What will the future Cayman look like? - Editorial
The world is changing, global warming, climate change, pollution, over fishing, increasing human populations, the need for more homes and many other things are all putting demands on the world’s spaces and resources and the Cayman Islands is no different.
What will the future Cayman look like and are we planning for it?
Hurricane Ivan already changed the shape of this country and it is likely that man will also continue to impose other changes. It is therefore prudent for us to make plans for those changes.
From road management to where we build – these are crucial factors in shaping the future of this country.
The recent news that the Planning Department and the Department of Environment will be working more closely is welcome as it demonstrates a commitment to planning a better future for the Cayman Islands in terms of development.
There is no official environmental protection law here and although there are specific regulations and limitations within the planning law, we have yet to shape genuine laws to protect our environment.
In the past the development of hotels, condos and semi-commercial property and guidelines in years past meant development here was something of a free for all.
This has resulted in our lack of beachfront access and water front promenades common on other Caribbean Islands, as well as properties too close to the ocean, with some developments inappropriately placed.
Although not an environmental law, the Darwin Initiative, a UK Government grant scheme promoting biodiversity protection and sustainable use of the environment launched last week is a step in the right direction for protecting the future of the Cayman Islands.
Those working on the project have made it clear that both environmental and planning laws need to be in sync with each other for future sustainable development.
While it is true that we will be forced to build more property here, both residential and commercial, this new initiative will help to ensure that development does not take place in areas of specific scientific, scenic or natural importance or that the best and most suitable places are used for relevant developments and at the same time protecting the natural precious resources we have.
In order to protect our tourism, Cayman has been on top of its game when it comes to creating reserves and sanctuary for our marine environment – we must now try to do the same on the land.
We have already learned lessons about building too close to the ocean and destroying mangroves and we can trust that these are now things of the past.
As we develop a sustainable development policy though, we should also pay close attention to how we would like the future Cayman to look.
Do we need an architectural code to ensure a more aesthetic appearance for the future of our country? This is the sort of question those entrusted with our country’s future planning development should be asking.
We should not just be concerned with where future construction and development takes place but also what it will look like.
Our Sister Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are already taking secure steps to ensure the mistakes made on Grand Cayman will not be made there.
Creating the future Cayman means that all those involved need to take planning development and environmental protection seriously and work in tandem.
Each and every proposed development should be considered on a number of issues including environmental as well as aesthetic and moreover, the footprint law should perhaps be revised.
Where poorly constructed or placed buildings were destroyed by Hurricane Ivan, we should no longer allow the owners to repeat the same mistakes.
Our Islands are small and the resources precious. What we have destroyed we cannot bring back; however, we have the chance to preserve what we have and to ensure we get future development right and welcome the opportunity to build and plan for a better-looking Cayman of the future.
