Panama’s Verónica Quintero: The Sidewalk is the First Form of Public Transport’
Verónica Quintero is a Panamanian communicator and urban planning advocate who promotes the development of walkable cities (ciudades caminables). She centers her work on the philosophy of creating urban environments that are built for people, rather than prioritizing automobiles.
Core Focus Areas of her Work
- Human-Centric Design: She emphasizes that a high-quality, sustainable city should measure its success by its safety and accessibility for everyone, including children and older adults, who shouldn’t be forced to walk on unsafe streets.
- Urban Climate and Infrastructure: Quintero speaks out on urban heat islands, tree canopy coverage, and the importance of uncovering and integrating local rivers and riverside parks into urban life.
- Transit Alternatives: As a proponent of public transport (like electric trams), she advocates for a localized urban lifestyle where residents can easily access their jobs and affordable housing.
The Context of Panama City
Panama City historically adopted a car-centric infrastructure, leaving many parts of the sprawling metropolitan area hostile to pedestrians with broken or non-existent sidewalks. Quintero regularly addresses these systemic urban planning and zoning challenges in her research and public communication.
For those looking to walk instead of drive in the region, neighborhoods like CascoViejo, El Cangrejo (near Vía Argentina), and Avenida Balboa are recognized as the capital’s most pedestrian-friendly pockets, featuring close access to shops, parks, and transit.
