San Salvador is moving forward with an ambitious 15-year urban renewal plan aimed at transforming its historic center into a vibrant residential, commercial, and cultural hub. The initiative, led by the Authority of the Historic Center (APLAN), will focus on 80 blocks that have been officially designated as areas of social, cultural, tourism, and investment interest under legislative decree.

APLAN Director Adriana Larín said the project is designed to ensure organized growth while preserving the character of the capital’s historic heart. “We are developing 80 blocks in an integral way. They are being zoned, land-use attributes are being evaluated, and we are working so the city grows in an orderly manner and becomes a new residential hub,” Larín said during a televised interview. She added that the master plan is expected to be finalized next month.

Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the strategy includes an international push to position downtown San Salvador as a certified “smart destination.” In partnership with Spain, local authorities are incorporating technology to improve mobility, services, and quality of life — an effort that goes beyond the security camera systems already installed. Meanwhile, collaboration with the Politécnico di Milano and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation seeks to enhance and preserve the area’s intangible cultural heritage, while private-sector partners such as Sherwin-Williams are contributing to façade and portal restorations.

Economic momentum is already visible. In January 2026 alone, APLAN’s one-stop investment office processed nearly $9 million in project applications. By the end of 2025, close to 40 new businesses had opened in the district, and early 2026 brought additional arrivals, including a DHL branch supporting local entrepreneurs with global shipping services. The historic center has also benefited from a tourism surge, with foreign visitors — including many who traveled to El Salvador for Shakira’s recent concerts — extending their stays to explore the revitalized downtown. “We are going to see newly restored buildings and new developments,” Larín said, underscoring the scale of transformation underway in the Salvadoran capital.