Construction corner

This composite photo of La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme shows the bridge leading to the community and a section of the houses which were constructed and then bought by the residents.

THE emergence of any new community gives rise to the need for continued interaction between policymakers and the residents for community action in arriving at the desired result of such a venture.

Community-based action in these and other settings is therefore seen as essential to community development and to the social and economic well-being of the locale.

This community action which can be viewed as the foundation of the development process of the community involves building social relationships in pursuit of common community interests designed to meet the general needs of all residents.

And, as the occupancy level increases, policymakers are more frequently faced with the task of establishing programmes to deal with the increasing demand for community services and facilities.

Today, officials from the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) will meet with residents of La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme on the West Bank of Demerara, one of the recent low-income housing developments. It is the second largest scheme being developed by the CH&PA, the other being Great Diamond.

This important interaction scheduled to take place today, will focus on the development of a Community Development blueprint for the community, commonly referred to as “Parfaite Housing Scheme” or simply “Parfaite”.

La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme consists of four plantations running parallel to each other, namely La Parfaite Harmonie, Westminster, Onderneeming and Recht-Door-Zee.

The need for this development plan is as a result of a steadily increasing occupancy level with concomitant increase in demand for community services and facilities, coupled with the increasing demand for infrastructure.

The unwavering priority of effectively managing future development initiatives, in anticipation of continued growth for Parfaite, is undoubtedly very necessary.

And, recognising this fact, the Government of Guyana, through the CH&PA, is working towards a vision of Parfaite Harmonie being developed into a self-sustaining community, better geared to support comfortable and convenient community life for its residents, according to CH&PA officials.

Parfaite Harmonie residents are quite satisfied with acquiring residential lots within the Scheme, and they have also recognised the immense potential innate to the scheme’s diverse population.

To this end, the residents are willing to explore community building, strengthening and integration options, if given the opportunity. They have too, so far, given clear and unanimous articulation for the provision of certain ‘essential services’ – health and community centers, schools, local markets, supermarkets, police and fire stations, banks and postal services, among others.

In acknowledging this and preparing for future development of the area, the CH&PA has begun the process of preparing a community development plan for the area that will address Parfaite’s community needs and articulate guidelines and proposals to satisfy them.

These guidelines and proposals will be built upon surveys and studies carried out which focused on assessing the current situation.

To date, CH&PA officials have completed a Needs Assessment Survey and Report, along with a profile of the community.

And today, at the intersection of Independence Road and Canal No. 1 Road, commonly called ‘Four Corner’, CH&PA officials, between 0900h and 1700h, will interact with residents during what is dubbed a community sensitisation meeting and community consultation, to share the objectives of the LIS Phase 2 Project and plan for the community.

A promotional flyer produced by the Planning and Settlement Development Department of the CH&PA, which was distributed within the community to inform residents of today’s activity, urges them to “Let’s plan together this Sunday!… It’s your chance to be heard!…Your vision, Your issues, Your solutions, Your ideas.”

Residents, after hearing the policymakers outline their plans, will, by way of an “Open House” forum, have the opportunity to share their ideas and discuss other issues of concern relative to the future development of the community.

The session, CH&PA officials noted, aims at allowing for a participatory process in allowing the community to help shape the plan for the area.

The CH&PA’s planning team will then analyse the results and proceed to finalise the first draft of the community development plan.