Ideological Design of the IADB: Administrative Model for the Promaben Project in Belém, Pará

Abstract

This article discusses the administrative model for cities promoted by the Inter-American development Bank (IADB) for Latin America and the Caribbean, using as an example the Sanitation Program for the Estrada Nova watershed (Promaben), in the municipality of Belém, in Pará State. Based on Marxist social theory, IADB documents available on line related to projects approved by the bank in 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries from 1960 - 2011 were studied. The paper indicates the construction of an ideological design by IADB, related to the issues of financing, poverty and the environment. It reviews studies about ideology and the administrative model for cities and compares the IADB’s stated objectives with the projects approved in Latin America and the Caribbean. It analyzes the resources destined to Promaben and reflects that under the appearance of decreasing poverty and attention to the environment, the IADB gives priority to physical infrastructure projects for cities and economic projects.