Issue nº 143
Editorial
Dear reader,
Since June, Panama City’s residents have been enjoying a new park on the Pacific Ocean with an area of over 25 hectares, including 16 hectares of green spaces. The Coastal Beltway, whose design was inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo Park, is now offering the public a place where they can enjoy the outdoors in Panama’s capital and, most importantly, come together and strengthen their community spirit. Major cities around the world are increasingly focused on machines. After all, motor vehicles, usually single-occupant cars, must be able to move about freely and have plenty of parking space. The roads are expanding and sidewalks are shrinking. While creating new traffic lanes to solve serious road congestion problems in the vicinity of Balboa Avenue, the main route in downtown Panama City, the Coastal Beltway prioritizes areas where individuals can go for a walk, families can take a stroll, and children can run about safely. The project involves new roads and overpasses, it is true, but they are accompanied by a beautiful park. The project’s total area – 35 hectares (including the park and roadworks) – reflects the pursuit of a better quality of life. Cars need to drive, but kids need to play.
This constant concern about the type of life people are living around the world – and the quality of life they want and deserve, which are usually worlds apart – is also the main theme of another feature in this issue of Odebrecht Informa. How can we harmonize investments in technology with social development, business growth and environmental preservation? The answer to this question is based on the concept of sustainability. At Odebrecht, in all the Group’s spheres of operations, our teams are constantly raising the bar, finding new ways of carrying out potential projects and businesses while trying to ensure a better future for the communities where they work. Ranging from the production of 100%-renewable “green” polyethylene made from sugar cane ethanol to fiber-cement roof tiles coated with PVC film to reduce heat and save energy, and including teaching farmers new ways to grow hearts-of-palm and increase their quality and processing productivity, Odebrecht members are applying their knowledge to help people achieve a goal we all share: ensuring the future of life on this planet that is also dignified, pleasurable and rewarding.