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Hello! I’m Ignacio Lafuente,

I’m an economist, urban planner, and transportation consultant with 9 years of experience. I have blended these backgrounds to examine the economics behind urban planning and transportation throughout my career, both from a scientific/theoretical standpoint, and from a project-valuation market perspective.

You can check a list of my Areas of Expertise or refer to my Project Work directly. For additional reference, I have included a summarized resume/timeline of my past affiliations too. If you would like to contact me, feel free to email me here.

Timeline

2013

2016

2017

2020

2022

2025

UTDT

February 2013 — August 2017

Licenciado en Economía. Campo menor en Ciencia Política. Semestre de intercambio en la Università Bocconi (2016).

GCBA

October 2016 — September 2020

Economista líder de la Unidad de Proyectos Especiales, Secretaría de Desarrollo Urbano.

Harvard GSD

August 2020 — May 2022

Master in Urban Planning. Area of concentration: Transportation & Infrastructure.

Cambridge Systematics

July 2022 — July 2025

Associate Transportation Economist

Timeline

UTDT

February 2013 — August 2017

Licenciado en Economía. Campo menor en Ciencia Política. Semestre de intercambio en la Università Bocconi (2016).

GCBA

October 2016 — September 2020

Economista líder de la Unidad de Proyectos Especiales, Secretaría de Desarrollo Urbano.

Harvard GSD

August 2020 — May 2022

Master in Urban Planning. Area of concentration: Transportation & Infrastructure.

Cambridge Systematics

July 2022 — July 2025

Associate Transportation Economist

Areas of Expertise

In terms of key roles and contributions, some of my highlights include:

Land Value Capture

I've been a key contributor in the design and implementation of the Land Value Capture Tax in the City of Buenos Aires (2017-2018), as well as a key advisor to replicate it in the city of Tres de Febrero (2019, 2021).

I can help you design and implement fiscal policies to collect one-time tax revenue from the development of upzoned parcels, partially capturing the land value increment caused by the upzoning. These policies mitigate unintended windfalls to favored landowners and distribute the (unavoidably) generated revenue more equitably, while they preserve the market incentives to develop the land.

Economic Assessment of Public-Private Developments

I've established a methodology to assess public-private development, incentive zoning deals ("Convenios Urbanísticos") in the City of Buenos Aires (2019-2020).

This kind of tool creates an exceptional framework to accommodate development projects normally not allowed and approve them should they meet certain conditions, including a fair compensation. I can help you standardize market assessments of both developments and proposed compensations. Contrary to the popular belief, it isn't a zero-sum game: it can happen concurrently that the developer cashflow shows profits and the compensation paid to the local government generates a greater society-wide benefit than the implicit society-wide cost of approving the atypical permit.

Real Estate and Land Market Appraisals

I've served the City of Buenos Aires' Ministry of Urban Development as their expert in property appraisals (buildings and/or land), making my team one of the few authoritative voices the mayor would seek on this matter.

I can help you determine the real estate value of property of frequent (e.g., residential, commercial) or less frequent (e.g., obsolete public facilities) land uses, even in less developed neighborhoods where market transactions might be scarce. These appraisals are not "sales-oriented" to find you a buying counterpart, but to inform wider real estate portfolio strategies beyond the individual parcel analyzed, once you know the theoretically reasonable value of your assets. Methods I typically use include Comparative, Residual, Business NPV, and Hedonic Pricing.

Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA)

I've developed a BCA expertise in the U.S. transportation consulting world, where I crafted innovative monetization techniques. E.g., this helped secure Federal funds for my clients when I explored new transportation-resilience benefit estimation methodologies to support their applications to the PROTECT program in 2023.

In a BCA, project costs are compared to discounted, long-term project benefits to determine whether society as a whole benefits from a project to the point of exceeding its required costs, thus justifying its approval. Additionally, relative benefit-cost ratios (BCR) can compare the efficiency produced by each dollar invested in different projects that may be on the table. I've become familiar with estimating several types of benefits that can adapt to almost any project you may have in mind.

