What is Habitat III? The third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development. The Conference is convened every 20 years: ▫ Habitat I: Vancouver, Canada : The first international UN Conference to fully recognize the challenge of urbanization. ▫ Habitat II: Istanbul, Turkey – 1996: Assessed two decades of progress since Habitat I and set fresh goals for the new millennium. Habitat Agenda adopted – “Adequate Shelter for All” ▫ Habitat III : Quito, Ecuador - October 2016: “A New Urban Agenda”

The New Urban Agenda “the capacity of urbanization … to address the challenges of poverty, inequality, its contribution to addressing climate change and also to advance more sustainable forms of consumption and production in the forthcoming years.” Dr. Joan Clos Executive Director UN-HABITAT

The New Urban Agenda Thematic Areas The UN has provided six thematic areas to guide all countries in the preparation of the National Reports and Plans of Action. 1)Urban Economy 2)Urban Demographics (Social Cohesion and Equity) 3)Urban Frameworks (Governance and Legislation) 4)Urban Ecology and Environment 5)Urban Planning and Design 6)Housing and Basic Services

The Barbadian Context

Why should Barbados Participate?  Barbados is a member of the United Nations.  Participation in the Conference is an opportunity to help shape the International Agenda in a way that benefits Barbados, the Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States.  It is an opportunity: ▫ To seek funding for development opportunities ▫ To develop partnerships with other countries ▫ To learn from best practices ▫ To secure technical assistance

How will Barbados Participate? The Cabinet approved the formation of a National Habitat Committee (NHC) to coordinate the process. It is made up of representatives of all sectors of society. The NHC is co-chaired by: Mr. Mark Cummins – Chief Town Planner & Mr. Jeremy Stephen – Economist, Lecturer The NHC will oversee the process of the preparation of : 1.The ‘Barbados Country Report’ which will update the Habitat II Report. 2.A ‘Plan of Action’ for Barbados which will guide housing policy for the next twenty years.

Urban Barbados The Physical Development Plan (amended 2003) defines an area running from Harrison Point, St. Lucy in the North to Ragged Point, St. Philip in the East as the Urban Corridor.

Speighstown Holetown Oistins Six Cross Road Planning boundaries Area Population 2010 Density /km² Density /Ha km²HaAcres Urban Corridor 1009,981 24,665182,5081,  Urban Corridor Urban Corridor BARBADOS AREA POPULATION Urban Corridor Bridgetown

LANDAST Forest land has increased by 21% over 23 years, The urban land area grew by 60 % in the last two decades. Historic Urban Footprint

Population The median population age is rising rapidly years years years Central Intelligence Agency CIA The World Factbook 17% population aged 55 and 11% surpassed age 65 17% Japan 47.5* Brazil 30.7* Mexico 27.3*

Considerations For The New Urban Agenda And The Plan of Action

Challenges Fostering Urban – Rural Linkages ▫ urban agriculture, rural tourism Urban Business Development ▫ urban poverty, youth unemployment Social Infrastructure ▫ crime, overcrowding, poor sanitation, exclusion, changing concepts of family and community Road Congestion ▫ pollution, low productivity Affordable Housing ▫ high land prices, access to financing, access to land Institutional Strengthening ▫ greater use of technology, greater inter-agency cooperation and coordination, fiscal constraints Green Economy / Agenda ▫ public awareness, financing, comprehensive legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks

Issues Emanating from the Community Access to housing ▫ Young middle income persons requiring rental accommodation, specially designed housing for the elderly Imagine of Greater Bridgetown Area ▫ Stigma of certain communities, perception/reality of crime, derelict buildings Building Standards ▫ Need for a document that can inform non-professionals Transportation ▫ Ferry/water taxis, promotion of bicycle use, shaded paths to encourage walking, flexi-time, improving bus routes and scheduling

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