Jamaica: National spatial plan for risk mapping

Government of Jamaica media release

Minister with responsibility for Special Projects, Daryl Vaz, has informed Parliament that the government is addressing the issue of development in environmentally sensitive areas.

Minister Vaz was responding in Parliament on Tuesday, March 9, to a Private Members' Motion by Dr Donald Rhodd requesting that government conduct a study of the impact of recurrent natural disasters on the Eastern Parishes of Portland and St Thomas.

The Minister said that a comprehensive plan, being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) would address multiple hazards.

He noted that the National Spatial Plan, with part funding from the Caribbean Development Bank, is expected to develop strategies for addressing development in environmentally sensitive areas and that this will include areas at high risk to natural hazards and climate change.

The plan will include maps indicating no-build zones and high risk zones. The proposed St. Thomas Development Order will also address the issue of development in high risk areas in that parish.

The Minister noted that the National Spatial Plan will go beyond other initiatives such as the National Spatial Strategy and Parish Development Orders. It will include input from the Planning Institute of Jamaica, which receives reports from national agencies such as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) on the investigations conducted after natural disasters.