Why try to fit 23,000 applicants in 1,000 lots?

Feb 13, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Please permit me to voice my opinion on the above matter. Recently Ministry V. Patterson from the Ministry of Communities announced that there are 23000 applications in the system and enough lots are not available therefore they have “decided” to use the available lots for housing units instead of house lots. In addition, to this, there is an advertisement in the papers for private developers to indicate their interest in forming a public-private partnership with Government to develop lands and build apartments.
As a concerned citizen of this country I ask this question; why try to fit 23,000 applications in an already congested area when we have abundant land in Guyana? I recommend that the Government conduct a feasibility study before they venture into such a project. A project of this nature cannot just be “decided”. Several factors need to be considered on such a project, such as;
1. Congestion on the Coastland (risk of flooding)
Guyana is at an extremely high risk of flooding yet governments (past and present) continue to invest and develop coastal lands for residential and commercial purposes. This issue needs to be looked at. One thing that developed countries have in common is that their population and industries are spread across the entire country. If a natural disaster was to hit Guyana’s coast the entire economy would be devastated since the essence of the economy lies on the coastland. This trend of development of the coastland needs to be put to a halt if leaders really have a vision for this country. More infrastructures and industries need to be developed at interior locations which will attract persons to take up residence there.
2. Congestion within the communities
The current plan by the Minister will result in congestion within the communities and apartments. This is not Toronto or New York City where space is limited. We have so much land space. Why are we trying to congest people?
3. Traffic forecasts
The areas listed for development are; La Penitence, Cummings Lodge, Little and Great Diamond. We already have a serious traffic congestion problem in Georgetown and on the East Bank and adding more housing developments will result in increased traffic. Has the projected increase in traffic after project implementation being taken into consideration? Where will all the additional vehicles drive? Will the bypass road from Diamond to Georgetown be needed to deal with the increased traffic? Can the current EBD road offset the projected traffic volumes?
4. Impacts on adjacent communities
What will be the effect of these housing units on the adjacent communities? Has any study or projection being done? Will all the additional traffic utilize the already narrow roads in the nearby communities as access to the major roads?
5. Parking
Will parking be provided to tenants/owners of these apartments? Will the spaces be enough? What if an additional member of the household acquires a vehicle? Will there be such a space?
6. What about those who want their own plot and yard space?
What about children? Have they been considered? We have seen that playgrounds are in most communities, but the governments (past & present) did nothing to maintain them so why will they do so now? I doubt it. People normally set aside play areas for children in their yard. What about a kitchen garden? What about people who want to live in their own private space? Was any consultation done with local residents about their views on this project? Will lands ever be developed again in plots or will we have to live congested from now on? I think it is a fundamental breach of people’s right to force them to live in apartments when they prefer private plots. I personally remember moving into my own home and yard. It was so peaceful and I felt a sense of ownership and accomplishment. Since this government took office in 2015, I am not aware of a single plot of land developed by them. This is indeed a sad situation.
In closing, the government needs to realize that people are not in a state of an emergency; they are not living in the streets. People who want homes live in rented apartments or with family.
People can wait a bit until lands are developed. It is now almost two years since this government is in power. Thousands of lots could have been developed during this time but no effort is being made. Persons will still have to pay mortgage/rent if they live in the apartment or their own home.
Please reconsider this project and ensure the relevant studies are done before you proceed. We have more than enough lands in Guyana to fit everyone. They just have to be developed. And the government complaining it doesn’t have money is ridiculous. Any government should know and be able to create income for a country.
Concerned civil engineer

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