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.