Category Archives: Symposiums & Events

The 2022 Caribbean Urban Forum (CUF) Conference in Barbados was held from 15th-17th June, 2022 as a hybrid of physical and online meetings. This year’s theme was Beyond COVID: Recovery – Renewable – Resilience.

Final CUF 22 AGENDA -17June2022_updated

Hybrid Platform will remain accessible to all registered participants for one (1) month : https://cuf2022.vfairs.com/

Panel 4 –The Changing Nature of Planning Practice in the Public Service

Planning practice in the public service is of course underpinned and guided by the legal and institutional framework for the regulation of the development of land.

Planning law in Barbados has recently been transformed by the repeal and replacement of the Town and Country Planning Act, enacted in the 1960s, by the Planning and Development Act 2019. The new Act makes radical changes to the administrative system for physical planning and development control as well as modernizing the philosophical approach to planning.

To begin with, mention should be made of the open process by which the new legislation was arrived at and adopted. This began with a PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS kicked off by the PM on 16th July 2018 – within weeks of the change in government. The initial discussions (which were carried live on the GIS website and followed by a national and international audience) were followed by a GREEN PAPER which was published for further public comment. The Bill was laid in the house in December 2018, within 6 months of the original discussions, and enacted in January 2019. When it was subsequently decided to amend the Act to transform the TCPDO into a ONE-STOP-SHOP for planning and building approval, a further round of STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS was held in 2019 and the necessary amendments were passed in March 2020. Hence, it can be said that there has been general buy-in by stakeholders – including relevant professionals and developers. It should be noted that the BTPS led all the public consultation exercises involved in the development of the new legislation.

The purposes of the Act speak to –

• the facilitation of land development
• the attainment of appropriate standards
• efficiency and accountability on the part of regulatory authorities
• public participation in decision-making and
• effective access to redress and remedies for persons aggrieved.

The new administrative system it is firmly based on principles of transparency, collegial decision-making and public participation, all of which are designed to raise the veil on decision-making that characterized the old system and eliminate the opportunities for bias and corruption in development control. The element of collegial decision-making is shared by the OECS COUNTRIES, but the measures for ensuring transparency and public participation are new.

To give Barbados credit where it is due, this is the only country in the region which has substantially complied with its statutory obligations vis-à-vis land use planning under the old legislation. However that process was very outdated and not reflective of modern planning practice. Hence, the system of development planning has been modernized and made more participatory and the legal status of the development plan enhanced. Express provision has been made for the adoption of supplementary planning policies. This is intended to eliminate reliance on “desk-drawer policies” which are the bêtes noir of planning practice in the Caribbean.

As regards development control, with the exception of applications referred to the Minister, all major decisions will be made by a multi-disciplinary public-private sector Board. Only applications of national strategic importance will be referred to the Minister. All applications will be processed by the professional staff of the Planning and Development Department, who will also decide minor applications. Strict deadlines for the processing of applications have been set. The system is premised on the principle of facilitation of land development (getting past “No”/getting to “Yes”). The Act expressly states that decisions must be guided by a presumption in favour of granting planning permission – in cases where applications can be approved if modified, a entirely new form of decision “provisional refusal” will issue, which only becomes refusal if the plans are not modified.

The Department will function as a “One Stop Shop” for building as well as planning control, but most building plans reaching the Department will have been certified by registered professionals who will assume general responsibility to ensuring conformity to building codes and standards. This element of the legislation builds on an aspect of the new legislation (PADL) adopted in TRINIDAD & TOBAGO a few years ago (2014), but not yet fully proclaimed.

Provisions for the protection of the natural and built environment have been greatly strengthened. This aspect could be of great significance as the situation with environmental law in Barbados is in need of comprehensive review and improvement. Environmental management is the subject of various pieces of unrelated legislation administered by several different agencies. We have not yet achieve the union of institutional responsibility for physical planning and environmental management that was achieved by JAMAICA some two decades ago and has just been effected in SURINAME, which is about to embark on the development of a new Spatial Planning Law.

A new and transparent system for the hearing of appeals against the merits of administrative decisions by an APPEALS TRIBUNAL has also been introduced. The system has been depoliticized, regularized and opened up to public scrutiny. The right of recourse to the courts of law to challenge the legality of regulatory decisions is unaffected.

The potential benefits of the new legislation have not been fully realized to date because the required institutional strengthening of the Planning and Development Department has not been given the same urgency as was given to the enactment of the legislation. Setting aside the requirements for the start up of the “One Stop Shop” for the time being (as that part of the Act has not been proclaimed) there are other capacities that must be built up as soon as possible – for example: establishment of an Environmental Service Unit in the Department, which is critical to the new EIA process provided for in the Act and EIA Regulations. The efficiency of the system for decision-making provided for in the new Act depends as much on having adequate and appropriate staff in the Department as on a radical change in the institutional culture of the Department.

