The Central American Integration System's (SICA) Central American Council on Housing and Human Settlements (CCVAH) discussed implementation of joint projects on zoning and sustainable development, and the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in public housing.
The ministers were meeting as the 36th Ordinary Meeting of CCVAH.
27 June 2012: The housing ministers of Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama met to discuss: implementation of joint projects on zoning and sustainable development, and on the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in public housing; zoning practices in other Latin American countries; and recent developments in zoning policy in their countries.
The Ministers met on 27 June 2012, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, as the XXXVI Ordinary Meeting of the Central American Integration System’s (SICA) Central American Council on Housing and Human Settlements (CCVAH).
The Council reviewed the status of two projects. On zoning and sustainable development, the Council approved a July 2012 workshop of the project’s technical coordinators, and instructed the secretariat to seek a cooperation agreement with SICA’s Regional Committee on Water Resources (CRRH) on possible joint actions under the project.
On renewable energy and energy efficiency in public housing and human settlements in SICA member countries, the Council reviewed a baseline report on current practice, and a directory of public and private institutions involved in housing, zoning and renewable energy. The Council instructed the Secretariat: to arrange an August 2012 workshop to exchange successful experiences on the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Latin America; to prepare a timetable for eight national workshops to analyze options for promoting energy solutions, and defining guidelines for the design and construction of social housing incorporating energy efficiency and renewable energy use; and to prepare a regional proposal for such design guidelines to be applied in national pilot projects.
Ministers also heard presentations on national zoning policies adopted or proposed in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras, and held a discussion on approaches to zoning policy with Patricio Vallespin López, a parliamentarian and former mayor from Chile noted for his expertise in planning, decentralization and environment.
In addition, the Council asked the Secretariat to develop a list of possible joint work with other SICA organs, including CCAD, the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC), the Council of Women’s Affairs Ministers (COMMCA), and the Central American Agricultural Commission (CAC). [CCVAH Press Release (in Spanish)] [Honduras Social Development Secretariat Press Release (in Spanish)] [Publication: Report of the XXXVI CCVAH (in Spanish)]