Fort Clayton is a former U.S. military base which was turned over to Panama as part of the Panama Canal Zone reversion which took place on January 1st, 2000.  The reversion gives Panama independent control of the Panama Canal and surrounding area which is loaded with roads, airports, hospitals, community centers and residential housing formerly occupied by U.S. military personnel and Canal administrators.

Fort Clayton is now being called the City of Knowledge and the vacant military housing is being rented to technological and research companies to form a synergy of progressive commercial and scholastic activity.  The residential housing units are now being rented to employees and students of the institutions and companies now operating in the City of Knowledge.  I was lucky enough to have met a group of students from McGill University who were studying environmental sciences and sustainable development in the City of Knowledge.  I had the pleasure of staying with the McGill students in one of the residential housing units.

The facilities are excellent in the Canal Zone having been adequately funded by the U.S. military to provide high-level standards of planning, construction and maintenance.  The students have an Olympic sized swimming pool, playing fields, internet connection, a cafeteria and a church all within walking distance of the residential area.  The residences were spacious and complete with hot water, household appliances and even hardwood floors.  There are dozens of vacant buildings.  The Panama Canal Zone is capable of housing tens of thousands of residents and the government is actively seeking investors to help complete the zone’s historical transformation.

The International Tecnoparque in the City of Knowledge has already attracted more than 40 companies with offices in the complex.  Companies have to complete an admission application explaining the kind of business they plan to conduct and what kind of research or technical expertise they intend to contribute. Company applications are put before the admissions committee before being accepted.  The goal of the Tecnoparque is to provide an encouraging environment for innovations in information technology, biological science and multimodal transportation.

I had several discussions the McGill students and it was clear that all had gained a wealth of knowledge and experience.  “We talk about it in class, and the next day we are seeing it in reality”, says one student when questioned about her class in sustainable development.  “The hands-on application is excellent experience, and we learn a ton about Panamanian culture at the same time”, assured another student.  The program has enabled the students to visit many regions within Panama including San Blas, Portobelo, Boquete, Bocas Del Toro and others.  “It gives us a chance to achieve a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Panama and what strategies we might use to protect its fragile biodiversity”.

By Michael Manville