Private Sector Urged to Partner with Government in Redevelopment of Urban Centres

Minister with responsibility for Housing in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, is calling on the private sector to partner with the Government in the regeneration of housing stock and the redevelopment of downtown Kingston and other urban areas.

He noted that much of the infrastructure in the urban centres have fallen into disrepair including lands in and around downtown Kingston, Spanish Town and other areas throughout the country.

“Based on the scope of work associated with regeneration initiatives, housing regeneration should not be seen as a public sector responsibility but as a joint effort oftentimes warranting public/private partnership,” he said.

He was delivering the keynote address at a World Town Planning Day lecture and exhibition at the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) Overtime Auditorium in New Kingston recently.

Minister Guy said that the Government recognises its critical role in community renewal and growth, and has embarked on several projects including the Inner-City Renewal Programme and the Infill Housing Programme.

As part of this process of redevelopment, the Ministry, last week, signed a contract for the improvement of the National Heroes Park. The project is estimated at just under $3 billion, with the initial phase to involve construction of a perimeter fence at a cost of $154 million.

“This development is intended to provide another oasis within the city and more specifically downtown,” Dr. Guy said.

“It will involve everything. They’re going to be grassing it, there’s going to be an amphitheatre, little curio shops, a recreational area, cycle, walking and jogging trails. It’s going to make downtown the centrepiece of Kingston and, by extension, Jamaica the centrepiece of the Caribbean,” he noted further.

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) designed the project, which involves collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders.

“Our architect has done a wonderful job,” UDC General Manager, Desmond Malcolm, told JIS News.

“It’s really going to be a marvellous project,” he said, noting that it will rival Emancipation Park in New Kingston when completed.