UNESCO to Visit the Casco Antiguo

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will come into town in November to check out whether government plans pose a threat to the Casco Antiguo World Heritage site neighborhood.

Current government ideas include either circling a highway around the historic neighborhood or tunneling under it to connect the first phase of the Panama Bay Coastal Highway to a planned $200 million convention center to the Amador Causeway.

Although there is no officially confirmed plan yet, a government source told La Prensa that President Ricardo Martinelli would be more prone to skirting Casco Antiguo to create a new recreational space.

Opponents say a highway around the old town is contrary to its character.