Ok…now we’re going to talk about what defines quality of life in Panama City, Panama. You know, it’s one of those topics well-educated people keep trying to tell the rest of us about, like sun spots, global warming…and human interaction engineering. Hmmm, I may have to re-educate myself to ride on this train of thought. Want to come along…?
My quality of life today is based on how well I’m living my life – today – in the company of the humans I have interactions with. Whomever I spend time with affects my state of mind…my personal infrastructure. If I’m around people who are happy and healthy, I will feel more happy and healthy because of interacting with them. So it is to my advantage to improve the state of mind of the people I interact with… if I want to be good.
A city is socially defined by the combination of services, supplies and amenities it offers. Yet even more important is the mode in which the people deliver the services. Is the person at the cash register happy or miserable? Is the taxi driver a bundle of nerves or relaxed and at ease? Those experiences we share with others make up our social infrastructure. All of us who share this intersection of latitude and longitude share the stresses of our environment, here and now. Not because it’s our choice…but because there is no other choice, no matter what income disparities may exist.
Progress in improving the quality of life in Panama City is learning how to make things better and doing it…because it’s a good thing to do. In Panama City, there is room to do some good.
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According to a well-written opinion in Oct. 2007 edition of ‘The Economist’:
“Panama’s real-estate market is in the midst of an unprecedented explosion. A combination of easy credit, foreign demographic trends and, most importantly, quite a bit of speculative momentum appears to be behind the surge in investments in the luxury residential market. The intense level of enthusiasm is raising questions about the sustainability of demand, the likely strain on infrastructure, and the potential risks to some investors and end users should the market suddenly burst.”
What I find interesting is the relatively small number of fixes it would take to make your project in Panama City, Panama the tropical home in paradise your eventual residential investors are dreaming about. If the luxury demand is supported and sustained by Panamanians providing world class services, everyone wins.
Surely there is a way to help prep Panama City, Panama to be the new leader in Central America, in updating infrastructure and learning what it takes to become world class in delivering services and supplies. If in helping to lead more peaceful management of its infrastructure’s unprecedented growth; as a sidebar, it makes Panama a happier and healthier place to live –wouldn’t that be an added benefit? Let’s talk about it, and how doing it…is being good.
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The term infrastructure – came to prominence in the U.S., following publication of America in Ruins, which initiated a public-policy discussion of the America’s ‘infrastructure’ crisis, purported to be caused by decades of inadequate investment and poor maintenance of public works.
Public works infrastructure refers to: urban highways, streets, roads, and bridges; mass transit; airports and airways; water supply and resources; wastewater management; solid-waste treatment and disposal; electric power generation and transmission; telecommunications; and hazardous waste management – according to Wikipedia.
Public works policy discussions are in order in Panama. There are significant issues with the infrastructure in Panama City. It is not fun to live with these issues in this city.
Before all the new residents move into the new buildings and then have to wait six months for phone service, developers can make a new plan with the utility companies now. Mass transportation alternatives can be considered and revenue can be earmarked for solutions to stop gridlock of all the streets and honking of all the horns. Initiate noise abatement planning now and by the time your buyers settle into their new homes, maybe the new residents of Panama City won’t have to wear earplugs every night to be able to sleep well in this high decibel town.
Would Panama City just look good then, or would it really be good? Can you help with the foresight, the relationship management and the operating of the levers of power so that these issues are given the attention they need NOW…?
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A study by Prima Panama identified some 107 building projects under construction in 15 neighborhoods in Panama City as of July, 2007 with a total of 10,980 apartments. The total value of these projects is estimated at US $3.17 billion. These projects will be completed and come to market into 2010. Furthermore, since the Prima study was completed 25 more projects have been announced.
Even if all of the projects don’t come to fruition, this constitutes an enormous increase in population in Panama City very quickly. Calculating with the units selling well, will equal roughly 40,000 new residents in Panama City within the next five years or so, based on current predictions.
