DOWNTOWN Georgetown will reflect a better image of urbanity when the proposed Parliament Square development, intended to drastically enhance the surroundings, is completed by the middle of next year. Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali unveiled the plan at a media briefing held recently in the Boardroom of his ministry, on Brickdam.
He said, for the uplifting, the Government has decided to demolish the old ministerial building, which formerly housed the Bureau of Statistics.
Ali said the project is geared to pave the way for the re-development of the site as an elevated mini urban park, consistent with planning and design principles defined by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
He said the accomplishment will have a catalytic effect on the overall thrust towards the enhancement of valued urban spaces to restore Georgetown to the ‘Garden City’.
“This facility is unique and it is intended to rejuvenate and stimulate a change in the culture of the people and enhance the garden nature of our city, while preserving the historical traditions,” Ali said.
He said numerous plans, to enhance places in the capital, were proposed during the ‘Building Expo’ staged earlier this year and included Stabroek Market Square and the Boardwalk.
But the redevelopment of the targeted site was decided upon as it was the most feasible, in terms of logistics.
Ali said: “The Government of Guyana is now in the process of developing this facility, captioned as ‘Parliament Square’ and the strategic intent behind the project is centred on the active role of the Private Sector in partnership with public agencies.”
ASHMIN’S COMPLEX
In that regard, he disclosed that discussions have begun with the proprietor of Ashmin’s Complex, on High Street, to upgrade those premises to match the proposed developments.
Outlining the extent of the design and development, Ali pointed out that the concept is to stimulate the progressive transformation of the quality of the city’s environment, based on modern city planning approaches.
He said, to accomplish this, natural elements, such as building blocks, shrubbery and trees, will be used to create a greener, cleaner environment, factoring in sustainability considerations as well to create a highly accessible and centrally located public recreational facility.
Ali said despite the redevelopment, the historic significance of the demolished structure would be preserved as a miniature model, along with meticulous landscaping to accentuate the site’s historical value and compensate for the loss of the edifice.
“The President (Bharrat Jagdeo) himself made it clear that we need to develop our country in a manner which will change the way we view the environment,” the Minister stated.
Other key features of the proposals include a model of a miniature Public Buildings, to be used for educational purposes by persons visiting, as well as a fountain centrally sited on a mound, surrounded by a circle of shrubs.
“This is to highlight our natural environment,” Ali said, adding: “The concept of the Low Carbon Development Strategy is important to us, even in the urban centres. So we need to push this.”
Management of the implementation will be guided by inter-agency collaboration among stakeholder agencies as the CH&PA recognises that the nature of the project requires diligent collaborative supervision, if consistency, in terms of standards, is to be maintained throughout the design and implementing phases.