“gobernabilidad y ecología de las ciudades metropolitanas de centroamérica y del caribe”: caso...

Roseau

Presented by Presented by Petrea E. HonychurchPetrea E. Honychurch

Physical Planning and Physical Planning and Development Authority, DominicaDevelopment Authority, Dominica

Governance and ecology of metropolitan cities in Central America

and the Caribbean

ROSEAUROSEAUCommonwealth of DominicaCommonwealth of Dominica

Where are we located?

Island: Quick facts

• 1493 Domingo = Dominica

• 29 miles/46 kilometers long and 16 miles/26 kilometers wide

• Independence 1979• Highest

concentration of volcanoes in the world (9)

Island: Quick facts

• Over 7000 ha National Park

• About 60% island is untouched

• Five separate ecosystems

• 70,000 people• Most of

population lives around the Capital

Locating a Capital

Portsmouth

1535: Dominica is declared to be a

stopping place for the outward-bound convoys of the Spanish treasure

fleets entering the Caribbean from

Europe.

1765: Portsmouth is designed and laid out

as the capital of Dominica.

1768: Portsmouth is found to be unhealthy

and plans are drawn up for the capital at

Roseau.

The Challenge of Roseau

MARKET and LANDING PLACE

Up the Roseau Valley And across the island

To the ford across the river

To the Church To the South

Fitting into the space

• Layout of Roseau 1790s showing forts batteries and defense systems

Cliff lines

The expansion of Roseau

Roseau grew, bounded on four sides by •the Roseau River•Bath Estate•Newtown Savannah •and the sea. •Only in the 20th century did it expand when estate lands were turned to housing.

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Derelict Buildings . Abandoned Derelict Buildings . Abandoned Properties Properties

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Abandoned Properties Abandoned Properties

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Garbage disposal (Church Street)Garbage disposal (Church Street)Waste DisposalWaste Disposal

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Illegal Dumping . VandalismIllegal Dumping . Vandalism

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Drainage . Sewage . Fire HazardDrainage . Sewage . Fire Hazard

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Absentee Homeowners . House Absentee Homeowners . House Tax . Family DisputesTax . Family Disputes

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

•Quiet after 6 pm . Loss of Quiet after 6 pm . Loss of High income housing . Former High income housing . Former dwelling houses becoming dwelling houses becoming offices . High demand for mixed offices . High demand for mixed services within a limited space services within a limited space

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Loss of Heritage . Loss of Heritage . Lack of harmony between old and new architectural forms

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Subdivision of agricultural landsSubdivision of agricultural lands

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Pedestrian NightmaresPedestrian Nightmares

Pedestrian Nightmare

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Maintenance . Exposed Drains Maintenance . Exposed Drains

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Traffic Congestion . Parking . Utility Traffic Congestion . Parking . Utility PolesPoles

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Circulation . Bus StationsCirculation . Bus Stations

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

VagrantsVagrants

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

VendorsVendors

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

VendorsVendors

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Cruise Ship BerthCruise Ship Berth

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

City center lacks greenery and open space

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Green Spaces . TheftGreen Spaces . Theft

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

ProposalsProposals

• Roseau Development Plan

• Roseau Revitalization Plan

• Roseau Historic District• Botanical Gardens

Rehabilitation• Stadium development

plans• Vendors arcade • Road & Side walk

rehabilitation• Riverside Boulevard and

Roseau link promenade• New and proposed road

works. • Design Guidelines for

Sustainable Tourism Development (and Sustainable Living)

Facing the Urban Reality in RoseauFacing the Urban Reality in Roseau

Perspective - Before and After

Success of Proposals?

What’s the problem?

• Lack of political will• Difficulty to get

Government to regard proposals from authority

• The absence of adequate financial support

• The constraints of the layout of the city

• Lot sizes• The socio economic

conditions.• Communication and

responsibility between agencies and stakeholders

• Any development is haphazard–No continuity–Not planned–Planning should be a

major stakeholder

• Lot sizes• The socio economic

conditions.• Communication and

responsibility between agencies and stakeholders

• Any development is haphazard–No continuity–Not planned–Planning should be a

major stakeholder

Solution

• Government to adopt a Five year plan

• Zoning and Land-use Plans• Stricter Code• Stewardship• Support of the Public

(Misunderstanding Sustainability

Decentralizing Dominica

Portsmouth

Wesley

Marigot

Castle Bruce

Laplaine

Grand Bay

Roseau

The pressure on Roseau will only be relieved if centers of investment and urban expansion are planned elsewhere in Dominica.

The population and the services required will then be more evenly spread across the island.

This must be the policy for the future, for the good of Roseau.

THE ENDMuchas Gracias

Thank YouMerci