Tired of city life? Looking for something new and refreshing from the constant hustle and bustle? Want to be more green and sustainable in your living habits? Then Kalu Yala may be the place for you! A new town built to deliver a 21st century quality of life in the new global economy, Kalu Yala will serve as a model for an environmentally sustainable community and should be used as a teaching tool for the world on how to live smarter. 

According to the website, “Kalu Yala is a new village being built in a Panamanian river valley to bring together entrepreneurs, artists, scientists and modern day romantics. Here, we are reimagining what’s possible from life and designing an optimized model of living to share with the world.”

Jimmy Stice, the CEO, has chosen Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists from Pasadena, California to design the majority of the town.

Kalu Yala is located in the Tres Brazos Valley and only accessible by two miles of rough dirt road. However, the valley is only about fifty minutes from downtown Panama City and thirty-five minutes from the international airport.

Four main concepts describe their specifically designed model:

1. Educate students form across the world who dedicate their time to work in a real world environment in order to research and develop this sustainable community.
2. Connect with other parts of the world to share the best practices through events and hospitality resources.
3. Build homes and construct spaces needed for community members to thrive on their own.
4. Launch business ideas through the use of Silicon Valley funds that will turn into financial returns and jobs within Kalu Yala.

“On this tropical frontier, a settlement is being established with plans to grow into a thriving town.”