La autopista de la discordia en Panamá

Abstract

The article uses the qualitative methodology actors-resources in order to analyse the conflict that arises during the construction of the interurban freeway Corredor Sur, in capital city Panama. In August 1996, the government entrusts the Mexican company, Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA), S.A., through the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), to build the infraestructure. In June 1998, the construction of the section in conflict begins. Resident committees and NGO´s nitiate their protests and mobilizations to avoid the construction on pedraplen sailor, as a result of the environmental impacts that this design would cause to the bay. The protests reached the World Bank, that conditioned the concession of a loan for the freeway to the accomplishment of a new environmental impact assessment. In March 1999, the opponents succeed: the promoter (ICA) modifies the design, building on piles instead of pedraplen, and the director (MPW) yields property rights on 69 hectares as compensating payment for the former .