Vulnerability of coastal urban settlements in Jamaica

This paper seeks to examine the issue of vulnerability of coastal urban settlements in Jamaica in the context of rapid urbanization, poverty and institutional incapacity. It also aims to provide a case study that demonstrates the precarious situation faced by the most vulnerable coastal urban communities in Jamaica.

A literature review preceded in‐depth but informal interviews with the directors of planning of the cities of Kingston, Port Antonio and Port Maria on a variety of issues related to hazards in conjunction with their municipal operational capacities. Informal interviews were also carried out with a community leader and five more persons who have resided in the African Gardens community since its inception in the 1980s. Interviews were based on issues such as hazards, government involvement in the development of the site and demographic characteristics of the area. Archival information on the Hope River corridor was also utilized to enhance the understanding of the site‐specific hazard issues in relation to the surrounding environment. The field verification, which was carried out in September 2008, updated the 1994 topographic map of the area at a scale of 1:5,000.

The results suggest that the conditions for the vulnerability of coastal towns in Jamaica are overwhelmingly man‐made. The problems of vulnerability have been worsened by the incapacity of the central and local governments in terms of their limitations of financial and technical resources, and the lack of government sensitivity to tackle the issue in a sustainable approach.

The matter of vulnerability of coastal urban settlements is a complex settlement problem of Jamaica's entire landscape. The solution to this problem requires an integrated and long‐term action programme regardless of the political party in power.