Book excerpt: The Financialization of Latin American Real Estate Markets: New Frontiers introduces the fundamental principles of urban economics, housing, and large-scale real estate development in Latin America and equips aspiring investors and developers with the foundations for success in a unique, dynamic region. Using case studies from the Americas, this textbook provides a framework for assessing the economic, technological, social, and political forces that shape urban space, helping readers understand the aims and risks of real estate investment. Chapters on economic theory, novel financial instruments, and the regulatory environment connect real-world practice to the latest scholarly conversations in urban planning, real estate finance and development, and regional studies. Informed by the author’s extensive experience as an academic and practitioner throughout the region, this distinctive resource sheds light on the relationship between financial capital and urban form, and places Latin American cities at the center of the urban economy debate. Features: Provides a thorough introduction to the mechanics of real estate markets, grounding spatial and economic theories with practical examples of the tools used to finance urban development in Latin America Centers around case studies from Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, and Colombia—some of the region’s most dynamic markets Presents financial instruments such as mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations, credit default swaps, and real estate investment trusts in a global context Examines State policies and programs for housing and infrastructure in Latin America, demonstrating regional patterns and new perspectives Covers real estate finance from housing to megaprojects, exploring recent trends in infrastructure, commercial centers, and tourism with an eye toward sustainable financing practices for the future Suitable for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students of real estate, urban planning, and Latin American studies, The Financialization of Latin American Real Estate Markets: New Frontiers also serves as essential reading for professionals in international real estate finance and development.