was in keeping with Tugwell's New Deal philosophy that Puerto Rico should operate under a highly centralized, all-encompassing territorial government.
For decades, the Planning Board was in charge of all economic planning, land use zoning and case-by-case permitting in Puerto Rico. In the 1970s the permitting process was delegated to another government agency, the Rules and Permits Administration (ARPE) and since the late 1990s, major cities have been taking over that role in their own jurisdictions.
Organization The Planning Board currently has a Chair and four Associate Members, all appointed by the Governor and requiring the consent of the Puerto Rico Senate.
Presidents
The following is a list of the men and women that have served as Presidents of the Planning Board since 1942. Most are either civil engineers or urban planners certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners.
19421955: Rafael Picó Santana 19551960: Cándido Oliveras 19601968: Ramón García Santiago 19691969: Julio Vizcarrondo 19691972: Enrique Soler Cloquell 19731976: Rafael Alonso Alonso 19771983: Miguel A. Rivera Ríos 19831984: Nelson E. Soto Velázquez 19851992: Patria G. Custodio 19931998: Norma Burgos 19982000: José R. Caballero Mercado 20012001: Frederick Muhlach 20012002: Hermenegildo Ortiz 20022009: Angel David Rodriguez 20092010: Héctor Morales Vargas 20102012: Rubén Flores Marzán 20132016: Luis García Pelatti 20172021: María del Carmen Gordillo Pérez 2021- at present: Manuel A.G. Hidalgo
References
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