PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica

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Strengthening Resilience of
the Built and Natural Environment 71
1.0 Losses in Critical Infrastructure
1.1 One of the prerequisites for sustainable economic development is the robustness
of a country’s economy reflected in part by resilience to shocks of various types. In the
case of Jamaica, a Small Island Developing State located in a multi-hazard zone,
environmental shocks particularly in the form of hydro-meteorological events have
continued to stymie the country’s development efforts. On average, over the last decade,
Jamaica has experienced at least one major hurricane or tropical storm annually. Since
1988, the cumulative impact of these events has been in the order of J$105 billion, an
average of 1-2% of GDP annually. It is estimated that by 2025, the cost of these natural
hazards for Jamaica could be 13.9% of GDP (based on 2004 GDP).
1.2 According to the IDB Country Specific Risk Evaluation Catastrophe Risk Profile
of Jamaica, completed in 2009, an estimated US$19 billion of Jamaica’s infrastructure
assets (including buildings, road systems network, telecommunication, and power plants,
dams etc.) are exposed to earthquake and wind hazards, of which US $15.2 billion are in
urban areas. This highlights the vulnerability of the built environment. Among the
means of reducing the risk and associated vulnerability is to introduce appropriate
policies and pursue environmental best practices.
1.3 Over the last decade Jamaica has been experiencing on average JA$14 billion in
losses. The most significant losses have been recorded in the areas of critical
infrastructure. In fact roads, drains and bridges represent a major component of the
damage. A close assessment may reveal that some of the infrastructure is replaced two to
three times per year due to failure to observe high standards in the reconstruction phase.
It is also important to note that much of the drainage and other government infrastructure
is quite old and may be beyond the design life. Outside of the major gullies, the drains are
now carrying debris and water flows that they were not designed to carry. Very little
coastal protection is in place, resulting in severe damage to coastal roadways and damage
to beaches and other coastal attractions.
1.4 These infrastructure and assets serve as interdependent networks or support these
interdependent networks and provide access for the movement of products and people
which are critical to the economic security of the country, as evidenced by the direct and
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In consultation with the Division of Sustainable Development and Regional Planning, PIOJ, and the
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
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