Project Valuation

I've utilized project valuation tools and indicators (e.g., CAPEX/OPEX forecasts, DCF, IRR, NPV, etc.) applied to both Urban Planning and Transportation projects, from both public and private perspectives. Examples include real estate portfolio optimization strategies, setting up business models to attract concessionaires or P3 partners, or budgeting the O&M cost estimates of a new transit line.

When assessing project feasibility using a cashflow, revenues and expenses are compared over a timeframe to determine if a project is affordable. Metrics can include sustaining a positive balance over the period, achieving some IRR or payback-period target, etc. Either if your next steps are to expand your system, or to downsize it to generate net savings, you can count on me for the financial analysis.

Published & Other

I'm also including other skills and tools that may not fall exactly under the previous categories.

For example: other economic analyses (EIA, SSA, LQ), tools to estimate/update your project budgets, more qualitative analyses of land use, greenery-/tree-canopy-related metrics, or the analysis of how peer transit systems compare to your agency's.

Project Work

For a better experience, consider using the desktop version to check project tabs. Additionally, you can see all these projects on a map in the next section.

“El Sueño de la Yamanote Porteña.”

LinkedIn. February 28th, 2025.

Dallas Streetcar O&M Cost Funding

(2025). Dallas, TX, USA (as CS staff). Average annual cashflow: USD 2-5 M.

TRANSCOM Financial Structure Analysis

(2025). New York City, NY, USA (as CS staff). Average annual cashflow: USD 10-20 M.

Report on Hypermarkets in CABA

(2017). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff).

Route 174 Realignment

(2025). New Britain, CT, USA (as CS staff). Grant Program: RAISE. Grant ask: USD 10-20 M. BCR: 2.2.

Economic Performance & Political Success

“¿Cómo continuar en el poder? Estimación del impacto de variables económicas, sociales y políticas en la victoria o derrota de los oficialismos argentinos en el período 1983-2015.” (August 2017). Bachelor thesis (Torcuato di Tella University).

Puerto Rico real estate market recovery (Covid-19 outbreak)

(2020, as a Research Assistant to Richard B. Peiser, Michael D. Spear Professor of Real Estate Development).

History of Block Morphologies in Milan, Italy

“The Block Morphologies in the Past Versus Contemporary Projects” assignment (March 2021). Urban Grids: Open Form for City Design 2 (Harvard GSD).

“Average Summer Weather for Argentinian Beaches.”

(May 2022). Advanced Geographical Information Systems Workshop (Harvard FAS).

“Plan de Autopistas Urbanas” renewal in Buenos Aires

“Urban renewal and the ‘Plan de Autopistas Urbanas’ in Buenos Aires.” (April 2021). Histories and Theories of Urban Interventions (Harvard GSD).

Buenos Aires’ “Casa Colectiva de Parque Los Andes”

“The ‘Casa Colectiva de Parque Los Andes’ in Buenos Aires.” (March 2021). Histories and Theories of Urban Interventions (Harvard GSD).

“The building of the Avenida de Mayo in Buenos Aires.”

(February 2021). Histories and Theories of Urban Interventions (Harvard GSD).

Villa 21-24 Slum Redevelopment Proposal

“Making Slum Redevelopment Participatory and Expeditious by Delivering Self-Built Homes.” (April 2022) & “Redistributing Density along the Zavaleta Corridor in the Villa 21-24.” (April 2022). Cities and the Urban Informal Economy: Rethinking Development, Urban Design, and Planning (Harvard GSD, HKS, and MIT).

“What is a Typical Intersection?”

(December 2021). Transportation Foundations and Methods (MIT). Professor Cathy Wu continued research following this work.

“Belvidere Bikes Safely.”

(April 2021). Core Urban Planning Studio (Harvard GSD).

Design & Implementation of CABA’s Land Value Capture Tax

“The Design and Implementation of the Land Value Capture Tribute in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.” (December 2021). Land Policy and Planning for Equitable and Fiscally Healthy Communities – Case Study (Harvard GSD). I gave a presentation to Red de Innovación Local (RIL) based on this paper in July 2024. This work has also been cited by Santiago Malvar Rey in his master’s thesis, for which I later become an advisor.

The Legacy of Fortifications in the Southern Cone

“Fortifications in the Southern Cone: From Territorial Expansion to City Making.” (May 2022). Cities, Infrastructures, and Politics: From Renaissance to Smart Technologies (Harvard GSD).