Although the city’s infrastructure is administrating services for the current population with limited success, the serious issue is that the Panama City’s infrastructure simply isn’t going to be able to manage all the projected additional residents, when the current populace is straining the systems beyond their abilities. What are you planning to do to help prepare the Panama City infrastructure for your investors? Mmm…is that silence I hear? But on paper the projections look so good…
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Have you noticed the street that your investment property is being built on at the Punta Pacifica shoreline in Panama City? It’s a dead end street lined on both sides with huge multi-story residential properties…most of them under construction now. Tremendous investments in Panama City’s Pacific Oceanfront real estate are represented on that street. They look good.
Please put on your virtual reality helmet and take a look at the future of that little street…in oh, let’s say – five years. In that moment of vision into the future: it is a two lane blacktop road, lined with lots of very valuable automobiles all sitting in rows, one going each direction with their motors running, unable to move more than about five inches at a time, as all the elegantly dressed people in the back seats seethe. Did you happen to think about ease of access to your multi million dollar property, when you noted that street being represented as a dead end on the initial site plans? Or did you just think it looked good?
Hmm…what else was excluded from your overview? Did your considerations include utility set up for your investors? How about deals to keep the investor residents from standing in lines at the immigration office for a couple of hours a month to keep their visa viable? Do you plan to make introductions to Panamanian bankers, who aren’t willing to talk with just anyone; or reliable attorneys to help them to get settled in Panama legally, tax accountants that know how to answer their foreign resident questions? Is your plan good or does it just look good?
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On the shores of the Pacific Ocean; Panama City is bright, cosmopolitan, and fast moving. Distinctive casinos, bars and restaurants, great shopping, are in beautiful and historical Casco Viejo, the 17th century historical area in mid-renovation; or Panama Viejo, the 16th century Panamanian ruins, the Panama Canal, and the subtropical forest in a metropolitan park all add to the combination that make Panama City exceptional in Central America.
So what kind of lodging do you want in Panama City…? Do you prefer luxury lodging options with 600 thread count sheets and mimosa’s for breakfast? Or do you want median cost dwellings? Even economy travel digs in Panama are available with good food and good folks? They are all accessible! This site will group many of the Panama City lodging alternatives by cost and amenities.
Well you could rent a fully furnished $12 million dollar castle on Contadora Island or stay in spartan lodgings at a Hostel. What would you enjoy the most? Let’s look at the stars of the hospitality industry in Panama City. Until next time…
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Susan wrote up a very comprehensive article about purchasing land in Panama. This one is a MUST READ if you’re going to buy here.
I wrote this article for the benefit of the many people on this list who seem to be new to Panama and looking for property. I am also making a copy of it in PDF format and posting it to the FILES section. It is a bit L O N G.
BUYING PROPERTY IN PANAMA 101 FOR NEWBIES
This article was written by me, Susan Guberman-Garcia. I am not a
Panamanian lawyer, a real estate developer, or a real estate agent. I
have no property currently for sale and do not plan on having any for
sale in the future. I write from my perspective as an expat who lives
here, and who has bought and sold property here. My husband and I own both ROP and titled property, in the Bocas archipelago and live on
Isla Cristobal. This article is simply a summary of what we have
learned from our experiences and those of others we have talked to,
including our own lawyers. It is just one person’s opinion, so take
it with the proverbial grain of salt and rely on your lawyer for
advice in real estate transactions.
____________________________________________
Don’t be in a hurry.
It’s a buyers’ market, and you will not find “bidding wars” like you
may in the USA. Look at lots of properties before you buy. If you
are looking at rural or island properties, make sure you see it during
the rainy season. If its not elevated, it might be a swamp. Don’t
fall prey to “buy now” syndrome. Never give in to the temptation to
give a seller or agent a deposit check on the spot even if you think
you’ve found your dream property. (See below). Most people advise
expats to rent for awhile before buying anything. I think that’s real
good advice (even though we didn’t do it!)
