Is the Government serious about Sustainable Development?
The Sustainable Development draft plan recently published by the Government of Bermuda includes the following: Protecting and enhancing our environment and natural resources Imagine...
• An island where open space and natural habitats are preserved for current and future generations to enjoy by building in different ways and concentrating on building in a few key areas; redeveloping previously developed sites rather than encroaching on green space
Living within Bermuda’s limits
Imagine...
• An island with a reputation as one of the most environmentally conscious places on the planet. One where we make responsible lifestyle choices
Primary priorities
Open space protection and management. Once land is built upon, it effectively eliminates other uses. Rehabilitating and restoring land for other uses is expensive… It therefore makes sense to use this limited resource wisely by directing development to brownfield and previously-developed sites
We need to find a balance between the spatial development needs of the population such as housing, a new hospital, business, light industry, boating, fishing, etc., and spaces for recreation and nature
Maintain between 30–45% of Bermuda’s land mass as open space for future generations.
Why:
Bermuda’s economy is to a significant degree dependent upon a beautiful landscape with open spaces. Visitors and businesses come to the island for this beauty and residents relish the recreational options that open space provides... If the current rate of development continues, there will be very little open space left, leaving a suburban Bermuda with poorly planned and distributed open spaces.
Government commitment to protect Government-owned greenfield sites
What:
A commitment to not develop on Government-owned open space prior to the publication of the new Development Plan.
Why:
Government must lead by example. “
Finally the broad consultation process in creating this document has highlighted serious concerns about:
• over-development and the piecemeal destruction of open space that will leave an ugly legacy for future generations;
• maintaining access to open space, to fulfill a basic human need for contact with nature
• an ad-hoc, unstructured approach to tourism-related development, including overuse of Special Development Orders
Comments
I think this is the most important government initiative to have happened in my lifetime. So many people have rejected the concept, most before they even understand it. "That will never work" seems to be the response we reach for automatically and about so many things. We act as if hope is poisonous, more detrimental than resignation! Think about it - that's what we do and it's terrible. The sustanable development concept is worth supporting. Please don't give up on it and don't let the Government. It won't look radical or far-fetched to our Grandchildren. I don't think the Government really knows what they have created with this initiative. A resounding call to save the Botanical Gardens will show them that we are taking the Sustainable Development project seriously and so must they. Keep up the pressure and don't be afraid of hope!
Posted by: Toby Butterfield | October 24, 2006 11:32 AM