But the greening of the city and the improvement in public transport and other infrastructure were clearly appreciated by many of the city's residents.
La Paz Plaza looks like any other city plaza in South America.Yet this is one of the most bizarre tourist attractions in the world.And the only scenery spot is its infamous San Pedro prison.
And what public housing remains has become ever more prison-like, with random police sweeps and, in a growing number of cities, proposed drug tests for residents.
Business owners in the city centers or the downtown areas have experienced some financial losses, because of a steady movement of people out of the cities and into the suburbs.