WILLEMSTAD – Fundashon Kas Popular (FKP) has cleared two important technical milestones for its proposed affordable housing development in Tera Kora, with both the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) and the Curaçao Fire Department issuing positive technical advice on the project.
According to FKP, the Tera Kora development is one of the pilot locations for its Mi Kas Awor affordable homeownership program. 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 emphasized that while the opinions issued by the CCAA and the 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 authorization.
No Aviation Safety Objections
In its advice to ROP, the CCAA 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 kilometers from Hato International Airport's Airport 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, the CCAA concluded that the structure, as currently designed, would not interfere with aircraft operations at Hato Airport.
The assessment was based on a proposed building height of 25.8 meters, with a maximum elevation of 90.8 meters above mean sea level, including the authority's required safety margin.
The CCAA 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.
Fire Department Issues Positive Advice
The Curaçao 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 the Fire Department's advice will be incorporated into the detailed design and construction plans by the project team.
Like the CCAA'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.
Pilot Project for Mi Kas Awor
The Tera Kora development forms part of the pilot phase of FKP's Mi Kas Awor program, an initiative aimed at expanding affordable homeownership opportunities in Curaçao.
According to FKP, the program 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 the CCAA nor the Fire Department has approved the Mi Kas Awor program 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.
Efficient Land Use
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: Technical Milestones, Not Final Approval
FKP Director Arthur E. Con welcomed the positive technical advice but stressed that the project has not yet received final approval.
"The advice from the CCAA 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, livability, and the public interest.