Know what you want
Make a checklist of what is important to you. Some of the things you
might include are:
1. Do you want to be near the ocean? Or do you prefer the mountains.
2. Heat vs. coolness. Do you want a tropical climate or a temperate one?
3. Urban vs. rural: Do you want to be in a city, or within a short
commute of one? Or do you want a more rural environment? How
important is it to be close to shopping, movie theaters, etc.
4. Do you have medical issues that require you to live near high
quality healthcare facilities?
5. Do you have specific hobbies that you want to be able to enjoy near home? Like surfing, scuba diving, mountain hiking, birdwatching?
6. Do you have a sailboat? Do you need protected water access?
7. How far do you want to be from neighbors? Do you want nearby
neighbors or quiet seclusion?
8. Do you want a ready made house, condo, etc.? Or do you want to buy raw land and build to suit yourself?
9. Do you want a “planned community” where there are rules and
restrictions (see below) or do you want to be free to build and live
as you like?
10. What is your budget? Include maintenance and transportation costs in your budget. For example: If you live on an island you will need to buy a boat. Is that in your budget?
…and lots of other things to consider also. The above are just a few,
so you get the idea. If you don’t know what you want, you will need a
lot of time to find out what it is. Visit the different parts of the country and spend at least a couple of weeks in each. Talk to as many people as possible about what they like and don’t like.
Understand the differences between TITLED property and RIGHT OF
POSSESSION (“ROP”) property
Titled property means you own the property. Right of possession
means that you own only the right to occupy the property. You can
sell that right just like you can sell titled property, but you are only conveying what you own, no more, no less. Understand that
because you don’t actually own ROP land, you cannot use it for
collateral on a mortgage and you cannot use it as a qualifying
investment for a residency visa. And if you fail to take action
after you buy to demonstrate your “occupancy” of your land (fencing,
signage, erecting some kind of structure), you may find yourself
dealing with squatters’ claims later. ROP ownership, like titled
ownership, is (or at least, should be) documented and recorded but
with a different government agency. This does not mean you should
never buy ROP land, it just means that you have to be careful and know
what you are buying and why you are buying it before you buy. One
more thing: you must pay property taxes yearly on titled land, but
not on ROP land.
Protect yourself against squatter claims
Like most countries, Panama law recognizes “squatters rights” to land under certain circumstsances. If you are buying rural land, make sure you walk every inch of it before you sign, to look for signs of human habitation. If you see anything that indicates that anybody except the owner (the person who is selling the land) is living on it, or farming it, don’t buy it. If the owner tells you “that’s my cousin Jose, he’ll move before we close,” that’s a red flag. Unless your lawyer obtains Jose’s signature on a document that says he has no claim to the land and doesn’t own it, you have a problem. This is especially important if you are buying ROP land, but is also necessary to prevent subsequent squatter claims to titled land.
Dealing with real estate agents
There are all kinds of real estate agents in Panama. Some are very nice, honest people, and some are aren’t so nice and honest. But even
the honest ones are operating from a very different rule book than
agents in the USA, and things that would get your real estate license
yanked in the USA are legal here. Be aware of the following:
1. There is no multiple listing service (MLS) in Panama. If anybody
tells you otherwise, they are lying and probably a crook.
2. Real estate agents are usually unlicensed and even if they are
licensed, the business is virtually unregulated by the government.
3. Real estate agents in Panama, with few exceptions, do not consider themselves “fiduciaries” and don’t think they have a duty towards you, the potential buyer at all. In fact, they often don’t think they have a duty to their own client, the seller, either! Beware of a practice that is banned in the US but frequently used in Panama: “Net
pricing.” Net pricing means the agent will ask the seller what he
wants to get out of the property and then list the property at a
number far above that, pocketing the difference. If you like a
particular piece of property, ask the agent if he is using net
pricing. He may lie, but if he squirms and looks away or won’t
answer, insist on an offer conference with the owner if you want to
make an offer.
4. Real estate agents do not “cooperate” with each other (remember,
there’s no MLS) and will not show each other’s properties. (In Bocas,
they don’t even speak to each other.) So do not rely on a single real
estate agent for your property search. Look at their listings online
and visit each agent who has a listing that looks interesting to you.
