Verón-Punta Cana.
The Territorial Planning Plan (POT) for Verón-Punta Cana was officially presented at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) as a landmark example of modern urban governance, legal certainty, and sustainable development. The initiative underscores the region’s commitment to protecting investor interests while ensuring controlled, responsible growth across the Dominican Republic’s premier tourism destination.
The presentation was delivered by Domingo Confesor Matías Hernández, Vice Minister of Territorial Planning and Regional Development at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development. Matías Hernández emphasized that Verón-Punta Cana has become the first concrete demonstration of the Dominican State’s evolving territorial planning policy—one grounded in transparent, predictable, and technically rigorous standards.
“The POT transcends simple land-use designation. It functions as a social and technical contract, ensuring that urban, tourism, and real estate development remains sustainable while preserving long-term asset value,” Matías Hernández stated.
Strategic Objectives: Balancing Growth with Protection
The Territorial Planning Plan addresses the district’s rapid expansion by establishing clear mechanisms to regulate population density, safeguard environmentally sensitive areas, and provide investors with regulatory certainty. These measures respond directly to the pressures created by Verón-Punta Cana’s accelerating development.
Ramón Ramírez (Manolito), district director of Verón-Punta Cana, characterized the POT’s implementation as a watershed moment in territorial management. “This plan equips the Municipal Board with technical instruments that enable transparent, coherent land-use certification,” he explained. “It strengthens private-sector confidence and eliminates guesswork from development decisions.”
Juan Carlos Sánchez Vila, head of Planning and Programming for the Municipal Board, detailed the technical framework underlying the plan. He outlined the zoning criteria, territorial management units, and preferred land uses designed to prevent improvisation and territorial saturation—ensuring that infrastructure, services, and amenities develop in tandem with population growth.
The participation of Alexander Rodríguez, district director of La Otra Banda, highlighted the inter-municipal coordination essential to harmonious regional development across the eastern Dominican Republic.
National Framework: Legal Security and Constitutional Protection
The Territorial Planning Plan aligns with the 2028 Country Strategy, a comprehensive initiative aimed at equipping all major tourism municipalities with clear, enforceable regulations governing where and how construction may occur. The framework integrates three critical pillars: private investment, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience.
Legal protections for investors are anchored in the Dominican Constitution, Law 368-22 on Territorial Planning, and its implementing regulations. This legal architecture eliminates administrative discretion, ensuring that projects meeting technical standards receive approval. Simultaneously, environmental safeguards and transparency protocols are embedded throughout, with zero tolerance for corruption.
Economic Powerhouse with Sustainable Vision
Verón-Punta Cana stands as one of the Dominican Republic’s most economically dynamic regions. With a population exceeding 138,000 residents and contributing more than 7% to national GDP, the district is positioned for accelerated growth through 2030. The Territorial Planning Plan ensures that urban expansion, infrastructure development, and public services scale proportionally with tourism investment and population growth.
Beyond economic metrics, the POT prioritizes ecosystem protection. Strategic natural areas—including wetlands, lagoons, coral reefs, and coastal zones—are designated for preservation. This approach safeguards the natural beauty and biodiversity that form the foundation of Punta Cana’s tourism appeal, ensuring these assets remain intact for future generations.
A Model for the Caribbean
The message delivered from FITUR was unambiguous: Verón-Punta Cana is an orderly, well-regulated territory with transparent rules, robust legal protections, and a clear vision for sustainable development. The region has established itself as a national and regional benchmark for territorial planning excellence and as a trusted destination for domestic and international investment.
The Territorial Planning Plan represents more than administrative procedure—it is a commitment to balancing prosperity with responsibility, growth with preservation, and investor confidence with community welfare.
