Porta Norte: New urbanism in North Panama

Nuevo urbanismo de Panamá Norte

Porta Norte: New urbanism in North Panama

Panama City is a vibrant metropolis, where you can find everything from a climate sought after by millions of tourists worldwide to major international companies, countless cultural and artistic options, and top-notch schools. There’s no doubt that living in the capital is a gift. However, have you ever wondered which area of ​​the city is the best to live in? Here are the reasons why Porta Norte is the ideal choice for your family.

Casco Viejo, our inspiration

Who would have thought that after a pirate attack, one of the best-planned cities on the continent would be built? The history of Casco Viejo is fascinating, and although it begins with a tragic event like the invasion of Henry Morgan and his pirates in 1671, the essence of this city is something else entirely: classicism, innovation, and above all, planning.

What makes Casco Viejo an icon of urban planning?

Planning is the key word. Unlike other areas of the city or region that grow without any plan, causing a host of problems, Casco Viejo is an example to follow.

Why?

  • Checkerboard pattern. Casco Viejo has a grid layout that corresponds to the cardinal directions. This makes its streets easily navigable, a feature that has been present since its founding. This characteristic has made Casco Viejo a true model city on the continent.

  • Public squares. We’re sure you have a story to tell with your friends or family in one of the plazas of the Old Town (Plaza Mayor, Plaza Herrera, Plaza Bolívar, Plaza de Francia), because that’s what they’re for: to be shared and enjoyed as spaces for community life. While not all of the plazas were built when the city was founded, they have always been a feature that makes it unique.

All of this, combined with a history full of heroic events, led UNESCO to recognize Casco Viejo as a World Heritage Site.

The future of Panama City

Casco Viejo is a classic, so we’ve taken the best of it and added current urban planning concepts to build an innovative city, the one we Panamanians deserve. Our goal is for Porta Norte to be the country’s first smart city.

Talking about smart cities doesn’t just refer to cutting-edge technology, such as intelligent waste management or traffic lights that work with machine learning to improve traffic flow, but it is necessary to be in tune with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11).

This means we seek an organic coexistence between technology and nature. We incorporate the best technology, even from the construction stage, but we also promote biodiversity.

Furthermore, we promote zero-emission transportation options such as cycling and, above all, walking. We want you to walk again in your community, and to that end, we are planting native trees that will provide shade and create an optimal temperature for leaving your home and enjoying time with your neighbors.

The main features of Porta Norte are:

  • Construction of wide, walkable sidewalks.

  • Construction of bike paths to internally connect the project.

  • Incorporation of public transport that connects the project to the interior and exterior.

  • Construction of public squares.

  • Tree planting.

  • Planned development of residential and commercial areas.

Where is the capital growing?

Panama City is growing, there’s no doubt about it. Today, areas that were once far from the city center have been incorporated into the urban sprawl, but where can we find sustainable and planned growth? The answer is clear: North Panama.

The geography of our city has created natural boundaries that favor growth to the north. To the south, Panama Bay is an unbreachable border; to the east, the mangrove zone makes urban development very difficult; and to the west, we have the canal reserve and the canal itself, which makes growth on that side impossible.

For all these reasons, the concept of North Panama, integrating all the actions already underway to make this part of the city the new center. It’s not just about building houses and apartments, but a comprehensive plan that includes employment, commercial, educational, entertainment, sports, and even public transportation options for the entire capital.

The Panama Metro master plan includes the construction of line 8, which will connect Don Bosco with Villa Zapata, passing through Porta Norte.

Urbanismo en Panamá Norte

Real estate options in Panama

Housing projects in North Panama are the core of the project. We don’t just want Panamanians to spend a few hours of their day here; we want them to live here. To achieve this, we are building a real estate offering that will provide access to housing for thousands of residents of the capital.

  • Estimated inhabitants of Porta Norte: 50,000
  • Estimated units: 18,000

North of the Vía Panamá Norte, we are building a new city on 260 hectares. Divided into two sections, North and South, of 100 and 162 hectares respectively, with nine subdivisions, this new development will have all services:

  • Wide sidewalks

  • Banks

  • Sports Centers

  • Bike lanes

  • Schools

  • Bus stops

  • Parks

  • Squares

  • Restaurants

  • And more.

We will have universally accessible spaces for people with disabilities and also pet-friendly spaces.

In addition, we preserve the María Prieta River and the Mariposa Creek, places where the inhabitants can live in harmony with nature.

Projects in development

The two plots mentioned above and their nine sections will be developed for different real estate projects in Porta Norte. However, each project aligns with the master plan by DPZ Partners, designed by architect Andrés Duany, considered the father of new urbanism.

Duany has led urban projects across the United States, as well as in Belgium, Canada, England, and Mexico. He has won awards such as the Topaz Medallion, the Civic Arts Award, and Best Waterfront Housing Development, among others.

Infrastructure in northern Panama

Our prime location and ample development potential place us in a prime spot in the capital with access to essential services for a fulfilling life, from hospitals to schools. Here are some of the most notable ones just a few kilometers away:

Schools

  • Metropolitan School of Panama

  • Oxford School

  • International School of Panama

  • Instituto Justo Arosemena

  • Panamerican School

  • Among others.

Supermarkets.

  • Rey (Paseo del Norte)

  • Riba Smith

  • El Machetazo

  • Farmacias Arrocha

  • Super 99 (Brisas del Golf)

  • Among others.

Commercial Spaces

  • Northside Galleries Plaza

  • Signature Plaza

  • Centro Comercial Las Arcadas

  • Among others.

Healthcare Centers

  • Hospital Brisas del Golf

  • Mini Med Villa Lucre

  • Among others.

Banks

  • BAC Credomatic

  • Banistmo

  • Banco General

  • Among others.

Restaurants

  • Grill Stop

  • Durán Coffee Shop

  • Pretelt Gourmet Meats

  • Among others.

Others

  • Tocumen International Airport (20 minutes away)

  • Stops on Line 2 of the Panama Metro

  • Panama Golf Club

  • Yappy Park.

Porta Norte, experience the future of Panama!Porta Norte, ¡vive el futuro de Panamá!

Porta Norte is a project that’s growing every day. We’re building the foundations of a city that will put our country at the forefront of model cities worldwide. You can be part of this story! We invite you to join our waiting list to be among the first to learn about new projects. Contact us to learn more and get answers to any questions.

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