They will absolutely not show you FSBO property, don’t even ask.
5. Never EVER give a real estate agent money. Earnest money deposits should be handled through your lawyer (see below) and agent
commissions should be paid by the seller out of escrow. If any real
estate agent ever asks you for money, run do not walk in the other
direction.
6. If you want recommendations for real estate agents or feedback on a particular agent, go to the various yahoo groups (many are already
identified below in this article). Be sure to include regional groups
(such as http://groups.yahoo.com/group/panbocas/ or
http://groups.y
ahoo.com/group/retireinchiriqui/ Remember that you
can join any Yahoo group as a web-only member if you want to do so.
This means that you can visit the groups whenever you choose and read the threads and FILES that interest you, and not have to worry about being deluged with emails. You can change your yahoo group
preferences at any time to switch between email and non-email
membership.
Where to find FSBO properties:
a. If you are looking for a house or condo in Panama City, use the
classified ads in La Prensa, there are lots of them. And get yourself
a copy of “ESPACIOS” Magazine. It is a giveway, available at most
newsstands, and probably at your hotel. Ask the hotel clerk to get
you a copy. It has hundreds of listings, mostly condos, but also houses.
b. Escape Artist classified ads. Don’t pay attention to the
“articles” touting big developments, the owner gets a lot of money to
rave about them and the information is not reliable. But do visit the
classified ads, there are lots of FSBO as well as real estate agent
listings. Go to:
http://realestate.escapeartist.com/Properties/Panama/. Remember that
these ads are just like any other classified ad source: Caveat emptor.
c. This group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Panama_Real_Estate is
all about property and has lots of FSBO listings
d. Regional portals and sites – most will have FSBO as well as
agent-listed property for sale ads – www.bocas.com,
www.come-to-boquete.com are a couple of them.
Planned communities – Things to watch out for
1. Do not under any circumstances make an offer to buy into a “planned community” until you have read and approved all CCR’s
(covenants, conditions and restrictions). As in the USA, the CCR’s
will be incorporated into the sales contract and are binding on you.
Unlike the USA, developers in Panama often take a very casual attitude
towards disclosing them. If any developer tells you “the CCR’s aren’t
written yet, don’t worry, they will be simple, just sign here,” walk
away. One prominent island planned community in Bocas is involved in
a multiplicity of lawsuits filed by disgruntled buyers who signed off
on CCR’s that had not even been written yet. When they were written,
they were draconian and unreasonable (according to the unhappy
buyers). Don’t get yourself into a situation like this. Read first
(very carefully) and discuss the CCR’s with your lawyer before you
sign. Don’t believe verbal promises (“yes, I know it says you can
only have one pet, but don’t worry, we won’t enforce this…”) as they
are not binding and are worthless.
2. Be especially careful about buying into large, fancy planned
communities in the Bocas del Toro archipelago (or any remote island
area). The historical pattern of such developments on tropical
islands is that most of the promised amenities (restaurants, shops,
marinas, etc.) often never get built. If those amenities are your
primary reason for buying into a planned community, make sure you
investigate the developer’s finances very carefully, to make sure they
can afford to build everything they are promising.
The transaction
1. Don’t do ANYTHING until you have retained a Panamanian lawyer to represent you in the real estate transaction. ANYTHING includes
giving a deposit, signing a promise contract, or opening an escrow
account.
2. Hire a lawyer who comes with recommendations from other expats who have used the lawyer for similar transactions. A good place to get lawyer recommendations is on yahoo groups.
Do post messages asking for feedback. There are two very large yahoo groups that are good sources for asking for lawyer recommendations and feedback: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/viviendo_en_panama/ and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericansinPanama/. And
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Panama_laws_for_expats/ has a FILE
folder with attorney recommendations and also one for attorney ads
and resumes.
3. Do not hire a lawyer who has any affiliation with the seller.
Conflict of interest rules for lawyers in Panama are not what they are
in the USA (not sure if there are any…).
