by Betty Verduzco - Playa del Carmen

Director of Planning Reveals Master Plan – an Interview

Because so many have asked about the future of our fine city, the PlayaMaya News sat down with the Director of Urban Planning (Directora de Desarrollo Urbano) - Arq. Ma. Del Consuleo Muñoz Escamilla - to find out what is really going on.....................................

First, Consuelo is originally from Minatitlan, Veracruz. She studied an graduated in Architecture from the University of the Americas in Puebla. She arrived in Playa del Carmen in the year 2000 and took a job at the City Planning Department. In the last 2 years, she has served as the Director of Urban Planning and is in charge of supervising the master plan of the community.

She reports to the Director General of Administration, Ing. William S. Conrado Alarcon who is on the Mayor’s (Presidente de Municipal) council.

PMN: What are the main challenges in your job?

DIR: The main challenge is to keep the public informed and for them to understand the plans and the associated rules in planning and building so that the community as a whole benefits from planning and manages the growth.

Too many people still build without permits and thus, they put us in the unenviable position to issue warnings, citations, and to finally close them down. Worse, are foreigners who buy raw land without being told the rules or getting informed. Too many buy and then find out later that they cannot do their project as it was not zoned for such or they simple cannot get permits for their plans because they do not meet the master plan.

PMN: How do you expect to meet this information challenge?

DIR: With publications like the PlayaMaya News and others informing the public, we can together make it better. More, we have meetings with leaders in building and real estate so that they inform their clients of the rules. Finally, we plan to place public service announcements in your publication along with sending you press releases. It’s all about educating the public.

PMN: You mentioned a Master Plan. Do you have one and if so, what is it?

DIR: Well, here is the 25 year Master Plan (pulls out map). My job is to implement and enforce this well thought out plan.

See, we are building a highway to go around the city instead of through the city so that we can relieve traffic as the city grows. We are expecting the city to double in the next 5 years so all of this plan will be implemented eventually. We even have plans for other areas too like Tulum, Puerto Avenuturas, and Akumal.

(click here to open a Full Size MASTER PLAN Map)

PMN: What is this that we hear about a new mall? Where is it going in?

DIR: Yes, we have a new mall called Plaza Las Americas going in right now on 38^th Street, about 8 small blocks west of the Careterra Federal. It should be completed with stores, shops, major department chains, movies, executive hotels, a museum and more by May 2005. In addition, we expect all the government offices to move out of Playa Downtown and into this area as well. Even the building I am in today, yes City Hall will be moving too…….

PMN: What advice would you give to foreigners who want to buy land in these areas of Playa for investment?

DIR: Please, not only foreigners but everyone, before you buy, come to my office and confirm the planned zoning for that piece of property. If you invest just an hour or so with us, you can save yourself thousands of dollars and time.

All you need to do is come over and say hello. We want you to be successful and we are here to help. We will confirm the zoning and how to get permits for you so that you can buy with confidence. If you win in Playa, we all win……..so let’s do it together.

PMN: Thank you for time Directora

DIR: A sus ordenes (at your service)

The office of City Planning (Desarollo Urbano) is located at the Palacio Municipal on 20^th Street in between 8^th and 10^th in the Downtown Centro. They can be reached at +52(984)877-3056 or 877-3050.