Defending Public Spaces: Resistance to Coastal Privatization in Puerto Rico

The struggle over Puerto Rico’s coastal lands exemplifies the broader conflict between public access and private development. Historically, Puerto Rico's beaches have been legally protected for public use. However, recent developments have seen hotels and apartment buildings establishing private beachfront areas, effectively denying access to the public and forcing many to navigate dangerous paths to reach the beaches (Liberation News, 2021).

Environmental activists and experts in Puerto Rico have been actively opposing such privatization efforts. For instance, a law that sought to privatize La Parguera, a public maritime zone on the western coast of Lajas, was met with significant resistance and ultimately rejected. Despite this victory, the battle continues as several public beaches and maritime zones face ongoing privatization proposals (Global Voices, 2016).

The privatization of these coastal areas not only restricts public access but also poses environmental risks. Developments in these regions can lead to the destruction of coastal ecosystems, increasing vulnerability to natural disasters like hurricanes. Moreover, such privatization efforts often result in the displacement of local communities, severing cultural and historical ties to the land (The Guardian, 2022).

Grassroots movements have emerged as a powerful force against privatization. Community organizations emphasize the importance of inclusive decision-making processes that consider scientific evidence and community input. These groups have mobilized to protect public lands and advocate for sustainable development, highlighting the need to balance economic growth with environmental conservation and social equity (The Brooklyn Rail, 2021).

The battle for Puerto Rico’s coasts underscores the need to balance development with conservation and equity. Public lands are more than economic assets—they are cultural and ecological treasures that sustain communities and ecosystems. By resisting privatization and advocating for transparent, science-based policies, grassroots movements are not only defending public spaces but also promoting a vision of development that serves the many, not the few.

References

Liberation News. (2021). The fight against privatization of beaches in Puerto Rico. Retrieved from https://www.liberationnews.org/the-fight-against-privatization-of-beaches-in-puerto-rico/

Global Voices. (2016). Activists in Puerto Rico Are Fighting to Keep Beaches Public. Retrieved from https://globalvoices.org/2016/08/09/activists-in-puerto-rico-are-fighting-to-keep-beaches-public/

The Guardian. (2022). ‘The beaches belong to the people’: inside Puerto Rico’s anti-gentrification protests. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/23/puerto-rico-beach-anti-gentrification-protests

The Brooklyn Rail. (2021). Art, Activism, and the Environment in Puerto Rico. Retrieved from https://brooklynrail.org/2021/08/editorsmessage/Art-Activism-and-the-Environment-in-Puerto-Rico/