4. Get a quote for handling the transaction, including the “due
diligence” that your lawyer must do to protect you against title
defect and prior possessory rights or squatter claims. If you need
or want a Panamanian corporation to own your property, the quote
should include the initial costs and yearly fees for this.
5. If you anticipate using your property as all or part of a
financial investment to qualify for a residency visa, be sure you
discuss your visa alternatives with your lawyer BEFORE you buy.
Remember that ROP land does not qualify. There are articles about the
various ways to qualify for visas in the VISAS folder of
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Panama_laws_for_expats/ but remember that the law is constantly changing, and such articles are only to be used as general research and preparation for meeting with your attorney.
6. The first legal document that will be created and signed by the
parties to a real estate transaction is called a “promise contract”
(also sometimes referred to as “preliminary promise contract” or
“promise to buy.” Either your attorney or the seller’s attorney will
draw this up. Remember that ALL LEGAL DOCUMENTS IN PANAMA MUST BE IN SPANISH. If you are not fluent in Spanish, you must have it
translated. Your attorney should be able to provide a translation
(for an additional fee). Even if you and the seller are English
speakers, the promise contract still must be signed in Spanish (your
attorney may also have you sign the English version.)
This preliminary contract sets forth the basic terms of the deal and
all contingencies. For example, it should state that the sale is
contingent upon approval of the CCR’s (if a planned community is
involved), the approval of a survey done by a licensed surveyor, good
title, no prior possessory or squatter claims, etc. etc. etc. The
promise contract will state the price, the time limit for closing and
a legal description of the property, and anything else you and your
attorney think is important. It will also call for an earnest money
deposit. Typically, it provides that the earnest money deposit (which
is usually around 3% of the purchase price) is non refundable except
for failure to meet a contingency. The promise contract is a binding
contract and enforceable in court. Do not sign it unless you are
absolutely sure you want to go ahead with the transaction, subject to
any contingencies.
7. Deposits and escrow: Your attorney and the seller’s attorney
should agree on how the earnest money deposit and balance of the
purchase price are to be handled. All funds should be kept in some
kind of escrow. The most reliable form of escrow is a local bank.
The bank holds onto the money until the conditions set by the parties
are met. (In the case of the earnest money deposit, it would be
signing of the promise contract by all partiers and approval by their
attorneys) and then release the funds to the seller. The balance
would be paid upon recording of the deed in the Public Registry if the
property is titled. (Using a bank escrow can be tricky if you are
buying ROP land; in that case it might be better to use a private
escrow service.) There are private escrow companies who offer escrow services; your attorney will know about them. NEVER give the seller a check directly, all money should go through some kind of escrow. This protects the buyer against being ripped off and protects the seller against loss of deposits due to buyers’ remorse.
8. All la
nd should be surveyed (with survey markers) and the survey
signed by a licensed surveyor. And you should personally walk the
entire property to ensure that the survey marks show that the property
is where you think it is supposed to be. It is not uncommon for
properties, especially ROP land, to be surveyed for the first time
when it is sold, and the survey may show that the property is smaller
or larger than the parties originally thought it was. The seller may
be honestly confused about how much land he owns, or he could be
deliberately misleading you. In some cases, the parties will agree to
split the cost of the survey, or the seller may pay for all of it (if
the property has not been previously surveyed.) NEVER even think of
buying land that has not been surveyed.
Other miscellaneous issues
1. Oceanfront land is subject to setbacks for public access. There
is currently confusion in the law about how far back the setbacks go,
and the setback is different for islands than for mainland property.
