Beyond Panama City's skyscrapers: A periphery struggling with neglect

Beyond the gleaming skyscrapers of Panama City lies a starkly different reality: a sprawling periphery grappling with inadequate infrastructure and a lack of planning. Panama Este, a region housing over 400,000 residents, exemplifies this disparity. This area, which includes historic settlements like Pacora, founded by free Black people centuries ago, is now being overwhelmed by urban expansion. Residents endure daily struggles, with many neighborhoods lacking basic amenities like sewage systems and sidewalks. The daily commute to the city center is a monumental task, with overcrowded public transport and severe traffic congestion. Schools are saturated, and the quality of life for many residents is compromised. As Panama City prepares to celebrate its anniversary, those in Panama Este feel overlooked, questioning whether the city's progress extends to them. The Mayor's office has pledged approximately $25 million for key projects in the area, aiming to address the deficit in quality public spaces. However, the fundamental challenge remains: how to manage the city's rapid, unchecked expansion and ensure a decent quality of life for all its residents, especially those on the expanding fringes. The issue is particularly acute for agricultural producers near the Pacora River, who require better infrastructure, such as bridges, to transport their harvests. The periphery's population has surged, with 6 out of 10 capital residents now living in Panama Norte and Panama Este, up from 4 out of 10 in 2000. This demographic explosion, particularly in areas like Pacora, highlights the urgent need for planned development and resource allocation to prevent the city's growth from leaving a significant portion of its population behind.