# Bariloche urban development and environmental tensions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bariloche-urban-development-and-environmental-tensions > Updated: 2026-10-24T02:26:08.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. In San Carlos de Bariloche, local authorities and environmental advocates are navigating tensions regarding urban growth and infrastructure. Mayor Walter Cortés has proposed an ‘Ecotasa’ (eco-tax) to generate an estimated 4.5 billion pesos annually, intended to fund urgent infrastructure projects like paving city blocks. The mayor has faced opposition from members of the local Gastronomic Chamber, whom he suggested may be resisting the tax to avoid financial formalization. Simultaneously, concerns have escalated regarding large-scale hotel and gastronomic developments, such as the FAENA and CAUMA projects. These proposals are planned near the shores of Lake Moreno within the Lago Morenito-Laguna Ezquerra and Laguna El Trébol Urban Natural Reserves. Critics argue these developments threaten fragile ecosystems and wetlands, noting that certain proposals seek significantly more construction area than current regulations permit. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-24: Environmental concerns rise over hotel developments in Bariloche and Nayarit Environmental tensions escalate as critics challenge large-scale hotel projects in Bariloche, Argentina, while a controversial coastal hotel in Nayarit, Mexico, collapses due to heavy surf. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/environmental-concerns-rise-over-hotel-developments-in-bariloche-and-nayarit ### 2026-10-15: Bariloche Mayor pushes for tourist eco-tax to fund infrastructure Bariloche Mayor Walter Cortés is pushing for a tourist eco-tax to fund infrastructure, accusing opposing business sectors of fearing increased financial transparency. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bariloche-mayor-pushes-for-tourist-eco-tax-to-fund-infrastructure --- Cite as: Bariloche urban development and environmental tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bariloche-urban-development-and-environmental-tensions