Livable “Complete” Streets for Panama

I noticed this initiative by The National Complete Streets Coalition (via Wired Magazine) which seeks to create guidelines for more livable urban streets. The definition of “livable” in this case is that the streets are accommodating to all modes of transportation; autos, pedestrians, bicycles, and public transportation.
This is something which I believe should be adopted by Panama in order to fix the increasing problems of traffic, pollution, and an unlivable urban environment.

Cinta Costera and Car Centric Design

Cinta Costera is the most recent transportation and land reclamation project in Panama City. The goal of the project was to  expand the existing roadway and improve traffc organization while creating new recreational areas by reclaiming land from the bay. As anyone who has traveled to Panama will tell you, traffic is an immediate crisis.  Gridlock paralyzes the city for hours everyday as well as providing constant deafening noise and danger to anyone who dares walk in the city.

Emerald Monkey in Bali, ooops I mean Bocas

This left me scratching my head for a moment…. in fact as I am writing this I am still very confused.

First. Emerald Monkey Eco-luxe Resort and Residences, claims to be the first 5-star zero-carbon resort in the world…..ummmm sure.  It is very hard to believe this.  Maybe there aren’t any existing 5-star zero-carbon resorts, but I highly doubt the claim that the Emerald Monkey will in fact be zero-carbon.  I will list reasons later.

Second. Emerald Monkey is designing a resort inspired by Bali in PANAMA!  Why?  What connections do Bali and Panama have?  The developers even came up with this really weird story about a Balinese emerald sculptor , Captain Morgan chasing a bishop, and a hidden Buddhist temple in Bocas del Toro.  What is wrong with Panama?  Why not be inspired by the culture of the natives of Bocas del Toro?  I can remember my first trip to Bocas and every island was a different, beautiful culture, the indigenous on Cristobal who first greeted Christopher Colombus, as well as the afro-carribean culture of Bastimento.  For some odd reason the developers thought that tourists would be attracted to a pseudo-Bali resort rather than embracing the culture of Panama.  bad choice!

Read on for more commentary on this criminal resort…..

Panama Pacifico…the GREAT, the Bad, and the Ugly

Panama Pacifico is a new mega-development at the former Howard Air Force Base, across the canal from Panama City.  This is actually more of a new city than a new development.  It lists itself as 1,400 hectares of land (650 of which is reserved for open space and parklands) and will create 1 million square meters of commercial space, 20,000 residences, 40,000 new jobs, hotels, retail centers, places of worship, schools, parks, recreation areas and of course….a championship golf course.

My first reaction when seeing the news of Panama Pacifico was complete awe at the scale and scope of work.  This project makes perfect sense though.  Located at the mouth of the canal, it is connected already to existing infrastructure, is only 15 minutes from downtown, but far far away from the hectic atmosphere of Panama City.  There is so much clear land already because of the air base, in fact the developers will actually be planting more trees.  I am really impressed with the ambitions of Panama-Pacifico.  I do not totally agree with some of the non-architectural related ideas of the development, such as private security, and creating a special economic area where country wide worker standards don’t apply…..but lets stick to the architecture and urban design.  Read more on the next page…………..

Panama, the Dubai of the Americas…..WHY?!

Many people have called Panama City, “The Dubai of Latin America”.  Many developers and real estate agents are advertising it this way.  The media is hyping it.

My question is…. WHY?????

Why does Panama City want to become a Dubai?  Who wants Panama to be a Dubai?  Is being the Dubai of the America something good? Wouldn’t Panama rather be the Barcelona of the Americas, or the London of the Americas?

It is easy to look at the countless construction sites in Panama and Dubai and draw similarities.  The “architecture” is an equally horrific mishmash of tinted glass and concrete.  There is no attempt to create context, or a neighborhood.  The only desire is to be more dramatic or “original” to grab the attention of prospective clients.  Nothing is more important than the pre-construction rendering.  It doesn’t matter what the completed building looks like, or what it does to its neighbors…. if it looks good, it will sell!

Read more on next page….

Why quality design is necessary in Panama

For a Panamanian or anyone who has visited Panama City, the reason for better urban planning is obvious.

• Congested streets
• Lack of a public transportation system
• Pollution in the air and in the once beautiful bay, and
• Very few quality public spaces.

For those who know very little about Panama, observe the following photos from 2008 so you can grasp what the city has become and the future it may hold.