Hello, this is Henry Faarup Humbert, General Manager of Grupo Colonias and co-founder of Porta Norte.

In 2021, we’ve made tremendous progress, and I’d like to summarize this year’s milestones in three minutes.

We are about to complete the infrastructure and urban development of Phase 1, which covers 22 hectares and includes 22 serviced lots for developers.

To run this:

We built 1.4 kilometers of complete streets with bike lanes and wide sidewalks, including two bus stops and 5-meter-wide pedestrian crossings. We prioritize people with limited mobility and alternative modes of transportation.

We are prototyping urban finishes for pedestrian spaces to select the best materials.

We chose asphalt for the bike lanes and light-colored materials for the sidewalks—to cool the environment—such as gray pavers and cream-colored exposed-aggregate concrete.

We connect with two four-lane access roads each to the new Vía Panamá Norte, which is nine kilometers long.

We moved 130,000 cubic meters of earth.

We install the rainwater, potable water, gas, and sanitary systems, including the wastewater treatment plant.

We connect to the potable water network and the electrical system of Panama City.

We buried the electrical and fiber-optic cables.

We designed the Phase 1 Tree Planting Plan with landscape architect Luis Alfaro, selecting nearly 600 trees and 70 species to promote biodiversity, including 30 fruit-bearing species.

We select evergreen species for sidewalks—that is, species that retain their leaves, providing shade for pedestrians year-round.

We placed a type of tree on the sidewalks of each street, including: Loritos for Boulevard Porta Norte, Sombreiros for Avenida la Unión, and Golden Flames for Boulevard Panamá.

We planted 350 trees, and there are many more to plant in our nursery. The first flower has already bloomed, and it’s yellow.

We contributed to the education of 100 architecture students from four universities with a masterclass on landscaping and urban planning at the construction site.

We launched our podcast, called Porta Norte Podcast, to capture our story and solidify the project’s vision. Listen on your favorite platform!

We adopted two beautiful Rhodesian Ridgebacks named Mango and Pixbae, who just turned five months old and already weigh over 50 pounds. This is to understand the needs of our canine friends in the city and foster an urban dog culture.

We are partnering with a higher education institution that will build a campus in Porta Norte, enhancing our culture and DNA.

We support foundations and vulnerable communities by promoting Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Vía Panamá Norte opened, connecting us directly to the Corredor Norte. This road will breathe life into Ciudad Panamá Norte.

We hired hundreds of people, both directly and indirectly, during one of the most difficult moments in Panama’s history, making us a vital economic engine for the country.

NOW we are committed to making 2022 a great year. The Grupo Colonias and Porta Norte team wishes you a happy new year and a prosperous 2022 filled with good health, progress, and positivity.

Let’s walk with firm steps, building a walkable Panama together.

This summer, we’ll invite you to explore and enjoy public spaces. We hope you can join us. See you soon.