WITH four new towns added within the last year, taking the number to 10, Guyana is moving into the zone where the importance of urban planning has to be recognised and treated for what it is. The identification of towns, which carries with it demarcation of boundaries and local governance points to the fact, that those who are given the people’s privilege to manage their affairs are expected to do so. Recent laws added to the Local Government system provide the parameters of the scope and authority for what the councils (political and administration arms) can do. Making the laws work requires visionary leadership, institutional support and strengthening. It is within this context that urban planning is one of necessity, if the towns are to function.
For some time this country has seen its towns in dire straits. Infrastructures such as the town halls (a basic feature of a town) have been in a state of disrepair, revenue-collection sporadic and unreliable, roads and drainage not properly maintained, zoning laws disregarded to name some. Based on the country’s economic circumstances, internal revenue-collection alone cannot sustain the town’s operations.
The impression, rightly or wrongly given, is that there is an absence of planning in urban development and management. Planning would entail among other things population (size and growth), infrastructure (e.g. roads, traffic light), utilities (e.g. energy and water), transportation (e.g. public, private), social services (health, education, waste management, post office), zoning, land use, and management of resources.
The above is no easy task and requires urban planners, political will and vision working in conjunction. Urban planners will bring the technical expertise and at the political end, the vision to map out objectives (short, medium and long term), including priorities and revenue-sourcing. In mapping out objectives such have to be realistic, equally as doable. Residents will have to be involved not only in having their inputs at the planning and feedback stage, but also an understanding and appreciation for the vision in order for it to work.
Where the government has embraced the Green Economy, this also has to factor in green-collar jobs. Green-collar jobs are new jobs that deal with environmental protection and sustainable development consistent with respecting Labour Policies. Township also carries with it property-value assessment as a determinant in revenue-collection. In evaluating properties, the ability of home and business owners to pay will have to be factored in. These are issues that have to be addressed and determined on the basis of the socio-economic realities of urban residents.
The mayor for the new town of Bartica has shared with this newspaper his vision to build an underground park. What is important is that ideas are surfacing. Each idea needs to be examined and arrive at what may be feasible. What is needed to buttress vision is technical expertise that will guide prioritisation and necessities. For instance, underground parking in Bartica which is used in other countries as revenue earners may not be economical at this point, based on the size of the community, volume of motor vehicles, and the access to alternative free parking.
Another matter of import in township is that of understanding of the role, functions and responsibilities of policy- makers (i.e. elected representatives/councils) and the administrative personnel. The council is responsible for shaping policies and making the by-laws. The administrative team enforces these and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the town. At council’s meeting, the Town Clerk, who is the administrative head, reports to the council on matters pertaining to management, and also any other departmental head the council summons to report.
Within recent times there exists the perception on the council’s part that it is responsible for day-to-day management. The conflating or misunderstanding of duties has to be addressed by the Ministry of Communities, lest it creates unnecessary friction between policy-makers and the administrative arm, which can stymie development. The Ministry of Communities, which has responsibility for local government, may have to examine its role and to what extent it will help the towns develop the necessary political finesse and acquiring the technical expertise to do its job efficiently and effectively. Outside of the older towns, which are also in need of institutional strengthening, the new towns need foundational support.