A real estate project promoted by the company CAPSA and managed alongside the municipality sparked a strong debate in Bariloche about the future of Cerro Catedral. The initiative proposes a hotel development within the concession area of the mountain center.
However, various professional institutions and local actors question the true scope of the plan. They warn that the proposal could lead to a covert urbanization process in an area considered strategic for the public heritage.
The focus of the conflict centers on approximately 80 hectares of the hill that, according to specialists’ complaints, could be allocated for the sale of private lots under the guise of a tourist venture. Moreover, the discussion not only involves economic or urban planning issues. It also opens a broader debate about the protection of natural areas and the future of the region’s main tourist hub.
Consequently, various organizations and professionals are demanding greater transparency, technical studies, and spaces for citizen participation before proceeding with any intervention.
Concerns about possible lot division in a sensitive area
One of the main concerns points to the project being officially presented as a hotel development. However, specialists argue that it could enable the subdivision and sale of land in the area.
According to these criticisms, the initiative would involve the lot division of lands currently classified as “Non-Urbanizable Land” within the local Strategic Plan. This classification establishes restrictions to preserve areas of high environmental and scenic value.
Additionally, the discussion also includes the economic impact that the operation could generate. Some sectors point out that the expected value for the sale of land would be considerably lower than the market price at the base of the hill.
This difference in values raises concerns about a significant economic loss for the city. At the same time, it is warned that the change in land use could affect the sustainable tourism development of the area. For these reasons, various local actors are requesting a comprehensive review of the project before any definitive decision.
Regulations protecting the areas of Cerro Catedral
Cerro Catedral is part of a system of public lands that have specific regulations within the municipal ordinance of Bariloche. These rules aim to preserve the strategic character of the area for the tourism and environmental development of the region.
Among the most relevant provisions is the Municipal Charter, which establishes the inalienable nature of these lands. This means they are part of the public heritage and cannot be sold or transferred to private entities.
Additionally, the city’s Strategic Plan identifies sectors of the hill as “Non-Urbanizable Land”. This category limits the possibility of constructing real estate developments to prevent the degradation of the natural landscape.
These regulations aim to protect mountain ecosystems that perform key ecological functions, such as biodiversity conservation and water resource regulation. Therefore, any project in the area must strictly adhere to these rules and undergo rigorous environmental assessments.
Demands for environmental studies and citizen participation
Another concern highlighted by specialists is the lack of comprehensive studies on the project’s impact. In particular, the absence of prior environmental, social, and economic evaluations is questioned.
Cerro Catedral is considered the main tourist engine of Bariloche. Therefore, any intervention in the area can have direct effects on the regional economy and the balance of the mountain ecosystem.
Likewise, various organizations emphasize that the process should include public participation mechanisms. The territorial planning of strategic natural spaces often requires open debates and consultations with the community.
It was also noted that some administrative steps planned in the urban planning may not have been fully completed. Among them, the call to the Strategic Planning Council to analyze the proposal.
In this context, professional sectors and local organizations requested to suspend the project’s processing until the necessary technical information is available. The goal is to ensure that any decision respects current regulations and prioritizes the environmental protection of Cerro Catedral.
