Saint Lucia lacks a legal framework that distinguishes cities from towns. As a result, urban areas like Gros-Islet and Vieux Fort, with significant population density and strong economic importance are not formally recognized or planned at a city scale.
In this commentary, I make the case for the formal recognition of these towns as cities.
Gros-Islet and Vieux-Fort are now Saint Lucia’s largest urban hub outside of Castries. Over the past 5 decades, they have steadily acquired the social and economic dynamics of small Caribbean cities. Both have commercial zones, shopping centres, banking, medical facilities, and educational institutions.
Thanks to the causeway linking Pigeon Island National Landmark with the mainland and the construction of the Daren Sammy Stadium, Gros-Islet is now at the centre of economic, social, cultural and sporting, and recreational activity in Saint Lucia. Economically, it is to Saint Lucia what California is the USA, in terms of its substantial contribution to national revenue, foreign exchange and employment, via hotels, marinas, restaurants, nightlife, retail and commercial services, and real estate and construction activity. This contribution will only increase with planned investment.
Moreover, Gros-Islet regularly hosts thousands of locals and visitors at various events–such as regional and international cricket games, Friday Night Street Parties and the annual Jazz & Arts Festival–which have helped generate strong cultural identity and significant global recognition. Suburbanization in areas such as Beausejour, Bonne Terre, Reduit, Rodney Heights, Monchy and Cap Estate has created an extended urban footprint.
Given its role in the national economy and its strategic importance to future growth, elevating Gros-Islet to city status would support balanced national development, enhance local governance, strengthen investment opportunities, and foster improved infrastructure and planning.
While Vieux-fort’s development trajectory has not been as dramatic as Gros-Islet’s, few would question its “new frontier” potential. Like Gros-Islet, its population density and settlement patterns meet common Caribbean benchmarks for small city classification. Even now, it is home to our international airport, a seaport, modern secondary hospital, and several light manufacturing facilities.
Importantly, while population density in both towns is increasing, spatial congestion is not yet a problem. Average plot sizes exceed that in Castries. If well managed, urbanization in these areas can improve quality of life, boost economic productivity, and improve access to services.
However, to fully support city status traffic bottlenecks will have to be addressed (especially along the north-west corridor) through increased investment to 1) improve transportation and traffic management, drainage and sewerage systems; 2) expand public amenities such as parks, sidewalks, and green spaces; 3) enhance public safety and city services. Both towns desperately need modern bus terminals and more regular access to potable water
These upgrades can be incorporated into phased city development plans, which should be designed as a matter of urgency.
It’s very important that the significant growth potential of these areas does not become stifled as with Castries. To help avert such an outcome, I strongly propose that they should have their own planning and development control authorities. This would help ensure that the rate and scale of urbanization do not outpace infrastructure development, leading to shortages in housing, sanitation, and transportation.
The creation of these city planning authorities need not cause a financial burden. It may simply require the reassignment/relocation of planning officers who live in these areas but work in Castries.
City designation will likely require a statutory definition of “city” under local law as well as clearly defined geographic boundaries. I urge that we resist the temptation to use current electoral constituency boundaries as proxy boundaries for these cities. Additionally, we should not use the constituency council template for City Councils, as this will surely condemn them to the same fate as the Constituency Councils.
I recommend that these City Councils should be given authority over: local urban planning and zoning; local infrastructure and public works; public health and sanitation; local economic development; the creation of social and recreational spaces and management of cultural events. Agreement on roles and functions, will help determine the structure and composition of the City Councils. In the case of Vieux-fort, the long-standing role of Invest Saint Lucia will have to considered.
I strongly favour allowing the people of these areas to choose their representatives to serve them through these Councils. As a former Chairman of the 1998 Local Government Reform Commission and co-author of the Green Paper on Local Government Reform, I am acutely aware that “compatibility” with central government’s development agenda is a major barrier to the adoption of this idea. However, I do not wish this to detract from the ideal of the city status.
Designating Gros-Islet and Vieux-fort as cities will produce several benefits. Among other things, it will: (1) decentralize national development; (2) reduce pressure on Castries; (3) enable coherent urban planning; (4) enhance opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI); (5) improve branding for tourism and business; (6) expand opportunities for urban regeneration projects; (7) Improve the delivery of local services; (8) strengthen community pride and identity; (9) broaden cultural and event development opportunities.
Given these strong benefits, I do not see funding as a major issue, especially if Government commits to provide adequate and predictable budget allocations, commensurate with the contribution of these areas to the national economy. Additional revenue can be raised through public–private partnerships (PPPs), investment incentives for urban redevelopment, tourism enhancement funds, service fees and increased business activity.
While I do not expect this proposal to meet with strong public resistance, I believe broad community consultations and clear communication are critical to the successful implementation of national development policies
If we commit now to this ideal, we should be celebrating City status for Gros-Islet and Vieux-fort, as part of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of our Independence.
Gros-Islet and Vieux-Fort have already achieved the functional characteristics of cities. Their emerging economic, cultural, and demographic importance makes their formal elevation into cities, a logical and strategic step for Saint Lucia’s long-term national development.