CTA 16/06/2022

We have extended the deadline for the Call for Papers for Caribbean Urban Forum 2022. The new deadline for submission is March 28th, 2022. Abstracts submitted by this date will receive feedback by April 12th, 2022.

Barbados will be hosting the 2022 Caribbean Urban Forum (CUF) Conference and it will be held from 15th-17th June, 2022 as a hybrid of physical and online meetings. This year’s theme is Beyond COVID: Recovery – Renewable – Resilience.

We will provide updates on our various platforms regarding bookings and participation. View and follow our Facebook page here: BTPS Facebook Page

Also, the Call for Papers for Caribbean Urban Forum 2022 is out. Click here to download latest: CUF 2022 – Call for Papers Final – Booklet Updated 2022-03-08

Caribbean Urban Forum is the premium Conference on urban and land planning in the Caribbean held annually since 2011. It brings together planners, academics, urban and land managers, high level decision makers and other allied professionals for knowledge dissemination, capacity building and policy dialogue.

Exciting news!  Barbados will be hosting the 2022 Caribbean Urban Forum (CUF) Conference and it will be held from 15th-17th June, 2022 as a hybrid of physical and online meetings. This year’s theme is Beyond COVID: Recovery – Renewable – Resilience.

Go to the CUF 2022 Website to REGISTER NOW!

We will provide updates on our various platforms regarding bookings and participation.  View and follow our Facebook page here: BTPS Facebook Page

Also, the Call for Papers for Caribbean Urban Forum 2022 is out. Click here to download latest:  CUF 2022 – Call for Papers Final – Booklet Updated 2022-03-08

Caribbean Urban Forum is the premium Conference on urban and land planning in the Caribbean held annually since 2011. It brings together planners, academics, urban and land managers, high level decision makers and other allied professionals for knowledge dissemination, capacity building and policy dialogue.

The Barbados Town Planning Society held its World Town Planning Day 2020 Symposium Lunchtime Webinar on 6th November, 2020 (recording at bottom of page).

Topic: BRIDGETOWN REVITALISATION

Description: Bridgetown has experienced a slow exodus of commercial activity over the past decade that has reduced its significance as a capital city. This webinar will explore ideas of how to revitalise Bridgetown as a vibrant multi-functional centre which is even more necessary for restoring its significance post-pandemic.

You are invited to watch the symposium via the below link:

Date Held: 6th November 2020
Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30pm
Format: Panel Discussion
Platform: Zoom
Registration fee: FREE

Panellists

• Dr. Annalee C. Babb – CEO of Knowledge Consultants Inc. and Founding CEO of Invest Barbados.
• Ms. Georgina Callender – Innovation Consultant, Founder and Creative Director of G Innovative.
• Mr. Geoffrey Ramsey – Planning and Design Consultant for the Synagogue Historic District and Managing Director, EPG Caribbean
• Mr. John Williams – CEO of Cave Shepherd and Chairman of Invest Barbados.

We marked our 50^th Anniversary (1968 – 2018) with the election of three Honorary Members.  This is in recognition of their outstanding contributions to town planning in the island, and the three honorees are as follows:

• former Chief Town Planner Luther Bourne;
• former Chief Town Planner Lionel Nurse; and
• specialist planning and environmental lawyer Christine Toppin-Allahar.

The presentations to the honorees were made by Hon Marsha Caddle MP, Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, who thanked them for their outstanding contributions to town planning in Barbados at a reception event held at the Radisson Hotel on 6th July, 2019.

The Minister went on to say that this is an important time for town planning in Barbados.  The Planning and Development Act 2019 is a major step forward and gives us the framework for a modern town planning system that matches the needs of Barbados in the twenty first century.  However, more work needs to be done before that Act can be proclaimed and implemented.  Minister Caddle said these changes involve challenges for both public servants and for the private sector but it would be worth the effort in that it will give us a system that facilitates the development and investment that the country needs.

BTPS – our history and our work today

The Society (originally called the Barbados Town & Country Planning Society) was founded in 1968 at a meeting convened by the late Leonard St Hill.  We are celebrating completion of our first 50 years.  The principle objective of the original rules was “the promotion of the study of land use planning and the provision of a forum for the development of informed public opinion on all planning matters for the improvement of the community as a whole”.  This broad aim has been central to the Society’s work for 50 years.

The Society has always been outward looking.  It includes professional planners from both the public and private sectors and since 1972 has welcomed people from related professions or with an interest in planning to join as Associate Members.

BTPS has always had an international perspective.  In 1970 Richard Gill (now Past President of BTPS) was one of the people who drafted a constitution for the Commonwealth Association of Planners.  We have continued our involvement with that body ever since.

