THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM happy to see Downtown Kingston back on the agenda. I have always wondered how it is that the plight of the nation's capital could never stay long enough on the national agenda for the trend of continuing decline to be successfully addressed.
Rather than face the problems which have led to the city's demise as a vibrant social and economic centre, many public and private sector interests seem content to retreat northward. In so doing, they have chosen to abandon what in any other country would be most valuable pieces of real estate. But worse than that, this neglect of the capital city signals our failure to give due respect to what should be a source of pride for all Jamaicans, well beyond any economic significance.
Some have questioned the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce's motives in closing the doors of its member shops in Downtown Kingston, ostensibly to highlight genuine concerns for the conditions in the capital. I say to focus on motives here is to miss the point - the situation in Downtown Kingston is in dire need of intervention. That much is obvious, and regardless of how it came to be on the agenda the focus needs to be on keeping it there until a solution is arrived at.
Indeed, reversing the trend of decline and breathing new life into Kingston is no easy task, just ask those who have tried and failed. The problems are many and varied and certainly won't be fixed by removing vendors from sidewalks or beefing up security, even if resources would allow it.
Instead, Kingston's rebirth will rely on wholesale initiatives on myriad fronts, requiring participation at all levels. The government has an important role to play, as does the private sector, but in the end success will hinge on recognising that people live Downtown. Yes, this is a place many living, breathing people call home.
Too often this is overlooked, but any plan that does not adequately incorporate this basic reality will fail. On the other hand, to the extent that a plan can be crafted that allows the people who spend their days and nights in the city to make a connection between the effort and their own progress, there is a real chance for success. This means that a way must be found to adequately involve them in any urban renewal scheme, from the outset. Accomplishing this is itself a very difficult task, but this is where the strategy must begin. Urban renewal, ought never to be about containing or controlling the poor simply to make it easier for the affluent to exploit economic opportunity.
To this end, I would like to see the formation of a "Friends of Kingston" organisation, which has as its primary objective delivering economic progress to all who call Kingston home. Such an organisation would, of necessity, be built on a participatory framework, with the communities at its centrepiece. It would require effective leadership and responsible involvement from the Government and the private sector. It would have to cut across traditional divides, be they political, social, economic, or otherwise. I advocate the formation of such an organisation as a first step to the urban renewal process.
Many of the groups, which have variously demonstrated interest in the end result of urban renewal, could be brought together in co-operation under this organisation. These include, among others, the Kingston Restoration Company, the KSAC, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and even the Port Royal Development Company.
I sincerely believe this dream of revitalising Kingston can be pursued to a highly rewarding result. But who knows, this may just be the unwarranted optimism of a son of St. Elizabeth.
I am etc.,
SHELDON LYN
sllyn@hotmail.com
Via Go-Jamaica
