Land use and sustainable development

Sustainable development has been acclaimed as a measure to ensure that development of every kind meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. And it does not augur well when existing resources, including land availability, are destroyed or depleted.

The 2005 State of the Environment Report goes some way to providing us with a snapshot of the local situation. But there is no doubting that signs of environmental degradation can be seen everywhere, particularly with regard to land use in such a small country where open space is so scarce.

The development of new homes and schools, industrial estates, parking areas, roads and other structures has been achieved at a high environmental price. Soil and arable land have been lost. In the countryside, quarries and the heaps of debris that accompany them provide eyesores for onlookers.

There is a general state of neglect in our valleys and even in the ditches that surround historic bastions. Some people think they have the right to dump rubbish everywhere. And our coastline is also being eroded as developers seek private beaches and facilities for tourists. There seems to be little appreciation of the islands' natural resources.

To expect a rapid change of mentality is probably unrealistic; but a process of environmental education - to adults and children - may yield some positive results, albeit gradual.

Of course, the issue is not straightforward. Notwithstanding all the care the environment deserves, there are real social needs that cannot be ignored and certain priorities deserve careful consideration. The challenge is to strike a balance between the two and a demarcation line must be drawn, in some way, between what is sustainable and what is not.

Foremost among genuine social needs are housing, schools, clinics, roads, parking areas, recreational facilities and parks. But there are a number of reasons why housing should be placed at the top of the list.

The problem of providing adequate housing to new families and to those living in sub-standard dwellings has long been a serious concern - not just for individuals, but for the governments whose duty it is to look after the weakest and neediest citizens in the community. Human rights include decent housing, but this right is still far from being universally guaranteed and realised in our country.

The availability of affordable housing continues to be insufficient and out of tune with the demands of some sections of the population. It is of no use to contend that according to statistical findings, by 2020, at least, there will be no shortage of housing units. The dire truth is that a considerable number of young people, including engaged couples, are unable to buy or rent a house at an affordable price. And their only alternative is to either postpone their wedding or to incur heavy debts that are repaid over a long period of time.

Fair and equitable housing laws, including a modern rent law and incentives for the conservation of existing buildings, may provide a variety of options through which low-income individuals and families can gain access to housing - preferably in the form of ownership.

At any rate, it is a parrot's secret that the physical stock of housing is probably one of the nation's greatest capital assets and instead of land ownership being limited to the few, it would make more sense to have a kind of redistribution of real property to allow more people to own it.

All of a sudden, the topic of land use has become one of the hottest issues being discussed in our country and the announcement of plans to extend development boundaries has obviously caused painful stirring of a hornet's nest.

Some have argued that more public consultation is required to make the process of rationalisation more transparent and to increase the chances of finding a modicum of consensus. And there can be no doubt that members of the public and interested organisations must be given an opportunity to express their views on the planning of their areas during the formation of the structure and local plans.

But local councils should have a bigger say in this issue too. They are already involved in road projects and awarding various contracts to embellish their respective localities, and have a good idea of the urbanisation and environmental problems that exist. Their input is also likely to be in the interests of the well-being of residents in the areas where any development will take place.