Stakeholders engage King’s Foundation on development plan for Georgetown

Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, on Tuesday led an engagement with a visiting team from the United Kingdom–based King’s Foundation to discuss plans for the Urban Framework Plan for Greater and Central Georgetown with local stakeholders.

The UK delegation was headed by Mr. Ben Bolgar, Executive Director of Projects, who provided updates on ongoing work to support the transformation of the capital city. The session brought together key national and municipal stakeholders to ensure alignment as the government accelerates efforts under President Dr Irfaan Ali’s City Revival Plan.

Among those in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, City Hall councillors and engineers, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). Senior CH&PA officials, including Chief Executive Officer Dr Martin Pertab, Chief Development Planner Ms Germene Stewart, and Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager Mr Sunil Gopaul, as well as Deputy Director of Projects, Intecab Indarjeet, also participated.

The Urban Framework Plan aims to reimagine Georgetown as a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive modern “Garden City.” Built around five pillars—residential development, commercial expansion, highways, green systems, and water management—the plan aligns with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and supports the country’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.

In her opening remarks, Minister Benn emphasised the importance of collaboration, noting that all stakeholders must be integrally involved to ensure that projects complement each other. She reminded agencies that the principles of the LCDS must be integrated into every initiative as the government moves to modernise and revitalise Georgetown.

Minister Manickchand also stressed the importance of moving plans to reality.