Editorial | Bernard Lodge, urban expansion and good governance

The Holness administration has moved full speed ahead with its Bernard Lodge development plan, announcing last week that the Government is allocating an additional 1,300 acres for agricultural purposes. This move suggests that the Government is not yet sure of the way forward, and that the project is not within the context of a comprehensive and holistic strategic plan for the region. If we are mistaken, and the Government does have such a plan, it is incumbent on the administration to share it with the general public.

The additional 1,300 acres was apparently in response to criticisms and protests about the displacement of farmers now on the land, and who will be asked to make way for the building of 17,000 houses over the next decade. The prime minister has pulled back from the notion of Bernard Lodge being a new city. He now sees it more as a “new township” – more an expansion of the Portmore development.

The 2007 Agricultural Census showed that 75 per cent of Jamaica’s farmers own less than 15 per cent of the agricultural lands; usually the least productive. This is a good part of why a large proportion of the over 220,000 Jamaican small farmers, with their average holding of 1.4 hectares, and using ancient technology, are living in poverty. The pushback about using prime agricultural land for housing is bound up in the fact that land use and land reform are critical to the search for poverty reduction or prosperity and long-term development in Jamaica.

Outline of strategic plans

The Government has recognised the absence of what the prime minister referred to as “full information so that the public can genuinely make a decision”. In August, Mr Holness told the country that he had asked Minister Daryl Vaz to prepare a full report on the Bernard Lodge housing development, which was to be presented to the country in short order. What is really needed, however, is an outline of the draft comprehensive and strategic plans for the region to allow meaningful public consultation, and, ultimately, a full debate in the nation’s Parliament.

Urban expansion is important

There are good reasons for the expansion of the urban centres around Kingston to be given serious attention. Just as important, however, is the need for the revitalisation of the blighted areas within the city that already have the road network, water supply systems in place, and a housing stock in need of upgrading.

Cities are, by definition, supposed to be more efficient and productive, with large numbers of people living in high density and compact population areas, serving as pools of consumers and skilled personnel. This makes productivity and market efficiency higher than in rural areas, leading to increased earnings, wealth creation and better quality of life. But this happens only if certain key conditions are met.

Large numbers of poorly educated people living in very bad social conditions, earning low incomes, and with poor urban infrastructure, will not drive prosperity.

Already, over 45 per cent of Jamaicans live in urban areas and the proportion is expected to reach over 70 per cent by 2050. To get Jamaica to grow faster, the cities and urban centres must become more productive and efficient by paying attention to the critical infrastructure needs and social amenities.

Transportation and the road system must be quick, cheap and safe for workers and ordinary commuters. Likewise, the communication network must be modern, inexpensive, secure and reliable.

In addition to the normal social infrastructure for health and education, the general social conditions for all citizens must be liveable. Environmental pollution and garbage collection must be at acceptable international standards. Safe, secure and adequate green spaces must be readily available for citizens. Further, water supplies must be safe, adequate and affordable for households and industrial users.

These are the issues we hope Minister Vaz’s report on the Portmore-Bernard Lodge development area will address. Extending all the urban challenges from Kingston across a larger area of St Catherine will not advance development.