NEPA Celebrates World Town Planning Day from Nov. 8 to 9

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is celebrating World Town Planning Day from November 8 to 9.

The day is being observed under the theme ‘Housing Regeneration: Strengthening Communities’.

A church service was held at the Kingston Parish Church on November 8, to start off activities.

An exhibition and panel discussion will be held on November 9 at the National Housing Trust’ Overtime facility in New Kingston. Dr. Morais Guy, Minister with responsibility for housing will be the guest speaker.

Director of the Spatial Planning Division at NEPA, Leonard Francis told JIS News that this year’s primary objective is to sensitize the public, on how housing regeneration can redevelop and strengthen communities where housing is not as vibrant as it could be.

“We’ll be having career talks in schools.  So we’ve targeted some major schools in the corporate area.  There is going to be a public lecture and panel discussion starting at 10:00am.  We’ll also be having an exhibition with several of the housing agencies,” he said.

The panel discussion will include experts such as Deputy Chair, Town and Country Planning Authority, Dr. Carol Archer; General Manager, Development Division at West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) Ltd, Aisha Campbell.; Member of Parliament, North Eastern St. Andrew, Mr. Delroy Chuck; Architect, Institute of Jamaica and Jamaica Institute of Architects, Ms. Ann Hodges and Project Director, Pan-Jam Investment Trust Ltd, Mr. Dayton Wood.