master plan for the sustainable development of vieques and … · 06-11-2014 · master plan for...

MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA

Master Plan For the Sustainable Development

of Vieques and Culebra Land Use Update

Presented to:

Vieques Sustainability Task Force

Meeting

November 16, 2011

San Juan, Puerto Rico

José J. Villamil Estudios Técnicos, Inc.


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.

2


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.

The Vision

3

“

”

Planes de desarrollo turístico para la Región Este de Puerto Rico


Socioeconomic conditions: Population

4

5.6%

2.0% 1.9%

-0.3%-0.1%

1.2%

0.6%0.2%

2.5%

1.8%0.9%

-0.2%

1.7%

1.0%0.8%

-0.2%

-1.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010

Annual Population Growth

Culebra Vieques Eastern Region Puerto Rico

Annual Population Growth

• 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.


Socioeconomic conditions: Unemployment

• Vieques reported reduction in its unemployment rate, from 22.0 in 2009 to 16.7 in 2010.

5

10.5%

16.7% 18.3% 16.1%


Unemployment Rate, 2010


Unemployment Rate, 2010


Socioeconomic conditions: Family Income

6

• According to the Puerto Rico Community Survey 2005-2009, Vieques had a median family income of $18,494, lower than for the Region and Puerto Rico.

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10.0%

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Households per income level (Estimates 2005-2009*)

Culebra

Vieques

Eastern Region

Fuente: US Census Bureau. Puerto Rico Community Survey.

Households per income level (Estimates 2005-2009


Socioeconomic conditions: Families under the Poverty Line

7

• According to the Puerto Rico Community Survey the number of families under the poverty level fell in Vieques.

61.8%

34.1% 34.5% 33.8% 34.5%

68.3%

77.6%

72.2%

61.4%

42.7%

65.3%

63.1%

56.6%

45.1%41.1%

59.7% 58.3%55.5% 44.8%

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40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

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1970 1980 1990 2000 2005-2009*

Families under poverty level


Families under poverty level


Strengths and Opportunities

8 © HM Design

© 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.


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Atractivos naturales y culturales: Vieques


Challenges

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• 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


Environmental Proposals

• 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.

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Fuente: La delimitación de la cuenca hidrográfica y de la RNBBV fue provista por el DRNA. La calificación propuesta fue generada por Estudios Técnicos, Inc comoparte de este proyecto.

Proposed Zoning to Protect Puerto Mosquito Natural Reserve Watershed

Vieques Natural Reserve Light Basin

Proposed Zoning to Protect Puerto Mosquito Natural Reserve Watershed

Vieques Natural Reserve Light Basin


Economic Development Proposals

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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.

Visitor centers, educational programs and other such

measures are included in order to facilitate sustainable tourism development

Nautical tourism is also considered and facilities that complement those in Eastern

Puerto Rico proposed

Business opportunities for residents were also identified and strengthening an existing

business incubator was recommended.

MASTER PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA 13

Fine-dining Healthy Restaurant

Kiani Lagoon Visitor and Interpretation Center

Eco-Friendly Boat Marina – Option 2

Hobbit Ecolodge Eco-Friendly Boat

Marina Esperanza Option 1

Various Camping Experiences

Rehabilitated

Archaeological Site -

Ferro Museum

Rehabilitation of Playa Grande Sugar Mills Visitor Interpretation

Center

Sustainable Tourism Hospitality School


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.

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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.

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Improvements to the public space in Isabel Segunda Improvements to the public space in Esperanza Improvements to the public space in Isabel Segunda


Regulatory

• Ownership

• Current laws and regulations

• Plans

• Approved site consultations.

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

Criteria used: Land Used Plan

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Land Use Proposal

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master plan for the sustainable development of vieques and … · 06-11-2014 · master plan for...

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