Panama City stands at a crucial urban planning and zoning crossroads, striving to balance modern development with the preservation of its architectural essence.
As a strategic point for trade and a bridge between oceans, Panama City’s historical expansion has been shaped by an array of influences. Now, its rapid development poses challenges not only to its own heritage conservation but also to its sustainable growth.
The rich history and stunning views of The Casco Antiguo, the historic district of Panama City, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. However, severe traffic congestion and inadequate strategic zoning continue to threaten the flourishing of this vital wonder.
“There is always tension between the impulses for change and those for conservation,” explains Rodrigo Guardia, an urban design specialist and professor at the University of Panama’s Faculty of Architecture and Design. “This sometimes results in a limbo, which is the worst-case scenario.”
According to Guardia, the boundaries of the Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo sites are currently under review to ensure they remain on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Guardia cites Medellín and Bogotá as examples of well-balanced urban planning.
Colombia has successfully preserved its historic center through strict zoning regulations, limiting building heights and protecting colonial facades while still developing modern districts.
Broader roads for urban development
While investments in the Panama Metro system, including the ongoing construction of a third metro line, have improved public mobility, the overall mass transit system still lacks integration and complementary services.
Guardia notes that Panama City’s metropolitan area is extensive yet dispersed with low-density urbanization, creating a concentration of economic activities and essential services in the central districts. This imbalance increases the need for pendular mobility, where residents commute long distances for work, education, and services.
“To reduce transportation needs, job opportunities, businesses, and essential services must be distributed across different urban nodes. The 1998 ‘Metropolitan Plan’ outlined this approach, but implementation has fallen short,” he explains.
Additionally, informal settlements such as Las Garzas in Pacora, La Barriada 2000 in Arraiján, and Gunanega highlight urgent social and infrastructure deficiencies. “From an environmental and water security perspective, managing the Interoceanic Canal basin is essential to ensure water availability for both canal operations and public consumption,” the academic insists.
To mitigate climate change risks, Guardia emphasizes the need for improved regulations on pluvial easements, ensuring that river floodplains remain construction-free. Additionally, bridge design criteria, river channelization, and stormwater management must be addressed to prevent further environmental degradation.
“Recent public space interventions have neglected rainwater management and erosion control. Once regulations are updated, strict enforcement is necessary—especially for state-contracted builders, who often receive inadequate oversight,” the professor, who also shares his ideas periodically on the website and YouTube channel Colcha Urbana, details.
True engagement: The future of urban planning in Panama City
Ensuring Panama City remains forward-thinking, a new generation has joined the discourse. Content creator and urban planning advocate, Veronica Quintero, addresses the urban issues affecting everyday life in Panama City. “I found answers in urbanism to the questions we all ask: Why is there so much traffic? Why don’t we have sidewalks? Why is it so hot? I became the person answering these questions for my friends, family, and co-workers,” she conveys.
Quintero started making short videos reflecting on these topics for a broader audience online. “I have been pleasantly surprised that the response has been mostly positive,” she admits. “Social media has helped spread awareness, but true engagement requires more education and active community involvement in urban development discussions.”
Quintero notably highlights the urgent need for intervention to improve the quality of life in the townships of Santa Ana and El Chorrillo, which border Panama’s famous Casco Viejo, and Calidonia, La Exposición, located across the Bay of Panama.
“These areas are dominated by small, mixed-density buildings that contrast with the skyscrapers on the other side of the city. They could truly benefit from revitalization efforts, including walkability improvements, better public transit access, and enhanced waste management services,” she specifies.
Panama City has recently witnessed a surge in youth engagement in urban planning, with many professionals working in local government to drive meaningful change. However, Quintero points out that broader citizen participation remains limited.
Ultimately, urban planning must be inclusive and sustainable and able to integrate the past and the future successfully. “I hope that I can continue to create a community that eventually feels confident about actively participating in the process of building a better city for all,” Quintero reinforces.