The current popular consensus is that there is a 20 meter setback from
the high water line, for public access. In Panama, as in most
countries, all water and beaches are public and cannot be bought or
sold. Under the law, you need a “concession” to build within this
setback zone. In the Bocas del Toro area, concessions have typically
taken years to obtain, and building permits are routinely given out
while the concession is pending. (Note that most locals do not even
apply for them, but you definitely should.) If you are planning to
buy island property that requires a dock, or you are planning to build
a house on stilts over the water, you will need to talk to your
attorney about this issue. If a concession has already been granted,
that makes the property more valuable. Beware of buying any property
that has structures on it that require a concession but the seller has
not applied for one and the contract says it is the responsibility of
the buyer to do so. Anything more specific is beyond the scope of
this article. If you want to research this issue, go to the LAND LAWS
folder in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/panama_laws_for_expats and see the article on evolution of coastal land management in Panama.
2. Property tax exemptions: There are laws that provide for
property tax exemptions for new construction, but not (in most areas)
for renovating an existing home. If you are buying titled land and
planning to build (ROP land does not require payment of property
taxes), talk to your attorney about this. If you are buying property
for a tourism business, you may be eligible to apply for a “Law 8″
exemption from all taxes. Talk to your attorney about this also, and
you can, in preparation, read Law 8 in its entirety, in the file
folder on business laws at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/panama_laws_for_expats
3. The “shares in a corporation” trap: Some developers will try to
talk you into buying property in a transaction where you will not get
a title or even possessory rights, but rather, “shares in a
corporation.” This is a very high risk deal and you should walk away
from it. You do not want to be a junior partner in a business with
people you have not known for years and trusted. You have no control
over the corporation, and have no way of knowing what debts and
liabilities it may have. A business partnership is like a marriage:
Buying into this kind of deal is like marrying the guy (or gal) you
met in the bar last night.
4. Seller financing and “land contracts” – This refers to a sale
where you pay a certain percentage of the price down, make installment payments and title passes to you only upon completion of payments. These types of deals are very high risk in Panama, since the law does not protect you (unlike the USA where you have certain rights that are protected by law). You could lose everything if you miss a payment, or if the seller loses his land in a lawsuit or bankruptcy. Don’t do it unless you can afford to walk away from every penny you put into it right up until the time of payoff.
5. Mortages and construction loans: With the exception of certain
condo and residential developments in or near Panama City (and maybe
one or two other places), where the developers have made deals with a bank to guarantee loans to anybody, you are not going to be able to
walk in and get a mortgage on property, no matter how good your credit
is in the USA. Your application will not even be considered until you
have been here awhile, have obtained legal residency, and have
established a Panamanian credit rating. And remember: You cannot ever get a loan against ROP land. SOURCE: Don Winner @ Panama-guide.com
Email us at The Panama Club
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I’m waiting to see where the courts are going to come down on this case. If they side with the Surgeons, then they are putting all the land Omar redistributed back in play.
I’m waiting to see where the courts are going to come down on this case. If they side with the Surgeons, then they are putting all the land Omar redistributed back in play.
On the other hand there’s not much doubt Omar Torrijos was a military dictator. It could be easily argued the rich people who lost land didn’t complain or sue because they knew it would not do any good, and it might get them killed.
And taking it from the point of view of the poor farmer, they’ve been working that land for years and generations, so they can claim at least some valid rights to ownership, especially considering they were living on that land in accordance with recognized national law. One the other hand, they were willing to quickly sell those ROP rights when the gringo money wave hit.
And what about the people who bought land under the rules as they were at the time? They were acting according to established law and precedent and in good faith. But, they fully intended to “flip” the investment, resell the land rights and make a profit on the sale.
But what about those who bought the land with intent to spend money here, invest in Panama, generate jobs and stimulate the economy? Should the Panamanian legal system strip them of their investments and hand the land back to the “old” title holders? What would that do for Foreign Direct Investment?
If the courts decide in favor of the Surgeons, then every single “old” title can be claimed as valid. And, all of the land reform done under Omar Torrijos can be tossed out. People would be tearing apart Grandma’s house, looking for that old paperwork…
The result would be chaos. So how do you find equity for the injured party? Where does the money come from? There isn’t any money (that can be accessed) so they will probably just give the land back to the Surgeons, if they decide to honor the old titles. Everyone else gets hosed.
