Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía announced that the National District is expanding its sidewalk recovery program, an initiative that has been reclaiming public spaces since 2025 to improve pedestrian mobility, enhance neighborhood aesthetics, and strengthen access to public infrastructure.
Led by the Mayor’s Office through its Directorate of Public Space Advocacy and Use, the program targets sidewalks that have been occupied by unauthorized structures, including commercial stalls, repair workshops, benches, and other obstacles that restrict pedestrian movement.
Public Spaces Restored for Pedestrians
According to city officials, sidewalk recovery projects have already been completed in several neighborhoods, including La Yagüita, Villa María, Mata Hambre, and the area surrounding the Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar Health City. Once the occupied spaces are cleared, the city carries out a broader revitalization process designed to improve both accessibility and the urban environment.
These improvements include the installation of new street lighting, protective bollards, landscaping, trees, public benches, and murals, creating safer and more attractive public spaces for residents and visitors alike.
Villa Consuelo Selected for the Next Phase
The initiative’s next stage will focus on Viuda de la Cruz Street in the Villa Consuelo neighborhood, where approximately 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) of sidewalk will be restored.
In addition to improving pedestrian infrastructure, the project will incorporate public art through murals celebrating Dominican culture and honoring prominent figures in the country’s arts, sports, and public life. The city hopes these cultural elements will reinforce neighborhood identity while contributing to the area’s visual renewal.
Long-Occupied Sidewalks Reopened
Mayor Mejía also highlighted the successful recovery of sidewalks along Nicolás de Ovando Avenue, where commercial encroachments had occupied public walkways for more than 25 years.
The restored sidewalks are once again accessible to thousands of pedestrians, including commuters using the nearby Los Taínos Metro Station. City officials say reopening these corridors has improved pedestrian safety and made daily travel more convenient for residents.
Part of a Broader Urban Improvement Strategy
The sidewalk recovery initiative forms part of Santo Domingo’s broader strategy to improve public spaces, encourage walkability, and enhance quality of life across the National District. By reclaiming areas intended for public use and converting them into landscaped linear parks and accessible pedestrian corridors, the city aims to reduce urban disorder while creating safer, cleaner, and more welcoming neighborhoods.
Officials say the program will continue expanding into additional sectors as the municipal government advances its efforts to preserve public spaces and promote a more accessible and sustainable urban environment.