Vertical housing developments in Panama and Guatemala, and the development of a mixed-use project in Costa Rica, are part of the investments planned for the coming months in the region.
The interactive system "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private construction projects that are expected to be built in the coming months.
In Panama, the elected government will have among its main challenges to facilitate the necessary conditions for the reactivation of construction in the country, which has reported negative figures for the last two years.
Since the beginning of 2017 investments in construction in the country have decreased and the situation does not seem to improve. Data from the Office of the General Comptroller of the Republic detail that the performance of the construction sector in 2018 was negative, as the cost of new construction, additions and repairs totaled $1,311 million, a figure 39% lower than the $2,144 million reported in 2017.
In Panama, the government is proposing resuming discussions with construction and real estate companies to update the regulations on the Horizontal Property Law, which has been in effect since 2010.
Although the law dates from 2010, there is still no regulation that establishes how the law should be implemented and how the government should ensure compliance. For that reason, the government intends to put the proposal back on the table to discuss it with the private sector.
The plan put forward by the Panamanian government will define, in the cities of Panama and Colon, areas that can be used as development poles, and establish risk zones in which interventions are not allowed.
The Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning (Miviot) presented the Urban Development Plan for the Metropolitan Areas of the Pacific and the Atlantic, and through a statement reported that "...
A new regulation categorises social housing as apartment buildings with certain characteristics and prices of $50 thousand, which can be commercialized with the financing options available for this type of housing.
Through Resolution No. 261-2017, the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Ordering has regulated the modality of apartment building described as a housing solutions of social interest.
The Ministry of Housing in Panama is putting out to tender construction of 2,000 affordable housing units in the Comarch of Ngäbe Bugle.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-14-0-12-LV-011225:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and management for construction of one thousand (1,000) social housing units under the 'Roofs of Hope' program in the Comarch of Ngäbe Bugle, district of Muna, in the towns of Diko, Peña Blanca, Chichica, Maraca, Kikiari, Alto Caballero and Cerro Puerco. "
The Ministry of Public Works in Panama is inviting bids for the renovation of 70 kilometers of roads in the districts of Los Santos and Maracas in the province of Los Santos.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-09-0-07-LV-004805:
"The project consists of, but is not limited to, mainly: the renovation and / or construction of roads indicated, including renovation and construction of surface drainage systems such as channels and / or culverts, construction of crossings over streams, rivers or steps of surface water, installation of subdrains, placement of horizontal and vertical signs, sidewalk construction, removal and relocation of public utilities, and all environmental mitigation measures that are contained in the corresponding environmental Impact Study. "
The Ministry of Housing in Panama is putting out to tender construction of 3,000 affordable housing units in Ngäbe Bugle.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-14-0-12-LV-010 968
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and management for construction of one thousand (1,000) social housing units under the 'Roofs of Hope' program in the region of Ngäbe Bugle, district of Muna, in the towns of Diko, Peña Blanca, Chichica, Maraca, Kikiari, Alto Caballero and Cerro Puerco. "
The Supreme Court has temporarily suspended a Miviot resolution approving the zoning change to "high density" in Obarrio, Bella Vista.
Thechange in the zoning code for 42 lots in Obarrio had been authorized by the Ministry of Housing and Land Management (Miviot) in March, and made the change from low to medium density, to residential "high density" and "urban commercial mixed high density".
A change in the zoning code authorizes the construction of more commercial and multifamily buildings in Obarrio, in the town of Bella Vista.
The resolution by the Ministry of Housing and Land Management issued in March changes the zoning code for 42 plots of land located in Obarrio, from low and medium density to residential "high density" and "urban commercial mixed high density".
The Ministry of Housing in Panama is putting out to tender the construction of 500 affordable housing units in the province of Colon.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-14-0-03-LV-010 657:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and management for construction of three hundred (300) social housing units under the´Roofs of Hope' program in the province of Colon, (Districts of Donoso and Chagres)."
A tender is being launched in Panama for the construction of 1,500 social housing units and 969 sanitation units in the provinces of West Panama, Veraguas and Chiriqui.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-14-0-15-LV-010 382:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and management for construction of five hundred (500) social housing units under the 'Roofs of Hope' program in the province of Panama Oeste, districts of Chame and San Carlos."
The Ministry of Housing, and Land Ordinance in Panama is putting out to tender the construction of 4,000 affordable housing units in the region Ngoble Bugle.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-14-0-12-LV-010 372:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and management for construction of one thousand (1,000) social housing units under the 'Roofs of Hope' program in the region of Ngoble Bugle district of Nole Duima."
The Ministry of Housing, and Land Ordinance in Panama is putting out to tender the construction of 1,000 affordable housing units in the provinces of Veraguas and Chiriqui.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-14-0-09-LV-010 359:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and management for construction of five hundred (500) social housing units in the 'Roofs of Hope ' program in the province of Veraguas, districts of La Mesa, Las Palmas and Cañazas."
The Ministry of Housing, and Land Ordinance in Panama is putting out to tender the construction of 1,000 affordable housing units in the province of Panama Oeste.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-0-14-0-15-LV-010 339:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and management for the construction of five hundred (500) social housing units under the 'Roofs of Hope' program in the province of Panama Oeste, district of Capira."