Regional Planning and Development of Island Territories
Regional planning and development of island territories is a complex and challenging task. Island territories face unique challenges such as limited land availability, vulnerability to natural disasters, and isolation from the mainland.
History of Regional Planning and Development of Island Territories
The concept of regional planning and development of island territories emerged in the 20th century with the growing recognition of the importance of sustainable development of island communities. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) were among the first international organizations to promote regional planning and development of island territories. Since then, several countries have launched their own regional planning and development programmes for island territories, tailored to their specific contexts.
Types of Regional Planning and Development of Island Territories
Regional planning and development of island territories can be classified into two types based on their approach:
- Top-down Approach: In this approach, the programme is designed and implemented by the government or a centralized agency without much involvement of the local communities.
- Bottom-up Approach: In this approach, the programme is designed and implemented in consultation with the local communities to ensure their participation and ownership of the development process.
Examples of Regional Planning and Development of Island Territories
Some examples of regional planning and development of island territories implemented in different countries are:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Programme (ANIDP): This programme was launched in India in 2005 with the aim of promoting the sustainable development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The programme focuses on areas such as infrastructure development, tourism promotion, and environmental conservation.
- Pacific Islands Forum: This is a regional intergovernmental organization that aims to promote the economic and social development of the Pacific island countries. The forum focuses on areas such as sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.
- National Spatial Strategy for Malta: This strategy was launched in Malta in 2015 with the aim of promoting the sustainable development of the island. The strategy focuses on areas such as land use planning, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation.
Issues in Regional Planning and Development of Island Territories
Some of the major issues in implementing regional planning and development of island territories are:
- Limited Resources: Island territories often have limited resources, making it challenging to finance and implement large-scale development interventions.
- Vulnerability to Natural Disasters: Island territories are often vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones, tsunamis, and earthquakes, posing a significant challenge for development planning.
- Isolation: Island territories often face challenges of isolation from the mainland, leading to limited access to markets, resources, and services.
- Limited Land Availability: Island territories have limited land availability, making it challenging to balance economic development with environmental conservation.
