Jam Pic Series # 6



Team Canada

This past weekend we were invited to attend a gala for Mr. Minnott, the previous chair of the Manchester PDC. From left, Danny, Nicole, Morgan and myself. Lookin good...

Jam Pic Series # 5



Long Beach - Negril



Jam Pic Series # 4



 Roots Bamboo - Negril



Jamaica Underwater

I haven’t had the chance to write in awhile, seeing as my internet at home NEVER works and my internet at work is spotty at best, but I’m writing now. Today’s topic:  the impact of built form on the natural environment annnnddddd the reality of living on a tropical island. This combo creates havoc in Jamaica and has been discussed at nearly every meeting I’ve attended. Arriving just after hurricane Nicole, I witnessed the aftermath and impact that heavy rains have on the region. Some major roads were completely washed out leaving debris and scattered fragments, preventing travel and leaving people stranded without food, water or assistance. Minor roads were either completely washed out, flooded or had become so riddled with pot holes that they were barely passable. Many houses, churches and schools were submerged in three feet of water. Some are still under a foot of water two months after. Stagnant water leads to an increased risk of disease, foul smells and a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

I was not prepared for the amount of flooding and damage that had occured, especially in St. Elizabeth.  The parish is home to the Great Morass, a vast network of swamps, rivers and floodplains. Black River is actually located on the boarder of these swamps, and the Black River of course, as well as the ocean.  During the rainy season, flash storms/floods are frequent and hurricanes are a definite reality. Naturally, flooding is a risk for Black River, and the rest of St. Elizabeth.  I mean there’s only so much one can do to protect against mother-nature and the damage she can inflict in a short period of time.

However, flooding becomes a major problem when infrastructure is left to develop in a relatively unchecked fashion, especially in a region as geographically complex at St. Elizabeth.  I suppose a good portion of the development in Black River could be considered a form of urban sprawl, although not the type of sprawl one would see in say, Toronto. For example, I’ve seen houses that have clearly been erected in a flood plain and subdivisions that exist entirely in marshlands. I’m no expert in determining what a “marshland” is, but usually if a national map labels an area as marshland and there’s more than one proposed “lot” underwater, chances are its some type of marsh.  St. Elizabeth lacks any sort of formal growth plan, and with city planning being a relatively new occurrence in Jamaica, many development projects have proceeded without fully understanding the impact they might have on the natural environment and the local community. For example, in the past some developers have purchased a piece of land that is located in close proximity to a flood plain, filled it in with gravel so it sits on higher ground, and re-sell it so it can be developed. Not only is this property still at risk of being flooded, but it creates an impermeable surface with increased run-off exacerbating the overall problem.

Unfortunately there is another side to the story, or as the popular Jamaican radio station  by the same name would say, we need to hear "both sides of the story". I should note that I only know this radio station because I hear it every day in the office from about 1-4, and its theme song is "Hands" by Jewel, which is played during every commercial break.  The flip side is that many Jamaicans can't afford land resulting in residences which are constructed on lands that aren't officially owned by the family. In fact a national program was started last week to help people acquire land titles, to simplify the process and make it more affordable for people to prove their owndership. In some circumstances, residents constuct houses in the communities they were born or have access to using any available land. Often these residents are at risk of flooding, or other natural disasters. This applys to both residential and commercial development of course, both resulting in a development pattern that really has no rhyme or reason. Similarly local governments have lacked the necessary resources, financial or other, to enforce any sort of plan that may have been developed. With limited resources efforts must be focused on basic needs such as road networks (which I'll talk about in a later blog), running water, hospitals, education etc.

Many of the detrimental development patterns are from previous years where city planning wasn’t given much consideration. Working with the planning department, I’ve experienced first -hand the efforts of the planning department and local leaders that are striving for a more sustainable means of development. I’ve also met countless community members who recognize the need for proper planning and who understand the inherent connection between built form and the environment. Living in a tropical climate does come with certain risks. However these risks can be mitigated by providing development that is sustainable and considers the physical environment and its natural limitations. As planning continues to be recognized across the country healthy development patterns should follow. 

B

1 Month Down

Well, today marks the official start of week five in Jamaica working as a Sustainable Development Planner for the St. Elizabeth Parish Council Planning Department.  The past month has seen me consume more fried chicken and rice and beans (and maybe Red Stripe as well) then I thought I’d eat in my entire life. I’ve driven across nearly half the island through rolling mountains and incredible landscapes spread over five different parishes. I’ve spent hours swimming in the ocean at the rustic but beautiful Treasure Beach and I’ve risked being swept away after taking a swinging rope plunge in the YS Falls. I've had the opportunity to stay in my first all inclusive resort (which I always thought I'd hate, but how can you really hate tropical beaches and sea-side views). I’ve met some amazing and hilarious people and already feel more in touch with a culture that is distinctively different then what I expected...proof that stereotypes are often wrong (except for the notion of "Jamaican time"). Although I’ve managed to squeeze a lot of fun and adventure into this past month, I’ve actually been working this entire time....honestly, I have.  Here’s a little bit about what I’ve been doing, and what I’m here to do:

