Cracks in Costa Del Este booming paradise

CRACKS APPEARING in homes and business centers in Costa Del Este, part of which was built on a 40 years old garbage dump are raising concerns among property owners and businesses
There are more than 1,000 houses, 57 buildings and 200 businesses in the area.

.One of the most affected reports La Prensa is Galerías Del Este, which houses 15 commercial premises including banks, pharmacies, fruit shops, supermarkets and restaurants.
One tenant said the cracks appeared nine months ago.
“The structure has been giving way little by little and, as I understand, a structural study has been done, but I am unaware if already have the results,” one of the business owners told La Prensa.
The facade of the mall shows large cracks, which have raised concerns among some customers about whether the structure is safe, although there have been no incidents.
Panama City Director of Works and Buildings Gonzalo Barrios acknowledged that problems have also been recorded in houses and streets.
It was reported that six months ago an investigation began with the participation of civil defense agency Sinaproc, the Panama Fire Department and the Technological University of Panama.
Specialists have taken soil samples to see if that is the cause of the problem.
Urban planner Gerónimo Espitia said that the condition of the soil in which the structures sit could be the problem.
He recalled that part of the land on which the community is located was used as a garbage dump for 40 years.
Other areas are built on former mangrove swamps and reclaimed land.
In his view, the cracks and weakening of the structures have to do with the ability of the soil to expand or contract, depending on the temperature or weather conditions.
He pointed out that there are factors that may affect the structure, such as a poor drainage, heavy rains, dry soil or changes in the water table.
“There are a number of aspects that require in-depth analysis and that manifest two or three years after a building is constructed,” he warned.