Metropolitan Governance & Metropolitan Government

“When Metropolitan Governance needs Metropolitan Government.” (December 2020). Urban Governance and the Politics of Planning in the Developing World (Harvard GSD). I presented this material to students from Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM) Economía Urbana elective course in March 2021.

“La Plata: Not just the ‘City of Diagonals’.”

(May 2021). Urban Grids: Open Form for City Design 2 (Harvard GSD). The writing process included contributions and feedback from the former Secretary of Planning of the City of La Plata, María Botta.

Ciudad Jardín Lomas del Palomar and the “Garden City”

“The ‘Garden City’: a new paradigm in living standards, or a cosmetic, physical town plan? The case of Ciudad Jardín Lomas del Palomar in Buenos Aires.” (May 2021). Histories and Theories of Urban Interventions (Harvard GSD). The writing process included contributions and feedback from the community-based organization Ciudad Jardín Patrimonio Singular.

The “山手 Porteña” Loop Line

“Imagining post-RER Buenos Aires: the ‘山手 Porteña’ Commuter Rail Loop Line.” (December 2021). Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Harvard FAS).

Funding and Narrative Improvements to Buenos Aires’ RER

“Redesigning the funding structure and storytelling for Buenos Aires’ RER.” (December 2021). Transportation Economics and Finance (Harvard GSD). The paper was awarded 2nd place in the 2022 APA-TPD Student Paper Competition.

Chicago RTA Financial Plan

(2023). Chicago, IL, USA (as CS staff).

2025 Arkansas Rail Plan

(2023). Chicago, IL, USA (as CS staff).

2023 Nebraska State Freight Plan

(2022). NE, USA (as CS staff).

CORE MPO Regional Freight Transportation Plan Update

(2022-2023). Savannah, GA, USA (as CS staff).

Texas Delivers 2050 – Texas Freight Mobility Plan

(2023). TX, USA (as CS staff).

Southeast Trade and Transportation Study (SETTS)

(2022-2023). USA (as CS staff).

Anti-Pedestrian Signals in the U.S.

“Pedestrian Signals in the U.S. Don’t Want You to Walk, and I’ll Tell You Why.” LinkedIn. July 24th, 2024.

The Key to Successful BCAs for Resilience Projects

“Benefit-Cost Analysis: The Key to Successful PROTECT Grant Applications for Resilience Projects.” Cambridge Systematics, Inc. February 14th, 2024.

MassDOT NEVI Program Deployment Plan

(2023). MA, USA (as CS staff). NPV: USD 100-200k (@9.9%). MIRR: 10%. The implementation plan is currently in progress.

NHDOT Gas Tax and EV Registration Fee Revenue Forecast

(2023). NH, USA (as CS staff). Average annual cashflow: USD 100-200 M.

Colorado DOT Federal Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit Financial Plan

(2024). Denver, CO, USA (as CS staff). Project length: 21 mi. Annual Gross O&M Cost: USD 18 M. The project is currently in its Design Phase.

Miami-Dade Northeast Corridor Financial Plan

(2022-2024). Miami-Dade County, FL, USA (as CS staff). Project length: 25 mi. Annual Gross O&M Cost: USD 34 M. The FTA has approved the project to move onto the Engineering Phase.

Plaza Mitre Retail Area Concession

(2018). Recoleta, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Average annual cashflow: USD 200-500 k. NPV: USD 2-5 M. IRR: > 20%.

Plaza Roberto Arlt Commercial Concession

(2019). San Nicolás, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Average annual cashflow: USD 2-5 k. NPV: USD 20-50 k. IRR: > 20%.

AUSA Gas Station Concessions on Former Tollhouse Areas

(2019). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Average annual cashflow: USD 0.5-1 M. NPV: USD 1-2 M. IRR: 14%.

PF Caballito Public Housing Credit Securitization

(2018). Caballito, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Average annual cashflow: USD 50-100 k. NPV: USD 0.5-1 M (@ 9.9%). IRR: 14%.

Railway Stations within the CABA

(2018-2019). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). This project was presented to the president of the federal-level real estate agency (AABE).

Obelisco Observation Deck Proposal

(2018). San Nicolás, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Total construction cost: USD 2-5 M.

