# Urban growth and infrastructure in Santiago de los Caballero > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/urban-growth-and-infrastructure-in-santiago-de-los-caballero > Updated: 2026-09-14T20:47:35.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Santiago de los Caballeros is undergoing rapid urban expansion, with its urban footprint growing from approximately 5% to 14% of its territory over the last six years. This expansion has increased the city’s urban area from 90 to 138 square kilometers. To manage this growth, government officials have called for an urgent update to the Municipal Territorial Planning Plan (PMOT), which has remained unchanged since 2019. In response to infrastructure needs, President Luis Abinader announced a planned investment of approximately RD$9,000 million to expand the Cibao Central Aqueduct. The project is expected to begin in 2027 and run for 24 months, aiming to increase the potable water supply for Santiago and surrounding communities such as Licey al Medio, Tamboril, and Espaillat. Other regional development efforts include road improvements like the Autovía del Ámbar and the rehabilitation of the Circunvalación Norte and Navarrete bypass, alongside environmental projects such as transforming the Gurabo stream into a linear park. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Santiago de los Caballeros faces rapid urban growth and infrastructure needs Santiago de los Caballeros is undergoing rapid urban growth, prompting calls for updated territorial planning and a RD$9,000 million investment in the Cibao Central Aqueduct to secure water supplies. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santiago-de-los-caballeros-faces-rapid-urban-growth-and-infrastructure-needs ### 2026-08-22: Santiago de los Caballeros water distribution history Historical accounts detail the role of ‘los aguateros’ in the Dominican Republic, who used animals to transport water from the Yaque del Norte River to communities before modern plumbing existed. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santiago-de-los-caballeros-water-distribution-history --- Cite as: Urban growth and infrastructure in Santiago de los Caballero. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/urban-growth-and-infrastructure-in-santiago-de-los-caballero