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Lima has many more sunny days than its inhabitants claim. The urban layout of its historic centre – the famous checkerboard – is the most perfect Cartesian grid in South America, yet the suburbs are the global capital of informality. Lima society lives in a permanent state of commercial frenzy, yet it has preserved the oldest traditions in the continent. The best-known works of architecture are viceregal and republican, yet pre-Columbian ruins are scattered around the city in a manner that can only be found elsewhere in Cairo. Its modern movement is more cheerful than that of the old continent, midway between Brazil and California. And the invasions, a heterodox and radical phenomenon, have generated an astonishing form of urban development. <br /> The book describes more than 160 works, organised in routes that range from the territorial to the neighbourhood scale and are designed to explore the city by boat, car, train, bus, bicycle or on foot. It covers the predominant styles of architecture in each period as well as the remains of the pre-existing landscape and the infrastructures that articulate the city today. Interspersed in the texts are references to the civilising mechanisms that have underpinned the construction of the works, the economic activities that have made them possible, and their public administration.<br /> Until now, Lima has shown the world a gloomy, unattractive ambience. Herman Melville described it as 'the strangest, saddest city thou can'st see', César Moro as 'Lima la horrible', and Héctor Velarde as 'Lima la gris'. This guide offers a different picture, one of a vibrant, cheerful and insanely glorious city, with bright colour photographs inviting visitors and residents to see it in a new light.

Laura Torres Roa<br /> León, Spain, 1980. With a degree in Architecture from Universidad Europea de Madrid and studies in Project Management, Laura worked for Iñaki Ábalos in Madrid and Ateliers Jean Nouvel in Lima, where she was responsible for the residential towers of the Cuartel San Martín project. She subsequently joined the project management team of the Interbank Group. In 2014 she co-founded L&M Taller de Diseño with Margaux Eyssette, carrying out architecture, interior and craft design projects. Laura currently lives in her home city on the island of Ibiza, where she combines her professional activity as an architect with teaching at Escola d'Art d'Eivissa.

Jorge Álvarez-Builla <br /> Norwich, United Kingdom, 1979. With a degree in Architecture from Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid, Jorge has lived in Madrid, Lima and Amsterdam. He worked for Dominique Perrault, Estudio Lamela and Iñaki Ábalos. In Lima he co authored with Daniel Danés the master plan and urban development project for Distrito 7, in Lurín, an industrial and residential neighbourhood in the south of the city. He also carried out industrial projects at various mines, the Port of Callao, the refinery La Pampilla, and at Jorge Chávez International Airport. He works as a director at AECOM consulting firm and is currently leading the Pier A project at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.