Edgar Martínez welcomes President Luis Abinader's announcement and urges that it not be seen as a tool tailored to the current administration, but rather as a measure that involves all of society and transcends fleeting political agendas.
SANTO DOMINGO– The emotions of many Dominicans have been heightened by the torrential rains that have battered Greater Santo Domingo over the past year, leaving nearly 40 dead and causing substantial economic losses. Infrastructure has been one of the greatest challenges nature has presented, especially after the collapse of the overpass at the intersection of 27 de Febrero Avenue and Máximo Gómez Avenue, where nine people died.
Excavations for the construction of apartment towers with underground parking represent another fear experienced by many residents of the capital, especially for neighbors and adjacent properties.
The entity that grants land use permits, the National District City Hall, says that its regulations do not include rules that require builders to finish construction or, failing that, seal the hole within a certain time, according to Mayobanex Suazo, director of Urban Planning.
“We are part of a scheme, and logically what completes the approval process; we deliver the no objections to land use, both change and approved, as we are the closest institution we give answers and channel them with the corresponding agencies, in the case of Anacaona the slopes are being stabilized and precautions are being taken because due to the amount of water that fell one of the adjacent walls collapsed,” the representative of the Mayor's Office told El Día.
Some of the large-scale excavations continue to pose a safety risk, as the recent torrential rains could trigger landslides that cause human tragedies or property damage, a fear that has increased among some residents.
"Just in time with the tropical disturbance last November, families living in Plaza Seliné in the Bella Vista sector, which borders a tower under construction on Anacaona Avenue, raised the alarm and expressed concern because one of their walls gave way with the rains due to the limited space of adjacent land, which also exposes the Anacaona I and Mirador I side towers," the newspaper El Día published today.
“That’s been open for six months, they work slowly; after the wall fell, the builders hung a fence so it couldn’t be seen and removed the wall. This is really worrying for us. Even the water pump booth was left uncovered. They said they’ll finish digging to put up a beam… we’re worried because it could slide and it’s hanging in mid-air,” said a neighbor who asked to remain anonymous, according to the publication.
President Luis Abinader announced on Monday of this week that, in response to the damage caused by the heavy rains that fell on Santo Domingo on November 18, the Santo Domingo Water and Sewerage Corporation (CAASD) will present a program on integrated stormwater and sanitary drainage in Greater Santo Domingo within the next 15 days.
While the Director of Urban Planning for the National District Mayor's Office states that they are monitoring other cases that generate concern together with the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability and the CODIA, and so far they do not observe any danger, but they are taking precautions.
According to the figures provided by the official, the ADN conducted a survey in which they recorded about 35 excavations for towers with underground levels of more than two levels, many of which have been built; about 25 were paralyzed and 35% were reactivated; others have economic or legal problems and other factors.
Cases that cause concern.
It is worth citing as an example of recent risk situations, the collapse of the awning of a house on Activo 20-30 street in the Ozama neighborhood, in Santo Domingo East.
Greetings announcement
Architect Edgar Martínez, who has expressed concern through El Inmobiliario about the inadequate stormwater drainage system in Santo Domingo, welcomed President Luis Abinader's announcement of the Greater Santo Domingo Stormwater Drainage Plan. He asserted that the initiative promises to be crucial for strengthening the infrastructure, with the goal of reducing flood risks and improving the quality of life for citizens and public health.
“If the plan focuses on improving water and sewage management, backed by a state commitment, a sustained positive impact is anticipated that will benefit the city’s continued development. This improvement in residents’ quality of life could have a positive repercussion across various sectors, including health, the environment, and the local economy. Addressing drainage issues is also seen as essential for coping with extreme weather events and reducing flood risks,” he stated.
He emphasized that past initiatives in this area were cut short by a lack of continuity within the government. More recent, notable examples include the 1997 Stormwater Drainage Master Plan for the city of Santo Domingo, the 1999 Environmental Sanitation Plan for the Middle and Lower Ozama-Isabela-Haina Basins and the Santo Domingo Coast, and the 2011 Diagnostic Report and Basic Studies for the Sewerage Master Plan. "Despite its development during the previous administration of CAASD, the latter focused primarily on wastewater treatment.".
"As the president emphasized, the implementation of this plan will take several years. Therefore, a broad commitment from Dominican society and the political class is essential to guarantee its continuity.".
He argued that it is crucial the plan not be conceived as a tool tailored to the current administration, but rather as a measure that involves all of society and transcends fleeting political agendas. The priority must be the collective good over individual or partisan interests.