Whatever happens, these issues will not be settled on an email discussion board. It seems that everyone who has been posting has a stake in the outcome, either as a current or former owner, or politically as in defending the rights of the ROP holders (over the “old” title holders.) The rest of us are just flapping our gums and watching the crossfire.
I’ll make my prediction right now. There’s only one constant with regards to the Panamanian legal system — It’s slow. They can take a case and then spend twenty years looking at it. By the time this gets worked out, we’ll probably all be dead. I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say that we’re all going to die sometime, and it’s quite possible that many of us will be pushing up daisies before this case gets settled. And, this one could be just the first case of what could form the basis and precident for many more cases.
I would look at the underlying political currents to find the truth. What better irony than to force the current Torrijos regime to untangle the mess created by the land reform policies of the father?
Personally, I would not invest ten cents in anything involving the letters “ROP,” but that’s just me. I know there are hundreds or thousands of people out there who have invested millions buying up ROP land in Panama. As far as I’m concerned, those were individual investment decisions made by intelligent adults, and I hope it works out for all of you. But, there’s a cloud hanging over those decisions in the shape of the Surgeon lawsuit.
The bottom line is, as always, Caveat Emptor. I just hope that does not turn into Latin for “I told you so…” Good luck all around, and I’m sure we will be talking about this for a long time.
Now, what’s for lunch?
SOURCE: Don Winner @ Panama-guide.com
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
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By the year 2030 there will be 2.5 million inhabitants in Panama City. And, there are more than 155 buildings either under construction or on the planning board (see: http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20060104191907477) So, with all of this growth and construction, can the infrastructure of Panama City support this number of residents? The potable water supply and the demand on the electricity defy the urban planning – IDAAN already services more than 700,000 residents in Panama and San Miguelito, and growth and expansion will put more of a strain on the water system and electrical grid as well as streets and traffic.
The city of Panama is growing, just look around. In most areas of the city you can easily find a construction site for a new highrise, office building, or commercial center. If there is any serious urban planning going on behind all of this construction, it’s relatively invisible.
The metropolitan area of Panama City currently has a population of more than 1.6 million people. According to population projections issued by the Comptroller, the city will grow by at least at an annual compounded rate of 1.7% and by 2030 the city’s population will be more than 2.5 million people. Of course all growth is not concencrated in Panama City, but all parts of Panama are growing, especially in bedroom communities like San Miguelito, Las Cumbres, La Chorrera, Arrijan, and Sabanitas.
The city infrastructure is already feeling the pressure. Rapid urban growth will strain the potable water supply, saturate sewage systems, increase the demand on the power grid, and clog streets and roads. Government officials and city planners face some short and medium term challenges.
IDAAN is already installing a “Parallel Line” that will increase the capability of the Chilibre plant to supply water to the city, but the increased capability will quickly be absorbed by currently projected growth. In short, planners are taking care of the immediate problems, and now have to start looking farther into the future to anticipate and solve infrastructure problems before they happen.
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SERVICIOS .Para el 2030, habrá 2.5 millones de habitantes.
Las presiones sobre la ciudad
El abastecimiento de agua potable y la demanda sobre la electricidad desafían la planificación urbana.
LA PRENSA/Archivo
AGOTADO. El IDAAN atiende a unos 700 mil usuarios en Panamá y San Miguelito, pero el crecimiento de la población seguirá exigiendo más y más del sistema pluvial, especialmente en áreas remotas. 629829
Víctor D. Torres
http://thepanamanetwork.com
La ciudad de Panamá está creciendo. Mire a su alrededor. La urbe es un sitio de construcción permanente, con la planificación de rascacielos, barriadas y proyectos por dondequiera, y con pocas excepciones, sin planificación visible.
En 2005, el área metropolitana de Panamá ostentaba una población de 1.6 millón de habitantes, según proyecciones de la Contraloría General de la República. Esa cifra crecerá a una tasa compuesta anual de 1.7% hasta 2030, cuando la población de la ciudad alcanzará los 2.5 millones de habitantes. Claro, no todo el crecimiento está concentrado en la ciudad, sino que se ha dispersado hacia otros polos de crecimiento urbano -las ciudades dormitorio como San Miguelito, La Chorrera, Las Cumbres y Sabanitas-.
