Artist’s impression WILLEMSTAD--”Fundashon Kas Popular” (FKP) has cleared two important technical milestones for its proposed affordable housing development in Tera Kora, with both Curaçao’s Civil Aviation Authority CBA and Fire Department issuing positive technical advice on the project.
According to the foundation, this is one of the pilot locations for its “Mi Kas Awor” (My Home Now) affordable homeownership programme. However, the project has not yet received final approval, as the amended building plans and construction permit remain under review by the Department of Spatial Planning and Development ROP. FKP emphasised that while the opinions issued by CBA and Fire Department are important technical components of the approval process, they do not constitute a building permit or indicate that the project has received final authorisation. In its advice to ROP, CBA concluded that the proposed building does not pose a risk to aviation safety, provided the conditions outlined in its assessment are met. The aviation authority determined that the project site is approximately 9.1 kilometres from Hato airport's reference point. Based on its obstacle assessment, the proposed building falls outside the airport's Obstacle Limitation Surfaces and outside protected instrument flight procedure areas. As a result, CBA concluded that the structure, as currently designed, would not interfere with aircraft operations. The assessment was based on a proposed building height of 25.8 metres, with a maximum elevation of 90.8 metres above mean sea level, including the authority's required safety margin. CBA noted that any future additions exceeding the approved height – such as rooftop structures, antennas, technical installations or other extensions – must be submitted for a new aviation safety assessment. It also stated that reflective materials and solar panels may require additional evaluation to determine whether they could create glare affecting aircraft operations. The Fire Department also reviewed the project from a fire safety perspective and issued a positive recommendation. FKP said the conditions and technical requirements attached to this advice will be incorporated into the detailed design and construction plans by the project team. Like the CBA's assessment, the Fire Department's opinion is limited to its area of technical responsibility and does not replace the broader planning and permitting decision that must be made by ROP. The Tera Kora development forms part of the pilot phase of “Mi Kas Awor.” The latter seeks to promote affordable housing costs, homeownership, long-term wealth creation for families and a structural increase in the supply of affordable homes on the island. The foundation stressed that neither CBA nor the Fire Department has approved the programme as a whole. Their reviews were limited to the aspects falling within their respective legal and technical responsibilities. The pilot project remains subject to approval of the amended building plans, issuance of the construction permit, completion of financing arrangements, and other implementation requirements. FKP currently plans to construct at least 72 homes during the first phase of the pilot project. In the longer term, the foundation aims to establish the capacity to build a minimum of 72 affordable homes annually under the “Mi Kas Awor” ownership model. FKP has previously argued that efficient land use, appropriate building heights, and responsible urban densification are necessary to increase the supply of affordable housing within Curaçao's existing spatial boundaries. The foundation has asked ROP to provide a policy assessment of the proposed building heights, housing density and site layout for Tera Kora Phase 2 and Wechi Phase 1. The final assessment of those proposals remains the responsibility of ROP and the other competent government authorities. FKP Director, Arthur E. Con, welcomed the positive technical advice but stressed that the project has not yet received final approval. "The advice from CBA and the Fire Department provides important technical confirmation for the Tera Kora construction proposal. It shows that, as submitted to these authorities, the project has been positively assessed from both an aviation safety and fire safety perspective," Con said. "At the same time, we want to be clear about the project's status. These opinions do not constitute a building permit and do not prejudge ROP's final decision. FKP respects the authority of all government agencies involved and will carefully incorporate all conditions into the project's further development." Con added that FKP remains committed to a transparent and legally sound approval process, balancing Curaçao's urgent need for affordable owner-occupied housing with requirements related to spatial planning, fire safety, aviation safety, liveability and the public interest.
