Kalu Yala is a lot of things, imagine the complexity and organization of an urban transect, a grossly oversimplification of how the urban environment transitions into the natural environment. Symbolically speaking Kalu Yala can represent an urban to natural transect. The concept includes principles from conservation and urban development, these principles have entered the Kalu Yala think-tank minds of the interns, directors, founders and investors. Orientation was a week long dialogue between biologist, planners, accountants, anthropologist, artist and economists on the subjects of community, local economics, sustainability, health and wellness. This type of multidisciplinary communication is so exciting and inspiring!
The physical structure of Kalu Yala also represents the urban-to-natural transect in 3 elements. The business post in Panama City represents the urban core of the transect, an intense arena for skyscrapers and perpetual construction. While the community outreach house in the San Miguel community represents the middle zone of the transect, homes, small restaurants, and hammocks amongst the natural landscape. Ending with the natural zone being base camp in the jungle valley of Panama, handmade open structures just a small dot in the intense tropical jungle.
What is incredibly appropriate about Kalu Yala and the transect comparison, is the impact the natural zone has on the operations of the middle zone and urban core zone. For the urban and middle zones, the natural zones provide resources, stability, health and balance.
Base camp, the natural zone, is what inspires and sustains the community outreach, and business programs in San Miguel and Panama City. The natural valley is our common interest and why people from all across the world and from different backgrounds of study are willing and wanting to work together.
Leave a Reply