A Bit of Background

St. Elizabeth, considered by many to be the “bread basket” of the country, is Jamaica’s third largest parish and is located in the western half of the island between Manchester and Westmoreland.  In recent years, St. Elizabeth has seen a rise in tourism, particularly eco tourism,  attracting those who want a “Jamaican” experience in a more culturally intact region of the island (in comparison to the resort areas) and an opportunity to meet local residents. St. Elizabeth is home to a variety of natural attractions including the YS Falls, Black River’s crocodile tour, and the distinctly easy going Treasure Beach area, making it a popular destination for nature tourists and those looking for small beaches off the beaten track. It also has the Appleton Rum Distillery...a must for any rum enthusiast, myself included. Although it is recognized that tourism can positively impact the local economy, residents have expressed concern that the area could develop in a fashion similar to that of the north coast (aka large, commercial development that dominates the landscape). It was determined that a plan needs to be created that would help preserve the area’s natural and cultural features while also addressing the economic, social, and environmental needs of the region.

After the success of Manchester’s Sustainable Development Plan in 2008, the parish of St. Elizabeth was selected by the Canadian Urban Institute for the development of a second sustainable development plan.  St. Elizabeth is in the beginning stages of replicating the local sustainable development process that was used during the development of Manchester’s Sustainable Development Plan. Using a modified Manchester model that will be adapted to the context of the Parish, St Elizabeth is developing a long term sustainable plan for the south west portion of the Parish. Eventually the plan will expand  to cover the entire region. 

 Map:  While I live in Black River, I spend my weekends either traveling or with the other interns in Mandeville.

Sustainable Development Planner...????

My primary role as Sustainable Development Planner is to assist with the development of St. Elizabeth’s Sustainable Development Plan working with the Parish Development Council (PDC) a non-partisan partnership between community groups, NGS’s, the business sector and the local government, and the Parish Council Planning Department.  I should note that I’m the first CUI intern to come to St. Elizabeth, and the only one living in Black River. Although the CUI has been working with Jamaica for some time, St. Elizabeth is a recent addition to their list of partner parishes. The three other Canadian interns, who I spend most of my weekends with, live and work in Mandeville, about an hour drive from Black River in the next Parish over.

Map: This map shows the main attractions in St. Elizabeth. It takes roughly a half hr to drive from Black River to Treasure Beach.

So Here's What I’ve Been Doing

First off I should say that starting a new job in a new country is a much more complex process then I expected..on many levels. I underestimated the cultural differences, many of which are more noticeable in a work environment. The past month has been as much of a learning curve in terms of actual work as it has been learning to relate to Jamaicans in a professional context. Most of my time is spent dealing with development applications, subdivision approvals, attending a variety of planning and related meetings in Black River and beyond, and working on a few independent projects that are helping with the preparation of the long term plan...or more specifically, preparing us to work on the plan. At the moment, the planning department and relevant agencies are organizing the logistics of the plans preparation (office space, funding, equipment, and personal). As such, this month has provided ample time to familiarize myself with the Jamaican planning process, making me feel that much more comfortable and ready to contribute to the next stage of the project.

Overall my first month has had many ups...and a few downs, similar to any traveling experience I've had in the past. Living in a country where it’s not recommended to walk around at night but gets dark at 6pm makes for little time to really explore your environment and a lot of time to spend at home trying to entertain yourself. I actually still haven’t explored Black River having spent most of my weekends traveling to other areas of the country, and my evenings in doors. And well, one can only eat so much fried chicken (although I still kind of love it..Jamaican’s seriously know how to cook some good fried chicken). Not entirely what I expected when I thought of Jamaica and living on the coast.



My position at work has been a learning curve, both from a professional and cultural stand point. Really it’s been a matter of figuring out how I fit into the greater scheme of the project, and how I can contribute on a day to day basis.  But...I think I’m getting it. Things seem a bit better and a little easier each day and I’m starting to feel at home in Black River, both at work and with the family I’m staying with. The key has been to recognize challenges and tackle them head first... trial by fire I say. These challenges are what will ultimately make the experience that much more gratifying. The hardest things in life often end up being the things you learn the most from (Brody the philosopher?). On that note, I’m truly looking forward to what new adventures and challenges the next four weeks have to offer.

Jam Pic Series # 3

One of the definite highlights of working with the planning department is the opportunity to participate in planning meetings, workshops, symposiums and the like. This one just happened to take place in Ocho Rios, on the North Coast, leading to an incredible 3 hr drive through the mountains and an over night stay at a pretty luxurious resort located right on the coast. I'll have to talk more about the actual meetings I've attended in my next post. For now I just wanted to show what life has been like so far.



Jam Pic Series # 2

Other then the fact that there is no sidewalk for a good part of the walk, and that this is one of the main highways where people have a tendency to speed, it's a pretty liberating morning walk...when I'm not dodging cars to save my life that is.

The St. Elizabeth Parish Council planning office, where I spend the majority of my time. Saving grace..AC baby! Sometimes I stay hrs after work just so I don't have to go home to my sauna of a house.

Jam Pic Series # 1

Black River: My House for the Next 6 months/Wall of Fame. Note: The pictures on the wall came with the room.