Essay --

Growth and development are two major themes you here time and time again in environmental planning. And rightly so, for if done wrong, they can drastically hinder a society. With that said, Costa Rica is a perfect case study for planning done right. This memo will briefly discuss how Costa Rica made a large leap forward - Using historic population statistics, and crude birth and death rates (Demographic Transition Model), I will tell a story of growth and development done right. Population Growth and Distribution Today, Costa Rica is one of the most stable, prosperous, and least corrupt Latin American countries. As of 2013, Costa Rica has a population of 2,357, 516; 40% of which, live in the Nation’s capital San Jose; the rest is thinly spread across the country. Originally San Josà © was only a small agricultural village with highly fertile soil. However, a few years after winning their freedom from Spain in 1821, the good people of San Josà © and Alajuela combined forces and defeated the pro-Mexican Democrats of Heredia and Cartago. Upon which cemented San Josà © as the capital of the blooming nation (Anywhere Costa Rica). The population slowly rose until after the Second World War- when the city’s numbers increased significantly. Today, over 309 thousand people live in the city with another estimated million in the surrounding suburbs (Anywhere Costa Rica). Development Since 1984, Costa Rica has seen a decrease in population (growth rate dropping from 2.8 to 1.2 by 2015) and infant mortality rates (dropped by half in just 29 years), as well as, an increase in life expectancy. What changed in that short amount of time (United States Census Bureau)? Well, the short answer is the country transitioned from an early industrial soc... ... one percent (Costa Rica). At 9% in 2013, they haven’t reached their goal, however, they’ve managed to cut back 5% in just 20 years. Costa Rica was blessed early on, due to a global interest in coffee beans, with prosperity and wealth; however, it wasn’t until they created a game plan, one with the people in mind that they truly began to progress, fiscally and socially speaking. Granted, Costa Rica isn’t considered a top tier country, but they are by no means at the bottom. With that said, Costa Rica’s young population won’t remain young forever! Much like the baby boomers of the U.S, Costa Rica will have to adjust heavily for the needs of their future elderly. Although, Costa Rica is relatively small, it has a rich history spanning back several millennia; and has positioned itself as one of the most stable, prosperous, and least corrupt Latin American countries.