Cruzada urbanista
Pero la presión sobre la infraestructura de la ciudad es palpable. La falta de abastecimiento de agua potable, la saturación de los alcantarillados y la creciente demanda sobre un sistema de generación de energía que amenaza con sobrecargarse, son algunos de los desafíos que enfrentan las autoridades a corto y mediano plazo. Arquitectos como Álvaro González Clare, Álvaro Uribe y Rodrigo Mejía-Andrión han mantenido una cruzada constante en contra de lo que consideran un crecimiento urbano absurdo que terminará produciendo el “colapso” de las infraestructuras instaladas, el deterioro ambiental y la depresión económica de muchos sectores de la ciudad, como consecuencia de las presiones del mercado.
Los problemas empiezan desde lo básico. El deficiente suministro de agua a San Miguelito y Panamá, donde el Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales (IDAAN) atiende a unos 700 mil abonados, pretende resolverse con los trabajos de la Línea Paralela que concluirán en abril. Después de la ampliación de la planta de Chilibre, la nueva línea permitirá el doble del suministro actual de agua a la ciudad, de 125 millones de galones diarios a 250 millones, el equivalente de cuatro esclusajes por el Canal de Panamá.
Barriadas recargadas
Los sectores del centro de la ciudad como Miraflores en Bethania, San Francisco, Bella Vista y la Cresta esperan ansiosamente un servicio de mayor fluidez potable, cónsono con las construcciones millonarias y ultramodernas que prometen lujo y exclusividad, pero a veces carecen de lo más elemental como el agua.
Meylín Hernández compró un apartamentito de 60 mil dólares en el edificio de Terrazas de Miraflores hace dos años. Con problemas de baja presión, muchas veces no tiene agua ni para lavar los platos. “Si hubiera sabido que en el lugar no llegaba el agua, hubiese pensando dos veces en mudarme al sector”, dice Hernández.
La falta del vital líquido no solo es en edificios o en barriadas altas, sino que también afecta a familias en nuevas áreas residenciales. Hasta en Costa Bella en Costa del Este, quizá la urbanización mejor planificada de la ciudad, unos residentes se quejan de haber comprado finas casas, pero aún así no dejan atrás los problemas de baja presión de agua. Para arreglar el problema, una joven pareja tuvo que invertir en la instalación de una bomba de agua eléctrica y adecuar las tuberías de la vivienda.
“Después de pagar 250 mil dólares, no es justo que tenga que vivir como gorgojo”, dijo el dueño.
SOURCE: Don Winner @ Panama-guide.com
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
If you drive down Ave. Balboa you’ll see a Panamanian landmark. The restaurant called “La Casa del Marisco” (the House of Seafood) has been on the market for more than a year, placed for sale by the owners, the Acha family. They have been serving customers at the restaurant for generations, and they recently sold the land, which measures 2,500 square meters, for $5 million dollars. If you do the math, that’s $20 million a hectare. No word on who the buyer is, but you can bet that one of Panama’s construction companies is going to erect another high-rise on the site. Property along Balboa Ave is as hot as it gets right now. Think Boardwalk and Park Place…
Fuerte demanda en el sector inmobiliario
VENTA MILLONARIA. La Casa del Marisco, el tradicional restaurante propiedad de la familia Acha que por años ha atendido a sus clientes en el área de la Avenida Balboa, tiene un año para cambiar de local. Los Acha han vendido el terreno –2 mil 500 metros cuadrados en total– en 5 millones de dólares. No se conocen aún los planes de los inversionistas que adquirieron el globo de tierra en la Avenida balboa, pero lo cierto es que esta es una muestra más del auge que vive el sector inmobiliario en la ciudad de Panamá.
SOURCE: Don Winner @ Panama-guide.com
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
