Master Plan For the Sustainable Development of Vieques and Culebra

Master Plan For the Sustainable Development
of Vieques and Culebra
Land Use Update
José J. Villamil
Estudios Técnicos, Inc.
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
Presented to:
Vieques Sustainability Task Force
Meeting
November 16, 2011
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Background
• A Master Plan for the Sustainable Development of Vieques and Culebra
was completed in 2004.
• The Department of Economic Development and Commerce decided to
partially up-date the Plan.
• The up-date was completed in mid 2011.
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
2
The Vision
Planes de desarrollo turístico para la Región Este de Puerto Rico
“
Vieques and Culebra are
considered a new tourism
destination based on
sustainable development,
where natural attractions,
the protection of the
environment and economic
and social development are
integrated. Including both
island municipalities as
integral parts of the
sustainable Master Plan
reinforces their
attractiveness.
”
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
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Socioeconomic conditions: Population
•
According to the 2010 Census, Vieques has a population of 9,310.
•
The population increased during the last decade.
•
However, the rate of population growth declined in the Island, as in the Region and
Puerto Rico.
Annual Population
Growth
Annual
Population Growth
6.0%
5.6%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.5%
2.0%
2.0%
1.8%
1.0%
1.7%
1.2%
1.0%
0.0%
1.9%
0.9%
0.8%
0.6%
-0.1%
-0.3%
-1.0%
1970-1980
Culebra
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
1980-1990
Vieques
1990-2000
Eastern Region
0.2%
-0.2%
-0.2%
2000-2010
Puerto Rico
4
Socioeconomic conditions: Unemployment
• Vieques reported reduction in its unemployment rate, from
22.0 in 2009 to 16.7 in 2010.
Unemployment Rate,
2010
Unemployment
Rate, 2010
16.7%
18.3%
16.1%
Vieques
Eastern Region
Puerto Rico
10.5%
Culebra
Culebra
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
Vieques
Eastern Region
Puerto Rico
5
Socioeconomic conditions: Family Income
Households per income level
•
According to the Puerto Rico
Community Survey 20052009, Vieques had a median
family income of $18,494,
lower than for the Region
and Puerto Rico.
Households per(Estimates
income level
(Estimates 2005-2009
2005-2009*)
35.0%
30.0%
Culebra
25.0%
Vieques
20.0%
15.0%
Eastern
Region
10.0%
5.0%
Fuente: US Census Bureau. Puerto Rico Community Survey.
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
$200,000 o más
$150,000 - $199,999
$100,000 - $149,999
$75,000 - $99,999
$50,000 - $74,999
$35,000 - $49,999
$25,000 - $34,999
$15,000 - $24,999
$10,000 - $14,999
menos de $10,000
0.0%
(000')
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Socioeconomic conditions:
Families under the Poverty Line
Families under poverty
level
Families
under poverty level
•
According to the Puerto
Rico Community Survey
the number of families
under the poverty level
fell in Vieques.
90.0%
77.6%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
65.3%
68.3%
61.8%
59.7%
72.2%
63.1%
61.4%
56.6%
58.3%
55.5%
44.8%
45.1%
40.0%
30.0%
34.1%
42.7%
41.4%
41.1%
34.5%
33.8%
34.5%
1990
2000
2005-2009*
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
1970
Culebra
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
1980
Vieques
Eastern Region
Puerto Rico
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Strengths and Opportunities
© HM Design
•
•
•
•
•
Diversity of natural resources: coastal and marine.
Abundance of cultural and historic resources.
Proximity to Roosevelt Roads.
Closeness to the USVI.
New trends in tourists coming to the Islands,
including an increase in boating activity.
• Several Plans aimed at strengthening the nature
tourism and ecotourism in the Eastern region.
• Presence of NGOs working on economic
development and environmental protection.
• Opportunities to develop small business related to:
organic agriculture, ecotourism, recycling products.
© HM Design
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
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Atractivos naturales y culturales: Vieques
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
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Challenges
• Deficiencies in maritime transportation to and from the
islands.
• Lack of adequate infrastructure to support tourism in
the islands: i.e. inland transportation, tourism
information centers, sailing facilities, among others.
• Deficiencies in the handling and disposal of solid waste.
• Deficiencies in drinking water supplies during high
seasons.
• Limited fiscal resources for development and
maintenance of adequate infrastructure for residents
and visitors.
• Difficulties in the permit application process.
• Vulnerability to dependence on electricity and drinking
water from the Island of Puerto Rico.
• Presence of ammunitions and contaminants in the
uplands and submerged waters.
© HM Design
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
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Environmental Proposals
Proposed
ZoningZoning
to Protect
Puerto
Mosquito
Watershed
Proposed
to Protect
Puerto
MosquitoNatural
Natural Reserve
Reserve Watershed
•
•
•
•
•
Protection of the Bioluminiscent
Bay.
Conservation measures related to
coastal waters, specifically the Luis
Peña Chanel Reserve.
Continuing clean up work by the
Navy.
Measures were incorporated to
avoid light contamination.
Recycling solid waste materials was
also part of the recommendations.
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
Fuente: La delimitación de la cuenca hidrográfica y de la RNBBV fue provista por el DRNA. La califica ción propuesta fue generada por Estudios Técnicos, Inc co mo
parte de este proyecto.
Vieques
Natural
Reserve
Light
Basin
Vieques
Natural
Reserve Light
Basin
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Economic Development Proposals
The lead economic
development sector is
sustainable tourism, including
eco-tourism initiatives.
Included are specific measures
such as ecotent facilities in Sun
Bay and the conversion of
bunkers to tourism related
installations.
Nautical tourism is also
considered and facilities that
complement those in Eastern
Puerto Rico proposed
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
Visitor centers, educational
programs and other such
measures are included in order
to facilitate sustainable
tourism development
Business opportunities for
residents were also identified
and strengthening an existing
business incubator was
recommended.
12
Eco-Friendly Boat
Marina – Option 2
Sustainable Tourism
Hospitality School
Fine-dining Healthy
Restaurant
Rehabilitation of Playa
Grande Sugar Mills
Visitor Interpretation
Center
Rehabilitated
Archaeological Site Ferro Museum
Kiani Lagoon Visitor and
Interpretation Center
Hobbit Ecolodge
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
Eco-Friendly Boat
Marina Esperanza
Option 1
Various Camping
Experiences
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Social Development
•
Vieques has serious social needs and
recommendations were made with respect to
education, health and security.
•
A telemedicine facility was recommended
that will make better health services
accessible to the population.
•
A recommendation is included for the
Department of Education to provide
incentives for teachers to locate in Vieques.
•
Likewise a scholarship program for residents
in key areas is also part of the
recommendations.
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
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Infrastructure
•
•
•
•
WiFi facilities are recommended.
Improvements to the urban areas are incorporated in the Plan.
Maritime and air transportation infrastructure need major improvement
Alternative energy sources were recommended in the original Plan and in the
update.
Improvements to the public space in Isabel Segunda
Improvements to the public space in Isabel Segunda
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
Improvements to the public space in Esperanza
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Criteria used: Land Used Plan
Regulatory
• Ownership
• Current laws and
regulations
• Plans
• Approved site
consultations.
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
Environmental
• Natural protected
areas
• Biobay watershed
• Critical Habitat
designations by
NOAA and USFWS
• Natural hazards such
as floods and
landslides and
• Polluted lands
Demographics and
economics
• Population Growth
• Existing Communities
and future
development poles:
Esperanza, Isabel
Segunda, Mosquito
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Land Use Proposal
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
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