Calls for public input into changes to heritage laws

Plans to amend heritage laws governing historic buildings and sites, require public input say citizen’s groups, who have been uniting to protect Casco Viejo  from further damage.{jathumbnail off}

Panama’s Cultural Instute (Inac) director María Eugenia Herrera de Victoria, said Monday, May 17, that the agency is working on reforms to the law governing custody, conservation and management of historic buildings and sites for presentation to the National Assembly. 

She gave no details but  said changes will be in "proprietary terms."

Citizen groups have been fighting an ongoing battle to protect the old city from developers flouting current laws by exceeding height limits and ignoring guidelines and are challenging plans to encircle the old city with an extension of the Cinta Costera.

UNESCO has warned that Casco Veijo risks losing its designation as a world heritage site, if government plans to build the extension around or under the city go forward. Citizen groups commissioned a team of architects and engineers to provide an alternative plan.

Former Inac official Carlos Fitzgerald said that that better regulations are needed to protect historic sites and public consultations should be a part of any reforms. He added that  the government should offer incentives to promote heritage  conservation and citizen participation.

 Hidelgard Vasquez, executive director of the Fundación Calicanto said

 “Interested sectors of civil society should participate in the preparation of the document."