MONTEGO BAY, St James — Pointing to the limitations of local government, Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon has argued that there is an urgent need to strengthen local authorities if Jamaica is to achieve Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.

SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by 2030, while Vision 2030 is a long-term national development plan launched in 2009, designed to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business.

“Local governments often operate with limited fiscal resources and constrained authority. If Jamaica is serious about achieving Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal number 11, then local government must be strengthened through greater fiscal decentralisation, enhanced planning powers, improved technical capacity, and deeper citizen participation,” stated Vernon.

He argued that achieving these objectives requires a strong local government, as municipal authorities are responsible for many of the functions that directly influence community well-being.

The mayor was addressing the World Habitat Day Conference held under the theme ‘The Struggle for Land, Shelter and Sustainable Communities’ at S Hotel in Montego Bay on Monday.

The conference was organised by Community Organisations for Management and Sustainable Development (COMAND), in partnership with grass-roots leaders and community-based organisations from across Jamaica.

Among the responsibilities of local government are development control, local planning, disaster preparedness, public spaces, community engagement, waste management, community roads, emergency response, and public health.

Vernon spoke about the challenges being faced in Montego Bay, noting that the quality of settlements ultimately determines the quality of life and the lived experience of citizens.

“In Montego Bay, these issues are particularly relevant. Significant investments continue to transform our city and strengthen its economic position. However, communities such as Canterbury, Grange Pen, a large section of Flanker, and the surrounding areas of the north and south of our city continue to face challenges associated with tenure security, flood vulnerability, infrastructure deficits, and access to quality public spaces,” argued the mayor.

He noted that as growth accelerates, the demand for affordable housing within reach of jobs and services becomes increasingly urgent.

“The evidence from cities around the world points to several priorities. First, land regularisation and secure tenure must be expanded. The Government has started some of that, but we will have to do much more, allowing families to invest confidently in their homes and access economic opportunities,” Vernon said.

He argued that affordable housing must be integrated with transportation networks, employment centres, and supporting infrastructure.

The mayor added that climate resilience-related investments in drainage systems, flood mitigation, and environmental restoration must become central components of urban development policy. He also pointed out that greater emphasis must be placed on parks, recreational facilities, and public spaces that support healthy and cohesive communities.

The conference aims to bring together marginalised and underserved communities, policymakers, professionals, and civil society organisations to address land access, housing, tenure security, regularisation, and sustainable community development.

The event was also used to lay the foundation for a national network through which communities can organise, participate in decision-making, and influence public policy.

Mayor Vernon described Montego Bay as an appropriate setting for this conversation. As one of Jamaica’s fastest- growing urban centres, he argued that the city reflects many of the opportunities and challenges confronting communities throughout the developing world.

“Economic growth, tourism expansion, inward migration, climate vulnerabilities, and increasing demand for housing continue to shape our urban landscape and test our planning systems. At its core, the housing question is a development question. It concerns land use, infrastructure, environmental management, transportation, public space, economic opportunity, and social equity,” said Vernon.