It gives me great please to welcome you to the official launch of the website for the 2020 National Physical Sustainable Development Plan (NPSDP) for the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

In keeping with our mandate within “The Change Document”, my Government has commissioned the preparation of a NPSDP for the TCI. The Plan that will provide a framework for sustainable development of the islands by articulating sustainable land use zoning policies, economic and social development strategies, whilst at the same time preserving our beautiful by natural environment for present and future generations of Turks and Caicos Islanders.

My Government has retained EDSA, a Fort Lauderdale-based landscape architecture and planning firm, to prepare the 2020 NPSDP. The consultants commenced work on the Plan in 2019 and have completed Phase One – Collection, Review and Assimilation of Existing Data. The 2020 NPSDP will replace the outdated 1987 NPDP Plan. The lack of a modern NPSDP for the islands may have contributed to some of the development pressures the islands confront today.

The Plan preparation process and its website offer stakeholders the opportunity to personally participate in the process. Political and religious leaders, community grassroots groups, social clubs and organizations, and the general public can log on the website and express their aspirations, desires, and goals as to how they would like to see their communities developed.

I, therefore, encourage you to get involved in the plan preparation process by visiting the Plan’s website, completing online surveys and attending public consultations/outreach meetings, whether virtually or in-person.

I take this opportunity to thank you for your involvement in the Plan preparation process and look forward to seeing you at one the Public Consultation Meetings nearest to you. I also thank the Planning Department personnel and EDSA Consultants for the work they have completed on the Plan thus far. ‍

Mr. Sean Astwood
Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Planning of The Turks and Caicos Islands