Clearing of city sidewalks underway

THE ENROACHMENT of traders onto Panama sidewalks is at an end  according to the city  Mayor’s office following  amendments to a 1954 regulation relating to the use of public spaces.

The changes stipulate that t businesses that extend beyond their physical space and make use of sidewalks for their activities must pay for a permit with a  monthly fee of  $200, plus $25 per square meter of occupation.

It first went into operation in Casco Viejo with conflicting views from restaurants who had previously had a free ride on streets and plazas, and the local community tired of encroachment of pedestrian walkways .

The permits will be granted by the City of Panama and will last two years. Nut will  not be issued for sidewalks located in front of schools, universities, hospitals, churches, gymnasiums, convention centers and public offices.

“The use of the sidewalk as an extension of business premises does not entitle the holder of the permit to build any kind of fixed structure on the authorized space,” says the official  document.

Mayor  Jose Isabel Blandon,  believes the cost of leasing sidewalks  is quite low and said the changes were made because the previous regulation was out of date.

Sanctions against individuals or businesses that violate the rules will range  from $500 to $2,000. Previously the fine was $10.

The amendment to the rules comes  at a time when the Mayor is calling for tenders  for a more than  $90 million re-construction of sidewalks-buried cables and rehabilitation of public spaces from Via Espana  to Plaza  Cinco de Mayo reports La Prensa.

Urbanist Gerónimo Espitia, said  sidewalks are public spaces and cannot be privatized. “From the urban point of view this is not correct. If so, in the future we will take the streets and give them to traders ” he said.

“These spaces are for citizens to circulate, sidewalks are for public use, like parks and plazas in the country.