The Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning of Panama (Miviot) and the representation of UN-Habitat for Mesoamérica are in advanced talks to structure a technical cooperation focused on territorial planning and long-term ordering throughout the country. The meeting was attended by Minister Jaime A. Jované C., Vice Minister Frank Osorio, and the representative of the international body, Fernanda Leonardini. Vice Minister Osorio explained that Miviot has been working on this alliance for several months, based on the need to extend ordering at the national level through close collaboration with local governments. According to the official, the lack of adequate planning generates negative impacts on the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of Panama, so a solid instrument is required to advance this state policy. A critical point identified in the meeting is that currently less than 10% of the national territory has established urban regulations. This situation represents a challenge for the country's development ambitions, both in terms of housing solutions and other productive activities. Osorio emphasized that the goal of the current administration is to raise this coverage to a range of between 20% and 25%, establishing a program that guarantees continuity in future management until the total zoning of the territory is achieved. The country currently has eight district plans. The Vice Minister highlighted significant progress in the plan for Arraiján-La Chorrera and in that of Santa Isabel, in the province of Colón. Likewise, it was reported on the reactivation of the plan for Bugaba, which was started a decade ago without being completed, and the analysis of new ordering schemes directly linked to the development of the railroad project. In turn, Fernanda Leonardini, representative of UN-Habitat, confirmed the body's support to back the National Government in this effort. The initiative seeks to ensure that the Panamanian population has access to adequate housing, quality public spaces, and a model of cities that are genuinely inclusive and sustainable.
