Letter of the Day | Jamaica needs comprehensive urban planning for major events

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As another Emancipation and Independence weekend concludes on Jamaica’s north coast, I write to highlight the urgent need for proper urban planning and environmental consideration in our major events. While celebrations like “Best Weekend Ever” and many other events from this weekend bring tourism benefits, the current approach is creating significant problems for residents and our natural environment.

This past weekend, residents of Richmond Estate were subjected to fireworks at 2:43 AM that literally shook elderly residents, children, and the sick from their beds. My own mother thought it was “Judgement (Day).” This followed nights of unfiltered profane music and DJs screaming into microphones until dawn – a pattern that has unfortunately become typical of Jamaica’s events.

More concerning is the complete lack of traffic and parking planning. On Sunday, August 3, what should have been a one-hour journey from Montego Bay took three hours due to event-related congestion. I had enough time to contemplate life choices and seriously considered abandoning my car to walk. Venues like Puerto Seco host massive events with no adequate parking provisions. The result? A masterclass in creative parking and driving behaviour that would make a Jamaican taxi driver nervous.

We can do better. Here’s how:

Mandatory urban planning requirements – Municipal Corporations should require comprehensive traffic and urban planning assessments before issuing event permits. This isn’t just bureaucracy – it’s responsible governance.

If promoters know expected attendance, they can work with police to estimate vehicle numbers and implement solutions like designated parking at football fields with shuttle services to venues.

Our planning must include environmental impact assessments. Jamaica’s natural beauty is our greatest asset, and we cannot allow events to damage the very environment that attracts visitors.

Events should enhance, not disrupt, community life. Noise ordinances must be enforced, and residents’ rights to peaceful enjoyment of their homes must be protected.

While we celebrate tourism revenue, we should also calculate the economic losses from traffic delays, environmental damage, and resident displacement.

PROPER INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOGISTICS

Jamaica is now in its fourth year of hosting “Best Weekend Ever,” yet we haven’t learned to plan properly. We know dancehall and large-scale events are here to stay, and they should be. These celebrations are part of our culture and economy. But sustainable event management requires balancing economic benefits with environmental protection and community welfare. Right now, our planning strategy seems to be “throw it all together and hope for the best weekend ever.”

Other countries successfully host major events without destroying their environment or disrupting residents’ lives. Jamaica can too, but only if we demand comprehensive planning from both promoters, authorities and city planners.

Our municipal corporations have the power to require better city planning as a condition for event permits. Our promoters can invest in proper infrastructure and logistics.

The question is: will we continue accepting chaos as “typical Jamaican style”, or will we demand the professional event management which our beautiful island deserves?

Jamaica’s natural environment and community wellbeing must not be sacrificed for short-term profits. Let’s plan for events that celebrate our culture while protecting our future.

MONIQUE GRANT J.P.

Urban Planner/Lecturer