About

Porta Norte is a master-planned walkable community being built in the northern zone of Panama City, Panama. Spanning 260 hectares, the project is led by CEO Henry Faarup Humbert and developed by Grupo Colonias, a company founded in 1984 that pioneered gated communities in Panama.

Porta Norte is designed around New Urbanism principles, meaning it prioritizes pedestrian accessibility, mixed-use development, and integration with the natural environment rather than car-dependent suburban sprawl. The community is planned to include residential, commercial, and institutional lots, along with sports facilities, parks, plazas, and direct access to natural rivers and trails.

The development preserves centennial trees and native species to support local wildlife, and buildings use natural ventilation and local materials. The project is described as eight times the size of Panama City's historic Casco Viejo district and is inspired by the walkable, community-centered character of European towns.

Residents will have access to shops, schools, and workplaces within walking distance, and the street network is designed around micro-mobility rather than cars. The project emphasizes social interaction as a deliberate design goal, with public squares, community spaces, and shared gardens intended to combat the isolation that remote workers often experience.

The broader vision is to create a model for urban development in Panama that proves you can have the conveniences of city life while living in a setting that feels more like a village surrounded by nature. Construction is underway, with the first phase of the project already in development.