BTPS is also active in the Caribbean Planners Association.  Our President, Dr Yolanda Alleyne, is Vice President of CPA and is working with colleagues to achieve the accreditation of planning schools in the region and on accreditation standards for planners.  Locally, this will translate into a proposed Planning Profession Bill which will set standards of professional competence, a code of ethics and requirements for continuing professional development.

In 2014 we hosted the Caribbean Urban Forum – an annual conference for planners, related professionals and academics from across the Caribbean (not just anglophone).  This was a very successful event and we expect to be asked to organize the event again soon.

In Barbados we continue our work to promote an understanding of planning in the wider community, to promote planning as a profession (particularly as a career for young people), to encourage best practice and to discuss planning issues that have major consequences for the future of the island.  A major example was our 2015 Symposium on Modernization and Transparency in Planning which we followed up with a Prospectus recommending improvements to the planning system in Barbados.  In recent years we have also held seminars (some with related study visits) on:

• Updating the Physical Development Plan
• Improving the nation’s health and wellness – planning and health
• Water resource management
• Ridge to reef – planning and climate change
• Developing within the UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Renewable energy

BTPS also assisted the Prime Minister’s Office in organizing and delivering the stakeholder events that started off the process for reform of the town planning legislation in the island.

Planning is a small profession in Barbados and BTPS is a small organization.  However, we like to think we make a contribution beyond our size.

The Three Honorees

To mark our 50^th Anniversary BTPS decided to invite three individuals to join as Honorary Members.  Our rules allow us to do this where someone has made an outstanding contribution.  This is the first time we have done this and we are honouring three outstanding people.

Luther Bourne

Luther was educated at St Andrews Church Boys School, the Alleyne School and Harrison College.  His first degree was in Economics, History and French at London University.  He has an MA in International Relations (Johns Hopkins) and Diploma in Town Planning (Newcastle) and qualified as a chartered town planner (Royal Town Planning Institute).

Luther taught in St Kitts and worked for the Federation of the West Indies before joining the TCDPO as a planning assistant in 1964 and working with the UN team on the first Physical Development Plan.  Luther returned to the office after completing his postgraduate training and was appointed head of the department in 1970.  He was the first Barbadian Chief Town Planner and held the role for 14 years – developing the organization over that period as well as overseeing growth and transformation across the island.  Luther then became an acting Permanent Secretary in 1984 and Cabinet Secretary in 1990.  From 1992 until 1996 he was a United Nations consultant on planning.

Lionel Nurse CBE

Lionel was educated at Combermere and studied Geography and History at UWI.  He has an MA in Geography from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, an MPhil in Urban Design and Regional Planning (Edinburgh), and also studied at the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy (Cambridge, Massachusetts) and the University of Wales (Certificate in Protected Landscapes Planning).  Lionel qualified as a chartered town planner (Royal Town Planning Institute).

Lionel started as a trainee in TCDPO in 1976 and worked in different roles before becoming Chief Town Planner in 1984, holding that post until 1998.  He was a Permanent Secretary from 1998 until 2014.  As Chief Town Planner he worked on two updates of the Physical Development Plan, introduction of special control for Harrison’s Cave, introduction of water conservation measures, the Adams Barrow Cummings land use study, the first steps towards computerization in the 1980s, the 1987 Bridgetown Physical Development Plan, development of Warrens as a strategic sub-centre, and the introduction of Environmental Impact Assessments.  From 1991 to 1994 Lionel served on UNCHS (United Nations Centre for Human Settlements).  More recently, he worked as part of the consultancy team on the draft amendment to the Physical Development Plan 2017.

Christine Toppin-Allahar

Christine was educated at Queens College, winning the Barbados Additional Scholarship for Girls in 1967.  She has a BA in Geography and Economics from UWI (Mona), an MA in Geography and Planning (Toronto), a Certificate in Integrated Surveys for Natural Resource Development (ITC, Enschede, Netherlands), LLB (UWI Cave Hill), Legal Education Certificate (Hugh Wooding Law School), and a Certificate in Legal Drafting from the International Legislative Drafting Institute, Tulane Law School, New Orleans.

Christine worked in the Town & Country Planning Division, Trinidad and Tobago (1972-1980) and as a Housing Planner in the Ministry of Housing, Lands & Environment in Barbados (1980-82).  As an attorney-at-law she has worked for the Attorney General’s Department in Trinidad & Tobago and in private practice.  As a specialist in planning, environmental and land law she has advised private clients, Governments and international agencies throughout the Caribbean and further afield as well as teaching and writing on these subjects.  As a legislative drafter she has prepared environmental, planning and coastal zone legislation in Caribbean countries including Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, and St Kitts & Nevis.  Notably, she was responsible for drafting the new Barbados Planning and Development Act 2019.