Colector Norte Main Sewage Pipe Financing

(2020). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Total construction cost: USD 200-500 M.

SDU Covid-19 Revenue Forecast

(2020). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff).

Costa Salguero & Punta Carrasco Redevelopment

(2019). Recoleta and Palermo, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Floor area of real estate involved: 2.9 M sqft. Total construction cost: USD 5-10 M.

CABA Judiciary real estate portfolio optimization

(2018-2019). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Floor area of real estate involved: 1.5 M sqft. Total construction cost: USD 100-200 M.

Federal Ministry of Culture real estate portfolio optimization

(2017-2018). Buenos Aires, CABA and Villa Martelli, Vicente López, PBA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Floor area of real estate involved: 670,000 sqft. Total construction cost: USD 100-200 M. The project was presented to President Macri.

Redevelopment of Caballito and Palermo Rail Yards

(2018-2020). Caballito and Palermo, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Floor area of real estate involved: 860,000 sqft. Total construction cost: USD 20-50 M.

New Mexico DOT Grant Application Pipeline Support

(2024). NM, USA (as CS staff).

Louisiana Rail Plan

(2024). LA, USA (as CS staff). Annual direct economic impact (statewide): USD 5-10 Bn.

MassDOT Northern Tier Passenger Rail

(2023). MA, USA (as CS staff). Project length: 207 mi. Total discounted benefits: USD 20-50 M (@ 7%).

Transit Study for BlueOval City

(2022-2023). BlueOval City, TN, USA (as CS staff). Total discounted benefits: USD 50-100 M (@ 7%). The study was published.

Chicago Rail Futures II Study

(2023-2025). Chicago, IL, USA (as CS staff). Total discounted benefits: USD 22.0 Bn. (@ 3.1%). Results were presented to the CREATE Program management.

Improving Tulsa’s River Crossings

(2022). Tulsa, OK, USA (as CS staff). Grant Program: BIP. Grant ask: USD 10-20 M. BCR: 2.4.

Elevating Mobility (grade separation)

Elevating Mobility: Crestview Station Red Line Grade Separation Project (2024). Austin, TX, USA (as CS staff). Grant Program: CRISI. Grant ask: USD 2-5 M. BCR: 0.8.

Rural Freight Railroad Improvements NOW

(2024). Sandusky/Seneca counties, OH, USA (as CS staff). Project length: 25 mi. Grant Program: CRISI. Grant ask: USD 5-10 M. BCR: 1.1. The Federal Government awarded this project a CRISI grant in 2024.

Rural Ohio-Appalachia Rail Rehabilitation

(2022, 2024). Tuscarawas County, OH, USA (as CS staff). Project length: 25 mi. Grant Program: CRISI. Grant ask: USD 2-5 M. BCR: 1.9. The Federal Government awarded this project a CRISI grant in 2024.

U.S. Highway 98 Community Safety and Resiliency Project

(2023). Panama City, FL, USA (as CS staff). Project length: 4 mi. Grant Program: RAISE. Grant ask: USD 20-50 M. BCR: 3.8.

Oceana County Rural Roads Feeding America

(2024-2025). Oceana County, MI, USA (as CS staff). Project length: 43 mi. Grant Program: RAISE. Grant ask: USD 20-50 M. BCR: 3.3.

Muskegon Heights Streetscape

(2024, 2025). Muskegon, MI, USA (as CS staff). Grant Program: RAISE. Grant ask: USD 5-10 M. BCR: 2.9.

Airport Perimeter Dike Improvement – Phase II

(2023). Oakland, CA, USA (as CS staff). Grant Program: PROTECT. Grant ask: USD 50-100 M. BCR: 0.8.

Turning the Tide (Nature-Based Solutions)

Turning the Tide: Local, Nature-Based Solutions to Promote Climate Resilience in Rhode Island (2023). RI, USA (as CS staff). Grant Program: PROTECT. Grant ask: USD 20-50 M. BCR: 1.6. The Federal Government awarded this project a PROTECT grant in 2024.

Land Hedonic Price Modeling Study

(2018). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff).

Condominium Hedonic Price Modeling Study

(2017). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff).

