As tribute to the transfer of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama on December 31, 1999, a wonder of engineering to the service of navigation and world commerce, declared by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as the Monument of the Millenium; the Pan-American Federation of Engineers (UPADI) and the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA) will be organizing the XXVI Convention of the Pan-American Federation of Engineers Associations UPADI 2000, programmed to take place in Panama City. As hosts, the SPIA will feel honored in receiving its American colleagues in this convention, within which will be taking place: eight Pan-American Engineering Congresses, an exposition about the Panama Canal and the Pan-American Technology Fair, all at the ATLAPA Convention Center, from the 21-25 of August, 2000

CONGRESSES:

• XIX Pan-American Congress of the Teaching of Engineering
• X Pan-American Congress of Energy
• IV Pan-American Congress of Sustainable Development
• XI Pan-American Congress of Oceanic and /coastal Engineering
• IV Pan-American Congress of Mainetenance
• II Pan-American Congress of Civil Engineering and Planning THEME: "Civil Engineering and Planning in the XXVI Century"

OBJECTIVES:

Taking into account the technological advances on an international level, globalization and the trend towards the opening of markets, the exchange of information, knowledge and experiences among engineers has become indispensable in all the areas of civil engineering and planning as well as the establishment of broad bases for cooperation, which allow us to reach a reciprocal knowledge among professionals. Because of these reasons, the II Congress of Civil Engineering and Planning will be taking place.

CONFERENCE THEMES:

• Norms and codes for structural design.
• The use of postensions in high buildings.
• The use of high resistance concrete.
• Concrete in hot climates
• Seismic-resistant designs in concrete structures.
• Deep tunnels and excavations.
• The design and placing of rigid sidewalks and flexible pavements.
• Computer programs for civil engineering.
• Regulating programs and zoning.
• Civil engineering and planning in the development and use of reverted areas.
• The planning of highways and secondary roads.
• Civil engineering in the preparation for, and response to, natural disasters.
• The planning and development of the principal centers of urban growth in the capital and in the interior of the country.
• The identification, use and planning of natural resources which provide the materials for the production of concrete (fine aggregates and thick aggregates).
• Mass public transportation systems for the public in metropolitan areas (Solutions for Panama City)
• Private investments and concessions
• Alternatives for the modernization and improvement of the Panama Canal
• Civil engineering in the conservation and rehabilitation of historic centers The sanitation plan for the city and the bay.