The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has commenced a comprehensive land-use mapping exercise in Clarendon as it works to update the Town and Country Planning (Clarendon Parish) Confirmed Development Order, 2019. The initiative aims to address rapid urbanisation, evolving land-use patterns, and the growing pressure on infrastructure across the parish.

Clarendon, Jamaica’s third-largest parish, has seen significant changes in its economic and physical landscape in recent years. Once dominated by agriculture, particularly sugarcane production, the parish is now home to industrial operations, such as the Jamalco alumina refinery, and expanding urban centres like May Pen. However, alongside these developments have come challenges, including overcrowding, strained public services, and a lack of coordinated infrastructure planning.

To support the update of the Development Order, NEPA has trained eleven land-use survey technicians in ArcGIS Field Maps software. Over a five-week period, the team will collect and analyse data across Clarendon’s major urban areas, capturing information on land usage, infrastructure gaps, and environmentally sensitive zones. The data will inform new zoning maps and guidelines for future development.

Stephanie Linton-Shields, manager of NEPA’s Local Area Planning Branch, explained the purpose of the exercise. “The land-use survey will provide critical information on existing land use, infrastructure needs, and development trends. This data ensures that our planning strategies are evidence-based and can guide sustainable growth that meets both community needs and environmental standards,” she said in a press release.

The updated Development Order will play a central role in shaping Clarendon’s urban and rural development. As a legal framework under the Town and Country Planning Act, the order regulates land-use activities, including residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial projects. It also ensures that development proposals meet zoning requirements and environmental guidelines before approvals are granted.

Linton-Shields noted that without such frameworks, unplanned growth can result in overcrowding, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation, placing additional strain on public infrastructure. “The Development Order is critical to managing growth in a structured way, addressing community needs while mitigating risks such as natural disasters and the effects of climate change,” she said.

The push to update Clarendon’s Development Order is part of NEPA’s broader strategy to modernise land-use policies across all fourteen parishes. With Jamaica facing increasing urbanisation and climate-related challenges, the agency aims to ensure that development is planned, resilient, and economically viable.

Clarendon, with its expanding urban centres and growing population, is a key focus of these efforts. NEPA says its work will provide a clearer roadmap for development in the parish, balancing economic opportunities with environmental protection. Infrastructure needs, including the provision of public amenities, improved road networks, and resilient energy solutions, will also be addressed through updated planning guidelines.