CENARD & Parque Olímpico Sports Facilities Appraisal

(2018-2019). Núñez and Villa Soldati, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 150 ac. Real estate value: USD 20-50 M.

Federal Government Land Appraisal in Barrio 31

(2019). Recoleta, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 5 M sqft. Real estate value: USD 100-200 M.

Mercado Municipal de Falcón Appraisal

(2019). Flores, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 100,000 sqft. Real estate value: USD 2-5 M.

Megaconvenio IRSA Research & Appraisals

(2020). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 8.6 M sqft. Real estate value: USD 200-500 M.

PJN Abandoned Structure Appraisal

(2018). Retiro, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 1.1 M sqft. Real estate value: USD 50-100 M.

Paseo de Compras de Retiro Market Appraisal

(2020). Retiro, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 7,000 sqft. Real estate value: < USD 1 M.

Hotel Two Appraisal

(2018). Monserrat, CABA, Argentina. Project floor area: 65,000 sqft. Real estate value: USD 10-20 M.

Land Appendix Appraisal for a Hotel

(2020). San Nicolás, CABA, Argentina. Project floor area: 35,000 sqft. Real estate value: USD 1-2 M.

La Prensa Historic Building Appraisal

(2019). Monserrat, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 55,000 sqft. Real estate value: USD 5-10 M.

Comisarías Police Stations Appraisal

(2016-2019). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 900,000 sqft. Real estate value: USD 200-500 M.

Salta Zoning Code Update

(2024-2025). Salta, Salta, Argentina.

Buquebús Proposal

(2019-2020). Puerto Madero, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 130,000 sqft. Proposed compensation: construction of two planned schools or their cost amount in cash. Proposed compensation value: USD 5-10 M.

Santa Catalina Proposal

(2017-2020). San Nicolás, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 320,000 sqft. Proposed compensation: cession and construction of privately-owned public space of 1.2 ac and its maintenance in perpetuity. Proposed compensation value: USD 2-5 M.

BIG Parque de la Innovación Proposal

(2020). Núñez, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 1.3 M sqft. Proposed compensation: cession and construction of privately-owned public space of 2 ac and its maintenance in perpetuity. Proposed compensation value: USD 10-20 M.

Torres de Salcedo Proposal

(2019). Parque Patricios, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 100,000 sqft. Proposed compensation: cession of privately-owned public space of 2 ac. Proposed compensation value: USD 2-5 M.

Elcano Proposal

(2019-2020). Chacarita, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 380,000 sqft. Proposed compensation: construction of privately-owned public space of 0.7 ac and its maintenance in perpetuity. Proposed compensation value: USD 2-5 M.

Sheraton Retiro Proposal

(2019-2020). Retiro, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 360,000 sqft. Proposed compensation: construction of privately-owned public space of 0.4 ac and its maintenance in perpetuity. Proposed compensation value: USD 2-5 M.

Fitz Roy Convenio Urbanístico

(2019-2020). Villa Crespo, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 430,000 sqft. Compensation: construction of privately-owned public space of 0.3 ac, plus USD 1 M in cash. Compensation value: USD 1-2 M.

Ex Sastrería Militar Convenio Urbanístico

(2019-2020). Palermo, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 350,000 sqft. Compensation: public space cession of 1.7 acres of land and its construction (Plaza Cañitas), plus USD 2.5 M in cash. Compensation value: USD 10-20 M.

Dique 4 Convenio Urbanístico

(2020). Puerto Madero, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Project floor area: 320,000 sqft. Compensation: cash contribution to fund AMIA memorial public space (0.8 acres) works and for Covid-19 emergency relief. Compensation value: USD 2-5 M.

CU Guidelines & Methodology Design

(2019-2020). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff).

City of Tres de Febrero Land Value Capture Tax

(2019, 2021). Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Average annual revenue: USD 0.7 M (2023).

City of Buenos Aires’ Land Value Capture Tax

(2017-2020). Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina (as GCBA staff). Average annual revenue: USD 30 M (2025). Some of my key contributions were directly presented to the city mayor, his chief of staff, and the city members of the Legislature. Later on, I presented this project experience to RIL, a think tank that brings together city governments in Argentina to share their experiences in office.

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