Designing for the Future
The vision for the Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area is to attract and promote investment, generate jobs and strengthen the country’s economy – in a way that obtains the maximum benefit from its resources and facilities, placing a strong emphasis on sustainability.
This vision will be achieved through the creation of a world-class commercial and business hub, with highly sought-after residential areas and quality leisure and tourism facilities – all set within an ‘ecologically inspired’ landscape of lakes, wetlands, mangroves, hills and forest.
The idea of sustainability is that it reinforces the understanding of cultural legacy, minimal energy use, reduction of carbon footprint, enriching ecological habitats, improves connectivity, and creates social places. Sustainable development is development that creates unique places that are patterned for people to live, work, and play in.
The Panama Pacifico development plans emphasize sustainable urban design as it applies to the environment at the site, which includes the following scales:
Site Scale
- Retention of the steep forested hills
- Protection of watercourses and floodplains
- Development, as far as possible, on previously-developed land
- Utilization and enhancement of existing infrastructure
- Wildlife refuges and corridors
Community Scale
- Definition of development zones based on landscape character areas
- Mix of uses, minimizing the need to travel
- Local work opportunities
- Clustering of facilities to maximize convenience and accessibility
- Higher densities close to public transportation
Neighborhood Scale
- Definition of neighborhoods within residential districts
- Neighborhoods as social and spatial entities
- Diverse, affordable, and good quality housing
- Accessible, good quality health, education, retail and leisure facilities
- Value of local community
Pedestrian Scale
- Attractive pedestrian-scale local environment
- Choice of facilities within easy walking distance
- Climate sensitive design to create comfortable indoor and outdoor environments
- Easily-navigable environments with local landmarks to assist orientation and movement