After many years of complete deterioration Lima began to recover from its former bad image at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century. Since 1995 the municipality of Lima has been implementing a successful recovery plan for the historic center of Lima, which was declared a ‘Cultural Patrimony of Humanity’ by the UNESCO in 1996. The Municipality of Lima ‘cleaned’ the city center in an effort to remove many of the persistent street vendors (unfortunately there a still quite a lot left) and dodgy figures. Programs initiated by the government encouraged the citizens to be proud of their city, renovate buildings and ‘shape up’ streets and parks in an attempt to recuperate the city’s cultural heritage and of course to promote tourism.

Also other mayor works in Limas historical center like new illumination, remodelling of parks and plazas, the repaving of sidewalks with terra cotta, the planting of thousands of trees and daily maintenance paid off. The city center is much safer and nicer to look at. So just wander around and discover Lima’s historical and multicultural past and present! The surroundings of the Rimac River were renewed, too (housing, new parks and pedestrian bridges).

But the municipality did as well some mayor works in Lima’s poor areas. Here the infrastructure was improved, hospitals and new schools were constructed and sporting grounds built. By far not enough, but at least a small step in the right direction.

Around town, especially in the wealthier suburbs like Miraflores or San Isidro you can see changes every day. The district municipalities are anxious to improve their districts, but unfortunately a lot of old houses are demolished and skyscrapers built on their place. Streets are repaved, parks and green areas are carefully looked after and finally the security for Limeños and tourists is improved with special police forces. As well a good beginning is made, but there is still a lot to do…

To handle the massive traffic in Lima somehow, many streets have been changed into highways and new expressways have been built. A few years back the taxi system has been modernized (sad to say, but without any effect on the situation). To cope with one other mayor problem, the until now not existing public transport system, the municipality of Lima began in 2007 the construction of Lima's Metropolitano, a modern bus system with gas busses that should connect Limas suburbs with the city center. Hopefully then the thousands of small old busses that drive like hell through town and pollute the air will be banned. It would be so nice when the fresh painted houses won’t turn grey in one season anymore and the beautifully planted flowers and trees will stay green – not black.

Many small steps have been made to stop Lima’s deterioration. Nevertheless there are many more steep steps to be taken. Once Lima was the area where unique cultures developed, than a thriving colonial city - Today Lima is a vast, partially dirty, loud and hectic metropolis, but has again many highlights worth to visit and discover…