Abstract
The role of municipal government in the protection of historic centres in Latin American cities discusses the current and potential role of municipal government in reversing the deterioration in historic centres. It also outlines a new approach to conservation which can be implemented despite existing resource constraints. Central to this approach is a strategy for each centre which both addresses the needs and priorities of the many poor inhabitants and makes full use of the central location, commercial vitality and tourist appeal. Constructive" conservation gives as much importance to the social and political lives of the inhabitants as to the protection and rehabilitation of buildings.