Villa Gesell, Coastal resort city in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
Villa Gesell is a coastal city in Buenos Aires Province that stretches for several kilometers along the Atlantic and connects sandy beaches with tree-lined streets. The buildings range from low houses to multi-story structures that sit among the planted pines and acacias.
Carlos Idaho Gesell began afforestation of the bare dune landscape in 1931 and planted thousands of trees to fix the sand and create a habitable area. The first streets and houses appeared in the following years as more families moved into the newly formed settlement.
The resort takes its name from its founder and the streets still follow the contours of the old dunes, which becomes noticeable when walking through the neighborhoods. Markets and small shops draw visitors who look for handmade items or sit in cafés under the planted trees.
The beach is within walking distance from most accommodations and the tree-covered streets provide shade for walks even on warm days. The summer months bring many visitors, while the rest of the year is quieter and offers more space by the water.
The streets do not run at right angles to each other but follow the original dune shapes, which sets the cityscape apart from other coastal towns. This planning prevented large-scale interventions in the landscape and allowed the trees to spread along the natural ground undulations.
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