News

Panama City is moving forward with a project to transform Calle 50 in Obarrio, focused on developing a more “walkable, green, and humane city.”

This initiative fits nicely with plans for MOVA by B&B Italia, the new residential development in Obarrio, which is part of a “superblock” designed to promote walkability and social interaction. MOVA is located across the street from the site of a new headquarters under development by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), which anchors a new “super block” bringing the type of urban lifestyle found in the great capitals of the world.

The first phase of the new project will cover 1.7 kilometers from Federico Boyd Avenue to Via Brasil, representing an investment of $8 million. The plan calls for widening the sidewalks to 5 meters from 1 meter, and a 3.2-meter pedestrian path. The project also includes tree planting, bike path signage, and a dedicated bus lane, according to a city press release.

The project has already been approved through a public hearing process and authorized by the National Decentralization Authority.

To get the ball rolling, the Mayor’s Office is developing a pilot project in the Marbella McDonald’s area to serve as a showcase of what the new Calle 50 will look like over the next two years. “This space will also function as an urban laboratory for testing new materials, including permeable concrete, local light-colored bricks that help reduce the heat island effect, and the incorporation of native trees with sustainable landscaping,” the release says..

“We want citizens to experience the transformation before the major project begins,” said Mayor Mayer Mizrachi Matalon. “This pilot project demonstrates how public-private partnerships can improve the quality of urban life.”