PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica

state sectors engaged in community development; real local government reform
that empowers PDCs, CDC etc
A re-imaging of the people and their communities by those who would seek to
‘re-engineer’ their lives, beginning from an appreciation of their intrinsic assets
and capabilities, their inherent goodness, their sterling contribution to creating
what we now market as “brand Jamaica” and as such their just desserts as the
creative agents
To become a national thrust going beyond the 100 communities identified for
their pathologies and perhaps because they hold public attention for acting out; to
instead be “the way” – the way we are with and for our people across the length
and breadth of the island – a national resolve to never again practise exclusion,
marginalization and stigmatization of the majority of our people.
4.0 Existing Assets
Finally, a brief word on Appendix A7: Proposed West Kingston Commercial
Lifestyles Centre - Concept Note
It is a curious proposal – why concentrate and corral? What of existing assets:
Ward Theatre
Liberty Hall
Ocean Boulevard plazas
Kingston craft market
What audit of existing internet cafes
The performing arts programme of Area Youth
Art in the street programme of Multi-Care Foundation
Outreach programmes of ACIJ and IOJ
Galleries for community development like Studio 73 and Rock Towa
A properly managed St. William Grant Park
The proposed restoration of historic churches and the community renewal
programmes associated with that plan
Rather than reinvent, let us audit to identify then place additional resources to enhance,
expand, ensure sustainability, fast track, replicate, scale up the great stuff that already
exists and/or is taking place – there is great scope for public-private partnerships and
investment opportunities in this city and nation. At all costs, avoid concentrations –
spread the investments, assets and the love.
213