Poor physical infrastructure

§  Overcrowding and congestion in urban centres

§  Increased susceptibility to natural hazards

§  Inadequate waste management

§  Environmental degradation –unplanned consequences of urbanization

Papine Square, Kingston, the 1920’s

Papine Square, Kingston, 2013;

Papine Town Centre of the future

Response to urbanization in Jamaica

q  Response covers four major phases:

§  Reform and preparation of the local environment

§  Meeting developmental needs through social enterprises

§  Maximizing efficiency and effectiveness

§  Sustainable development initiatives for the long term

Specific Actions in Response to Urbanization in Jamaica

Prepare local environment for development

Engage local communities

Transform local institutions

Facilitate collaboration between communities and their institutions

Specific Actions in Response to Urbanization in Jamaica (cont’d)

Develop adequate responsive mechanisms for citizens in urban centres

Garner technical assistance through International Development Partners (IDPs)

Centres of Excellence and Best-Practices for emulation: Pilot initiatives

Thrust: Capacity Building and Transformation through international & local interventions or initiatives; technical-assistance, grants, loans, exchanges etc.)
Reform and Preparation of the local environment

§  Creation of Pilots- New forms of Municipalities or Urban Town Centres within the parish of St. Catherine initially

§  Directly elected Mayors or Town Centres with Town Managers – in accordance with assessed situation

§  Civil society participation recognised in law

§  Facilitating governance and services closer to the community and people

Map of Jamaica showing parishes
Reform and Preparation of the local environment (cont’d)

§  Proposed creation of Town Centres evolving in parishes

§  Employment of Town Managers supported by  Advisory Committees

§  Advisory Committees could transit to elected Town Councils

Social Enterprises for meeting developmental needs

§  Empowering individuals/groups/communities to access development initiatives

§  Vehicles include Social Development Commission (SDC), Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP)

Social Enterprises for meeting developmental needs (cont’d.)

§  The Social Development Commission(SDC) is the principal community agency of Jamaica

§  Agency of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD)

§  Responsible for the creation and strengthening of civil society organizations for effective participation at local and national levels

Social Enterprises for meeting developmental needs (cont’d.)

§  Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) mobilises resources for funding:

•        Community-based socioeconomic infrastructure